Sony Updates E-Book Reader

By Geoff Duncan October 3, 2007

Sony Updates E-Book Reader

Sony has apparently designed to stick with its E-Book Reader concept, launching new models of its portable text readers based on E-Ink technology. The new PRS-505 models are available in either silver or blue, and Sony is offering customers 100 classic titles from its Connect store with the purchase of a Reader.

The Readers feature a 6-inch, 170 dpi 4-bit grayscale E-ink display that reads (and looks) like paper, but can be refreshed as users flip “pages” back and forth. The Readers support text files, RTF, Adobe PDF documents, and users can convert Word docs for use on the Reader using software on their PCs. Sony says the Reader holds about 160 books in its internal memory—with more storage available via memory cards&mdahs;and offers battery life equal to about 7,500 page turns: that ought to be enough to get through even some of Tolstoy’s more challenging works. Sony also sells book titles on its Connect store in DRM-protected BBeB format: these include top-selling contemporary titles from a variety of publishers, as well as a number of classic texts. Sony is offering buyers 100 classic titles with the purchase of a Reader—although credits must be redeemed by February 29, 2008. Classic titles normally sell for $1.99 apiece.

The PRS-505 reader is available now for $299.99.

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Emerging Tech

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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