Sony have one eBook reader and a number of apps on offer. They all allow font changes but have no speech or braille access.
Sony Reader PRS-T2 (reader)
Sony released the PRS-T2 in August 2012, to replace the similar PRS-T1. The T2 has a 152mm (6") monochrome eInk display and weighs 164g. It has internal storage for around 1200 books, and an optional microSD card can hold another 30,000. In common with other eInk readers, power is only used when the screen changes and the Sony claims a full battery will give 30 hours of reading time and take 2 hours to recharge
The screen is touch sensitive and it has only five tactile controls - Previous, Next, Home, Back and Menu buttons in a row below the screen.
Once a book is open, its text can be altered by pressing Menu and then one of the on-screen options,or by using the pinch-to-zoom gesture. Although font size changes always apply, some books do not allow the font itself to be changed. There are no font options for the Home screen, menus, dictionary or online features.
There is no text-to-speech access even to the content of a book
The Sony Reader store opened in the UK earlier this year, so it's possible to buy books direct from the device. Alternatively, use a computer to buy anddownload books and then copy them to the Sony PRS-T2.
Benefits
-
152 milllimetre (6 inch) eInk screen.
-
Eight font size options, up to point size 28 approximately.
-
Seven font options.
-
Pinch-to-zoom feature.
-
Adjustable brightness and contrast.
Obstacles
-
Adjustable font size applies to content only, not menus or Home screen.
-
Monochrome screen, dark on light, with no invert or other colour options.
-
Touchscreen interface with few dedicated buttons may not be suitable for some users.
-
No text-to-speech.
-
Font options do not work with some books.
Reader apps
The Reader apps allow you to buy and read material on devices other than the Sony Reader. There are apps for PC and Mac, and although the Sony website says there are apps for Android and iOS, these don't seem to be available in the UK.
The following information was obtained using the Reader for PC app:
-
Some keyboard accessibility for book content, but none for Home screen or menus.
-
No colour options available within the app, and no honouring of Windows colour themes.
-
Seven font size options for book content; single or double page per screen; full screen mode.