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TheMooch · 09-23-2008, 04:58 PM

I've been considering an upgrade to my PRS-500 for quite some time now, but have been unable to convince myself to pull the trigger on it. When the $100 off trade-up offer came out I damn near jumped, but since we're getting so close to the holidays I figured I would wait and see what Sony slips into the queue behind those that DID take advantage of the offer.

I've been pretty slow in making any big moves when it comes to my reader and books simply because I'm getting tired of the format incompatibilities from one device to another. Since registering my PRS-500 in 2006 I've purchased about 46 books through the Sony Connect store and another 14 through Webscription. Needless to say I've dropped some serious money into my books. The damage to my wallet would be complete if publishers like Tor and Wizards of the Coast would finally awaken to reality and release the Wheel of Time and Drizzt series. Unfortunately they show no sign of releasing them.

So, needless to say I'll be waiting to see what Sony comes up with on October 22nd. If they do release a new device let's hope it's not received as a snore-fest like the iRex release appears to have been. I'd be more than happy if they just made the book store easier to use.

Here's my "Perfect Scenario" (keep in mind that this is Pie-in-the-sky dreaming and is in NO way likely to happen....ever):

1.) New Sony device release.
- The new device would have wifi/whispernet/bluetooth capability.
- 2 sizes available, traditional 6" screen and 10" (business class) screen.
- Color e-ink screen
- 32GB of on-board memory for books
- Library Folders
- A2DP capable for supported audio formats
- Supported formats:

eReader [-er.PDB]
Adobe [.PDF]
Microsoft [.LIT]
Palm Doc [.PDB]
Rocket/REB1100 [.RB]
Franklin [.FUB]
Hiebook [.KML]
Sony Reader [.LRF]
Isilo [-IS.PDB]
Mobipocket [.PRC]
Kindle [.MOBI]
OEBFF Full VGA [.IMP]
OEBFF Half VGA [.IMP]
Audible [.aa]
MP3 [.mp3]
OGG [.ogg]
AAC [.aac] (iTunes compatible OF COURSE)

2.) In a COMPLETE stunner Sony would abandon their Connect store and encourage usage of the Amazon Kindle Store. Early adopters would be allowed free conversion of ALL of their previously purchased Sony connect books into the Kindle format to allow for format unity. (Of course all of this would have been made possible by an iTunes-like agreement that Sony makes with Amazon). This of course sets off the landslide bringing other device manufacturers into the fray. It then becomes a single-front war where hardware specs make the difference at purchase as everyone reads the same formats.

...Ok...I'm gonna go take my medications now....

09-23-2008, 04:58 PM	#9
TheMooch Member Retired Posts: 102 Karma: 226 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Device: PRS-500 Sony eReader	I've been considering an upgrade to my PRS-500 for quite some time now, but have been unable to convince myself to pull the trigger on it. When the $100 off trade-up offer came out I damn near jumped, but since we're getting so close to the holidays I figured I would wait and see what Sony slips into the queue behind those that DID take advantage of the offer. I've been pretty slow in making any big moves when it comes to my reader and books simply because I'm getting tired of the format incompatibilities from one device to another. Since registering my PRS-500 in 2006 I've purchased about 46 books through the Sony Connect store and another 14 through Webscription. Needless to say I've dropped some serious money into my books. The damage to my wallet would be complete if publishers like Tor and Wizards of the Coast would finally awaken to reality and release the Wheel of Time and Drizzt series. Unfortunately they show no sign of releasing them. So, needless to say I'll be waiting to see what Sony comes up with on October 22nd. If they do release a new device let's hope it's not received as a snore-fest like the iRex release appears to have been. I'd be more than happy if they just made the book store easier to use. Here's my "Perfect Scenario" (keep in mind that this is Pie-in-the-sky dreaming and is in NO way likely to happen....ever): 1.) New Sony device release. - The new device would have wifi/whispernet/bluetooth capability. - 2 sizes available, traditional 6" screen and 10" (business class) screen. - Color e-ink screen - 32GB of on-board memory for books - Library Folders - A2DP capable for supported audio formats - Supported formats: eReader [-er.PDB] Adobe [.PDF] Microsoft [.LIT] Palm Doc [.PDB] Rocket/REB1100 [.RB] Franklin [.FUB] Hiebook [.KML] Sony Reader [.LRF] Isilo [-IS.PDB] Mobipocket [.PRC] Kindle [.MOBI] OEBFF Full VGA [.IMP] OEBFF Half VGA [.IMP] Audible [.aa] MP3 [.mp3] OGG [.ogg] AAC [.aac] (iTunes compatible OF COURSE) 2.) In a COMPLETE stunner Sony would abandon their Connect store and encourage usage of the Amazon Kindle Store. Early adopters would be allowed free conversion of ALL of their previously purchased Sony connect books into the Kindle format to allow for format unity. (Of course all of this would have been made possible by an iTunes-like agreement that Sony makes with Amazon). This of course sets off the landslide bringing other device manufacturers into the fray. It then becomes a single-front war where hardware specs make the difference at purchase as everyone reads the same formats. ...Ok...I'm gonna go take my medications now....