Sony to announce new reader

[medard]

There will be a T3, and it will be front lit. That is just as sure as the stars shine above.

The real questions are When? and How much?

[Penforhire]

The Kindle PW is a tough act to follow and I say that as a big fan of my past Sony readers.

[Xanthe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm sure that Sony's next eInk reader - IF they produce one - will almost inevitably be front-lit. But to treat this unsubstantiated rumour as a "fact" does seem to be rather a case of skating on thin ice.

True, but it's fun to speculate anyway.

As to why one might want to listen to an audiobook on an ereader - simply because if you change your mind and want to listen instead of read, the option is already there, especially if you waiting around somewhere and aren't carrying all your devices around with you.

[QuantumIguana]

It doesn't matter all that much if the average reader wants a dedicated e-reader, what matters is if enough readers want one to maintain a viable market.

[samhy]

Just so you know, there was a thread on the same topic here.
I don't know if those two threads need to be merge or not.

I'm looking forward to an announcement so we'll know if this T3 is a serious contender

[Ripplinger]

Every year Sony comes out with a new reader around Fall. About 6 months before that the prices of the current ereaders drop to clear inventory. And every year there is a lot of speculation because of those price drops that Sony is getting out of the ereader business entirely and there won't be any more new ones.

I'm going to stick by their track record and believe they will come out with a new reader again this year like always around Fall. And to be a real contender, they really need it to be a front lit reader, so again, I'm going with that assumption.

How they execute it though is my only concern. I'm spoiled by the software on the 350s as far as reading, options, even the time indicator, collections, and the general layout I feel is superior to other readers I've seen. That will be the deciding factor if I give up my 350s for their lighted reader. And yes, I'd be willing to pay more for it if it's as good as the x50 line was.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Sony has made several improvements to their bookstore in the last few months. They have added more features with their Collection pages, author book club and the new Kids Corner. They have also sent out 30 and 40% off coupons by email. They also just changed the UK bookstore. My prediction is that they will release another reader. I think that it will be front-lit to be competitive. I have both a Nook Glow and a Kindle Paperwhite. Neither is perfect, and there is room for improvement. I hope Sony can do it better.

[spindlegirl]

I think it's a neat prospect. I am very loyal to the Sony book readers. I love mine. I'd love to see a Sony "mini", because I've seen the Kobo mini, and they look soooo cute, but the drawback is, it's a Kobo. So a cute little Sony Mini epub reader (front lit or not)would be awesome for me.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I think it's a neat prospect. I am very loyal to the Sony book readers. I love mine. I'd love to see a Sony "mini", because I've seen the Kobo mini, and they look soooo cute, but the drawback is, it's a Kobo. So a cute little Sony Mini epub reader (front lit or not)would be awesome for me.

They ditched the 5" reader a few years ago. I highly doubt they're going to go back to it and the 6". It's a waste of money to make all those different sizes.

[Ripplinger]

But most people who have had the various optional sizes, the 5" and 7" readers, are extremely loyal to those sizes and really hate when they had to replace them with 6" screens. For myself I absolutely love the 5" size and how portable it is and I'd give anything to have them also come out with a 5" front lit reader.

But I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen, they're going to stick to just 6" screens.

[spindlegirl]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

They ditched the 5" reader a few years ago. I highly doubt they're going to go back to it and the 6". It's a waste of money to make all those different sizes.

Ahh I am rather late in the game then. My first Sony was the T1 (which i gave to my daughter and she loves it) and I've had the T2 since december.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I think it's a neat prospect. I am very loyal to the Sony book readers. I love mine. I'd love to see a Sony "mini", because I've seen the Kobo mini, and they look soooo cute, but the drawback is, it's a Kobo. So a cute little Sony Mini epub reader (front lit or not)would be awesome for me.

The Sony "Mini" was cute! My 350 is metallic pink. I was also a fan of the 7" readers. Sadly, I think the 6" model is here to stay.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Sony is not unaware of the recent rise in popularity of the 5" screen (see the Galaxy S4 (5") and the Note 2 (5.3")).

However, an e-ink Reader with a screen that size would have to be second in line to a 6" reader, and overall sales high enough to justify both models.

I wonder whether Sony believes a future market for an e-reader will exist at all, let alone that they'll be able to sell two sizes.

Still, I love my PRS-350s. Before the Paperwhite and Glo, people in cafés and trains used to ask where they could get one. They'd never seen an e-reader that compact.

[HarryT]

One question to ask is whether eInk are still making 5" screens. If they are, I suspect it's in extremely small quantities.

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by HarryT

One question to ask is whether eInk are still making 5" screens. If they are, I suspect it's in extremely small quantities.

Kobo, at least, are still selling them, so I'd guess the answer is yes
Admittedly they could be using up old screens.

Hopefully Trekstor & e-ink can sort out their patent dispute as I don't think trekstor will have any problems producing 5 inch screens if anyone want's them (Still liking the 4.3 inch screen on the Pyrus mini).