eBook Reader
- Compact and light weight
- Good contrast and screen clarity
- Good battery life
- Paper-like display
- 3 different font sizes
- Comparatively smaller screen that might be uncomfortable for many
- Not compatible with MP3 songs or JPEG images
- No extendable memory
- No memory card slots
- Slow loading of huge PDF files
Sony PRS-650 eBook Reader
The world became a massive fan of Sony’s original e-book reader, the PRS-505. However, the subsequent models were not that good, they dropped the quality metal casing for a cheap feeling plastic and, on the high end model the touchscreen interface was not particularly responsive. The Touch has been unveiled the PRS-650 with the Pocket Edition PRS-350, which is a smaller version. Both of them are very similar to each other; they both have touchscreen interfaces, 2GB of internal memory and built in dictionaries. In the following review, we will see about the Touch Edition PRS-650.
With the latest edition of the Sony PRS-650 eBook Reader, we would say that Sony has managed to get back on the right track. This new reader has the task on its hand, with its rival being the all new, Amazon Kindle that is exclusively for the UK market. To begin with, is does not have any integrated wireless, you will not be able to download or buy books without hooking it up to a PC, and it is obviously quite pricey too. Though it is a huge tough task, Sony has always made it a priority to make to overcome such seemingly insuperable hurdles. It has an absolute cracker of a design, but we cannot judge an e-reader by its cover, so we have tested it to find out if it manages to live up to its sleek exterior. Read on to find out how it manages to do it.
Design:
Classy:
As we had mentioned in the introduction, the Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS 650 is an absolutely gorgeous e-reader. The bezel on the front and its spine are brushed aluminium that is cool to touch and the rear panel consists of quite a rubberised plastic veneer that has quite a good grip. The entire device feels as though it has been put together with great care to detail. This design is identical to that of the PRS 600, all the aspects from button layout to the display size remains mostly unchanged. The good news is that, the PRS-600 had its reputation to be one of the most stylish eBooks on the market, so we are not particularly worried by the lack of a revolution. With dimensions of (H x W x D) 118 x 168 x 9.6mm, the Sony Reader Touch Edition (PRS-650) seems to be quite squashed for a 6” eBook reader. Build quality wise, it is absolutely rock solid and when held in hand, the feel you get is better than Amazon Kindle.
The eBook reader has 5 controls along the bottom of the screen. They include page-turn (back and forth), zoom for different sized fonts, home menu, and a context sensitive options button. Naturally, the most of functions are accessed by means of the Reader's touchscreen, that sports an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. The Reader Touch Edition PRS-650 is available in black or red. You can choose from a standard cover, or a deluxe version that includes a built-in reading lamp.
Headphone Socket:
There is a 3.5mm headphone socket, which aids with listening to audio books or MP3s, while a stylus has been placed into the top right side end for you to make notes. We are not sure why, but the 3.5mm headphone jack has been placed underneath the reader, which means, the ear buds could thrust you in the crotch if you rest the device on your lap. It also means the headphone cord runs in front of the screen, and if you move it round the back it will pull on your ears.
User Interface:
The user interface of the Reader has been updated to be more touch-friendly and it is welcome. Gone are the lists of books, and instead you are greeted with a homepage that uses book cover images to give you nice big icons, so it is easier to find your way around and it has a more complete feel to it. It is a more consumer approach, rather than the previous versions which had something of a file/folder feel to them.
Features:
Memory:
Identical to the last generation model, the Touch Edition PRS 650 too boasts 2GB of internal storage (enough to store around 1200 eBooks), along with two memory card slots on the top edge for your expansion needs. Out of the two slots, one of it is for the memory sticks and the other is for SD cards which boosts the potential storage space to an impressive 34GB. This might seem like overkill for a video-free device, but if you plan to use the Reader for music and picture viewing, those two gigabytes are sure to fill up fast.
Display feature:
The PRS 650 is a big improvement over the previous models and this enhancement can be narrowed down into two major factors. To begin with, the resistive touchscreen layer outside layer has been removes and in its place is an infrared optical sensor that has been rooted in the bezel of the display. This feature makes the screen much softer on the eyes and even makes it much less prone to any sort of reflective glare. You can stare at an e-ink screen for much longer than a computer screen without straining your eyes. Most importantly, it is actually far more responsive than before. Just a breezy touch is enough to activate the buttons and menu items. Just a whisper left and right anywhere on the screen, it allows you to turn pages through the texts. The readers are very quick, but there is still a flicker between each page and each menu as the e-ink adjusts. It is worth trying the ebook reader in the shop before buying to see if that is going to annoy you. After all, you will be turning a page every minute, so it could get irritating.
E Ink Pearl Panel:
The next most important thing about the display is that, it has been upgraded. Both of these latest models boast the newest and the best E Ink Pearl Panel, and this feature ultimately places it very much near to the Kindle. To be specific, the Pearl display brings in a claimed fifty percent enhancement in contrast over the previous models and they even have closer refresh times. We would not dare to dispute with either of these factors, but both of them make a huge difference when it comes to reading. The backdrop now looks very much close to genuine paper than it had ever before. Even though there is some slight pixellation that is still visible of the boundaries of the characters, we did not have any real qualms, flicking from each and every page with a finger stroke, which is just like reading a real book, but without that rustling. When this is combined with the Touchscreen technology, the enhanced refresh rates have made some pan around and zoom into the complex PDFs, really practical for the very first time on an ebook reader. When we loaded quite a huge and quite a tricky file to render on any device for that matter, it was impressively easy to manage. Although the reader displays pictures, it only shows in black and white or rather, 16 shades of grey. E-ink is also extremely low-powered ; Sony claims the Touch is capable of two full weeks of reading on a single battery charge.
eBooks:
The Sony Reader PRS-650 6" Touch Screen eBook Reader surely does have a very convincing reading experience, but this giant manufacturer will be very well aware of the fact that that will just not be enough, when there is the giant called Amazon, which is beating the latest edition of Sony readers quite aggressively on the price. And it cannot rest assured especially when the book supplies that it joins hands with are WaterStones, Mills & Boons and WHSmith, which looks extremely weak near Amazon’s four hundred thousand books strong catalogue. This is one of the reasons why Sony has decided to focus its marketing pains on the endorsement of various ways to content that is free. On this note, each of the register eReader PRS 650 comes with about 100 free classics titles. Ebooks can be downloaded from the online Reader Store, or from other sources as long as they are in the standard ePub and PDF formats. You can also read Word documents and other text files.
