[jamma @ Oct 12th 2007 4:46PM]

if it's anything like early MP3 players, they won't become mainstream until Apple release one.

too bad iBook is taken, or was..

[David @ Oct 12th 2007 5:52PM]

Even though the comment is lowest ranked, I agree. This thing is not cool. New, yes, but the looks are already dated. The interface is bad, not inviting, and displays irrelevant information, like whose brilliant idea was it to display the file size or the directory path on the screen with the title? None of that info is necessary, and therefore is just clutter. Apple would have done a LOT better job with this. Plus, why is the screen all grey? It'd be like reading a newspaper in a dark room. I just don't see how this product is revolutionary in any way. Please correct me if I'm missing something.

[Igor @ Oct 12th 2007 6:12PM]

David: What file size/directory path? I am looking at my PRS505 now, and there are no file sizes, and as the thing doesn't allow for directories (just "collections") there are no paths for that either.

Interface is pretty straightforward actually, but I would want directories on it. Collections are much better than they were in the previous version, but they don't replace an actual hierarchal file structure.

The screen isn't that bad though, the grey is about the color of most of my paperbacks (but that could be due to age, I don't buy as many paper books as I used to)

[GenericWhiteGuy @ Oct 12th 2007 6:26PM]

I think David is refering to the "info" screen with the file size/directory information. That isn't the title screen of the book. If you want detailed information, you can select "info" on the book menu and get all that detailed information if you really want it. I have a feeling that if Apple came out with the same exact device/interface, David would be in love.

Also, the point of this is the screen. Eink is much easier on the eyes and has battery life measured in weeks instead of hours. That's the revolutionary part but this is still early adopter territory.

The screen contrast is actually very good, but just like real paper it is dependent upon the ambient lighting. If you are in sunlight or by a reading lamp the background looks as white as a paper book. I don't quite get why you would compare this to reading a newspaper in the dark-- do you actually do that? Turn on a light...

[azayzel @ Oct 13th 2007 2:07AM]

How about a ittle FUD and fudged numbers to help sell a product. I've had the PRS-500 since it came out and can tell you that some of the numbers being thrown around are an over-exageration, such as:

1. The PRS-500 is the same thickness as the PRS-505; in other words, it is also 3mm at its thinnest, with maybe 5mm in the middle; not quite a half inch (which is actually quite thick!). So, it's not "far thinner" than the other, maybe a mm difference between the two.
2. The screen refresh is not much faster than the earlier model, which didn't take a whole second to change, mor elike .5 seconds. People who have the 500 and 5050 side-by-side say they cannot tell the difference in which flips pages faster. So it not a "vast" improvemment.
3. The main thing that is an improvement over earlier models is the Vizplex screen, which is brighter and has less ghosting, due to having a higher contrast. Not two talking points, but one and the same.
4. The memory improvement is nice, which means you probably won't be needing to use an SD or MS expansion card. Didn't really need one on the previous model either.
5. Start-up is "near instantanious" with the 500 model as well. In other words, no lag, it's instant-on.
6. And finally, the PRS-505 actually has more buttons than the previous model, so you better rethink your re-tooled interface with less buttons comment. I've actually heard quite a few issues with the power button on the new model being quite problematic.

If you're looking for a Reader and already have a 500 model, don't bother upgrading unless you sell your current one on eBay to recoup your cost. It's not really worth the upgrade.

[shaliron @ Oct 13th 2007 8:38AM]

How is half an inch thick? Especially on a device this large (flat), which would probably crack if it were any thinner.

[pasht @ Oct 15th 2007 9:56AM]

I've owned my PRS-500 for a year now, and I love the thing. My only complaint is that I'm left-handed, and as such I cannot turn pages on the device while holding it and write notes at the same time. I would trade up to the 505 just for the page-turn buttons on the right-hand side... if it comes in black that is. This is an ebook for christ's sake, not a cheap DAP.