Sony reader prs t3 formats. Sony Reader PRS-T3: Natural reading. A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet

Readers from Sony have traditionally been successful among Russian buyers. The first model that enjoyed increased popularity was the Sony PRS-505 device. Then there was the not so successful Sony PRS-700 backlit reader, and later a series of models - PRS-350, PRS-650, PRS-950, equipped with screens with diagonals of 5, 6 and 7 inches. Until 2011, all models were produced in aluminum cases; the era of plastic came with the release of the PRS-T1 model. The Japanese manufacturer has narrowed its line of branded E-ink readers to just one device by introducing this reader. The reader turned out to be very successful, and in the first years after its release it sold no worse than the leaders in the e-book market - Amazon Kindle readers. In 2012, Sony's competitors, primarily Amazon and Barnes & Noble, released models with full and high-quality screen backlighting, allowing you to read from an E-ink reader in the dark. Sony did not do this, releasing an updated PRS-T2 model without backlight. Finally, in 2013, the manufacturer’s latest model saw the light of day - Sony PRS-T3, which is the subject of our review.

Differences from Sony PRS-T2

The fundamental difference between the previous model and the new one is that the latter has a non-removable, “smart” cover, which turns on the reader when you open the cover and turns it off when you close it. This innovation is really relevant, since E-ink screens are very fragile, and besides, it is perfectly implemented. The back cover is directly the back panel of the reader, due to which the device has practically not increased in thickness. The cover that covers the reader's screen is also very well made - it is thin, but dense enough to protect the screen. Any e-reader, one way or another, needs a cover, since all such displays are susceptible to damage if the e-reader is carried without a cover, for example, in a bag.

Interface

The reader menu has not undergone any significant changes compared to the previous T2 model. In particular, the same view of the Home page is used, which is divided into several touch zones. At the very top, on the black stripe, there is a panel with notifications, a battery charge indicator and Wi-Fi connection status. If you click the "Context Menu" button (the rightmost key), this panel will display the current time.

The middle part of the screen is dedicated to showing the cover of the last opened book. The view can be switched to the last four books you opened (very convenient for those who read several books at the same time). Below are four recently added books.

At the bottom of the page there are three sections: "Bookshelves", "All Notes" and "Applications". The first section displays all downloaded books. It has the ability to create so-called “Collections” into which books can be distributed. It is worth noting that, as on previous models, the reader does not “see” ordinary computer folders, that is, the file system is not supported. Collections are virtual folders for the reader's internal menu. Not all users like this principle of organizing a library, but it is often used on popular Western e-readers, and the Sony PRS-T3 is no exception. The file system is used to sort books into and . The "Notes" section displays quotes from books you have saved. “Applications” are additional functions of the reader, we will talk about them in more detail below.

In reading mode, by clicking on the "Context menu" button, you can call up settings for part of the text. There are six subsections available here: “Navigation page” (viewing the contents, going to the desired page in the book), “Font” (selecting the font type and letter size), “Notes” (adding text comments to the text of the book), “Drawings” (handwritten comments), "View settings" (for viewing PDF files in various modes) and "Advanced" (rotate the screen to landscape orientation, detailed information about the book).

The interface on the new product is not without some features. For example, with a touch screen you can turn pages only by swiping your finger across the display, but not with a short press. You also cannot increase the size of letters in a book using a multi-touch gesture (spreading your fingers apart). But in general, controls, menu structure and settings are Sony PRS-T3 will be very clear and convenient for users of any e-book handling skills.

Functional

The reader supports TXT, FB2, EPUB, PDF e-book formats. In the case of FB2, it is important to note that the device only works with unzipped files, that is, files like FB2.zip, which are often found in online libraries, must be extracted from the zip archive before loading into the reader. In general, the Sony PRS-T3 supports the most common formats in libraries, especially EPUB and FB2. To read books, you should use these types of files, since PDF and TXT are rather computer formats that are not very suitable for reading on a reader.

