The Sony PRS-505 Reader Reviewed

Sony Electronic Book Emulates Paper with Electronic Ink

Sep 21, 2008

The Sony Reader Electronic Book uses a digital display with paper-like qualities for e-book reading. Does this digital book reader spell the end for paper print?

While it has been available in the US since late 2006 in the form of the Sony PRS-500, the Sony PRS-505 Reader is now available in the UK through selected Waterstone's stores. The PRS-505 is slimmer than its forerunner, and has an improved functionality that includes upgrades to its electronic paper display technology.

What is Electronic Paper Display Technology?

Most e-book readers use a display system developed by E-Ink Corporation. Unlike LCD screens, the display screen of an e-book reading device imitates the luminosity of paper and is not backlit internally. Therefore, much like reading paper print, the level of ambient light dictates how easy it is to read print on a reader's display.

This means that, unlike conventional computer monitor screens, e-book reader displays do not suffer from glare in direct sunlight. The overall effect is surprisingly close to a paper-reading experience.

Another benefit of electronic paper is its energy-conservation. A device using E-Ink technology uses power only to draw the image on the display screen. It does not expend power maintaining the image once it is drawn. This extends the lifetime of the battery charge significantly. The Sony PRS-505 model uses the latest development of E-Ink's electronic paper technology.

Features of the Sony PRS-505 Reader

The 256MB memory capacity of the standard device may seem small, but with the addition of a Sony Memory Stick, the Sony Reader can effectively store e-books of library proportions. However, the Sony PRS-505 e-book downloading software works only with PCs using Windows XP or later. There are several third party tools that cater for Mac and other OS users, though these tools are not officially supported by Sony.

While the unit also acts as a music player, it does not come with an external speaker, which limits its use as an audio-e-book player. Unlike several of its closest rivals, the Sony Reader can display images in 8-level grayscale using the JPG format.

Alternatives to the Sony E-Book Reader

The Sony PRS-505 Reader is not alone in the electronic book viewer market. Other electronic ink devices include the Amazon Kindle, the Bookeen CyBook and the iLiad by iRex. 2009 will see the release of the Readius by Polymer Vision, which boasts a compact pocket-sized design due to its pioneering rollable displays.

There is an argument that technology will only replace paper print when the cost of that technology becomes comparable to that of paper. With an initial outlay of a three-figure sum for any of the available digital book reading devices currently available, it seems unlikely that the digital print revolution and the Sony PRS-505 Reader will be replacing traditional print any time soon.

The copyright of the article The Sony PRS-505 Reader Reviewed in Mobile Technology is owned by Nicolas McGregor. Permission to republish The Sony PRS-505 Reader Reviewed in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.