8. Conclusions

Though it has a few limitations such as its proprietary electronic book format, content limited mostly to popular books and inability to display Adobe Acrobat files in an easily readable format, Sony's PRS-500 eBook Reader is an impressive mix of technology and is absolutely the best eBook I've ever seen bar none. It was designed like a paper book from the ground up, not fashioned from some existing, bloated computing technology.

The Reader's non-backlit display is bright and easy to see under the same lighting conditions where a book can be read. It fits nicely in one hand and along with its CONNECT software is easy to use. The PRS-500's Memory Stick/SD card slot adds significantly to its storage capacity making it a great place to stick new books so paper books can no longer overflow your shelves and render your floors impassable.

The PRS-500 has great potential as a Reader for many types of printed content in addition to books. How nice it would be to tuck your daily newspaper or your favorite Web content into the Reader, ready for perusing on the bus, train or plane or in your favorite coffee shop or easy chair. And, it all fits into less than 5x7 inches and weighs a mere 9 ounces. Just think of the trees that would be saved. The whole idea is so simple, rational and easy to implement that it'll probably never happen.

A growing number of nicely designed covers are available for Sony's PRS-500 eBook Reader.

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