I really like my Sony eBook reader, but I won’t deny that I sometimes find myself thinking “I’d like to have this book sitting on a shelf” or “this would be a fun book to thumb through randomly” or most commonly “I wish I could set this thing on the floor and not worry about the kids stepping on it or throwing it across the room”.

I have yet to buy an eBook since I received my reader. I’ve stuck to free eBooks such as public domain works (70+ years since the author died) and relatively new books released free in electronic form by publishers (also, THIS HANDSOME FRIEND OF MINE utilizes the questionable practice of downloading pirated eBooks off the Internet because “it’s barely different than checking out a physical book from the library”).

The problem with buying eBooks is that they’re rarely/barely cheaper than a paperback (they’re usually cheaper than a hardcover if you’re buying from the Kindle Store or Sony eBook Store). Why should I pay more for a digital copy that costs nothing to make and barely pennies to send? This is not a problem with the technology, this is 100% a problem with the publishers. I think eBooks should cost around $5.  That’s enough of a savings for more people to say “Ok, I’m giving up some of the convenience/aesthetic of a paper book, but the convenience of an eBook coupled with this great price makes it totally worth it”.

It addition to simply lowering eBook prices (which is undeniably a no-brainer), I really think we need to see bundle prices for buying a paper book and its eBook version together.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

Publishers should include a DRM-free eBook version with every paper book they sell.

They won’t do this for some time I’m sure. Why do that when your most loyal, dedicated fans might pay you twice to have the book in two formats?  I think it would be smart for publishers, as it would increase the sale of paper books, which they seem to prefer selling over eBooks despite the increased profit margins and easier (ie. nonexistent) distribution models for them.

I do expect the publishers will get in line eventually and start making the improvements we’re asking for (lower prices, no DRM, bundle discounts for getting paper book and eBook together).  I’m just impatient.

(Photo used with permission of Flickr user danielhermes.)

I’ve had my Sony PRS-505 Reader Digital Book for a week now, and feel like I’m qualified to share some thoughts on it.

First, some pros of E Ink devices in general (these go for Sony’s competitors like the Amazon Kindle as well).

• Minimal Eyestrain – E Ink reflects light just like regular ink, so it generally doesn’t put any more strain on your eyes to read it than a normal paper book would. In fact, an eReader can be even easier on your eyes as you can make any eBook large print with the push of the zoom/font-size button. It can also be read just as easily in bright sunlight, which is something LCD screens can’t match.
• Long, Long Battery Life – E Ink devices can last weeks on a single charge since they essentially only use electricity when what’s displayed on the screen is changed. Leaving a page displayed for days doesn’t drain the battery.
• Not Limited by Bookstore or Library Selection – A book not available locally? No need to wait for Amazon to ship it.
• Classics – Websites like Feedbooks and Manybooks have tens of thousands of public domain and creative commons books available to download for free.
• Multiple Books in One Device – No more worrying about dwindling bookshelf space. Also, take your whole library with you to the park/bus/vacation/gym/etc.

Now for Sony PRS-505 specifics.

(Photo used with permission of Flickr user regularjen.)

PRs-505 Pros:
• Cheaper than Kindle – Even without any discounts or coupons, the PRS-505 can be bought for $90 less than the Kindle 2
• More Book Buying Options – When it comes to DRM’d books, Kindle owners must buy from Amazon. With a Sony Reader, eBooks can be bought not just from Sony’s eBook store, but also from any store that offers Adobe’s Secure ePub or Secure PDF formats, such as Books On Board. This doesn’t mean the Sony has a larger selection of books available (Amazon actually has a slightly larger catalog).
• Smaller Than Kindle 1 or Kindle 2 (yet Same Screen Size) – No keyboard means a smaller device.
  
  (Thanks to Flickr users tevk and symmetricalism for enabling sharing on these photos.)