Database:
The Sony Reader home page has provides you with a fast way to search the entire database of books on Google to find the ones that are downloadable. Note that, Google’s search engine does not allow you to filter it in similar fashion. There is also a list of local establishments that offer free eBook lending, which has about 50 of them at the moment, including the London Libraries Consortium that covers all the London boroughs. If at all you are a lucky member of one of these, all that you require is your card number and library PIN and then, you can just browse through and download the eBook titles in the library for free. However, there are a couple of catches in here. First one is that, the books expire in 2 or 3 weeks, vanishing on their own on the eReader in the process if all of the library’s titles are ‘Out’, and you will have to wait until they are ‘returned’. And the second obvious issue is the limited number of titles in the local libraries. But, this is an avenue that is completely closed to the Kindle owners as Amazon’s reader does not support the Adobe DRM technology that allows books to be borrowed in this manner.
The Extras:
In addition to reading eBooks on the Touch Edition PRS 650, view greyscale images and listen to songs, the device also doubles as a digital notepad for writing and drawing notes. File format support is excellent, including PDFs, BBeB, ubiquitous ePub standard, and the Microsoft Word. The handwriting tool is a pretty fun diversion, but we cannot imagine people returning to it all that often. The e-ink screen simply is not sophisticated enough to be worth the bother: all of the sketches ended up looking like clumsy, childlike scrawls.
Dictionary:
The Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS 650 6-inch screen eBook Reader also has a few other advantages over its rivals. Firstly, it has the edge over superior handling of PDF files. Not only does it handles the complex image based files handled with aplomb, even the text-based books work well. When you zoom in on a PDF page on the Kindle, you will just end up having to pan around to see the entire page. However, with the Sony Reader PRS 650, it allows you to reflow text so elegantly, that it is readable irrespective of the zoom level selected. Another handy extra on the gadget is the ten dictionaries (one American, one English, and ten for translation of Italian, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch) it sports. All you have to do to enable this feature is to just double-tap on a word to launch a definition or translation. However, this does not have a few issues. The stylus allows you highlight the text and get back to them speedily through an alphabetical list, but the handwritten notes feature does not work well at all, the touch sensor does not pick it up in a smooth and consistent way.
Performance:
Occasionally, the graphics seems to leave a disturbing ghost image on the display while you move over a page. The good news in that, it does not afflict text. The interface is not too perfect, as it files bookmarks beneath ‘Notes’ in the menu, which is obtuse and scrolling through the books with a scrollbar can get really awkward. You might prefer search using the onscreen keyboard or using the physical buttons. Apart from these minor quibbles, the PRS 650 is an absolute talented eBook reader.
Warranty:
Sony offers its Reader Touch Edition PRS-650 one year warranty for parts and 90 days for labour.
Verdict:
The Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-650 is definitely one of the best ebook readers going. It is lightweight and packs a decent-sized screen. It is bursting with extra features, from music to built-in dictionaries. The device’s ability to borrow books for free from local libraries and its handling of PDFs in particular, makes it a serious alternative to the Amazon Kindle. And, without any doubt, there will be many who will prefer its more open approach. However, unless you are desperate for that extra inch of screen real estate, the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-350 does the job equally well. With no Wi-Fi or bundled accessories, it is perhaps a teensy bit overpriced. The mammoth rival that the PRS 650 is facing is that, the Amazon Kindle that is exceptionally good, is priced much lower and we fear most people will not even go as far as considering it as a good deal.
You may also be interested in Amazon Kindle 3G eBook Reader Review.
Sony PRS-650 eBook Reader - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Model Name | Sony Reader PRS 650 EBook |
| Product Code | PRS-650 |
| Available Colours | Red, White and Black |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 118 x 168 x 9.6mm |
| Weight | 215 grams |
| Display technology | E Ink® Pearl touchscreen |
| Screen size | 6 inch |
| Display resolution | 800 x 600 |
| Grey scale | 16-level grey scale |
| Built in memory | 2GB (Approx. 1200 eBooks) |
| Processor | Windows: 800 MHz Celeron class processor or better Macintosh: Intel, PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor |
| RAM | 128 MB or more (minimum 512 MB for Windows 7, Windows Vista) |
| USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| Memory slots | MemoryStick MS DUO slot SD Card Slot |
| Compatible free eBook and text formats | EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, TXT, RTF, BBeB |
| Compatible DRM eBook and text file formats |
EPUB eBooks (Adept) BBeB eBooks (Marlin) |
| Unsecured Audio files | MP3, AAC (not most DRM audio) |
| Compatible image files | JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP |
| Compatible Operating systems | Microsoft Windows 7 (32/64 bit), Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bit), Microsoft Windows XP (32 bit only), Mac OS X version 10.6.2 or later, 10.5.6 or later, 10.4.11 or later |
| Ports | 1 USB Port |
| Battery type | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery: DC 3.7 V |
| Battery life | 2 full weeks of reading |
| Recharging time | Four hours with USB, Two hours with optional AC charger |
| Package contents | Sony eBook PRS 650, Micro USB cable, Quick start guide,Reader eBook Library Software, User guides, Soft protective sleeves |
| Warranty | Limited warranty - Parts: 1 year, labour: 90 days |
Bookeen Cybook Opus eReader Review
The French manufacturer Bookeen has introduced their fourth generation e-book reader, the Cybook Opus. If you have been in search for a no frills e-book reader, that is like scarily heavier than an iPhone, then you got to check this out. The original 3rd generation Cybook was kind of a plain device and did not feel very tough. Being slimmer, lighter and faster than its competitors, this ebook brings the best of technology to reading. This reader is designed for the readers who are eager to reconcile the freedom and wealth of the digital age with the feel of the printed page. The Opus tries to wrest the e-book reader portability crown from the Sony Reader Pocket Edition, but the cost is a bit high. So, let us find out if it manages to justify its price tag.
