MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Sony thinks quality will win out (for them)

fjtorres · 07-30-2010, 10:59 AM

Time warp.
They're stuck in 2008.
The problem with being a close follower is that sometimes the market leaders put on the afterburners. They're trying to paper over the fact that they have no answer at hand for the new Nook/Kindle models so they harumph and pretend it's beneath them. (When nature gives you lemos, you pretend you like lemonade.)

Sony relies overmuch on brand loyalty and it works to an extent.
But relying on brand loyalties and adoring fans blinds you to the reality that other companies also make quality products. And *they* aren't blind to the shifting sands of an expanding marketplace.

A lot of people expect Sony to intro new hardware this fall. Maybe even with the pearl screens. But if Sony thinks they can rely on new screens and brand loyalty to let them position themselves as a Premium brand they're in for a rude awakening:

Lost in all the K3 price-and-screen hype was a little quote from Bezos on how they intend to get Kindle into *new venues* besides Target and the airport Kiosks. Translation: Kindles at retail. (And Nooks at retail, too.)

Which means people will see the Kindle and Nook screens as readily as the Sony screens.
And they'll see the prices. If Sony's prices aren't in line, the sales won't be either.

Sony's currently at number three and bucking for number five if they keep their head in the timewarp.

07-30-2010, 10:59 AM	#5
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Time warp. They're stuck in 2008. The problem with being a close follower is that sometimes the market leaders put on the afterburners. They're trying to paper over the fact that they have no answer at hand for the new Nook/Kindle models so they harumph and pretend it's beneath them. (When nature gives you lemos, you pretend you like lemonade.) Sony relies overmuch on brand loyalty and it works to an extent. But relying on brand loyalties and adoring fans blinds you to the reality that other companies also make quality products. And they aren't blind to the shifting sands of an expanding marketplace. A lot of people expect Sony to intro new hardware this fall. Maybe even with the pearl screens. But if Sony thinks they can rely on new screens and brand loyalty to let them position themselves as a Premium brand they're in for a rude awakening: Lost in all the K3 price-and-screen hype was a little quote from Bezos on how they intend to get Kindle into new venues besides Target and the airport Kiosks. Translation: Kindles at retail. (And Nooks at retail, too.) Which means people will see the Kindle and Nook screens as readily as the Sony screens. And they'll see the prices. If Sony's prices aren't in line, the sales won't be either. Sony's currently at number three and bucking for number five if they keep their head in the timewarp.