Quote:
Originally Posted by delphin
I have seen the video tour previews for both the new Kobo Touch and Nook Touch readers and trust me on this, if Sony doesn't do something, these guys will MURDER THEM.
Not only do both these new eReaders sell for about HALF what the Sony 650 does, but they also both offer WIFI, as well as a host of features that users have been requesting from Sony for years like user selectable fonts, plus more cross-compatible syncable reader apps for Smart Phones, iPads, and Android Tablets.
It would appear that Sony has only a few choices -
a) Lower prices on existing models, and upgrade their software to offer what features that they can.
(obviously Sony can't magically offer WIFI on the 350 or 650 by a software upgrade, but they can easily match features like user selectable fonts)
b) Quickly offer new models with more features at lower more competitive prices.
c) Try to retain their price premium by offering models with unique features not available on their competitors products (color eInk for example).
d) Walk away from the tough American market and sell only to international markets. (unfortunately the Sony Store can't currently legally sell to these markets)
e) Just give up . . .
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There are things Sony can do. A lot is elaboration on the above post. If you think about it, the Nook and the Kobo are based on the current Sony Readers which have been on market for half a year. Plus they only have half the capabilities (limited PDF support, no landscape, etc.) Since Sony was in market first, the prices were higher for licensing the IR touch in small volumes. (Seriously, Sony, you couldn't have licensed it exclusively? For even one year?!) Also, why Sony settled their Readers with proprietary technology (two kinds of memory storage - Sony memory sticks and SD cards!, but no wi-fi in every models?!) leading to higher prices, only Sony can answer.
Sony needs to
1) Reduce the price. Currently Best Buy and Borders have reduced price clearance sales. Sony Style stores are having promotion for PRS 350 at $120. But why isn't the price reduced on Sonystyles online?
2) Next Readers need to have wi-fi across the line and ability to change fonts. No more hacking to change fonts.
3) Sony likely won't follow to become a me-too reader, selling at rock bottom price. The reader market is still in its infancy. There are a lot of room for differentiation. The next Reader readily can have HD e-ink, like the iRiver HD.
(
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/i...ader-hands-on/)
If you look at the video, the higher res makes the e-ink much darker, like real print.
Sony is also working some some e-paper technology. Maybe they can leverage that. The future e-reader is not going to be a 6-in. reader. It'll be magazine or book size and magazine thin like those you see in Microsoft videos. Sony can justify its higher prices by doing those. But only marginally higher (not 50%!).
4). If Sony pulls out of the ereader market, I doubt they'll close the ebookstore. They can still sell books with their tablets and Android devices, like iBooks.
5) If Sony is out of US market, Sony will concentrate only in Japan, Europe, ceding other places to Kindle.
Sony started the ereader business. They could have made their readers the iPods of ereading. Instead, it's taken over by the Kindle. Apple out-Sonyed them with the iPod too. Sony can't execute to dominate any field in which they were the first players, because of added proprietary and unnecessary technology (Sony memory sticks, ATRACS). If Sony pulls out the the ereader market, even if it's just in the U.S., it'll be an utter embarrassment. The press will have a field day.
Maybe someone with inside info can answer, like the Sony Readers' future, and why are stores dropping them. Bad sales? Constant short supplies?