Design:
Feather Light:
While the original third generation Cybook was not much of a style icon, this Bookeen Cybook Opus eBook Reader is more of a stylish one with some graceful curves and a two tone colour scheme. Even though it is actually quite light, the device feels very well built with some very firm and responsive buttons. It also has a stiff casing. Its super-skinny profile and lightweight are its only distinguishing features. We loved handling the Opus more than any other eReader, because of its light-weighted nature at just 150 grams which is about 26 grams lighter than the original version, and almost half of the Sony Reader and the Amazon Kindle. In spite of being smaller than the original model, with a 5” display, Bookeen has managed to squeeze in built-in accelerometer, so that you can flip it to horizontal mode and have more width on the page. Being feather-light, it can be held in one hand for long periods and the accelerometer feature means that whether you are right or left-handed, you will be able to find an orientation and button to suite you.
Buttons and Controls:
Though the control system is quite minimal, it is a very practical one. Speaking in the standard portrait mode, the two buttons to the right of the display is used to handle the navigation, and you will also find a four-way navigation wheel with a button at its centre below the display. This navigation pad is used to browse through the menu system and can also be used for the sake of page navigation. The menu can be activated with the help of a dedicated button, and then there is a back button in order to return to the previous page or screen or option. The menus have a fairly simple design, and you can also customise both the menus and your books with the help of any of the twelve gradually increasing font sizes. Simple navigation and an easy to use operating system mean this is one ebook reader that does not need a phd in computing to operate. One drawback for some is that it is only PC compatible so MAC users will need to look elsewhere.
Features:
Despite having an appealing design, the Cybook Opus 5" Display eRader falls a bit short on features that you will get with a somewhat higher priced Amazon Kindle 2.
E-Ink Technology:
The 5” display of the Opus reader makes use of the popular E-Ink technology that is available in most e-readers. This particular technology has advantages of high contrast that increases in bright light and low power consumption as it does not have backlight and consumes power only when you turn a page. Unlike regular display technologies, which require backlighting, electronic ink screens are purely reflective, using ambient light in the same way as ordinary paper does. The Cybook Opus screen only consumes energy when the reader flips a page. However, it is not the best e-Ink screen available right now as it supports only four shades of gray when compared with the other eight or sixteen shades that is available in some of the other readers. This is fine for text but not so great for clear definition of images. If you intend to only read using the Cybook Opus and not images, the 200 dots per inch resolution should be plenty.
Formats supported:
So, what does this Cybook Opus share with the original Cybook? Well, it shares its inability to scale PDF files, and you will be able to zoom in and out, but the text does not reflow to fit into the screen. Unfortunately, unlike the original device, this Cybook does not have the Mobipocket PRC support, however, it works with some more open ePub format, PDF, HTML and .txt files. The ePub e-book format is used by almost all the major book vendors except Amazon and with the help of this format, you will also be able to read a vast array of commercial content as well as the enormous Google e-book library. As TXT and HTML are also recognised you also get to take advantage of the growth in free e-books available from libraries and out of copyright work that is free across the web. There are lots of other readers that support more file types, but for reading books these four are more than enough. Even richer: Compatible with all current download platforms, Cybook Opus offers access to over one million contemporary or public-domain digital books over the Internet. It has also lost the ability to play music which is somewhat of a dubious use for an e-book reader anyway.
Memory:
With about twice the memory of the Cybook (1GB), along with an SDHC card slot for up to 32GB more storage space, you should not have to worry about running out of storage space for your e-book collection. Though the internal space itself is more than enough for hundreds of books, having an external storage space is more of a satisfaction and also allows you to share the device with your family and friends and simply swap the card having your libraries for theirs. Note that this Bookeen Opus ships with 75 classics free of charge.
Downloading:
Even though all the gadget and tech news at the moment seems to be hailing the dawn of a new age in electronic reading, with wireless web surfing, instant downloads, touchscreens, bendy technology and more on offer, the Bookeen Cybook Opus Digital Book Reader need not fear for its position within e-reader sales. After all, most of us just want to read, and when you can read an entire library on something that fits in your pocket, but does not cause a headache to read from, why look elsewhere? You do not get the wireless access honours to bookstore as you might expect out of the Kindle. Having said that, note that you will not be tying yourself into the proprietary system of Amazon and in case you decide to upgrade to a better e-book reader in the future, you will always be able to easily transfer your e-books across. Bookeen recommends using BooksOnBoard.com for purchasing your e-books, which also has a dedicated UK site that has detailed instructions for installing the Adobe Digital Editions which is the preferred library software.
Accelerometer:
The accelerometer is certainly a very welcome addition and seems to work well too. Thanks to this feature, you can turn the device anyway you want and the screen will immediately redraw to match your view. What is really clever about this is that, all of the controls too change to match the orientation of your view. They always behave as you might expect, that is, whichever the page button is top or right will go the next page and the bottom or left button will go to the previous page, irrespective of the way in which you hold the Opus.
Battery Life:
As far as the battery life is concerned, Bookeen claims that the rechargeable as well as replaceable lithium polymer battery that is used in the device supports about 8000 page turns between charges. And, in order to charge the device, you can use the same USB cable that is used to transfer content to it, that is, either using the free Adobe Digital Editions software of by just dragging and dropping to the storage.
The Opus Color:
In mid 2010, Bookeen updated the Cybook Opus and named it Bookeen Cybook Opus Color. And well, it got into too much of criticism as The Bookeen Cybook Opus Color is not, as the name suggests, a new colour eReader. Instead, it is the Bookeen Cybook Opus in seven colourful shells including orange, blue, black, yellow, red, pink and silver colour options. It also upgraded its software to a new reader called “Boo” and is said to be faster and feature instant-on capability. The rest of the specs are the same.
Warranty:
Bookeen offers Cybook Opus e-book reader one year warranty for parts and labour.
