New Chapter on Digital Reading (Sony)

lhdz12@sbcglobal · 09-08-2008, 03:14 PM

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...ag=mncol;title

As reported on CNET Crave....
Just got an invite to a Sony Reader event in New York on October 2. No word on whether this involves promoting Sony's existing second-generation electronic book reader, the Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-505, or whether Sony's going to tout some new capabilities for the current Reader as we head into the holiday buying season.

Either way it seems clear that Sony isn't quite ready to cede the e-book market to Amazon's Kindle. Sony's got the better design, but the wireless download capabilities of the Kindle clearly give it an advantage. Anybody wanna predict what Sony's next move is?

DDHarriman · 09-08-2008, 04:17 PM

It´s already happening: go worldwide.

zelda_pinwheel · 09-08-2008, 04:58 PM

and after that maybe wifi ?

i'll be really interested to hear what they have to say. will you be attending this event ?

Canterbury Tail · 09-08-2008, 06:30 PM

I must say I really don't think that Wireless is the solution. Worldwide distribution yes, and more books available yes. Wireless, wouldn't matter to me one bit, and actually would put me off due to the battery life.

monkeywrench · 09-08-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canterbury Tail

I must say I really don't think that Wireless is the solution. Worldwide distribution yes, and more books available yes. Wireless, wouldn't matter to me one bit, and actually would put me off due to the battery life.

I have owned a PRS-500 for a couple of years now and I do think that wireless or something comparable IS the solution. I will likely buy a Kindle by the end of the year if Sony doesn't find some way to get books onto their hardware without the use of a Window's PC. So while it wouldn't matter to you I know it matters to some but then I am only speaking for myself

The other possible solution is to make a decent piece of software for Macs. Porting the already lousy ebookstore software to Mac would not fill my needs in this area.

pilotbob · 09-08-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeywrench

Porting the already lousy ebookstore software to Mac would not fill my needs in this area.

I have a Kindle and it works well. However, the Sony 505 does mount as a storage device on the Mac so you can transfer ebooks to it. Of course, you can't use the Sony store so you would have to get books from some other source/store.

BOb

monkeywrench · 09-09-2008, 12:03 AM

Thanks Bob,

I use some of the alternatives to get books on the reader such as Calibre but I have a firm belief that the reader should function in what I would call its "native" environment. Its too bad that Sony leaves out a good portion of the computing public by not making their software cross platform or having a way to get books on the reader without using a computer at all.

I guess to get the topic back on track maybe this is one of the things that Sony will announce on October 2nd. What other things do people think might come out of this event?

pilotbob · 09-09-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeywrench

Its too bad that Sony leaves out a good portion of the computing public by not making their software cross platform or having a way to get books on the reader without using a computer at all.

Well, as a Mac user I would say that "good portion" isn't quite correct. I have heard estimates of 5% Mac penetration in the US. While that is a large number, it is a very small percentage. Also, Sony is limiting themselves to PC owners too.

They are not the only ones. I bought my Wife a Singer Embroidery machine last Christmas and it requires a computer to drive it. Guess what, windows only software.

Ah well... I am left handed too!

BOb

BTW: There is a rumor that Sony is working on a Mac version of their software. It was posted as a comment in the teleread blog. Not sure by whom.

Lord KiRon · 09-09-2008, 02:18 AM

The 100% unconfirmed and with no source rumor talks anout PRS-700 with WiFi and backlight.

HarryT · 09-09-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

The 100% unconfirmed and with no source rumor talks anout PRS-700 with WiFi and backlight.

As has been said about a million times before, you CANNOT "backlight" an eInk screen for the simple reason that it's completely opaque

.

Slite · 09-09-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

As has been said about a million times before, you CANNOT "backlight" an eInk screen for the simple reason that it's completely opaque

.

And to move away from eInk would just be plain stupid

And WiFi ... hmmm, don't really see the point to it, since all that does is drain the battery really.

Flub · 09-09-2008, 04:31 AM

It's possible people are getting wifi confused with the wireless access Amazon provide with the Kindle.

