How will Amazon counter the new Sony Daily Reader?

[susan_cassidy]

I've never really needed folders on my Kindle. I just don't keep that many books on it. The people that do want them are very vocal, though.

[AnemicOak]

I do miss having the collections I had when I was using a 505 (even if they're not quite full fledged folders), but it hasn't been the end of the world. There have been rumors about some type of folders/organization coming to the Kindle, but AFAIK they're just unsubstantiated rumors and wishful thinking so far.

[pilotbob]

I'll add one more too... the Jetbook...

So Lets see...

BeBook
EZ Reader
EZ Reader Pocket Pro
Jetbook
Opus

All have folder. I think the iLiad and DR1000 do too.

BOb

[Slow_hand]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

I don't know, from what I'm seeing so far I don't think that the new Sony device would qualify as much more than a dying quail of a single.

I'm afraid you are looking at thing through Kindle-colored glasses (whatever color that is!) - I didn't say Sony won the game or even hit a grand slam.

I firmly believe the general book reading population would prefer a device that can buys books at the touch of a button and can borrow books from the library easily and be able to turn pages with a flick on the screen.

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by Slow_hand

I'm afraid you are looking at thing through Kindle-colored glasses (whatever color that is!) - I didn't say Sony won the game or even hit a grand slam.

I firmly believe the general book reading population would prefer a device that can buys books at the touch of a button and can borrow books from the library easily and be able to turn pages with a flick on the screen.

Perhaps you are correct about the touch screen, but I don't particularly like the idea of sacrificing crispness and clarity of what I'm reading for the novelty of a touch screen.

Also, we'll see how quick libraries are to adopt this technology, I don't see it happening very quickly with the economy in it's current state. Non-profits are cutting their budgets to the bone and I don't expect Adobe to give away this technology or the publishers to give much by way of help either.

[Ervserver]

I don't understand this way of thinking, why is it so important to have a clear winner...I don't think its Sony vs Kindle anymore. There are so many readers entering the market. I seriously doubt Kindle is gonna own this market in the long run, Sony either.

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Well, IMHO, Sony fell way short of a Kindle DX challenger. Its limited 3G still leaves readers requiring a PC, as does the Library Finder software, etc. (Although igorsk is probably hacking on this even as I write). PDF support is still questionable. And, launching only a touch screen model, with known issues in decreased contrast/readability, won't challenge the DX screen.

Plus, the late arrival at Xmas misses the text book market.

The DX is far from perfect, but the Sony Daily Reader seems to be a hurried attempt to get something/anything on the market before year end to keep their foot in the door.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I will buy the first reader that comes out with folders. I will convert all of my books to read on that device, and will never look back. Whether it is Sony or Amazon, fully functional folders is the game for this anal tax lawyer.

So what's stopping you? The CyBook Opus has folders; the BeBook (and clones) have folders; the iRex iLiad and DR1000 have folders, etc. etc. Sony and Amazon are not all that exist, you know .

[advocate2]

My problem is really simple. I am old and my eyes are not the greatest. The Dx is perfect because I can use a larger font and read some without having to change pages as often. The browser is mediocre at best, but it's there in an emergency. Major problem: I can't read library loaners on it. Shear Madness on the part of Amazon.

The Sony 505 is nice and well designed. It is easier to carry arround but the major plus is that I can have a legally borrowed ebook, read it in a week, and return it. It just strikes me a huge savings. I'm not sure why, but the idea of making a contibution to my library which will keep circulating ebooks, compared with Amazon taking the fee and the book sitting on one of my devices in a software limbo for 10 years until I decide, maybe, to read it again, is greatly appealing to me. I am perhaps biased because my daughter and ex are both Librarians, a fact of which I am very proud.

Sadly, running Python and scripts is beyond my kin. My only choice is to wait for the Sony Daily to read library ebooks with greater comfort. I will not sell my DX when the Daily shows up. I will just hope and pray that Amazon sees the light which will lead to the sale of many more Kindles but far fewer ebooks.

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by Connallmac

I don't know, from what I'm seeing so far I don't think that the new Sony device would qualify as much more than a dying quail of a single.