Verdict:
Though the Bookeen Cybook Opus is a simple device to begin with, it is a pleasant one to look at and use. Not only does its sleek look make it one of today’s most desirable cultural goods, but Cybook Opus has also been designed to address the needs of passionately mobile readers. It has pretty much everything that you will need to read heaps of books, in a small and light weight package. It uses open formats and standards, so the Opus will not lock you into a single company’s products in future. If at all, there is any concern with the Opus, it is its 200 pounds price tag, which is still too much to pay for an e-book reader. And for that price, you also do not get any of the extras like music player, the ability to create notes or even the text to speech support. Though Sony’s Reader Pocket Edition is heavier than Opus and has fewer font options, it is about the same size and even costs lesser. If you are looking for a plain e-book reader with no bells or whistles, Bookeen Cybook Opus is the one for you.
Bookeen Cybook Opus eReader - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Bookeen |
| Model Name | Bookeen Cybook Gen3 |
| Colour | White, orange, blue, black, yellow, red, pink, silver and Black |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 108 x 10 x 151 mm |
| Weight | 150g |
| Display technology | E Ink® “Electronic Paper” |
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Display Features | Daylight readable Portrait and landscape mode |
| Display resolution | 600 x 800 - 200 dpi |
| Grey scale | Black & White 4 levels grey-scale |
| Processor | Samsung ARM, 400 MHz |
| Keys | On/Off Reset 5-way navigation Menu button Back button Next/previous page button |
| RAM | 32MB |
| NAND Storage | 1GB |
| Storage card | Micro SD |
| Compatible free eBook and text formats | Multi-format reader HTML, FB2, TXT, JPG, GIF, PNG Adobe® ePUB/PDF Reader |
| Compatible DRM eBook and text file formats |
PalmDoc and Mobipocket PRC |
| Compatible unsecured audio files | NA |
| Compatible image files | JPEG,GIF and PNG |
| OS | Linux 2.6 |
| Compatible Operating systems | Windows® XP (Home Edition / Professional, Media Center Edition, Media Center Edition 2004, Media Center Edition 2005) & Windows Vista® (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate) |
| Ports | 1 x USB |
| Battery type | Rechargeable and replaceable Internal Battery LI-Polymer (1000mAh) |
| Battery life | 8000 page flips - 2 weeks battery life |
| Recharging time | Five hours with USB |
| Package contents | Bookeen Cybook Opus USB cable Quick start guide |
| Warranty | Limited warranty - one year |
Amazon Kindle 3G Review
E-Book fans have never been allowed to be spoilt for choice on choosing a glamorous device. In this world of consumer gadgets, the ebooks are considerably less shiny than the latest set of smartphones and are less powerful than even the lowest end laptops, and is also not as aesthetically appealing as a cute new television set. However, this edition of the Amazon Kindle 3G looks to change this to a certain level by bringing them out of the shadows. The first thing you should know about the "Kindle 3" is that it is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Read on to find out if this is the Kindle you were aspiring to get.
Design:
Makeover:
Talking purely in aesthetic terms, the Kindle 3G eBook Reader has had a radical makeover from Amazon, but we can also assure you the news is all positives with no major glitches. This model has been significantly toned down, and has its dimensions to be at (H x W x D) 190 x123 x 8.5 mm. By just having it in your hand, you can tell that it is less than a centimetre thick, and weighs just 241grams; it is certainly a very portable piece of technology. By just looking at the initial specification released by Amazon, we were quite worried that the Kindle 3G would feel cheap and plasticky, but gladly, that is certainly not the case. It is now more of a attractive dark graphite finishing in place of the off-white, the whole feel of the design is more grown up, more mature, and also less filthy. Now, the Kindle 3G is also available in white finishing. Overall, the built quality is very satisfactory.
QWERTY Keyboard:
The only design feature, that might irk not just us, but everybody were the miniature keys. Amazon has managed to employ a complete QWERTY keyboard on this Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, which is necessary because disparate to some other e-book readers, like the Sony Reader Touch PRS-650, there is no touchscreen available in this one. As you can clearly see, these buttons are a little on the small side, and even feel quite stiff. But, do not panic, it is very very far from being a deal breaker, but we are trying to say that we have reviewed much more comfortable miniature keyboards. If you have already got a Kindle, or know someone who has, you will know that you probably will not do that much typing on the keyboard anyway, unless you are a huge note taker. It is really just to make searching and menu selection easier.
Other controls:
Apart from the 26 letter keys on the QWERTY keyboard, there is also a five-way directional pad for you to navigate through the menus and making selections. The D-pad has moved from the edge to the main keyboard area. The other minor controls include Home, Back and Menu keys, and a dedicated font size switching button; a very useful inclusion indeed. As with previous Kindles, there are two page forward and back buttons on each side of the display, which allows you to flick to the next page irrespective of how you are holding the device. This is a very handy feature, and brings the Kindle a step closer to that tactile 'read it any way you like' experience that users get reclining on their favourite couch or their adored paperback.
Other tech to note is a USB 2.0 interface (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle UK power adapter, or optionally to connect to the PC or Macintosh computer, and a 3.5mm stereo audio jack and rear-mounted stereo speakers.
Features:
Storage:
There is approximately 3GB of storage available for storing all your content and there is heaps of space to fill too. Amazon says you will be able squeeze about 3,500 books on to the Kindle 3G, and we too stick to that. You could also choose to fill up that storage with music, PDF files, podcasts, and any of the other of Kindle’s supported file formats such as Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; Kindle (AZW), PNG, BMP TXT, PDF, JPEG, GIF, HTML, DOC, through conversion. You can play MP3s by pressing Alt + Spacebar, and use Alt + F to skip track.
E Ink Pearl Technology:
Moving on to the display, it is a grayscale beauty that measures 6” on the diagonal, optimised with proprietary font technology and waveform and offering a 600x800 pixel resolution in 167 ppi. You will also get the 16 level grey scale colouring. The E Ink Pearl technology used in the Kindle 3G essentially burns a picture on to the screen, by applying a charge to negatively and positively charged black and white particles. So, you might ask what are the advantages of the Kindle using E Ink, well, there are numerous. To begin with, it just consumes on its rechargeable batteries when a page is turned as it refreshes the display; this means battery life on E Ink devices is simply splendid. Amazon has specified that the Kindle 3G will last for a month off a single charge; and we do not doubt it either. However, as you can imagine, you will end up eating off the battery faster if you make frequent use of the 3G services on board.
