Sony's 2nd generation digital reader makes some perceptible improvements to the previous 500 model. My thoughts:
The display is clear but a little darkish under weaker room lighting. It will be great to make the page a little more white, although that is certainly technologically challenging. Although the reader plays pdf files, the small screen and limited enlargement make certain pdf documents such as text and instruction manuals very hard to read due to the small print. I thought the ability to read pdf was a plus but I was personally disappointed by the awkward way I had to read my loaded documents. Landscape reading helps some, but it is non intuitive.
Although gray scale levels have improved, graphics-intensive pdfs are still slightly not optimal. Page loads and page turning still tend to be a little slow, although not intolerable to the point of irritation.

The eBook library and especially eBook store is a clunky interface strongly suggestive of being designed by some second year engineering graduate with absolutely no concept of marketing and product/user environment packaging. The on-line store is not browser friendly and some title searches seem to go such a long time I wonder if the computer had hung. Overall, the eBook store is not going to be an asset to Sony as they compete with the sexier and more user friendly Kindle environment. There is much room for improvement here. Hint: find another programming team.

Engineering wise, the device is well engineered and very well packaged into a compact light weight design. Dimensional fit of the casing and switches is outstanding. It looks like it will last a long time of use. Definitely not some cheap import stuff. The light weight is comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The fatigue comes mainly from having to angle the book so that room lighting lights the screen optimally. A bit tricky if you have a dim bed lamp next to you.

11 Oct 08: The "clunky interface" of the eBook store is much improved after some upgrading. For example, it is much faster now. So my comments are no longer valid. Thanks!     |  Comments (8)