The new product is equipped with 2 GB of internal memory, as well as a slot for an additional flash drive with a capacity of up to 32 GB. The memory capacity has not increased compared to the T1 and T2 models. The user has 1.2 GB available, which is enough for about a thousand books. In this regard, there is no need (if at all) to purchase an additional memory card for the reader with a capacity larger than 2-4 GB.

In addition to reading, the reader has some additional functions:

It is especially convenient to use dictionaries. When reading a book, you can highlight unfamiliar words in the text with your finger and receive a translation in a pop-up window. The browser on the PRS-T3 model is definitely the best we have seen on E-ink readers. Of course, you need to make allowances for the fact that the electronic ink screen is slower compared to LCD displays and is not suitable for full-fledged Internet surfing. However, the browser supports downloading books, and, if desired, reading a news site or checking email through it.

A successful addition to the e-reader functionality is the Evernote application. This program is for a computer, where it is designed for writing and editing texts. On the Sony PRS-T3, you need to enter the login and password for your Evernote account, after which you can download the text notes saved there to the reader. Alternatively, you can create a note on the reader and “upload” it to Evernote on your computer. Content synchronization occurs via Wi-Fi. On the reader, texts are converted to TXT format for subsequent comfortable reading.

The device uses a 1000 mAh battery, one charge of which, as the manufacturer assures, should be enough for 2 months of use with daily half-hour reading. Having tested the new product for about a week, we can say that this is most likely true, since during our testing the charge level did not decrease by a single division.

Model software Sony PRS-T3 is based on the Android OS, but this does not mean that you can install any additional programs and applications on the reader. In the case of previous models, this made it possible for amateur programmers to write various custom firmware that expanded the range of supported formats. It is possible that such additions for T3 will soon appear on specialized forums. However, it is worth noting that such firmware usually complicates the control of the reader; in addition, the new product already uses the most popular types of files (in particular, FB2 and EPUB) found in online libraries.

Conclusions

Concluding our review of the Sony PRS-T3, we highlighted all the advantages and disadvantages of the Japanese reader:

Cons:

no screen backlight;
there is no file system support for sorting books (the reader does not “see” folders).

Pros:

built-in “smart” cover with screen auto-off function;
the most compact size among 6-inch readers;
excellent screen (high resolution 1024 x 758, white background, rich black color);
very high page speed;
support for common formats (EPUB and FB2);
high-quality and practical case materials;
factory Russification and official warranty.

A high-quality reading device from a manufacturer of e-books with a long history. With the exception of the fact that the reader does not have backlighting, the latest innovation in E-ink readers, this model has no disadvantages over other popular e-readers. The Sony reader does not have enough backlight, but this is actually its only drawback. The new product offers its advantages in the form of high speed, excellent screen, support for popular formats, very compact size, convenient controls, which will surely appeal to many buyers.

Sony was at the origins of the segment of devices based on electronic paper - for many enthusiasts, the first reader was the iconic Sony Reader PRS-505, Japanese developers were the first to release an E Ink reader with built-in backlight (Sony Reader PRS-700), and in the subway you can still meet people with extremely successful aluminum models Sony Reader PRS-3×0/6×0. Unfortunately, the current Sony Reader PRS-Tx product line cannot boast of similar successes for the obvious reason called Amazon. And yet, the third model of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 line continues to move in the right direction, it has received an updated design, a new E Ink Pearl HD screen, but most importantly, a “smart” cover integrated into the body, which allows you to start reading simply by opening the book .

Versions, equipment

The Sony Reader PRS-T3 e-book is offered in three color options: black, white and red, while absolutely all surfaces are made in the main color, including the front and back panels, sides and cover.

The front panel of all three versions of the reader is made of slightly rough matte plastic, although the predecessor Sony Reader PRS-T2 only had a matte black version, while the white and red versions had a less practical glossy finish.

The version of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 reader for the CIS market comes in a thin, flat cardboard box with localized design. All available information is provided in English and Russian, and even in the photo of the reader you can see the beginning of the novel “How the Steel Was Tempered.” Among the design features of the packaging, we note a clear indication of support for the popular FB2 format and a warranty card in a separate plastic bag.