Easy on your eyes:
That is just the first boon, moving on; the E Ink is extremely easy on the eyes. Staring at a bright LCD screen like the ones of the iPad for extended periods can result in eyestrain, but the paper-like E-Ink display is considerably easier on your eyes to stare at for extended periods. Finally, you will also be able to read it in direct sunlight, something that is not possible on many displays. To put it bluntly, the Kindle 3G's display looks fantastic. The E Ink Pearl offers an evidently higher contrast sandwiched between the whites and blacks on the page. Amazon claims the new screen is 50 per cent better in contrast than any other ebook reader. That does not mean you are going to get a book feel with cream pages, just that it will be easier to read. Text is rendered with a remarkable clarity, and perhaps the greatest praise we can give this display is that, after a short while you will stop thinking about it or noticing it, and just focus on the words themselves. Flipping the pages is amazingly swift, so if you are just captivated by the story, you will certainly not find the brief flashing display too intrusive.
Pre-loaded Dictionary:
A feature that is quite handy is that, this Amazon Kindle 3G ebook reader has been equipped with a dictionary that has been pre-loaded. For instance, while reading, if you come across an unknown word, you can point your pointer at it using the five way navigation pad, and a dictionary definition pops up.
3G Support:
The best feature of the Amazon Kindle 3G eReader is its support for 3G itself. There is also a Wi-Fi only version that is cheaper, but if you can stretch to the budget, we would only recommend this version of the model. The approach is identical to Apple's iPad offering from a connectivity standpoint, however that is where the similarity ends. With the help of Amazon's own Whispernet network, it is possible to purchase books online and have them downloaded to your device in moments, from just about anywhere. Powered in the UK by Vodafone and AT&T in the US, it means you can download a book whether you are on the beach or at the airport. This service does not have any kind of monthly subscription fees, and it extends itself to partner networks that are outside the United Kingdom.
This service allows you to potentially download the latest top selling and other books on holiday. Of course, as you can expect from Amazon, the service is simply a brilliant one, and crucially makes downloading new books almost hassle-free. It will be perfect for you if you travel often, or hate dealing around with PC syncing and stuff like that. If you are in need for a faster connection, there is Wi-Fi also on board. Connecting to Wi-Fi networks is very simple.
Browsing:
Amazon has employed a rudimentary Web browser on board, but we would not heartily recommend using it for any serious surfing, as the sluggish, monochrome display and plodding navigation will swiftly deprive you of your higher mental faculties. Cruising through the Kindle itself might feel little clunky at-times, but we never seemed to go through much trouble as most part of the menu layout is intuitive, and finding the item you want is never too mystifying.
Reading:
When it comes to reading books or documents, the Kindle 3G is well fixed for that with the software being the same as before. That means you get all the bells and whistles you would expect, including bookmarking, social interaction options and the ability to access your centrally stored books on other Amazon Kindle apps, currently the iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac and PC desktops. It is a strong package to go with some strong performing hardware.
Format Hassle:
We have been too nice to Amazon Kindle 3G so far, as there is a great deal to like about this device. But, there is one major bane on choosing the Kindle 3G over other e-book readers; to be very precise and simple, DRM. Most e-book readers support the popular, open EPUB file format that use the extension .epub, which is offered by many online e-book stores. The Kindle does not support this format, and it is a no brainer that Amazon has opted to use its proprietary .azw file. So, unless you are ready to do an awful lot of fiddling around with file conversion, you are more or less tied to Amazon's own bookstore when it comes to adding to your personal library. However, this cannot be a big deal as long as you can always find the book you want on Amazon, which is mostly the case. We tested on our part and found all the books we searched for on there, from mainstream fiction to more ambiguous science fiction. Nonetheless, we are disenchanted in Amazon for not offering support for the currently-most popular open file format.
Cheaper:
There is no doubt in the fact that the Amazon Kindle is the most popular ebook reader in the United Kingdom, dominating the market and in the process selling not just thousands, but millions. The device brings great technical news to the United Kindom for a humble sum of just £149. You can also get a Wi-Fi only model for just £109. Amazon also offers a matching leather case for the device with a clever light on it, and tries its luck by putting a £50 price tag over it. At the first glance, this casing will make people think that you are carrying a Moleskine rather than the latest gadget. This is an e-book that does not want to stand out in the crowd.
Warranty:
Amazon offers its Kindle 3G one year warranty for parts and labour.
Verdict:
Thanks to the addition of 3G, a clearer display, a lower price and a winning redesign, the Amazon Kindle 3G proves to be a heart winner. If those DRM restrictions sound like a pain to you though, check out the Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600, which offers memory-card slots and also support for multiple file formats.
Amazon Kindle 3G Digital Reader - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Amazon |
| Model Name | Amazon Kindle 3G |
| Colour | Dark Graphite and White |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 190 x 123 x 9 mm |
| Weight | 233.0 |
| Display technology | E Ink Pearl Technology |
| Screen size | 6 inch |
| Display resolution | 600 x 800 pixel |
| Grey scale | Sixteen level grey scale |
| Built in memory | 4GB (3GB available to user) |
| Memory slots | NA |
| Features | Wireless eBooks supplied Bookmarking Bookmark multiple books Newspapers Magazines Dictionary Interactive dictionary Annotations Annotations transfer to PC Picture viewer MP3 / audio playback Text to speech |
| Connectivity | 3G and WiFi |
| Compatible formats | AZW, AZW1 [1] MOBI, PRC (Mobipocket) PDF TXT also DOC, DOCX, HTML, HTM, RTF, ZIP can be converted for the Kindle |
| Image formats Supported | JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG |
| Audio output | Speakers |
| Compatible Operating systems | PC and Mac |
| Ports | Headphone socket and USB |
| Power | Mains, USB |
| Battery life on single charge | One month |
| Warranty | Limited one year warranty |
Sony PRS-300 eBook Reader Review
OVERVIEW
Pros:
Sony has lately started producing a line of e-book readers, which are regarded as very useful to all class of people. They are of outstanding quality. The usage is much comfortable as there is special access to the Sony eBook library. The following is a review of Sony PRS-300, which is one among the few new readers that is comparatively smaller in size. These have been introduced with the idea of enabling those book lovers out there, to conveniently save all their favourite books and read them whenever they want to. The classy look and the high resolution and extraordinary features are perfectly ‘Sony’. Any person can identify the brand from its performance itself and, no one has to be prompted about the same.
