MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Foxit eSlick, New eInk based reader for $229

gylman · 12-29-2008, 12:37 PM

I've pondered this aplenty, because every day as I try to use my PRS 505 the limitations of poor pdf support become more apparent.

If Foxit really have addressed reflow and paging properly with pdf documents, wouldn't they be far better off licensing this to Sony. Sony has a very substantial installed base that is crying out for decent pdf support. Foxit is not a hardware company. There are engineering issues, distribution issues, support issues etc etc - gawd only knows what kind of problems they will run into related to that aspect of the business.

Wouldn't both sides be better off working together, especially in these times when the cash is not flowing freely? I think poor PDF support is holding back the adoption of the eBook. The company that first addresses this will have a serious advantage.

Sony could offer Foxit's software as an upgrade to its existing PRS series, for a cost, and provide it on future models as part of the system.

I don't see a downside except for issues relating to ego. Sony has always gone it alone - that's the culture there. But the company is struggling now, and has had its butt whooped by Nintendo in the gaming world. Maybe they can find a tiny bit of humility.

12-29-2008, 12:37 PM	#51
gylman Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: iPAQ HX4700	Maybe Foxit should license their PDF skills to Sony I've pondered this aplenty, because every day as I try to use my PRS 505 the limitations of poor pdf support become more apparent. If Foxit really have addressed reflow and paging properly with pdf documents, wouldn't they be far better off licensing this to Sony. Sony has a very substantial installed base that is crying out for decent pdf support. Foxit is not a hardware company. There are engineering issues, distribution issues, support issues etc etc - gawd only knows what kind of problems they will run into related to that aspect of the business. Wouldn't both sides be better off working together, especially in these times when the cash is not flowing freely? I think poor PDF support is holding back the adoption of the eBook. The company that first addresses this will have a serious advantage. Sony could offer Foxit's software as an upgrade to its existing PRS series, for a cost, and provide it on future models as part of the system. I don't see a downside except for issues relating to ego. Sony has always gone it alone - that's the culture there. But the company is struggling now, and has had its butt whooped by Nintendo in the gaming world. Maybe they can find a tiny bit of humility.