HarryT · 09-09-2008, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slite

And to move away from eInk would just be plain stupid

Unless you're aware of some competing technology that I'm not, then yes, it would be stupid at the moment.

DDHarriman · 09-09-2008, 07:02 AM

Correct: if going to the "over the air" option, the correct option would be - my personal opinion of course - to go with 3G.

That would fit correctly the "go worldwide" road Sony looks to be finaly taking.

vivaldirules · 09-09-2008, 09:11 AM

MORE CONTENT! If Sony fails to deliver soon (I mean now!) on more ebooks for the Reader then I think they should just quit since I don't see much reason for people to buy one. Why would they when Amazon is much more likely to sell what they want to read?

09-08-2008, 03:14 PM	#1
lhdz12@sbcglobal Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Sony ebook 505	New Chapter on Digital Reading (Sony) http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...ag=mncol;title As reported on CNET Crave.... Just got an invite to a Sony Reader event in New York on October 2. No word on whether this involves promoting Sony's existing second-generation electronic book reader, the Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-505, or whether Sony's going to tout some new capabilities for the current Reader as we head into the holiday buying season. Either way it seems clear that Sony isn't quite ready to cede the e-book market to Amazon's Kindle. Sony's got the better design, but the wireless download capabilities of the Kindle clearly give it an advantage. Anybody wanna predict what Sony's next move is?

09-08-2008, 04:58 PM	#3
zelda_pinwheel WWHALD Posts: 22,830 Karma: 86918 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: ebookwise 1150	and after that maybe wifi ? i'll be really interested to hear what they have to say. will you be attending this event ? __________________ I don't want none of that mischief on my eels! - pdurrant Hurricane Zelda of the Amazing Raining Frogs Join Adorable Madness -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. -. --- - / .-. . ... .. ... - / - .... . / ..- -. ..- - - . .-. .- -... .-.. . / ... .. .-.. .-.. .. -. . ... ... "Resistance is futile, y'all." --DixieBorg by popular demand, we bring you the next exciting avatar in zelda's wardrobe, by the inimitable WetDogEared and his amazing dancing mice !! a round of applause, everybody !

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09-08-2008, 04:17 PM	#2
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 710 Karma: 1054 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3 and Sony PRS 505	It´s already happening: go worldwide.

09-08-2008, 06:30 PM	#4
Canterbury Tail Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony Reader	I must say I really don't think that Wireless is the solution. Worldwide distribution yes, and more books available yes. Wireless, wouldn't matter to me one bit, and actually would put me off due to the battery life.

09-09-2008, 12:03 AM	#7
monkeywrench Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 42 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Device: Amazon Kindle, iPod Touch	Thanks Bob, I use some of the alternatives to get books on the reader such as Calibre but I have a firm belief that the reader should function in what I would call its "native" environment. Its too bad that Sony leaves out a good portion of the computing public by not making their software cross platform or having a way to get books on the reader without using a computer at all. I guess to get the topic back on track maybe this is one of the things that Sony will announce on October 2nd. What other things do people think might come out of this event?

09-09-2008, 02:18 AM	#9
Lord KiRon Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 44 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505	The 100% unconfirmed and with no source rumor talks anout PRS-700 with WiFi and backlight.

09-09-2008, 04:31 AM	#12
Flub Connoisseur Posts: 99 Karma: 83 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Device: iPhone, PRS-505	It's possible people are getting wifi confused with the wireless access Amazon provide with the Kindle.

09-09-2008, 07:02 AM	#14
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 710 Karma: 1054 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3 and Sony PRS 505	Correct: if going to the "over the air" option, the correct option would be - my personal opinion of course - to go with 3G. That would fit correctly the "go worldwide" road Sony looks to be finaly taking.

09-09-2008, 09:11 AM	#15
vivaldirules Yes, Ucanhasdonuts! Posts: 6,174 Karma: 61381 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Sony PRS-505	MORE CONTENT! If Sony fails to deliver soon (I mean now!) on more ebooks for the Reader then I think they should just quit since I don't see much reason for people to buy one. Why would they when Amazon is much more likely to sell what they want to read?