Design:
Attractive and appealing:
As soon as one gets hold of this Sony PRS-300 5" e-book reader, the person is sure to fall for its attractive looks. This is due to its excellent design that is slim and sleek. The buttons are placed perfectly at the right places that definitely complement their good and sleek looks. It comes in three amazing colours that can cater to different range of customers. Firstly, there is the navy blue colour, then the silver and lastly, there is rose pink. The 5 inch display screen is so technically advanced, as to make one feel like reading from ink on paper. The display is black on grey, which adds to the good looks. On using it, one will find it being the perfect eBook reader and a perfect Sony product.
Pocket edition:
The Sony PRS-300 is a pocket edition of the Sony Readers, which is much smaller and compact than the usual Sony readers. This screen is smaller than the usual 6 inch screen but is quite comfortable and convenient to use or, one can at least get used to it easily. It weighs about 220 grams that makes its use quite convenient. This makes it very attractive also. One can conveniently slide it into their pocket, when not in use. This ultra slim model has dimensions of H x D x W, 6 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 13/32 inches. It is also very convenient as it perfectly fits in between the thumb and the forefinger.
Pleasing display:
The reading experience on this Sony PRS-300 eBook reader with a 5 inch screen is very pleasant. This is because the display is more paper-like. The e-ink is designed so as to mimic the normal ink used on paper. The extent of the mimicking surprises every person on how much an electronic device can actually mimic a real book. It is therefore without any kind of glare and one can conveniently read even when there is direct sunlight. There are 3 adjustable fonts, which one can use, as per convenience. As it is not touch sensitive, the reading is very pleasant and one can conveniently enjoy reading all kinds of e-books. The resolution is 600x800 pixels and, it supports 8 levels of gray scale. The screen clarity and quality are amazing. The contrast is also brilliant and is in fact slightly better than what it is on Sony PRS-505. It makes a person feel like reading words that float off the background. It reduces all kind of strain to the eyes of the reader. The page turning is quick, which also enables easy and natural reading. But, the zoom function is very poor, which sometimes makes it difficult to read through them. Even in low light conditions, it can be read easily on this reader as the words are much darker and, much thicker fonts can be used.
Features:
Vast access to books:
There is a vast variety of books one could get access to through these eBooks as they support ePub formats and PDF files. The on-board memory of 512MB enables one to carry 350 books easily. It is easy to collect eBooks as there is access to a variety of software. With an internet connection, that is quick, one could download more and save them. The reader library software installed therein makes downloading very convenient and easy. The content availability does vary based on the location. As the user is provided with a vast storage capacity on the reader, even though, it has no extendable memory, one can easily download all the interesting books they come across while they are browsing and keep them saved. The same can be checked by the user and read at a later point of time, whenever it is needed. They will however be excellent to be read on medium zoom usually. These drawbacks are only when it comes to viewing JPEG or listening to MP3 songs. Graphic books may or may not turn out well. This depends vastly on the size of the file, the source or site from which it is downloaded and other such factors. So, almost all eBooks kinds can be viewed and read using this eBook reader. It is compatible with a Personal Computer as well as an iMac.
Formats Supported:
This Sony PRS-300 Pocket Edition reader supports adobe reader i.e., PDF kind of documents, Microsoft word, ePub and BBeB books. Many other text file formats can also be conveniently accessed. As it supports a number of formats, one can have access to a wide variety of books. But, it should be noted that, this cannot be used for viewing large PDF files.
Easy usage:
The usage of this eBook reader is easy as it is not touch sensitive and so one need not worry about pages getting changed on a slight touch and other such things. Downloading, managing as well as transferring collections is very easy, as it can be done with a simple USB 2.0 cable. The turning of the page is easy and quick as there are convenient page-advance buttons on the left and the right. It can also simply be charged using the chargers of the Apple iPhone or the iPod. The compatibility with multiple formats makes it easy to use any kind of book, without having to convert them to other compatible forms. The 3 alternative fonts that are available make it more easy to use them for reading eBooks. So, it can easily be resized to comfortable text sizes.
Battery life:
A battery is sealed into the reader. The life of the inbuilt battery in this eBook reader lasts for a considerable time and can be regarded as being reasonable and decent. The battery on being charged once, the reader will offer reading for 2 continuous weeks. The battery life might however vary, based on environment conditions and usage patterns. Many times, it has proved to last for 3 weeks, when charged just once.
Control:
The controlling system is quite simple in this reader. The space for these control buttons below the screen is equal to what it is on a Sony PRS-505 Digital Book Reader. The power switch is separate at the top corner, on the left edge. There exists no switch to control the volume levels. The other control buttons are placed right below the screen. The switches are placed in a 4-way, circular model. These include switches for navigation and those for turning pages. The center button is meant for selecting just like what it is in the Sony PRS-505. There are 4 buttons to top of the center switch. Of these, 2 are to the left and 2 are to the right. These buttons from left to right are buttons for home, back, bookmark and font size, respectively. The ten menu buttons on the right side of the screen are arranged as 5 rocker switches. These are also easy to use.
Performance:
Task not easy:
There is a very good facility to collect eBooks but, the task proves to be difficult at times. Though Sony provides heaps of useful software as a package, along with the reader, finding the books still seems to be difficult. Though one can access books from Google books, very few of them are actually available for quick downloads. Moreover, most of them are huge PDF books, the opening of which is extremely slow in case of this eBook reader model. Mostly, this will have to be transferred to some other compatible mode and then read, which increases the difficulty. There is no CD included to enable connectivity with the PC, which is quite a drawback. The upgrading of good quality Library software can reduce downloading trouble.
