MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Odds of Sony Staying in the Ebook Business?

jmac1 · 06-22-2010, 02:08 PM

A couple initial (long, sorry) thoughts:

You do not need to dominate a market to be profitable. The e-reader market is still so young that having a few strong players is good for everybody. If there are too few manufacturers, the public will view it as a cute niche, hindering growth. There would be no press except for official company press releases. Psychologically, why would a non-user need a product that nobody else sees fit to manufacture? Fortunately, this is not the case and there is press and hype about e-readers almost daily, fueling market growth for everyone.

I still see a tremendous opportunity for Sony. Eventually the Kindle and Nook will be effectively "free." Manufacturing costs will decrease enough for their proprietary book stores to subsidize the market price (if not completely than to $50 or so).

Presumably Sony's manufacturing costs will also decrease enough to offer products starting at $100 (hypothetically). Most every other "open" format e-reader is in trouble, but Sony has the reputation and resources to stay in the game. Now the question becomes, would you rather be locked into one service or pony up a bit more for an unlocked product? Sound familiar? (cell phones)

If Sony embraces and advertises openness, they could score BIG.

06-22-2010, 02:08 PM	#35
jmac1 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony prs-300	A couple initial (long, sorry) thoughts: You do not need to dominate a market to be profitable. The e-reader market is still so young that having a few strong players is good for everybody. If there are too few manufacturers, the public will view it as a cute niche, hindering growth. There would be no press except for official company press releases. Psychologically, why would a non-user need a product that nobody else sees fit to manufacture? Fortunately, this is not the case and there is press and hype about e-readers almost daily, fueling market growth for everyone. I still see a tremendous opportunity for Sony. Eventually the Kindle and Nook will be effectively "free." Manufacturing costs will decrease enough for their proprietary book stores to subsidize the market price (if not completely than to $50 or so). Presumably Sony's manufacturing costs will also decrease enough to offer products starting at $100 (hypothetically). Most every other "open" format e-reader is in trouble, but Sony has the reputation and resources to stay in the game. Now the question becomes, would you rather be locked into one service or pony up a bit more for an unlocked product? Sound familiar? (cell phones) If Sony embraces and advertises openness, they could score BIG.