Peel off the outer shell to reveal an origami box made from unassuming recycled cardboard. In addition to the reader itself, inside you can only find a short USB/micro-USB cable and a brief operating manual in Russian and Ukrainian. Note that the international version of the package includes a plastic stylus, but the charger and the branded backlit cover will have to be purchased separately if necessary.

Built-in cover

At first glance, the new product looks almost the same as the previous version of the Sony Reader PRS-T2, but this is not the case. Unlike the monoblock design of its predecessor, the third model in the series has a “smart” cover integrated into the body, which not only protects the screen, but also serves as a decorative back panel. This solution allows you to significantly reduce the overall dimensions and weight compared to the standard “reader + cover” option.

Magnets built into the front cover securely fix it to the front panel of the device and, in addition, automatically “wake up” the reader as soon as you open the cover and put it into sleep mode as soon as you close it. Note that in nature there is also a simplified version of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 with a regular plug on the rear panel instead of an integrated cover, but it will not be sold everywhere.

To remove the cover, you need to carefully unscrew the latches around the perimeter of the rear panel, after which you will have access to service information, a slot for a MicroSD memory card and power contacts. You can use the Sony Reader PRS-T3 with the cover removed, but you should not do this, at least for aesthetic reasons. You should also take into account the non-zero probability of accidentally closing the contacts that are used to power the optional removable cover with a built-in LED lamp.

Let us note the rather original design of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 card reader - it is not a miniature slot with a plug in one of the sides of the case, but a large rectangular recess in the center of the rear panel with an activity indicator and a slot hidden in the inner edge. As a result, the memory card in the “loaded” state is practically invisible, and the recess is necessary only to make it more convenient to remove it from the case.

Design, connectors

Despite using the same 6-inch diagonal screen, the Sony Reader PRS-T3 model has become noticeably more compact compared to its predecessor. If the model has lost only 1 mm in width, then the difference in height between T3 and T2 is as much as 13 mm. But it’s more difficult to compare weight, since the predecessor weighed 168 grams without a cover, and the new product weighed 200 grams with a cover. If you remove the cover along with the back panel, the weighing will show about 140 grams, which is quite good for a 6-inch reader.

The front panel of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 is made of slightly rough matte plastic. The screen is quite seriously recessed into its surface due to the characteristics of the infrared module. Despite the possibility of touch control, the reader is equipped with a number of hardware keys. The design of the control block remains the same - these are five buttons in the form of corresponding icons - two arrows, a house, a “Back” sign and a “Menu” list. The sharp edges and unique shape of each button allow you to accurately determine by touch which one is currently under your fingers.

The rear surface of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 case, including the sides and part of the integrated lid, are made of anti-slip soft-touch plastic. But the front side of the cover is made of leather, and on the outside it is a smooth surface with a natural texture and without marks, and on the inside there is a soft suede part with a miniature Sony logo and a recess for a row of control keys. As a result, while reading, you touch a soft-touch coating that is pleasant to the touch or an equally pleasant leather surface.

There is absolutely nothing interesting on three of the four sides of the reader, and only on the bottom edge you can find a minimally sufficient set of a power button with a charge level indicator, a Reset hole and a micro-USB port for data transfer and battery charging. The developers abandoned support for audio files, and hence headphone output, in the second generation of the Sony Reader PRS-Tx family.

Functionality

The Sony Reader PRS-T3 is equipped with a 6-inch E Ink Pearl HD screen with a resolution of 1024 by 758 pixels and a Clear Touch infrared touch module. This model does not have a built-in backlight, like most current flagship readers; those who like to read before bed will have to purchase a branded cover with a lamp. On the one hand, this is a step forward, since the previous model of the family was content with an E Ink Pearl matrix with a lower resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. But on the other hand, in terms of the two most important consumer properties - image quality and the presence of backlighting - the Japanese reader is inferior to the segment leader Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2013), which boasts a more recent E Ink Carta screen and front lighting, which you don’t have to buy separately.

