Sony’s latest 10.3-inch Digital Paper device was released in the US last week.
The Sony DPT-CP1 is pretty much exactly the same as the 13.3-inch Sony DPT-RP1 that was released last year. The only notable difference with the CP1 is the smaller size.
The most impressive thing about the Sony DPT-CP1 is how thin and light it feels in your hand.
I put it on a digital scale and it only weighs 234 grams, which is almost exactly half the weight of the latest 9.7-inch iPad.
If you have a 6-inch ebook reader in a cover it most likely weighs more than the CP1. That’s seriously impressive considering the large 10.3-inch screen.
However, while the hardware and design are very impressive, the software continues to be a disappointment.
Like the larger RP1, it only supports PDF format and it can’t connect to the internet and you have to use an app to transfer files.
Sony recently updated the software on their Digital Paper devices to add a few new features, like page jump, panning while zoomed in, and support for filling in forms, but there’s still no table of contents, no way to go back to previous pages, no dictionary, no cropping, and no boldness settings.
Sony recently released a new Digital Paper app for Android and iOS to transfer files from a phone or tablet, but it turns out you still have to setup the main Digital Paper app on your computer first before you can even use the device.
I tried using the app to transfer files from a Samsung Galaxy s7, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the NFC feature to work—nothing happens. You can also transfer files via Wi-Fi from the app, but it requires both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, which makes using a “mobile” app kind of pointless.
Quite frankly I have no interest in using Sony’s Digital Paper devices anymore. The software is far too limited compared to the Onyx Boox Note and Max2.
The only reason to get a Sony over a Boox is if you really want the higher security, a more paper-like writing experience, and better build quality. The software on the Onyx is light-years ahead of the Sony in terms of overall features. Sony’s design is much nicer but from a usability perspective their devices are just so limited it’s frustrating to use them. They make everything more of a hassle than it needs to be, from loading documents to navigating files. They took a niche product and made it even more niche; even as a PDF reader it’s really only suitable for certain types of PDFs.
I just wish we could put the Onyx software inside of Sony’s hardware; then we’d have a truly exceptional device.
It had been a long time now that I have been waiting to decide between onyx boox note, dpt rp1, and dpt cp1.
I wana use it to read scientific PDF papers (academic use), but I have the feeling that weight does matter quite a lot!!
Now I have a doubt to choose between onyx boox note and rp1. Would you possibly know when would be the next sony’s rp1’s generation released? Do they have any plan to give a 13 inches screen lightweight eink but with a more open software?
Which one of devices shall I buy at the end? My heart is all with sony’s devices but since we might need zooming on a 10 inches device, onyx would be better.
It’s unlikely that Sony would release other models with different software, but they and E Ink did create a company called Linfiny to develop eNotebooks so maybe something more capable will come along eventually. But it’s very unlikely any new device would have software anywhere close to the same level as what Onyx offers because they’ve been developing it for many years. It takes a lot time and work to optimize software for E Ink devices.
One would expect that company that created Walkman could do better. I believe that Sony DP exists couple of years already and that software should be mature already. Do they read reviews like this one? What is their point of view for this? Is it possible to interview someone from development team of DP?
I think it’s just that their intended market is business professionals that need a PDF reader with high security where someone can’t just plug it into a computer or phone and copy the files. They could care less about the average person buying a Digital Paper device.
I don’t understand why they upgrade and limits this e-ink devices, like they want ti say “not sales”, when the user and buyers wants better quality for this prices. They are crazy. Play to lose.
“a more paper-like writing experience”…. isn’t that the point of these devices. They gare designed to be a digital (endless) notepad. If you want an e-reader please go buy a kobo.
Sincerely,
Someone who owns an RP1, uses it for academic work and was happy (I’ll admit the no TOC is annoying/disappointing/confusing as higher ed was one of the target democratics) with the software it shipped with.
*are
Thanks for that Apple
“The most impressive thing about the Sony DPT-CP1 is how thin and light it feels in your hand.”
Yeah well so does a piece of paper, and it has about the same amount of features as this overpriced rubbish.
They took a step backwards with their software instead of just offering an optional secure version, which they could have done with minimal effort. They just couldn’t give a shit about anyone but their niche business customers.
It is a niche product for business. People comment on this product as if it was meant for consumers — it was not.
Man, I would love to have this product, but alas it is too expensive for consumers. If it was $250, I’d be waiting in line for one with cash in hand.
I can only hope Sony comes out with something for the consumer market, I hearken back to the old days to Sony’s incredible line of e-book readers. I still have my Sony PRS-T1, which is still going strong after about 6.5 years.
I got a DPT-RP1/B two weeks ago for $635. I simply love it. I use it mainly for reading and adnotating studies and reading scientific magazines. The firmware could use more features and documentation though.