Don't discredit the public's demand for lower costs. The Sony Pocket Edition being a full $100 less than a Kindle is going to make a big difference to many consumers. Add in that it can handle library books and a lot of casual readers will be motivated to buy.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by advocate2

Sadly, running Python and scripts is beyond my kin.

If you can type you can run a python script. Just because you might not know how to do it this second doesn't mean it is beyond you.

BOb

[Connallmac]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

Don't discredit the public's demand for lower costs. The Sony Pocket Edition being a full $100 less than a Kindle is going to make a big difference to many consumers. Add in that it can handle library books and a lot of casual readers will be motivated to buy.

The $100 difference isn't very much when set against the connectivity of the Kindle. Both being able to shop the Kindle store and download books wirelessly, as well as that internet connection. That gives so much more functionality! Especially when I'm sitting in the airport or the doctor's office and finish a book, or discover that the one I'm reading is a real stinker.

[Roy White]

The engineers at Amazon are clearly Sadistic maniacs having a huge laugh...

"They all want folders and we could do it in a day of hammering out code but lets not do it just to make em madder! LOL!!"

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

So what's stopping you? The CyBook Opus has folders; the BeBook (and clones) have folders; the iRex iLiad and DR1000 have folders, etc. etc. Sony and Amazon are not all that exist, you know .

Until iRex has ePub support that works well, they are a no go. The BeBook and clones are a no go until they are verified to have a proper ADE implementation that handles internal links. The V5 7 Pocket PRO are a no go unless they have a working ADE that supports internal hyperlinks for epub. The Cool-er is a no go as it crashes too much and the button is too stiff. All Kindles are a no go because they do not support ePub. So as I see it, if you don't mind a 5" screen there is the Sony PRS-300 & the Opus. But as far as 6" screens go, the only choices you have is to find a Sony PRS-505 or get a PRS-600.

In summary, there's not much to go with for the moment due to poor software or non existent software.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

In summary, there's not much to go with for the moment due to poor software or non existent software.

Let's clarify that for everyone here by adding "in your opinion" to that.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Until iRex has ePub support that works well, they are a no go. The BeBook and clones are a no go until they are verified to have a proper ADE implementation that handles internal links. The V5 7 Pocket PRO are a no go unless they have a working ADE that supports internal hyperlinks for epub. The Cool-er is a no go as it crashes too much and the button is too stiff. All Kindles are a no go because they do not support ePub. So as I see it, if you don't mind a 5" screen there is the Sony PRS-300 & the Opus. But as far as 6" screens go, the only choices you have is to find a Sony PRS-505 or get a PRS-600.

You talk about such minor issues that really aren't show stoppers to many people.

So, ADE doesn't support hyperlinks inside a book. Ok, I read most books front to back.

The Cool-er crashes too much. Ok, today... but perhaps a firmware upgrade can fix that. I don't know. Many reviewers I have seen don't have a problem with the button. Some do.

Kindles don't support ePub. Erm... so what? NO dedicated eBook readers supported ePub until just recently. It is only since the Opus and the Sony came out that there were readers that did. (Or perhaps I am wrong, perhaps the Jetbook was the first to deliver ePub support. I know you also don't like that device.) I can still get pretty much any ebook I want for the Kindle in the Kindle format.

Then you mention the Opus is one to get, where on other threads you trash it because it crashes also. Doesn't that put it in the same league with the Cool-er?

I'm glad you are clear on what will work for you. But, to just tell someone that the ONLY 6inch readers worth getting are the Sony's...

Personally, I think the CyBook, Kindle, EZ Reader, Sony are all solid viable devices with very few differences. For what they are designed for, which is reading fiction ebooks any one will work fine. I actually would say they all have more in common than they have differences.

BOb

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

So, ADE doesn't support hyperlinks inside a book. Ok, I read most books front to back.

This is not an "ADE" issue; it's an issue for ePub books with some specific implementions of ADE (those on Jinke devices). Most ADE implementations support ePub hyperlinks just fine.

Personally, I think the CyBook, Kindle, EZ Reader, Sony are all solid viable devices with very few differences. For what they are designed for, which is reading fiction ebooks any one will work fine. I actually would say they all have more in common than they have differences.

Completely agree.