The device runs a Russified interface based on Android OS, which allows us to hope for the appearance of custom firmware, so beloved by some e-reading enthusiasts. The reader supports JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP image formats, as well as TXT, ePub and PDF book formats. Modifications intended for sale in CIS countries additionally support the locally popular FB2 format. It is interesting that we are talking specifically about FB2 files; the device still does not support the archive version FB2.zip. The built-in memory is 2 GB of which only 1.2 GB is available to the user. However, the presence of a slot for memory cards allows you to completely eliminate the problem of lack of free space.

The Sony Reader PRS-T3 is equipped with a 1000 mAh battery, a full charge of which, according to the manufacturer, should last for 2 months, provided that you read for half an hour a day or for 30,000 page turns. Charging the battery from 0 to 100% lasts 2.5 hours when connected to a PC USB port and 2 hours when using a charger. The reader also supports ultra-fast charging mode - just 3 minutes should be enough to read 600 pages of text.

Interface

The presence of a touch screen and 5 hardware keys at once allows you to control the Sony Reader PRS-T3 quite comfortably - selecting a specific element is done by pointing your finger, and calling the context menu, going back or going to the main screen is done using buttons. You can turn pages using two hardware arrows (by the way, holding the hardware arrows for a long time leads to fast rewinding of the text), or with a characteristic flipping gesture, while simply touching the edge of the screen does not work.

The main interface window is divided into several zones. At the very top is a service line with icons for the wireless network and battery charge level, and the state of the latter can be judged using just four bars. By touching the upper right corner, you can quickly turn the Wi-Fi module on or off, as well as read system notifications. By pressing the Menu button, you will see the current time for a few seconds.

The central part of the screen is occupied by your current book and the four most recently added files. Moreover, if in the latter case the matter is limited to covers and title, then for the book you are currently reading, the name of the author, reading progress in digital and graphic form, as well as the date of the last opening are also available. If you like to read several books at the same time, you will probably appreciate the opportunity to see not one, but four recently opened text files.

And finally, at the very bottom you can find three icons for going to the “Bookshelves”, “All Notes” and “Applications” sections. The library has standard capabilities for sorting and displaying books; search and location marks are also available (built-in storage or memory card). The “Notes” section allows you to organize all the quotes you have selected, and the last bookmark contains links to the Browser, Dictionary, Drawings, Memo, Images and System Settings, Evernote and Facebook applications.

In the system settings of the Sony Reader PRS-T3, you can set the required swipe gesture, determine the language of the menu and keyboard (Russian or English); The Application Settings item contains such useful features as the preferred font size, the option to force a full screen refresh every time you turn the page, the choice of a default dictionary, slide viewing duration, and three pages of system web browser settings. The remaining items contain settings familiar to any modern device.

In reading mode, you see only the text and reading progress in the form of the current/last page of the book. Thanks to the optimization of the page refresh algorithm, artifacts practically do not manifest themselves, so there is no particular need to completely refresh the page with a black fill. Tapping and holding brings up a pop-up context menu with options to copy, share, and search for a word or phrase. The most interesting thing is the ability to translate a word from Russian into English, from English into Russian, or to clarify the meaning of an English word in the Oxford dictionary.

The settings menu of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 is called up by a hardware button, and not by tapping in the center of the screen, as is usually the case with touch devices. The “Navigation page” item allows you to go to the required page using a slider, specifying a number or content. The “Font” item contains 8 gradations of font and 6 different types. “Drawings” and “Notes” allow you, respectively, to leave handwritten and text notes on the text of the book, “View Settings” are more interesting when reading PDF rather than text files, and the “Advanced” item is interesting with the ability to change the text orientation (only two options) and find out full information about the book.

Operation

In the previous sections of the review, we told almost everything that is worth telling about the Sony Reader PRS-T3 reader, and now we will dwell in more detail on the impressions of its use.

The idea with a built-in cover, if desired, can have a lot of disadvantages associated with the lack of alternatives to this proposal. Some people don’t like covers in principle, because they want to get the thinnest, lightest candy bar without moving parts and don’t need separate screen protection (for example, they only read at home). Some people don’t like the design of the branded cover, and in another case they would gladly change it to a version made of a different material, with a different color/pattern and method of fixation. You should not lose sight of the increase in the cost of the reader due to this “free” cover, since it will be almost impossible to buy a version without a cover in our country.