Text on a page:
The amount of text that can be covered in one page is much lesser compared to what it is on a 6 inch screen. This does cause a considerable difference. In comparison, it is found that the 5 inch screen displays only 17 out of every 25 lines that are displayed on a page in a 6 inch screen. This might increase the number of pages but, as turning pages is very easy, it does not hinder comfortable reading. The text size however, is the same both in case of a 5 inch screen and a 6 inch screen. Thus, problems of legibility do not arise. However, this is a negligible lacuna.
Extras:
This Sony Reader PRS-300 Pocket Edition comes with a lot of add-ons. This includes the USB cable that helps in transferring books to and from the PC. There is a black padded pouch that comes along with the reader, which is made of spongy material on which, the reader can slide in and out easily. There is also a small booklet regarding the usage of the reader. A cover like the one in a Sony PRS-505 is a missing component in case of this reader. The necessary wires to enable the working of the reader also come along with the reader.
Warranty:
Sony offers a limited warranty of one year for parts and 90 days for labour.
Price:
It is one of the least priced Sony readers. It is completely worth the cost and no person has to give it a second thought to buy this extraordinary reader. It is very cheap and one will never have to regret for the money spent on it.
Verdict:
This Sony PRS-300 reader is very useful despite its small size. It is almost similar to the PRS-505. It is only a smaller version of the same. It is a best buy for those who love reading. The memory capacity is also commendable, though there is no extendable memory. With better zoom, it will prove to be the best of all readers. Enabling access to MP3 and JPEG formats will make it more appealing, as it can then be made multipurpose.
Sony PRS-300 eBook Reader - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Model Name | Sony Reader PRS 300 EBook |
| Model number | PRS 300 |
| Available Colours | Navy Blue, Silver, Rose Pink |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 157.5 x 107.8 x 10.2 mm |
| Weight | 220 grams |
| Display technology | E Ink® “Electronic Paper” |
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Display resolution | 800 x 600 |
| Grey scale | Eight level grey scale |
| Built in memory | 512 MB (Approx 350 eBooks) |
| Processor | 800 MHz Intel® Celeron® class processor or better |
| RAM | 128 MB Minimum, or 512 MB minimum for Windows Vista®. |
| Memory slots | No Memory Slot available |
| Compatible free eBook and text formats | EPUB eBook, BBeB Book, Adobe® PDF, Microsoft® Word, TXT, RTF |
| Compatible DRM eBook and text file formats | EPUB eBooks, BBeB eBooks |
| Compatible image files | JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP |
| Compatible Operating systems | Windows® XP (Home Edition / Professional, Media Center Edition, Media Center Edition 2004, Media Center Edition 2005) & Windows Vista® (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate) Macintosh Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later, Mac OS X version 10.5.6 or later |
| Ports | 1 USB Port |
| Battery type | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Battery life | Approx 6800 page with EPUB and 7500 pages with BBeB |
| Recharging time | Four hours with USB, Two hours with optional AC charger |
| Additional Drive | Optical Drive for reading CD-ROM |
| Package contents | Sony eBook PRS 300, USB cable, Quick start guide, eBook Library Software, User guides, Soft protective sleeves |
| Warranty | Limited warranty - Parts: 1 year , labour: 90 days |
Irex Iliad eBook Reader Review
To most of us, the idea of reading a book on a computer screen is about as threatening as root canal treatment, however that attitude might change when you place your eyes on the iRex iLiad's display. The iRex iLiad is certainly not on the tip of everyone’s tongue as a choice in the electronic reader category, but it sure has its fans and followers. With a huge 8.1 inch screen, the iLiad is not just a reader, but a writer as well. It uses a technology known as the E Ink, which does not flicker and does not use a backlight, so you are offered with a rock-steady image that is quite easy on your eyes. The Irex Iliad EBook Reader seems to be more advanced than rivals like the Sony eBook Readers which is only available in the US and Japan, as it has built-in Wi-Fi, comes with a stylus you can use for making notes onscreen and uses software that allows you download the RSS newsfeeds. While its price puts it in the top price range of electronic readers, does this product live up to its price tag?
Design:
The delightful display:
The single most impressive thing about the Irex Iliad is its display. We can even go so far as to say that it will be as easy on your eyes as an actual printed page. The first time we saw it, we thought it was covered with a printed protective sticker until we made the text change. Instead of relying on the LCD technology used on most laptops and PDAs, it has employed a display technology called E Ink. eInk is a technology for black and white displays, which offers a wide viewing angle, good visibility in sunlight, non reflectivity and, very importantly, long battery life. This creates a high contrast monochrome image that is completely free from flicker and does not even need a backlight. It can be even read in direct sunlight, and since Irex Iliad eBook Reader has a high resolution of 768 x 1,024 pixels, texts look quite smooth and clean. The display is capable of displaying 16 levels of greyscale, which means image reproduction is OK, but perhaps more importantly the resolution of the screen allows for several variations of text size. We counted 14 different text sizes for plain text based ebooks, which should be enough to let anyone find something that suits their eyes.
Build:
The iLiad Electronic Book Reader certainly does not look anything like a normal book. Although the fascia of the reader is around the same size as the average hardback, the device is actually quite sleek, and at just 390g feels very light to hold. The design is mostly functional rather than flashy, but the rear of the unit has odd rectangles cut out of it for no apparent reason which gives the reader the look and feel of a prototype rather than a polished product targeted at the mass consumer market.
Most of the real estate of the front of the device has been taken up by the large screen, but there are also a number of controls available that aids you in navigation in the user interface. The navigation system is easy enough to get to grips with. The most prominent of these is what iRex calls the Flipbar. This is really a very long rocker switch mounted on the left-hand side that you flick back and forth to move through the pages of a book or document. This flipbar is quite intuitive to use and makes the device feel just that little bit more like a normal book. Hold it and it will take you forward or back five pages. We found it counter-intuitive to flip the bar left to go forwards and right to go backwards, but we got used to it. At the bottom of the screen, iRex has also added four buttons marked News, Books, Docs and Notes, which act as shortcut keys to the relevant folders held in the ebook reader's memory. They provide a fairly effective way of keeping your documents in some kind of sensible order.
