I’ve had my eye on the Sony Librie before it was released in Japan in March 2004. But it only had a Japanese operating system. Back in July 2005 a hacked English OS version was released, and now I’m tempted to get one, but here’s what the Librie needs:
Bigger screen
I wish it was 8.5×11 screen size to fit the large library of 8.5×11 pdfs I already have. Right now the screen size is 3.5 × 4.7 inches, much too small.
PDF support
It only takes its proprietary format, .LRF, not PDF files. You have to go through a confusing series of steps to convert anything to this format (which involves a PC, not a Mac)
Better notetaking
It would be nice if there was some sort of notetaking feature in this. With paper I can underline text and highlight it. This librie seems like it only lets you take minimal notes in the margin. Which might work, but could certainly be improved.
Cheaper price
At $479.00, this is way too much for an ebook reader. Sure it’s the first e-ink reader ever. And e-ink will truly REVOLUTIONIZE the marketing and publishing industry. If anything, it will become a collectible. But have the Apple Newton’s—the first true PDA device—become a collectible? I would pay the $479 if I could just drag and drop pdfs onto it. But the whole rigamarole of converting the files sounds like too much work.