PRS-900 PRS-900 specifications are up

[ebooker]

I think if ereaders are going to acquire function-creep, they should acquire features that bring them closer to textbooks (writing on the page, syncing with word and Endnote, multi-language dictionaries, etc) rather than in the direction of netbooks (web browsers, multimedia, etc). Netbooks already do what they do very well. I'd rather see dedicated book-features rather than computer-features on these devices.

[twaits]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Or not. Can you point to an ebook that you can get in ePub that you can't get for the Kindle... please?

Because if you can't I think your comment is just FUD.

BOb

That's not the issue. The problem is, what you do in 2-3 years, if you want a different reader. Do you buy all your ebooks again?

[neilmarr]

***I'd rather see dedicated book-features rather than computer-features on these devices***

I agree entirely, Ebooker. What I'd like to see is pure, specialised single-function readers without wireless connectivity ... and the subsequent lower prices that will encourage wider use of the devices. But I'm a simple soul. Hoots. Neil

[astra]

Resolution : 600 x 1024 pixels

The same width as current 6"? Off you go, Sony.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by twaits

That's not the issue. The problem is, what you do in 2-3 years, if you want a different reader. Do you buy all your ebooks again?

Exactly. If say I wanted to get say a Plastic Logic to go along with my 505, I'd be able to use the same ePub books on both devices. With Amazon's DRM, I'm locked into Amazon and their devices. I have less choice. Who besides Amazon is releasing readers (or is not updating them) to support ePub via ADE?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by twaits

That's not the issue. The problem is, what you do in 2-3 years, if you want a different reader. Do you buy all your ebooks again?

Well, if I've read all the books why would I want to buy them again? Oh, and I could still read them on my PC, my iPod and whatever future devices Amazon adds support for.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Exactly. If say I wanted to get say a Plastic Logic to go along with my 505, I'd be able to use the same ePub books on both devices. With Amazon's DRM, I'm locked into Amazon and their devices. I have less choice. Who besides Amazon is releasing readers (or is not updating them) to support ePub via ADE?

I could of course remove the DRM. But, then I am a pirate right. So perhaps it is just easier to darknet them in the first place.

If I do get a second device, it won't be to read the same eBooks that I have on my Kindle. It will be to read the programming and tech books that I buy now in PDF... all of which are DRM free. (Well, most have "social DRM like pragmatic bookshelf embeds my name in each PDF. Not that I couldn't remove it if I wanted too.)

But truly, I hope in 3 years or so the publishing community will come to the same conclusions that the music publishers have... DRM is a waste of time and money... and they will drop it.

Also, playing devils ad advocate there is no proof that something won't come along and superceed ePub.

Finally, I don't care what happens 3 years from now. I want to read ebooks today... and when I bought the kindle the kindle store was second to none for choice and price. Still seems to be actually.

Bottom line, I don't know what will happen in 3 years from now. Perhaps Amazon will decide that Adobe DRM and ePub are the way to go. Maybe they won't. I'm happy where I am right now.

BOb

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by twaits

That's not the issue.

Actually, it IS the issue for most mainstreem users.

You have to admit most people here do NOT fall into that category.

BOb

[JSWolf]

Most people fall into the category of not being able or know how to strip DRM and/or convert content. And if you did want to buy another reader and had a backlog of eBooks to read, you'd be able to read them on your new device. It's all about keeping content going between brands. ePub allows this. AZW does not.

What if say someone with a Kindle decided that the size of the PRS-900 was a good fit but then could not get one due to all those eBooks that could not be transferred? ePub gives me options, AZW gives me just Amazon.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What if say someone with a Kindle decided that the size of the PRS-900 was a good fit but then could not get one due to all those eBooks that could not be transferred? ePub gives me options, AZW gives me just Amazon.

I'm not saying I disagree with this point... I'm just saying it is a non-issue for the vast majority of Kindle users. Also, I got my Kindle much before ePub and Adobe DRM even existed. Should I just through out my Kindle now and get a device that supports ePub?

And yes, I would certainly like to see amazon support ePub and sell ePub books to anyone. Perhaps they should just buy Adobe. Although, I think Adobe is bigger than Amazon.

BOb

[MSJim]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

And yes, I would certainly like to see amazon support ePub and sell ePub books to anyone. Perhaps they should just buy Adobe. Although, I think Adobe is bigger than Amazon.

BOb

If Amazon did buy Adobe, I'd expect them to kill Adobe DRM and try to force AZW on the rest of the market.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

And yes, I would certainly like to see amazon support ePub and sell ePub books to anyone. Perhaps they should just buy Adobe. Although, I think Adobe is bigger than Amazon.

I don't know about bigger, but Adobe is certainly more profitable and abhors selling anything at a loss. Not a good culture fit with Amazon.

[nwinter]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most people fall into the category of not being able or know how to strip DRM and/or convert content. .

or just dont want to as well. I am in that boat. I find this stripping business way to technically ( yes a simple soul I am) I also would think it is a little on the illegal side but hey I could be wrong and can sleep well at night. I dont see why I need to spend time stripping something that just does not bother me. I see a book I want to read - I buy it in that format. I read the book, then put the book away (on a SD card). If it were paperback I would take it and trade it in and would never have access to it again anyway. Given the price of ebooks I do wonder what all the fuss is about. Some of the post I read really boggle my mind as people are going on about a few dollars. Given they have spent hundreds on the reader.

If i were to buy a different reader ( say a kindle after owning a Sony) then I load the new books on the kindle and I still have the Sony so I still have my books - if I ever want to re read them ( but with over 50 books yet to read doubt that will happen in my lifetime).

Once you read the book why would you go back and re read it with so many great new books both inexpensive or better still free? So in summary - I guess I bought the reader for exactly what it is. I want to read a book, I buy the book, I dont illegally meddle with the book, I finish the book and move onto the next one. A simple life is a good one.

Natalie

[rainsux]

The SonyStyle site has a "Owners Manual" link for the PRS-900 ... but it links to a map
of AT&Ts 3G coverage.

Anybody have a link for the PRS-900 Owner's Manual? (Not the Quick-Start doc)

-doug

[igorsk]

I don't think it will appear before December.

[MerLock]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most people fall into the category of not being able or know how to strip DRM and/or convert content. And if you did want to buy another reader and had a backlog of eBooks to read, you'd be able to read them on your new device. It's all about keeping content going between brands. ePub allows this. AZW does not.

What if say someone with a Kindle decided that the size of the PRS-900 was a good fit but then could not get one due to all those eBooks that could not be transferred? ePub gives me options, AZW gives me just Amazon.

I fall into this category. I want to just be able to read something I bought without having to learn and go through the trouble of stripping DRM.

I have several books in ePUB and I'm glad that several devices can read them w/o stripping DRM. Amazon is not one of them and thats why I won't consider the Kindle. When reading a series, I often go back and read the previous book in the series before starting on the new one. So just because I read a book already, doesn't mean I won't re-read it. I like to have the flexibility of not being locked into a single device with my ebook purchases. For me, it's like buying a DVD that only works on a Sony DVD player.