Sony Daily Edition (PRS-950) eReader Review

The Sony Reader is not as well known as some of its rivals and may not be the first option one thinks of when contemplating the purchase of an eReader, but you should definitely take it into consideration before making any purchasing decisions. With Sony’s latest model, the Daily Edition (also known as the PRS-950), this is even more true.

Overview

Size wise it is about the same as the more popular Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook. The Daily Edition is 5 inches wide x 8.1 inches tall x 0.7 inches thick and weighs in at  12.7 ounces.

This is on a slightly larger scale than some other ereaders, but still fits quite well into a coat pocket or purse. You won’t be suffering from any arm or hand fatigue due to this puppy! Also, a nice feature — a leather-like cover is included in the price, most other ereaders, including the Kindle, charge an additional fee for a cover.

Visual Display

The display screen, is a pretty sweet one, no surprise here since Sony has a  long history in the TV and personal computer industry. The E Ink Pear technology screen is just over seven inches, which is a little larger than the Nook or Kindle’s six inch screens.

This size difference is quite noticeable because the increased size is much closer to a traditional paperback text area. The screen size is achieved by the lack of a physical keyboard, as found on the Kindle. Instead, Sony substitutes a touchscreen.

The page display is reasonably quick, as most E Ink screens are, albeit a little slower than an LCD. You won’t have to squint or reach for your reading glasses, either, thanks to a size control that lets you to choose any of six font sizes ranging from Small to Extra-Extra Large.

While the Daily Edition doesn’t automatically flip the text when you change from portrait to landscape,you can do it manually without difficulty. Swiping the touchscreen to move between pages is another welcome feature for those still fond of physical books, as most avid readers are. Holding the pressure at the end of a swipe allows flipping through multiple pages at high speed, too.
Click here to purchase the Sony Daily Edition on Amazon.

Connectivity

The PRS-950 is especially welcome for adding wireless 3G, which allows for fast downloads fromvirtually anywhere. Wi-Fi hotspots are extensive but you still need to be near one to use that service. The 3G network is just about everywhere. Unlike in previous models, you can now download books, periodicals, and documents without being tethered to the PC or Mac.

Book Availability and Storage

Once you’re connected to that network you’ll be happy that the Sony Daily Edition eReader offers an optional memory card in the form of either a microSD or Memory Stick Pro. Download as many books (in ePub or other formats), PDFs, Word docs, and as you want and never worry about having to delete anything to make room for more. And, unlike the Amazon Kindle or B&N Nook, the Sony can get content from any eBook source around including the Sony store, which offers a million titles.

This storage capacity will come in even handier if you like to load up with a lot of MP3s to listen to while reading. And, given the support for AAC audio you’ll have an even greater range of listening content from which to choose. The Daily Edition also provides a place to put images, which are supported in the form of JPGs, GIFs, PNGs, and BMPs.

Technical Details and Features

Summary

For anyone considering the purchase of an eReader, the Sony Daily Edition (PRS-950) has definitely earned a place on every eReader buyer’s “must see” list.