MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

fdp · 07-30-2008, 08:49 PM

Having feelings quite similar to Betty and many of those who posted in response to her, but not wanting to have to embed my message in the middle of a back and forth about televisions, I am going to try this again.

Some people feel that what is being done to the PRS500 is unfair (in the interest of disclosure I am one of them). They were 1st generation adopters, and there always is a level of risk to that, but at the same time many of these people were the core believers in e-books, e-ink in particular, and in the ideas that are now proliferating into the wide variety of products found in these forums. They, we, constitute a valuable consumer block in the area of portable reading devices.

Sony created a very good product in the reader, but at the same time did not come through with decent software for users to get materials onto the reader in formats other than the proprietary Sony BB-bs. In particular proper pdf reflow support has been a necessary but lacking function since the inception of the device. For me at least, this has been a primary frustration with an otherwise enjoyable device, and has been the main factor in keeping me from buying another Sony reader.

The truth is that I did expect software and firmware updates that would allow the reader to overcome some of it's deficiencies and honestly the software ones wouldn't have been that hard (in particular a browser plugin akin to the fully working but Japanese-only one available for the Librie). The reader didn't replace print-outs for me, as most of the articles I read are published in PDF format and not made to fit onto a tiny page. I can't use it for work or school, and I'm not saving paper. Seeing an update finally come out that supports more formats and pdf reflow, and then realizing that it doesn't support the PRS500 is more than disappointing. Most PRS500's are probably only 1/3 to 1/2 way into their potential operational life span, maybe less if the batteries are replaced at some point. What we have here is a case of a product being made obsolete by a software update.

Now I understand that Sony has to make money, they have to sell the new model. I'm sure others, like myself, are already looking around for a replacement device/upgrade for the PRS500's they bought at launch. I've been waiting for an excuse to give my reader to a family member for some time. Here's the thing, I have, whether or not you agree with my feelings or the reasons for them, lost faith in the product line. Years of stagnation with little to no progress on the software front led me close to it, and now it has happened. I can't see buying another Sony reader product if they go through with this move. I don't personally like the Kindle, or anything else out there, but I can wait.

So, add me to the angry customer list, and if you feel the same, add yourself too.

07-30-2008, 08:49 PM	#1
fdp Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS500	Adios Sony, Let's try this again Having feelings quite similar to Betty and many of those who posted in response to her, but not wanting to have to embed my message in the middle of a back and forth about televisions, I am going to try this again. Some people feel that what is being done to the PRS500 is unfair (in the interest of disclosure I am one of them). They were 1st generation adopters, and there always is a level of risk to that, but at the same time many of these people were the core believers in e-books, e-ink in particular, and in the ideas that are now proliferating into the wide variety of products found in these forums. They, we, constitute a valuable consumer block in the area of portable reading devices. Sony created a very good product in the reader, but at the same time did not come through with decent software for users to get materials onto the reader in formats other than the proprietary Sony BB-bs. In particular proper pdf reflow support has been a necessary but lacking function since the inception of the device. For me at least, this has been a primary frustration with an otherwise enjoyable device, and has been the main factor in keeping me from buying another Sony reader. The truth is that I did expect software and firmware updates that would allow the reader to overcome some of it's deficiencies and honestly the software ones wouldn't have been that hard (in particular a browser plugin akin to the fully working but Japanese-only one available for the Librie). The reader didn't replace print-outs for me, as most of the articles I read are published in PDF format and not made to fit onto a tiny page. I can't use it for work or school, and I'm not saving paper. Seeing an update finally come out that supports more formats and pdf reflow, and then realizing that it doesn't support the PRS500 is more than disappointing. Most PRS500's are probably only 1/3 to 1/2 way into their potential operational life span, maybe less if the batteries are replaced at some point. What we have here is a case of a product being made obsolete by a software update. Now I understand that Sony has to make money, they have to sell the new model. I'm sure others, like myself, are already looking around for a replacement device/upgrade for the PRS500's they bought at launch. I've been waiting for an excuse to give my reader to a family member for some time. Here's the thing, I have, whether or not you agree with my feelings or the reasons for them, lost faith in the product line. Years of stagnation with little to no progress on the software front led me close to it, and now it has happened. I can't see buying another Sony reader product if they go through with this move. I don't personally like the Kindle, or anything else out there, but I can wait. So, add me to the angry customer list, and if you feel the same, add yourself too.