The second significant complaint about the cover of the Sony Reader PRS-T3 was the method of fixation. We understand that a more “delicate” fastening, which would be easier to remove, would most likely become correspondingly less reliable. But if you often remove the cover to, for example, remove a memory card, then sooner or later you will probably get tired of this clicking. In particularly unfortunate cases, the plastic latches can simply be broken off. The situation is even worse if you purchased a branded cover with an LED lamp and plan to regularly change covers for reading on the go and before bed. Naturally, such complaints will not arise from those who remove the cover only once - in order to insert a memory card.

On, and now about the advantages of this Integrated Snap Cover. It simply fits perfectly into the design and construction of the Sony Reader PRS-T3, making it an aesthetic and tactile pleasure to use. This solution is very similar to a regular book, since you don’t have to press any buttons to start reading - you just pick it up, open the cover and find yourself on the same page where you finished reading. You very quickly get used to this “warm lamp” model of behavior and begin to expect the same behavior from other readers, but alas... One cannot help but note the maximum energy savings, because the reader goes into standby mode as soon as you close the cover. What is especially valuable is that you don’t need to force yourself to do this action (as is the case with pressing buttons on the case), it is familiar to anyone who has ever held an ordinary book or magazine in their hands.

Thus, whether the built-in cover is considered an advantage or disadvantage is up to you to decide, since this assessment is inherently subjective.

Video review of the Sony Reader PRS-T3

Results

As a result, Sony Reader PRS-T3 is a rather interesting update to the line of Japanese readers with an original design solution in the form of a smart cover built into the body. The device will certainly appeal to lovers of comfort and minimalism, although it did not receive the latest E Ink Carta screen and trendy front lighting.

I liked it

Built-in cover with magnetic fixation and automatic screen lock

E Ink Pearl HD screen with a resolution of 1024 by 758 pixels

Updated design, minimal body dimensions

Practical materials, excellent solution for the control button block

Two ways to turn pages (hardware buttons, touch screen)

Availability of a slot for MicroSD memory cards

FB2 format support, Russian-language interface

Didn't like it

- high cost

- no built-in backlight

— features of the integrated cover

The product was provided for testing by the Origami company, the official distributor of Sony products in Ukraine, http://www.origami.co.ua

	Sony PRS-T3 Notify when on sale
operating system	Android
Keyboard type	buttons + touch control
Battery	no data
Operating time (manufacturer's data)	up to 2 months (Wi-Fi off), up to 1 month (Wi-Fi on) - with 30 minutes of reading daily
Dimensions, mm	109x160x11.3 (with cover)
Weight, g	200 (with cover)
Diagonal, inches	6
Permission	1024x758
Matrix type	E Ink Pearl HD
Touch screen, technology	touch (infrared)
Additional screen	—
Built-in memory capacity	2 GB
Memory card slot	microSD
Text	ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2
Audio	—
Images	JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
Video	—
USB	microUSB
Audio jack	—
Other	—
IrDA	—
Bluetooth	—
WiFi	+ (802.11b/g/n)
3G (EDGE)	—
Accelerometer	—
QWERTY keyboard	—
Speaker	—
FM receiver	—
Browser	+
Organizer	—
Dictionary	no data
Games	—
Reading aloud (Text to speech)	—
Book store	+
More	integrated cover

How long has it been since you held a book in your hands? Ordinary paper, smelling of time and printing ink? What about electronic? They say that they also managed to go out of fashion. We, to paraphrase Mark Twain, note that rumors about the death of readers are greatly exaggerated.

We decided to compare - thanks to the Yulmart online store - two e-readers, PocketBook 626 and Sony PRS-T3. And at the same time we learned from an expert what interesting things are happening in this segment of gadgets.

Both readers - and these are the latest models in the company's device lines - are equipped with E Ink Pearl touch screens with a resolution of 758x1024 pixels. From a technological point of view, this is not the latest development - at the beginning of last year, the next version of the screen on electronic ink E Ink Carta and the first model based on it, the Kindle Paperwhite, were presented. However, the new screens have not yet taken root, and readers with E Ink Cart displays are still a curiosity (today, in addition to the Kindle reader, only the newly released German Tolino Vision is equipped with this “generation” of electronic ink screens).

