Sony Daily Reader PRS900 is the company’s first model with wireless broadband connection that has been released in December of 2009. The Daily Reader comes with brilliant 7-inch touch display which can be used by fingers or stylus. Much like the Amazon Kindle, the Daily Edition uses 600 x 1024 Vizplex e-ink screen   providing users flawless navigation and comfortable layout of content. In portrait mode, the eRader features about 30-35 lines of text visible making the experience very similar to that of a printed paperback book. When the reader is in landscape mode, you have the option of switching to a 2 page at a time view. The eReader is also optimized for newspapers and provides crisp text and images that are very natural and easy to read.

Most notable for PRS900’s customers, will, however be the capabilities for wireless access via AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network. With Sony’s latest generation Daily Edition on your hands you will access to over one million free public domain titles from Google Books and sharing sites to Raeder Store and personal publishers. Unlike the Amazon Kindle which limits the ebook formats to their own amazon.com and pdf ebook formats,the Sony PRS900 supports a wide range of file formats including EPUB, Text, RTF and Word, in addition to Sony’s own BBeB (LRF) formats.

Measuring just 0.6-inch thin and weighting only 12.75 ounces the Rader Daily Edition is also really compact and easy-to-hold device. Sony was also serious about PRS900’s long battery life allowing it to display around 12000 continuous page turns from a single charge or to deliver 7 days with wireless switch on.  The PRS900’s package comes with 3.5mm stereo jack and up to 1.6 GB Dual Memory Card Expansion Slots for Memory Stick Duo and SD Card up to 32 GB. Additinal accessories will include AC adaptor, leather cover, travel case, USB cable, pre-installed SIM card and stylus. Joining two other new Sony models the Reader Pocket and the Reader Touch editions the Sony PRS900 will be available at a price of $399.

The Sony Reader PRS-505 was released by Sony on Oct 2, 2007.   It has been a big success since, primarily because there hasn’t been a whole lot of competition.

Specs

• Weight - 9 oz (250 g)
• Thickness - 0.3″
• Size – 6.9″ x 4.8″
• Screen Size - 6″
• Battery Life - 7500 page turns
• Storage – 256 MB internal + MMC/SD/SDHC/Memory Stick Pro Duo expansion slots
• Price - $250

The screen on the PRS-505 is very easy on the eyes. This is likely due to a 20% improvement in contrast from the last Reader (the 505).

Sony also made improvements to the controls, which have been rearranged to that the menu list is aligned with the buttons.  This definitely improves the usability of the PRS-505.

Direct page access is now possible simply by pushing a number button.  The numbers cycle around the three digits shown on the screen, so if you accidentally select the wrong button just keep pushing the page number.  Again, this a noticeable improvemnet over the previous general Reader.

Here’s a few more features that Sony added new to the PRS-505:

• USB mass storage – The internal memory can be accessed just like any mass storage device.
• Menu power off – You can now turn the device completely off simply by using the menus.
• Updated design – Comparing the 505 and 500 side by side, it’s obvious that the 505 looks like a newer, more attractive design.

Summary

The PRS-505 is a huge improvement over its older sibling.   The better contrast ratio, the improved button design, and the addition of USB are a few changes that make a large difference in user experience and enjoyment.  You’d be hard pressed to find a better portable ebook reader for the price.

Editor’s Note – [June 2009] The rating of the PRS-505 has been updated to reflect its comparison against current ebook readers.

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