Features:
Memory:
Irex Iliad Digital Book Reader has equipped with 256MB of internal flash memory. Since this memory is shared with the operating system, you are left with just around 128MB of space for storing e-books and documents. That may not sound like much, but when you take into account that the average ebook comes in at less than a megabyte, it is not actually too stingy. Anyway, if you need more space you can always push in a memory card into the Compact flash or MMC/SD slot at the top, or use the host USB socket to attach a memory key.
File transfers:
If you wish to transfer new files to the iLiad, you will have to connect the travel adaptor to the expansion port at the base of the device. This includes not just a USB port that can actually be used for connecting the device to a PC, which is the one built-in to the reader is only for connecting up external storage, but also has an Ethernet port to connect the device to a home network. Transfers over USB are quite slow, but then the file sizes of ebooks are so small it was not exactly a deal breaker.
Compatibility and Software:
iRex, the company behind the iLiad Reader, suggests a myriad of uses from the educational to business sectors. If you only think of it as a way of reading the occasional novel then according to iRex, you are missing a trick. It is compatible with a seriously useful array of file formats. The device can read PDF, HTML and TXT plain text documents, as well as showing images in the JPG, BMP, PNG formats. Thanks to a recent software update you can now also use it to read books in the PRC format, which are available through the Mobipocket online store. These books can be bought using the free Mobipocket software, which is similar to the iTunes for ebooks. The books are priced at about the same range as a normal book. For instance, Stephen King's Salem's Lot will cost you about £8.80. However, there are plenty of sources for free books online, including many from big name authors that are out of copyright. The collections are available on the Project Gutenberg site you will find the entire works of Shakespeare, as well as seminal novels like A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce and Emma by Jane Austen.
Performance:
Reading Experience:
We are quite fascinated by the idea of e-books, but implementations of the concept have so far been dogged with flaws. Our in-depth evaluations of the Sony Reader and Amazon Kindle turned up a long list of drawbacks including high price, hard-to-click buttons, slow refresh rates, DRMed content, poor music-playing functionality, and non-interactivity. It is this last one that truly separates an ebook from an actual book. While many readers do not need to scribble notes, underline passages, or dog-ear the pages of the books they read, it is an essential feature of paper book for academics and others. The display includes Wacom Penabled technology, so you can use the stylus that is stored in a slot at the top of the ebook reader to amend documents with handwritten notes or to draw freehand diagrams. Unfortunately, these notes and drawings are stored in a separate file alongside the original documents rather than being added directly into the document. You will have to manually merge the two together once they are transferred to your computer using the iLiad Companion software. It is a rather clunky solution to something that should be transparent to the end users, but then there are plenty of such anomalies with the iLiad. You need a separately available desktop application called MyScript Notes, worth £40 to really make the most of this feature and convert handwritten notes into editable text.
For instance, even though the device has Wi-Fi, it will not update RSS feeds by itself. Instead you have to connect it to a computer via USB and then re-sync it with the Mobipocket software to update it with the latest news. And when you want to sync all the documents on your device with your PC, you have to switch back to the iLiad Companion software again. Although the device can be synced with the Companion software over Wi-Fi, it is rather quite tricky to set up and is not even detailed well in the software's documentation that comes with the device.
Sluggish:
The overall performance is also a little bit sluggish. It takes about 40 seconds to start up, it is quite slow to load documents and while navigating between pages there seems to be a pause as it wipes the screen and redraws the new page. All of these issues contribute to an experience that may not be as polished as it should be, especially when you take into account that you can buy a laptop for the asking price.
Battery Life:
The battery life of the Irex Iliad 8.1" Screen E-Book Reader is surprisingly long. It takes about three hours to charge, but once the iLiad is topped up with juice it will keep running for around 12 hours, which is just enough for a week's usage when we tested it.
Warranty:
The Irex Iliad EBook Reader comes with one year warranty for parts and labour.
Verdict:
The Irex Iliad EBook Reader has some wonderful features, such as the gorgeous display and extremely long battery life, it is a real delight to use for reading books or documents. However, there are a few quibbles too as the Wi-Fi functionality needs some improvement, though, and iRex needs to develop better PC software for managing the device. The price tag is also somewhat on the hefty side when you consider you can pop down to your local Tesco and pick up a full blown laptop for the same kind of money. Although there are a lot of things we liked about the Irex iLiad, unfortunately it still has some way to go before it will have you chucking your books on the bonfire and cancelling your newspaper subscriptions.
If you are tempted to join the E-book revolution, you can pick up the iLiad for around £425.
Irex Iliad eBook Reader - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Irex |
| Model Name | Irex Iliad EBook Reader |
| Colour | Black |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 217 x 155 x 16 mm |
| Weight | 389 g |
| Casing | Plastic |
| Display technology | Electronic Paper Display |
| Display Resolution | 768 x 1024 pixels |
| Screen size | 8.1 inches |
| Grayscale | Sixteen level grayscale |
| Navigation type | Touch screen Stylus |
| Keyboard | No |
| CPU | Intel 400MHz XScale |
| Processor Clock | 400 MHz |
| Built in memory | 256 MB flash memory (stores up to 250 books) |
| Memory slots | USB, MMC, CF |
| MP3 playback | No |
| Audio interface | Built-in stereo speakers |
| Network type | 802.11b, 802.11g |
| Compatible formats | PDF, HTML, TXT, JPG, BMP, PNG, PRC (Mobipocket) |
| Speakers | No |
| Compatible Operating systems | Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.Mac OS X |
| Ports | 1 x USB 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 50 degrees celcius |
| Box contents | Irex illiad eReader, USB cable, User guide and Quick start guide |
| Included accessories | Travel hub, power adaptor |
| Battery type | Rechargeable Li-ION battery 1600mAh |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year |