It can't happen again - rumors about T-1 discontinue

[Yar-PocketBooker]

I heard some rumors today that Sony is going to discontinue their T-1 with the launching of the new model...
Taking into account the similar (not steady) supply pattern of x50 and T-1, this may be true...
In my sincere opinion, T-1 is the best reader ever so far. Why cut?!?!?!

The only one reason that I can possibly imagine would be a color e-Ink device..., but I haven't ever heard of anything like that from Sony...

[Ripplinger]

Sony is probably just taking advantage of the mentality that newer = better and will probably come out with a new version, hoping to sucker everyone into replacing their T-1s with the new and improved version. Do it before holiday shopping starts to get even more sales out of it.

Newer isn't always better though to some of us. I for one think the T-1 was a step down from the x50 series of readers both in quality of the build and software features. So for myself, I can dream that they'll go back to the quality of the x50s (metal vs plastic), but I'm not holding my breath.

Which is why I bought a 2nd new 350 for myself months ago as my spare.

[Yar-PocketBooker]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Sony is probably just taking advantage of the mentality that newer = better and will probably come out with a new version, hoping to sucker everyone into replacing their T-1s with the new and improved version. Do it before holiday shopping starts to get even more sales out of it.

Newer isn't always better though to some of us. I for one think the T-1 was a step down from the x50 series of readers both in quality of the build and software features. So for myself, I can dream that they'll go back to the quality of the x50s (metal vs plastic), but I'm not holding my breath.

Which is why I bought a 2nd new 350 for myself months ago as my spare.

I also like X50 series much better, 950 is my favorite...

[Pinecone]

Another fan of the x50.

I have a PRS-650. I got one for my wife. And I got a spare.

I also have a PRS-350 for backup, and just picked up a spare one.

[carpetmojo]

Wasn't the change to plastic a) to compete on price and b) to enable a wifi capability more eficiently ?

[Pomtroll]

Where did you hear that Sony will discontinue T1? I do wonder if they are going to go to the newer "glow" screen.

[Shopaholic]

Because every year when they introduce a new model, they stop making the old model. Just like they did last year with the X50's and the year before with the X00's etc.

[gardenstate]

I currently have the T1, 505, and 300 Sony models. Previously, I owned and sold a 500 and 950. Each unit has its pros and cons.

While the metal cased units seemed sturdier, it seems to me that all ebook readers have the same weakness -- their thin glass screens. These can easily be physically damaged due to excessive pressure or pronounced flexing of the case.

I would love to see an ereader with a high contrast plastic-based flexible screen that can handle more abuse. In the meantime, I've invested in good protective covering for my ebook screens (Bookarmor cases, Sony inner case with an added outer hard shell, etc)

[zacha]

Hmm, just wondering, did you by any chance hear any dates?

I bought a PRS-T1 last week but hasn't decided if I should keep it or not yet.
It's the best reader (for me) at the moment, but a newer reader with partial refresh would be nice. (Or maybe the price of the T1 drops with the new reader, which I could wait for as I don't really need the reader at this precise moment).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Yar-PocketBooker

I heard some rumors today that Sony is going to discontinue their T-1 with the launching of the new model...
Taking into account the similar (not steady) supply pattern of x50 and T-1, this may be true...
In my sincere opinion, T-1 is the best reader ever so far. Why cut?!?!?!

The only one reason that I can possibly imagine would be a color e-Ink device..., but I haven't ever heard of anything like that from Sony...

And discontinuing the T1 for a better model is a problem how? I don't see it as a problem. Maybe Sony is going to have a model with this front light. Or maybe (I hope) a high-resolution screen that's not glass based.

[SandyLu562]

As long as Sony continues the wi-fi d/l capability through Overdrive. That is really neat, browse your public library for e-books, download them, then read them ... all on one cute little device!

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by zacha

Hmm, just wondering, did you by any chance hear any dates?

I bought a PRS-T1 last week but hasn't decided if I should keep it or not yet.
It's the best reader (for me) at the moment, but a newer reader with partial refresh would be nice. (Or maybe the price of the T1 drops with the new reader, which I could wait for as I don't really need the reader at this precise moment).

If you managed to get it on one of the sales, it will hard to beat the price, since they were being sold as loss leaders during a couple of them. And it is possible to get partial refresh without rooting (see the thread on the modified homescreen in the developer corner).