PocketBook 626
from 6000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 grayscale, E-Ink Pearl, backlight, sensor
RAM: 256 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Wi-Fi, microUSB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1500 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI) + JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF

Sony PRS-T3
from 5000 rub.

Screen: 6’’, 758x1024, 16 levels of gray, E-Ink Pearl, sensor
RAM: 512 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Wi-Fi, USB, microSD (up to 32 GB)
Battery: 1000 mAh
Formats: EPUB, PDF, FB2, TXT + JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Before comparing the devices in detail, we talked with the editor-in-chief of the-ebook.org portal Vladimir Prokhorenkov, who talked about what is happening with e-books in general.

GTTF: How interesting are e-readers to users today and how has this segment of the gadget market changed in general?
Vladimir Prokhorenkov: The main peak of interest passed just two years ago. Now the consumer crisis is also superimposed on the popularity. Accordingly, demand has decreased slightly. There is an outflow of those companies that are not enthusiasts in the market. Gradually, there remains a limited number of manufacturers and so far they cannot surprise with some kind of innovation - all the devices on the shelf are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. The market may be boosted by a new wave of readers that will offer consumers some feature that will differentiate them from the older generation of devices. There is not even stagnation, but a slight decrease in interest.

GTTF: How will technology develop in general, and what awaits us in the near future?
V.P.: At the end of last year, new products were released - a new E-Ink Carta screen and a joint development of Sony and E-Ink measuring 13.3 inches, which uses a Sony matrix that can be bent within certain limits. Accordingly, products in this direction will appear. They are interesting mainly for the corporate market due to their high price.

GTTF: In general, does the user need such screen flexibility?
V.P.: Modern screens are glued to glass substrates, so even if the screen remains intact as a result of excessive impact, the substrate breaks easily. The flexible TFT control layer allows the screen to bend - the device can be slightly bent or rested on it with your hand.

GTTF: What advice would you give to someone who is buying an e-reader for the first time?
V.P.: First, decide what he will read, books in what formats. Then - under what conditions will he do this: will there be enough light or will it be a dark room, will he do this in transport or before bed.

GTTF: How much can price influence the choice?
V.P.: It is not necessary to pay the maximum possible amount. A high price is usually a marketing positioning. Therefore, you need to focus not so much on the price, but on the properties that the consumer wants to see in the final product.

What makes E Ink technology unique - even if you look at it from the side, even under a spotlight - the information remains easily distinguishable. The screens of both readers are absolutely identical - if you conduct a “blind test”, even the developers themselves are unlikely to distinguish one model from the other. The rendering of fonts here has improved compared to previous models, and this is important for comfortable reading.

PocketBook is equipped with a screen backlight - by the way, more uniform than in previous models - but is not supplied with a case. With Sony it’s the other way around - and this is the main difference between the readers from each other. For information: a good case for PocketBook will cost about 1000 rubles, and a backlit case for Sony can be found for 1500.

It feels like both ereaders are comfortable to use. The assembly and materials of the case do not raise any questions. Due to its thickness and curved back cover (without a case), the PocketBook looks somewhat sleeker, and Sony boasts comfortable raised buttons.

The amount of built-in memory is not so relevant for readers - unless you read in PDF format. However, Sony was equipped with two and PocketBook with four gigabytes of memory (naturally, smaller amounts are available). Both books support microSD cards (up to 32 GB).

A more important parameter is format support. PRS-T3 works with a minimum set of standards: ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2 + common graphic file formats. The 626 also supports graphics, and the number of text formats here is about two dozen. The most valuable are DjVU and Word files.

Mobile applications have long been installed in readers. On the Sony e-reader, you will probably be interested in the ability to work with Facebook and Evernote - in the first case, you can share quotes from books, in the second, you can create and read your own notes. PocketBook can work with Dropbox and also has a useful service for downloading books via Wi-Fi (registration in the service is required, and books are sent to the reader via email).

