Upgrade your Sony PRS-500 to a 505 and read ePub and DRMed bestsellers: $199 after credit
Want to read ePub files on your Sony PRS-500, the original Sony Reader? Or enjoy DRMed bestsellers in the Adobe PDF format—from libraries and bookstores alike? Sony, alas, has no upgrade planned.
But to make up for that, the company is giving PRS-500 owners $100 credit, whether or not they bought the machine directly from Sony itself. Effectively, that brings the price down to $199. The link gives details.
Tip: Keep your AC adapter, since one does not come with the PRS-505 (shown here in the Silver edition). It recharges via your USB port.
Yes, I’d have preferred that the credit be even greater, but it’s still a very, very nice way for Sony to give thanks to the original owners. Nice going, Sony! According to the company, the technical challenges did not make the upgrade practical for the PRS-500.
I’m not sure if the new units on sale now come with firmware upgrade, but if not, just go here.
A statement from Sony follows.
"We would like to thank you for your support of the Reader Digital Book by Sony® and digital reading in general. We’ve been monitoring the site and have been gratified to see the tremendous positive response to our recent firmware upgrade announcement. The ability to access EPUB books and reflow standard text-based PDF documents opens the device to a world of new content.
"We’ve also seen the requests from PRS-500 users about making an upgrade available for that model. After lengthy discussion and investigation of different solutions, we determined that such an upgrade would not be technically feasible. Instead of leaving our early fans out in the cold, we’d like to thank them for being among the first to recognize the benefit of the Reader so we’re offering a special trade-up program.
"When you trade-in your old PRS-500, we’ll credit you $100 off a purchase of a new PRS-505. This program will run though January 2009 and you can find more details on the SonyStyle site: http://www.sonystyle.com/readertrade.
"Please be assured that your PRS-500 will continue to work as before with the Sony eBook store and with your personal documents but if you would like to upgrade to a unit with EPUB compatibility, PDF reflow and other enhancements, we would like to make the transition as easy as possible.
"Once again, we thank you for your continued support.
"Keep on reading,
"The Reader Team
"Sony Electronics"
August 7th, 2008 at 7:55 am
[...] give props. Sony, it’s not often, but you’ve done something cool. I salute you. [From Upgrade your Sony PRS-500 to a 505 and read ePub and DRMed bestsellers: $199 after credit | TeleRead...] This was written by Phil LaDouceur. Posted on Thursday, August 7, 2008, at 11:55 am. Filed [...]
August 7th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Will the new Sony Reader and store be compatible with a Mac? That was my big beef with the original.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Re Sony Reader and Macs. Alas, Mary, the Reader library won’t normally be compatible with Macs for now. But there are other ways to set things up so you can get Reader0-format books on your Mac from the store. And probably from other places as well. It’s just that you may not like the time and/or money involved with Windows emulation systems, etc.
Sony yesterday refused comment on the Mac issue and on the question of whether it might soon intro new models or cut prices. Hey, no hard feelings toward Sony, which normally is mum on such touchy matters. But you bet I asked.
The Mac issue is an important one. So is the issue of allowing entire books to be boldfaced, as the Cybook can—to increase readability on E Ink screens, which lack the contrast of LCDs. I’d also like to see Sony’s store offer ePub along with BBeB.
Even though nirvana isn’t here yet, I’m still happy with Sony’s recent direction. If enough people speak up, in a civil way, other good things just might happen.
Thanks,
David
August 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Mac compatibility should take on a new importance to Sony. For one, I’m fed up with Windows and Microsoft:
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/microsofts-deliberate-pc-sabotage/
And so are many others:
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/microsoft-the-american-nokia/