I think the better question for yourself is this:

What features is it missing now, and can I wait some unknown period of time for those features to appear?

Rumors are never going to be perfect or spot-on, so waiting is always a gamble. Reality is that the T1's replacement had work start on it before the T1 started shipping. Someone leaking information can start rumors like this one when the real product is still more than half a year out (for a product on a yearly cadence like e-readers). I've worked long enough in a similar industry to say that these sort of leaks do happen, and do completely screw up customer expectations. It's one reason why companies usually remain tight lipped about a product until its already in manufacturing and the team has moved onto the next product.

[zacha]

Originally Posted by Kolenka

If you managed to get it on one of the sales, it will hard to beat the price, since they were being sold as loss leaders during a couple of them. And it is possible to get partial refresh without rooting (see the thread on the modified homescreen in the developer corner).

I think the better question for yourself is this:

What features is it missing now, and can I wait some unknown period of time for those features to appear?

Rumors are never going to be perfect or spot-on, so waiting is always a gamble. Reality is that the T1's replacement had work start on it before the T1 started shipping. Someone leaking information can start rumors like this one when the real product is still more than half a year out (for a product on a yearly cadence like e-readers). I've worked long enough in a similar industry to say that these sort of leaks do happen, and do completely screw up customer expectations. It's one reason why companies usually remain tight lipped about a product until its already in manufacturing and the team has moved onto the next product.

Well, living in Sweden I had to pay USD ~200 for it, so no great deal here sadly That's why one of my main concerns about a new reader is the price drop of the last model.

Well, I missed that the alternative reader software had partial refresh support (the ghosting doesn't look too bad either), thanks for the heads up, that's one less issue then =)

Well, the thing is that I haven't opened it yet (return policies in physical stores suck here in Sweden), so I don't really know what I'm missing so far, which would make the wait easier I guess On the other hand I'm dying to start reading again after a recent "dry spell" =)

And thank you for your thoughtful reply. Your last paragraph kinda reflect my thoughts lately (better a reader in the hand than one in a unclear future ).

Sorry of the off-topic. You can now resume replying on topic

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by zacha

Well, living in Sweden I had to pay USD ~200 for it, so no great deal here sadly That's why one of my main concerns about a new reader is the price drop of the last model.

Well, I missed that the alternative reader software had partial refresh support (the ghosting doesn't look too bad either), thanks for the heads up, that's one less issue then =)

Well, the thing is that I haven't opened it yet (return policies in physical stores suck here in Sweden), so I don't really know what I'm missing so far, which would make the wait easier I guess On the other hand I'm dying to start reading again after a recent "dry spell" =)

And thank you for your thoughtful reply. It kinda reminds me of my thought lately (better a reader in the hand than one in the store kinda).

Keep in mind I'm not trying to convince you to keep it, but rather to not let rumor drive your decision. I just find it hard to take too much stock in rumors after seeing so many terrible ones for the products I've actually done work on. It's like a game of telephone. Only what comes out the end becomes the expectation of customers, and a stick used to bludgeon you with, even if it isn't true.

With Kaz Hirai taking control of Sony, cutting jobs and "refocusing"... there's a lot of uncertainty about some of their smaller projects like e-books. And I'd wager that this rumor is related to that uncertainty.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by zacha

Well, living in Sweden I had to pay USD ~200 for it, so no great deal here sadly That's why one of my main concerns about a new reader is the price drop of the last model.

Well, I missed that the alternative reader software had partial refresh support (the ghosting doesn't look too bad either), thanks for the heads up, that's one less issue then =)

Well, the thing is that I haven't opened it yet (return policies in physical stores suck here in Sweden), so I don't really know what I'm missing so far, which would make the wait easier I guess On the other hand I'm dying to start reading again after a recent "dry spell" =)

And thank you for your thoughtful reply. Your last paragraph kinda reflect my thoughts lately (better a reader in the hand than one in a unclear future ).

Sorry of the off-topic. You can now resume replying on topic

Sony usually releases it's new readers around October, so you would probably have a wait of several months.

It's also common wisdom around here that if you wait for the 'perfect' reader, you'll never buy one. If there's already one that fulfills your needs (rather than your wishes), it's better to buy one and enjoy it while you can. You can always upgrade later if you need to.

I love my T1, but I loved my 505, too, and although the T1 is awesome, I'm glad I didn't wait for it.