Name of Product:
Sony eReader Pocket Edition
Short Description:
Sony eReader pocket edition is a digital book reader that puts hundreds of books at your finger tips.
Update:
Wanted to add to the review my experience with finding and downloading the digital books. The Sony eReader comes with the Sony ebook store as one option where you can download your digital books. There are hundreds of thousands of books available and for reasonable prices. For example I just downloaded the new James Patterson book “I, Alex Cross” for only $9.99.
There is also access to millions of FREE books on the Google digital book network. Here you can find scanned books of many of the classics like “Call of the Wild” by Jack London and many more (well millions more).
You don’t have to use Sony’s software however, you can download books from any site that uses the ePUB format which is the most common available.
Review / Opinions:
I have to admit when I found out Staples was going to send me the new Sony eReader pocket edition to review I was very excited. I have always had a love of reading and a fascination with all the latest technology gadgets. I’m reminded of the Friends episode when Chandler asks Joey, “Joe I have to ask…..in one hand the girl at the copy shop, or in the other hand a big tub of jam?” Joey’s response….”put your hands together”. LOL…it’s great….my love of reading and my need for technology met in one device.
Anytime new technology comes out, I am the type that comes up with a list of potential concerns, questions, or things I would consider “big misses” if they weren’t addressed. Here is my list I had formed when I first started pondering the digital book readers:
– Ease of reading and eye fatigue. Can it be used a long time without getting a headache?
– Size, is it convenient and easy to carry?
– Battery Life?
– Enough storage space?
Even being the smaller model, the pocket edition eReader still has a large 5 inch screen. It also comes with three font size choices so everyone should be able to find a setting that works for them. However, the coolest part of the screen technology is the E Ink Vizplex paper-like screen (bunch of fancy words that means the screen looks as though you are reading off paper like a normal book). This feature wipes out my concern about getting a headache from staring at the screen too long like you can from a computer. There is absolutely no glare and you can even see the screen in direct sunlight……awesome!
The smaller size of the pocket edition eReader enables you to comfortably hold it in one hand. Being a father, I find the ability to manage the reader in one hand is a must. How else would I to hold my children on my lap and read to them?
The smaller size also makes it very convenient for business travel. Its thin design makes it fit into a briefcase or laptop bag better than a big bulky book. Coming in at only 7.8oz the eReader pocket edition weighs less than any book making your bags just a little lighter. The ePocket reader is small enough it could easily slip into a jacket pocket or purse as well.
Come to find out my next concern shouldn’t even have been a thought. The Sony eReader pocket edition’s battery life is said to be an amazing two weeks or 7,500 page turns! Yikes……and when the battery does run low you simply plug it into your computer via the USB port to charge. I haven’t had mine three weeks yet (only about a week) but I have read 2 books and the battery gauge hasn’t even budged. So the only downside I can see is remembering to charge it at all. With that long of a battery life it could be hard to get in the habit of checking LOL (good problem to have). However it only take 2 hours to fully charge the battery so if you forget you won’t be down too long.
The Sony eReader pocket edition comes with 512 MB of internal memory which is enough to hold roughly 350 books. More than enough in my opinion considering that you can save all your books on your computer hard drive a well. This is convenient way to not only have a back up of the book you purchased but enables you to manage your books with an interface that reminds me of a simple version of iTunes.
One note is if you will want to be able to use the eReader in the dark you will have to purchase a light that attaches to the reader. I’m eyeballing one that is a leather case and light in one.
Other Notable Attributes:
– Easily sync with computer via USB
– Comes in three colors (silver, black and rose)
– supports multiple file formats including ePub, Word docs and PDF
Link to Product:
Where You Can Purchase:
Sony eReader Pocket Edition at Staples.com or your local Staples store
Price of Product:
$199.99
* A free sample of this product was given to me for review purposes. This had no bearing on the review and all comments are my opinion and not that of the manufacturer’s.
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