Will Kobo, Nook and Amazon Touch kill Sony?

[viviena]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If bugs, new features, new versions of the software are to be put out there, chances are they'll be in the newest versions of the devices. So I'm all for waiting and seeing. Sure, they look good and sound like they may be good, but without actual usage, are they that good? This is why I'm all for waiting and seeing.

What if you bought a nook and not long after found out that Kobo is better or that you bought a Kobo and changed your mind for a nook? Or you saw new a Sony you'd rather have or maybe Amazon got touch and ePub and did away with the keyboard and you wanted that?

Do you really want to rush in and buy something now with little to know information on the device only to find maybe you made a mistake? Let's stop and think for a moment. If you already have a reader, is it working? If yes, why do you have to then rush and get a replacement or a second reader without enough information? What is the reasoning behind jumping in with a blindfold on?

It's one thing if you don't have a reader, but if you do, it's silly to replace it with one you might not be happy with.

Who? Me?



I'm not sure who you're responding to with your passionate post, but I agree it's better to wait and see, and quite frankly I think it's silly to proclaim that Sony Readers will still be superior compared to the upcoming Nook and Kobo models, based on our knowledge of the current Nook and Kobo models. Then again, I think it's equally silly to proclaim that Sony is going to be ground into dust by the proposed new functionalities and other qualities of these upcoming models. Can't really discuss constructively unknown tech specs and usability. What I don't think is so silly to discuss are other factors that might affect the competitiveness of the current Sony Readers, such as availability and cost, and which people have brought up in this thread just as much.

Also, it's possible to want, even covet something yet not actually choose to get it in the end. It's also possible to own multiple ereaders.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If bugs, new features, new versions of the software are to be put out there, chances are they'll be in the newest versions of the devices. So I'm all for waiting and seeing. Sure, they look good and sound like they may be good, but without actual usage, are they that good? This is why I'm all for waiting and seeing.

What if you bought a nook and not long after found out that Kobo is better or that you bought a Kobo and changed your mind for a nook? Or you saw new a Sony you'd rather have or maybe Amazon got touch and ePub and did away with the keyboard and you wanted that?

Do you really want to rush in and buy something now with little to know information on the device only to find maybe you made a mistake? Let's stop and think for a moment. If you already have a reader, is it working? If yes, why do you have to then rush and get a replacement or a second reader without enough information? What is the reasoning behind jumping in with a blindfold on?

It's one thing if you don't have a reader, but if you do, it's silly to replace it with one you might not be happy with.

What I'd like to know from you, JSWolf, is what all you are talking about is to wait before buying a Kobo or a Nook is done in a thread whose topic is: Will Kobo, Nook and Amazon Touch kill Sony?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by viviena

Who? Me?



I'm not sure who you're responding to with your passionate post, but I agree it's better to wait and see, and quite frankly I think it's silly to proclaim that Sony Readers will still be superior compared to the upcoming Nook and Kobo models, based on our knowledge of the current Nook and Kobo models. Then again, I think it's equally silly to proclaim that Sony is going to be ground into dust by the proposed new functionality and other qualities of these upcoming models. Can't really discuss constructively unknown tech specs and usability. What I don't think is so silly to discuss are other factors that might affect the competitiveness of the current Sony Readers, such as availability and cost, and which people have brought up in this thread just as much.

Also, it's possible to want, even covet something yet not actually choose to get it in the end. It's also possible to own multiple ereaders.

We just don't have enough information on the new touch readers to say which is better and which isn't. For all we know, Sony could make a new reader that's better and priced closer to the others. Who knows? We don't. I have a 650. Did I pay too much. No. When I bought my 650, I got it with a free light cover so overall that drops the price down. At the time I got the 650, it was the best 6" reader available.

Now as to what's better, no idea. wifi without a browser is not all that useful as I prefer to fix up my ePub so it looks good to me. So buying and then reading is not for me. If I get an ePub that's one of those eReader looking ePub, I just can't read it until it's fixed. Overall, what we know of the new readers is more of side features when how the actual reading software is. That is more important then reading stats or social networking.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Poppaea

What I'd like to know from you, JSWolf, is what all you are talking about is to wait before buying a Kobo or a Nook is done in a thread whose topic is: Will Kobo, Nook and Amazon Touch kill Sony?

Sony has a reader. It's the 650. It works. It works well. The interface is well done. ADE on it works well too.

Now, waiting is what will help Sony. If there is problems/issues with the software on the nook & Kobo, then Sony will be out front just due to having good software. When the Kobo first came out, I was thinking of maybe getting one for my mother-in-law. But I didn't because the software on it was buggy and still is.

Has Kobo learned from this and made sure ADE on the new touch is not buggy? Can't say until we see them in the wild. Has B&N used a newer ADE and introduced new bugs? No idea. Again it has to be in the wild. Sony doesn't have these sort of bugs. In fact, ADE for the 505 was one of the most stable versions of ADE when ADE first came out for readers beyond Sony. Sony has good software on it's side for one thing. We can't say the others do yet.

[elemenoP]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I prefer to fix up my ePub so it looks good to me. So buying and then reading is not for me. If I get an ePub that's one of those eReader looking ePub, I just can't read it until it's fixed.

Actually, the point above is something that COULD sway me toward another reader eventually. I do the same: I can't read an epub until I've "fixed it up." But I don't do the fixing up for fun and sport, I would rather not do it at all. There's no reason that a) an epub shouldn't look great on the reader in the first place and b) I can't change fonts, sizes, margins, indents, line spacing, etc. on the reader. If a reader comes out that does those things, I might switch.