Yes, both models are equipped with Wi-Fi. What else do you need to access the Internet? That's right, browser! This is a useful thing, but you are unlikely to use this opportunity often. Why? Constantly redrawing the screen is not a pleasure for the faint of heart (see how it looks in our video on the Geek to the Future YouTube channel).

If we talk about performance, then there are no special tests for readers - you can pick up a stopwatch, you can start from subjective sensations. And here Sony comes out ahead - all applications and the interface as a whole work without any brakes. Well, everything that directly concerns the reading process is perfected in both gadgets. We also note that PocketBook sometimes behaved strangely after a reboot: for several minutes the reader slowed down and responded poorly to touch gestures, but then it “warmed up” and worked in normal mode.

What none of the readers have is an MP3 player. This solution has its pros and cons. But in general, given that today audio players are built into almost all irons, it is unlikely that the buyer will feel deprived. You can, of course, complain about the impossibility of listening to books, but believe me, listening to the monotonous voice of a robot is still a pleasure.

The battery life of e-readers can be measured in days or number of pages. But using backlighting or Wi-Fi makes this task much more difficult. And the result, of course, will differ from those indicated on the box - and it is known in which direction. However, you can rely on the operation of both readers on one charge for a week - a maximum of two - if we talk about “book swallowers”. Well, the backlight will reduce this time by 4-5 times (Sony’s proprietary backlit case is powered by the battery of the reader itself).

Let's summarize. Both devices do not have any pronounced disadvantages and the choice can be made based on personal preferences. They are not cheap, but similar analogues, such as the Onyx Akunin Book, are comparable: in our opinion, both models can be considered as an excellent gadget for everyday reading - see for yourself by looking at our comparative

Sony has introduced a new generation reader under the symbol PRS-T3. As you know, Sony stood at the very beginning of the segment of devices based on e-paper technology, but due to competition it was seriously pushed forward in the market. This model has a chance to improve the situation somewhat. 24Gadget will tell you more about it in the sequel.

Appearance

The PRS-T3 body is made of pleasant matte plastic in one of three colors - black, white or red. The device has an integrated genuine leather case, which is made in the color of the body. This is very convenient, as it eliminates the hassle of searching for a suitable accessory on your own. The cover is fixed to the front panel using magnets. When you open it, the tablet turns on automatically. A special version of the cover with LED backlight is optionally available. It is powered from a special connector on the rear panel of the reader.

The good news is that Sony engineers did not succumb to the tendency to use the touch interface everywhere and retained the normal hardware interface buttons. They are located in one row directly below the screen and have a special profile that allows you to distinguish them by touch. At the top end there is a microUSB connector and a power button. Weight with cover - 200 g.

Display

The PRS-T3 is equipped with a 6-inch E Ink Pearl HD touchscreen with a resolution of 1024 by 758 pixels. It is slightly recessed into the body due to the design features of the infrared touchscreen.

Technical equipment

There is a WiFi module (802.11b/g/n), a microUSB connector, the built-in memory is 2 GB, but only 1.2 GB is available to the user. Luckily there is a microSD slot for expansion. There is no sound module.

Autonomy

The reader is equipped with a 1000 mAh battery, which is enough for 2 months of operation with WiFi turned off, and for 1 month with it turned on. There is a fast charging function within three minutes, which is enough to read an entire book.

operating system

The interface is based on the Android operating system. It is Russified. There is a browser, support for text formats ePub, PDF, TXT, FB2 and graphic JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, as well as the ability to select various fonts. Settings are called up by a hardware button.

Pros

Quality materials
- compact body
- display
- convenient management and operating system
- thoughtful case

Cons

No built-in backlight

Verdict

Sony Reader PRS-T3 sells for about 6,000 rubles, which, in principle, is acceptable compared to other devices with an E Ink screen, for example, from PocketBook. The built-in cover is thoughtful and convenient, but not everyone needs it, and it slightly increases the dimensions of the device. Otherwise, we have a high-quality product with a user-friendly interface. The choice is up to the user.