backtop

Gadgets Sony E-Reader Goes To Borders
Brandon Hill (Blog) - April 5, 2006 3:04 PM
Print 14 comment(s) - last by nrlightfoot.. on Apr 8 at 5:55 PM
The Sony Reader gets some much-needed visibility

The Sony Reader is getting some high-profile attention from Borders stores. Sony has announced an agreement that will make the e-book reader available in about 200 Borders stores in the United States.

The device features a 6" screen that can be read easily in full daylight as well as indoors. Those with vision problems can even enlarge text up to 200%. The Sony Reader measures 6.9” x 4.9” x 0.5” and weighs less than 9 ounces. With its rechargeable battery, it can operate for up to 7,500 page turns before needing to be recharged (4 hour recharge time). Internal storage will allow you to hold up to 80 e-books, while additional storage capacity is available via an Secure Digital and MemoryStick slot.

Per the Borders agreement, customers will be able to see custom display units so that they can "feel out" the technology. Customers will also be able to purchase prepaid cards which are redeemable on the Sony CONNECT online service where a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction e-books are available for purchase. Borders Senior VP of Trade Books Bill Nasshan says:

"Borders is committed to helping our customers enrich their lives through knowledge and entertainment. That is why we've always been committed to offering a vast selection of books in our stores. Now, with this agreement to offer the Sony Reader to Borders customers, we are adding an exciting, new book format that gives those who are passionate about reading another way to indulge that passion. We are proud to be associated with Sony for the introduction of this exciting new product."

Comments     Threshold


This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
i dont really like it..
By NerV04 on 4/5/2006 3:16:36 PM , Rating: 2
personally i hate reading off of screens. I hate reading on the computer because my eyes get tired too easily. and ill probably not like reading off that screen too. anyways i like the feel of a book in my hand too. it feels kind of wrong if i was reading the belgariad series on a handheld....




RE: i dont really like it..
By IGx89 on 4/5/2006 3:20:40 PM , Rating: 2
This uses E-Ink, which is a lot easier on the eyes than an LCD screen.


RE: i dont really like it..
By armagedon on 4/5/2006 4:22:27 PM , Rating: 2
i had to look it out too but this is what the technology is all about :
http://www.eink.com/technology/howitworks.html

$300~$400 is still too expansive for a reader only.


paper must die
By Papa Lorenzo on 4/6/2006 1:34:19 AM , Rating: 2
i'm not crazy about reding off screens either, but lets face it - paper has to go! we can't continue using paper for ever, especialy not with population growth and the rise in leteracy. think of all the trees we'll need to cut down. think of all the papaer that goes to waste (recyclying doesn't realy happen in most of the world...
i think that by 2020 at least paper will be gone.


RE: paper must die
By masher2 (blog) on 4/6/2006 12:06:01 PM , Rating: 2
> "i'm not crazy about reding off screens either, but lets face it - paper has to go!"

Why? Paper is a 100% renewable resource. Furthermore, paper production is a net carbon sink, meaning its one of our few industrial activities that actually lower atmospheric CO2 levels, albeit only slightly.

There are few products that are as long-term sustainable as paper. There is no pressing need to switch. The sky is not falling.

> "think of all the papaer that goes to waste (recyclying doesn't realy happen in most of the world... "

Go outside and drop a piece of paper on the ground. In a very short period of time in environmental terms, that paper is 100% recycled...for free, by the processes of nature.

In the environment, cellulose breaks down into simple sugars and some mild acids such as lactic or acetic acid. Eventually, it becomes no more than CO2 and water, both to be eventually subsumed back into trees or other plant matter.


agree on ink and paper but...
By DallasTexas on 4/6/2006 8:34:45 AM , Rating: 2
I agree that reading ink printed on dead trees still offers the best resolution and least power (zero), but portability is the tradeoff here.

I think this category will do very well once the electronic ink gets better and the cost comes down. Being able to load books and say, essentially all the news you can consume in a small device you can take with you is very compelling and will get better.

The MP3 player started with less than perfect audio quality but offered a huge portability value. Same thing will happen here, IMHO. I agree though, with your point in that paper/ink is VERY HIGH in visual quality and VERY LOW in cost.


Memory Stick
By Schadenfroh on 4/5/2006 4:33:02 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Secure Digital and MemoryStick slot.


What the???

Sony is not going MemoryStick only with this one?




RE: Memory Stick
By rrsurfer1 on 4/5/2006 4:34:07 PM , Rating: 2
A GREAT move.


RE: Memory Stick
By NFS4 on 4/5/2006 4:34:30 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, shocking isn't it? :)


RE: Memory Stick
By vtohthree on 4/5/2006 4:38:27 PM , Rating: 3
Yes, I agree, at least they did something right. Although I don't see this product surviving a lone. Paying that much just for a ebook reader is outrageous. I believe this will either flop or "evolve" into a more multifunction-near pda- device in order to stick around.


RE: Memory Stick
By PseudoKnight on 4/5/2006 8:04:45 PM , Rating: 2
It'll drop in price as the tech matures. It really doesn't need to upgrade to be useful so the price will only get lower. Personally I find a lot of appeal in this in that you don't have to hold the book open to read and it can store many books in a very small space. It's also superior than any multi-function device with it's e-ink tech being readable and low power. It's the ultimate device for avid readers. Can e-books really get any better than this outside of some small tweaks?


When?
By syyid on 4/5/2006 3:46:36 PM , Rating: 2
Maybe I missed it but the article didnt seem to list when I'll be able to go out and check em out?




I so want this
By Jellodyne on 4/6/2006 3:51:50 PM , Rating: 2
Project Gutenburg, here I come.




Very Portable
By nrlightfoot on 4/8/2006 5:55:18 PM , Rating: 2
I'm thinking about getting one for traveling. I just went on a 6 month trip, and I could only practically take 4 books. If I had one of these I could take hundreds of books and it only weighs as much as one. This would be a great space and weight saver. Plus there are hundreds of books on Project Gutenberg that I would like to read, but haven't because I didn't want to read them on a computer screen. I have gotten some of them from the library, but I live in a small town and the library doesn't have everything that Project Gutenberg does.




"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." -- SCEA President Jack Tretton









botimage
Copyright 2012 DailyTech LLC. - RSS Feed | Advertise | About Us | Ethics | FAQ | Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information | Kristopher Kubicki