MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why Sony discountinued PRS-x50 line?

jaxx6166 · 09-21-2011, 12:21 PM

When I originally saw the T1, I assumed that they were different sizes 5,6,9 respectively. Maybe it's just a trick of my eyes or the fact that I'm getting old, but when seeing that they area all 6" and don't really do much aesthetically for me, I'm disappointed.

Now my biggest fear is breaking my 350 or 650 and not being able to replace the Cadillac of eBooks.

I can understand Sony's reluctance to mention the X50 line, eReaders are kind of the bastard child of tablets now, which are the new shiny.

And even mentioning an eBook and not bowing down to Bezos' evil empire is kind of like stabbing yourself with a hot poker, in the eye, sixteen times.

I've been a loyal PRS fan ever since the 505. And I've spent way too much money on them over the years, this T1 thing hits in the wrong kind of way.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with all of you though. It all comes down to the almighty dollar. Amazon made a name for itself by undercutting the competition and offering the Kindle and its books at far below market value. It kind of came down to put up or shut up with all of the other alternatives, and you're seeing them fall in line like dominos now to sit right where the Kindle sits in terms of build quality and cost.

Books as entertainment have slowly gone the way of the dinosaur since the mid-90's. Author advances don't fall nearly into where they used to, distribution is way down, and even though the digital market is blossoming, it's still a losing gamble to a lot of folks in suits and ties.

The eReader market in the USA alone is kind of a strange beast too right now. Tablets have really screwed things up. Now almost every hardware designer needs to have an "App" feature or some games to please the ADHD Americans.

Remember when the 1st nook came out with chess?
Then Kindle had its word games.
Then the nook color.

Sony had stuck to its guns and made an EBOOK READER, which unfortunately doesn't seem to be as cool as they used to be.

I was on a bus about two months ago watching somebody play hangman on his Kindle. Not reading. Hangman.

So yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if the T1 is the last reader we get from Sony

But until the zombie apocalypse, I'm going to keep my X50. Because they're the best damn readers I've ever owned.

09-21-2011, 12:21 PM	#44
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	When I originally saw the T1, I assumed that they were different sizes 5,6,9 respectively. Maybe it's just a trick of my eyes or the fact that I'm getting old, but when seeing that they area all 6" and don't really do much aesthetically for me, I'm disappointed. Now my biggest fear is breaking my 350 or 650 and not being able to replace the Cadillac of eBooks. I can understand Sony's reluctance to mention the X50 line, eReaders are kind of the bastard child of tablets now, which are the new shiny. And even mentioning an eBook and not bowing down to Bezos' evil empire is kind of like stabbing yourself with a hot poker, in the eye, sixteen times. I've been a loyal PRS fan ever since the 505. And I've spent way too much money on them over the years, this T1 thing hits in the wrong kind of way. Unfortunately, I have to agree with all of you though. It all comes down to the almighty dollar. Amazon made a name for itself by undercutting the competition and offering the Kindle and its books at far below market value. It kind of came down to put up or shut up with all of the other alternatives, and you're seeing them fall in line like dominos now to sit right where the Kindle sits in terms of build quality and cost. Books as entertainment have slowly gone the way of the dinosaur since the mid-90's. Author advances don't fall nearly into where they used to, distribution is way down, and even though the digital market is blossoming, it's still a losing gamble to a lot of folks in suits and ties. The eReader market in the USA alone is kind of a strange beast too right now. Tablets have really screwed things up. Now almost every hardware designer needs to have an "App" feature or some games to please the ADHD Americans. Remember when the 1st nook came out with chess? Then Kindle had its word games. Then the nook color. Sony had stuck to its guns and made an EBOOK READER, which unfortunately doesn't seem to be as cool as they used to be. I was on a bus about two months ago watching somebody play hangman on his Kindle. Not reading. Hangman. So yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if the T1 is the last reader we get from Sony But until the zombie apocalypse, I'm going to keep my X50. Because they're the best damn readers I've ever owned.