PRS-505 Cons:

• No Search or Notes – Just because it doesn’t have a keyboard or touchscreen doesn’t mean Sony couldn’t have allowed users to enter text for searches or notes. The 0-9 buttons along the side would have functioned fine (using the T9 method seen on mobile phones) for occasional text entry. I wouldn’t want to write a story with them, but it would be better than no search or note functions at all. (People like my wife and I who do some reading on a computer in addition to reading on the Sony can rest easy knowing that search isn’t needed to find your place. As long as you use ePub files, the page numbers are the same regardless of what device you’re reading on.)
• No Wireless – Amazon comes with free cellular wireless, but says they’ll charge for it in future. The Sony can’t even connect to my home wireless (I really wish it could; don’t care much about the cellular). But the Sony PRS-505 can sync daily news and feeds using programs like Calibre or Feedbooks’ News Stand.
• eBooks Not as Cheap as Amazon – Amazon’s eBooks are usually $3-5 cheaper than the Sony eBook Store. But Sony’s store is still usually cheaper than paper books and regularly cheaper than other non-Amazon eBook stores. Also, Amazon is currently subsidizing their low prices and may raise them soon.
• Small Page Turn Buttons – Unlike Kindle’s paddles/flippers, the PRS-505 has smaller buttons that also require a little pressure. I got used to this very quickly, but for a day or two I’d occasionally find myself wishing I didn’t have to think about the button when I turned a page. On the plus side, the left buttons (great for holding the book with one while the cover’s attached) are very easy to hit.
• Limited Mac and Linux Support – Mac and Linux users can’t buy books from the Sony eBook Store, and while Mac users can use Adobe ePub/PDF for DRM books, Linux users don’t even have that option. Your average Linux user would have no trouble buying an eBook in a Linux supported format and stripping the DRM from it, but it’s still unfortunate to see an established OS shut out like this.

I’m glad that I bought the PRS-505 (especially considering the great deal I got on it). However, regardless of the pros and cons I listed, I’d likely be just as pleased with a Kindle, Sony-700, or one of the other other E Ink devices currently available (seriously, I’m not saying the Sony is best, just that it’s quite good). I was just lucky that I happened to snag a bargain on the device I had a slight preference for.

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of ebooks, digital publishing, and electronic paper (E Ink) technology. My friend Nathan makes it no secret that he’s not a fan of these things (at least not as a direct alternative to real, paper books). It took me a little while, but I’ve come to understand and respect his appreciation for the heft of the book, the feel of the paper, and the turn of the page (not the smell though; sorry Nathan).  But I still think that for me at least, the benefits (and overall gadgety coolness) of ereaders outweigh for whatever experience enhancers come along with physical books (although I still see how ereader price can be a valid roadblock,and this isn’t to mention DRM which deserves and angry post all of its own).

And now I’ve actually bought an electronic paper device (a Sony PRS-505 to be exact) and I’m excited about continuing my love for science fiction as well as really starting to dig in to the classics. It took me a long time to decide what device was right for me (as well as to find a deal that would allow me to lower the high purchase prices).  I did most of my researching, pining, and venting at a wonderful community site called MobileRead.

And it was at MobileReads that I encountered a few people with a much higher tolerance for reading from a computer screen for hours than I have.  I once read an entire novel on my cell phone, and I’ve been known to spend a little down time at work catching up on an ebook already in progress on my computer monitor. But I’ve always wished I could be reading from a book or epaper device at these times.  There are people out there who haven’t picked up a paper book in years AND think the idea of epaper is ridiculous. They read books on their laptops or their iPhones or their netbooks for hours at a time, and never desire something a little less buzzing, visually nosy, or easier on the eyes.  I don’t mean to mock them here, for as long as they’re happy with the medium and enjoying the story, they’re doing something better than the legions of people in today’s world who simply have no desire to read. But the next time I feel a little like I’ve abandoned the purity of literature by shunning the simple pleasure of turning some pages, I’ll remember these digital warriors who are even less picky about how their words are delivered to their eyes than I am.