Of the two new readers announced, one has more fonts, and the other has more sizes. So who knows. And yes, Sony could do all of the above in a new model of reader, but let's face it, their track record on software is not very good. They have been much more of a leader/innovator/all-around great in the hardware department.

eP

[mcrow24]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sony did it first. If Sony didn't do it, would the others have done it? Probably not.

That's illogical. #1 it wasn't the only touch technology around. #2 maybe the others made a bit for it and didn't get it. #3- there could have been an exclusive rights agreement with Sony.

Did you notice all of the readers that came out all at one time with this technology? Could have been that the agreement expired.

Maybe Neonode wouldn't have been the company, but I think a similar technology would have been used eventually.

[John F]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Actually, the point above is something that COULD sway me toward another reader eventually. I do the same: I can't read an epub until I've "fixed it up." But I don't do the fixing up for fun and sport, I would rather not do it at all. There's no reason that a) an epub shouldn't look great on the reader in the first place and b) I can't change fonts, sizes, margins, indents, line spacing, etc. on the reader. If a reader comes out that does those things, I might switch. ...

+1

Of the two new readers announced, one has more fonts, and the other has more sizes. So who knows. And yes, Sony could do all of the above in a new model of reader, but let's face it, their track record on software is not very good. They have been much more of a leader/innovator/all-around great in the hardware department.

eP

I think the Nook Touch (if it is like the Nook and Nook color) will have some customization (margins, spacing, ...).

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by advocate2

I've owned the 505, 600, 900, 350, 650 and 950. Did I mention I love the Sony Readers? Borrowing library ebooks has always been a major draw for me. The lack thereof knocked Amazon out of the box. Touch navigation will always beat out keyboard and a button to move a cursor.

Amazon, on the other hand, could probably give readers away for free with all the money they make on ebook sales. B&N and Borders are trying hard to sell ebooks. Sony seems to me to be a laggard in sales of ebooks. Their devices are spectacular, but don't compete well on price. I don't know how much they make on ebook sales.

With the new Kobo and Nook, if I needed a new 6" reader with a touch screen, I'd opt for the Kobo rather than a Sony 50% more expensive.

Sorry Sony. You were the leader of the pack. I will always love your devices. Your business model just didn't work against others who didn't need to make money on the reader.

I think that regular users do not have enough information yet to take a firm decision. But based on what's online, it looks like the basic touchscreen functionality has been successfully implemented on both; the difference is that the Kobo or B&N are way cheaper.

I would expect a serious drop in price from Sony. It does not matter how good a device is. If people believe or think they can get something cheaper and similar, they will and for sure will also affect Sony's sales. It happened to Amazon and Kindles as well.

In USA, I would expect a big "price war" between most important companies and devices, like Sony and Amazon. I also have the feeling, Amazon will release a new device soon, eink or LCD, but sounds like that's about to happen.

[JSWolf]

What I would like for epub is a better default font and no margins at all with user customizable margins from there as well as more font size choices and line spacing choices. That would do very well. User fonts would help as well. Just chose which font for serif, sans-serif, & monospace and let the ePub just specify the type and we specify which one unless the ePub needs specific fonts.

[Nanopr]

I have spent the last couple of days comparing features and customer experience for the sony prs600 (which I own), the Kobo Touch and the Nook Touch. Features being the device specific features; customer experience being items such as multi platform options (PC, iPad, Iphone, Android, etc.), store usability, etc.

I love my Sony, but in my opinion I would say Sony just fell far behind in the 6" e-ink market. I was thinking of upgrading to the 650. I'm now seriously looking at the Nook as my replacement. The Kobo/Borders online store experience, mediocre at best, has discouraged my seriously considering the Kobo Touch.

[carpetmojo]

I have to express my feeling - that grows every time I read about someone having problems with the company, or their apparent unwillingness to listen to customers - that the main thing that's killing Sony is ...... Sony.

But, I can only pray rumours of their demise are like Mark Twain's quote.

[Leyor]

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

I have to express my feeling - that grows every time I read about someone having problems with the company, or their apparent unwillingness to listen to customers - that the main thing that's killing Sony is ...... Sony.

Unfortunately thats too true of many of Sony's niche products.
Fabulous product, cutting edge tech. But zero follow up.

They dont really have many places to go from where they already are, in terms of improving their product. it's a wonder to me they aren't doing their darned best to make sure their reader is as widely available as possible.

I really think Amazon is going to be the strongest brand going forward, simply due to their ability to raise awareness. Almost everyone knows what a kindle is.

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by Leyor

I really think Amazon is going to be the strongest brand going forward, simply due to their ability to raise awareness. Almost everyone knows what a kindle is.

Kindle is the Kleenex of eReaders.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

Kindle is the Kleenex of eReaders.

Means? ...

I am assuming your comment is against Kindle, not in favor. If I'm mistaken, apologies. But Kindle 3 is a great eink reader. It integrates very well with Amazon online bookstore, offering a total and unique experience.

For the records, I like Sony ereaders but I think their prices are absolutely and ridiculously high!

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Means? ...

I am assuming your comment is against Kindle, not in favor. If I'm mistaken, apologies. But Kindle 3 is a great eink reader. It integrates very well with Amazon online bookstore, offering a total and unique experience.

For the records, I like Sony ereaders but I think their prices are absolutely and ridiculously high!

Not in any way a comment in favor or against the Kindle. It is a fine family of ereaders, and everyone who owns one should be very satisfied for a good purchase.

My comment was on the generacized trademark that the Kindle has become.

Everywhere I go with my Sony 650, the first thing people ask is "How do you like your Kindle?"