PRS500 and ePub -- a tidbit of news from Sony

[hansl]

Originally Posted by NatCh

With Sony's [URL="http://www.mobileread.com
There is a channel available to get notified when the mysterious "update solution" is ready: send an e-mail to [email]feedback@ebookstore.sony.com[/email] with “500” in the subject line -- that is supposed to add you to a list to be notified.

I've already sent my own request.

Who's with me?

I am, although I saw this thread a little late, i.e. yesterday.
Should you receive a confirmation for your subscription? I didn't get one yet.
I'm pushing my thumbs to blue to make this wonder happen

Is there an update from Sony yet?

Greetings,
hansl

[NatCh]

I don't think I ever got a confirmation, hansl, though I've slept since then, so ....

The sense I have of it is that we're likely not to hear anything until closer to the switchover to epub format, which Iis supposed to be close to the end of the year. I wouldn't worry unless we haven't heard anything else by late November/early December.

[Superlucky]

This is pretty horrible news. I have about 400 LRFs, so I really hope there is some way to convert them.

Are we going to get an update so that EPUBs look like LRFs look now (i.e. the formatting)?

[dordale]

Superlucky--You'll be able to continue reading your LRFs on your reader. Sony isn't going to remove the ability to read LRFs from their current line of readers. And from what I've read it seems like you'll be able to re-download any books you've purchased from the Sony store in ePub format after the conversion.

dordale

[Superlucky]

Originally Posted by dordale

Superlucky--You'll be able to continue reading your LRFs on your reader. Sony isn't going to remove the ability to read LRFs from their current line of readers. And from what I've read it seems like you'll be able to re-download any books you've purchased from the Sony store in ePub format after the conversion.

Thanks, that's very good to know. I just worry about what happens when the next generation devices come out. I'm afraid I'll feel like everyone who has MiniDiscs and VideoCDs. The real losers in format wars are the consumers who choose poorly. I guess it's the price you pay to be on the cutting edge!

[AprilHare]

Originally Posted by NatCh

With Sony's recent announcement that they are going to go all ePub in their store, those of us (like me) who still use our beloved PRS500s may be feeling a bit left out.

Sony has said that they're working on an "update solution" for our venerable 500s, but no details thus far have been forthcoming.

I've got kind of a detail for you ... maybe half a detail. No, I still have no word on whether they've figured out a firmware fix or are planing a trade in, but I do have news about timing. Word is that they plan to have the "update solution" ready by the end of the year, when they switch the store over to all ePub.

There is a channel available to get notified when the mysterious "update solution" is ready: send an e-mail to feedback@ebookstore.sony.com with “500” in the subject line -- that is supposed to add you to a list to be notified.

I've already sent my own request.

Who's with me?

I'm with you NatCh - request sent a while ago now! - those instructions regarding the e-mail are in my signature and I believe all PRS-500 owners should follow the same example!

[AprilHare]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem witht he 500 is that if Sony does decide to do a firmware update, you will lose LRF/LRX as the ROM in the 500 is not large enough to handle both. it would have to be a one or the other solution.

I simply do not believe that. - It is unsubstantiated at any rate.

[AprilHare]

Originally Posted by Superlucky

This is pretty horrible news. I have about 400 LRFs, so I really hope there is some way to convert them.

Are we going to get an update so that EPUBs look like LRFs look now (i.e. the formatting)?

Maybe Kovid could help us.. (not with LRX's one would think though, just LRF's)

[AprilHare]

I personally believe the more people who register for the PRS-500 information, the more Sony will take the call for a firmware upgrade seriously. Therefore, the more people who write in, the better! Could someone please make this a sticky post?

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem witht he 500 is that if Sony does decide to do a firmware update, you will lose LRF/LRX as the ROM in the 500 is not large enough to handle both. it would have to be a one or the other solution.

Source? Or is this just another "opinion"?

[hansl]

Thanks for the response. I stopped worrying until mid December :-)
hansl

[AprilHare]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I don't think I ever got a confirmation, hansl, though I've slept since then, so ....

The sense I have of it is that we're likely not to hear anything until closer to the switchover to epub format, which Iis supposed to be close to the end of the year. I wouldn't worry unless we haven't heard anything else by late November/early December.

A few more weeks now, by that rationale.