Thread: End of the line for Sony Readers?
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Old 06-17-2011, 11:54 PM   #228
EatingPie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScalyFreak View Post
Not 100% true, actually... I have multiple Kobo books on my 950, since Kobo's software/store works seamlessly with Sony readers. According to a Kobo employee posting in the MR Kobo forum, their store syncs with several other devices as well, though of course not the Kindle.

I also have multiple ebooks from independent sources and stores, since Sony readers can do ePub formats without any effort on their part and the vast majority of independent publishers that I've found seem to use that format.

So a more accurate description would be that these devices all default to their own exclusive stores. The reason I wanted a Sony reader is because it seemed to be better at handling books from alternative sources than either the Nook or the Kindle is.
Indeed I simplified. But things are still in an anti-competitive mode.

Can you read a B&N or Amazon e-book on the Kobo? Nope. So in that sense, the Kobo is like the Sony Reader... exactly like it in what stores you can use due to ADE.

In the vein of simplification, let me continue: the two largest booksellers in the US are not competing with each other in terms of e-book sales. Once you're in, you're stuck. So there is no reason for them to lower prices. And, ultimately, what reason is there for Sony or other bookstores to lower prices either? When the de-facto best selling e-Reader is totally locked in to Amazon, and nobody else can sell for it, that lowers the incentive even further.

ADE support is certainly a move in the right direction. As you are pointing out, that helps break the device/content lock. But when this doesn't apply Amazon and B&N (or Apple), we still have a long way to go!

-Pie
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