Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Sony and IRex Technologies are introducing Digital books that have the same resolution as the printed document, and also can make the “page” look like a real book, newspaper, etc.  As we mentioned back during CES, the Sony®Reader, (PRS-500) plays MP3’s but headphones aren’t included.  The Reader has a six inch screen and the font can be enlarged up to 200%.  According to Sony’s specs on the device, the rechargeable batteries (recharge time is 4 hours) will allow 7,500 page turns and holds 80 average sized e-books.  Books and more can also be stored on Sony’s MemoryStick or using an SD storage card.

The PRS-500 will be available this spring.  The price is not specified on their web site, but the devices are expected to initially cost $250 to $400.  I remember a few years back they tried to introduce a similar device, but the resolution on these early devices was not the same as the paper in real books.  It was reported that the screens caused eye-strain and headaches.  With the new screens, this should not be an issue.

Let me see… I pay about $35 per month ($420 per year) for a daily newspaper.  Why I pay for it I’m not sure.  Most of it can be viewed on the internet, but there is something about sitting on the couch or eating cereal while I read the paper.  I could purchase the Sony Reader and pay it back in a little more than a year.  Sounds like a great future for the Reader.  Add all iPod-type audio and video features, a cell phone, and internet capabilities and you have it all.

Read