Any hints on first software update?

Leaping Gnome · 11-30-2006, 03:36 PM

Has anyone heard anything about the first software update for the Reader? It's been out over two months now, lots of suggestions have been posted here, emailed to Sony and given to their customer service reps. Maybe I'm just spoiled but I'm used to the first update coming out shortly after release. Any inklings?

slayda · 11-30-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

Has anyone heard anything about the first software update for the Reader? It's been out over two months now, lots of suggestions have been posted here, emailed to Sony and given to their customer service reps. Maybe I'm just spoiled but I'm used to the first update coming out shortly after release. Any inklings?

Being the optimistic person that I am, I don't expect an update until late next summer if then. Now if they were to open up the OS to users, I'm sure people on this forum could have one by Christmas.

NatCh · 11-30-2006, 04:38 PM

I think late next summer may be a bit overly cautious, but I wouldn't think that we'd see anything until early spring at the earliest. Yeah the Reader's been out a while, and we've given them a lot to think about, but they have to decide which things they can/will do, and actually have time to do them ... I think maybe Feb./Mar. for my guess.

If they'd fully opened the OS to users, I think we'd already have had at least 2 updates by now.

Leaping Gnome · 11-30-2006, 05:12 PM

I guess I figured they pushed out "Rev A" for the holiday buying season here in the US and already would have had a list of to-dos that they were busy working on while manufacturing, shipping and buying were taking place.

igorsk · 11-30-2006, 05:15 PM

What do you mean by "opening the OS"? The OS is Linux, and you can download and change the firmware already. Just set up an ARM cross-compiler toolchain and code away.

NatCh · 11-30-2006, 05:26 PM

Heh, your comment proves the point about having new versions already, igorsk. I mean releasing documentation about how the hardware interacts with the OS & apps so that talented, ahem, 'Independent Developers' like yourself wouldn't have to figure all that out stuff from scratch.

igorsk · 11-30-2006, 05:52 PM

Sony released the source of the framebuffer driver, so anyone can find out how to drive it... In fact I'm quite sure that the custom software released fot Librie (e.g. SimpleReader) will work with minimal changes.
I guess that leaves the buttons but those shouldn't be too hard to figure out (and will probably have an interface similar to Librie's).
I would probably make something myself, but I'm not really familiar with Linux programming, and doing it on Windows is sort of awkward too.

doctorow · 11-30-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

... and doing it on Windows is sort of awkward too.

Why, what's wrong with the Reader having a blue screen... errr grey screen

kovidgoyal · 11-30-2006, 09:17 PM

And I actually like the button assignments on the reader!

ktb1381 · 11-30-2006, 10:38 PM

Hey, Sony just released a PS3 firmware update.

doctorow · 11-30-2006, 11:05 PM

And the PS3 is still very new. So there is hope for a sooner Reader firmware update, too.

RWood · 12-01-2006, 12:29 AM

The PS3 also outselld the Reader and is a bigger profit component. Plus there are 3rd parties that make packages for the PS3 that can demand changes be implemented quickly so their games play correctly.

BettyE · 12-01-2006, 12:36 AM

Maybe I'm naive but as soon as I got my Reader, I checked for a firmware update. I figured there would be some kind of update within the first month or so.

I figured Sony delayed the product because they were trying to get as much done as possible, and then they released the Reader at the last possible minute to catch holiday sales. So I thought there must have been some updates that were just about to be final that didn't make it into production but that were ready one or two months later.

HarryT · 12-01-2006, 02:45 AM

I agree with almost all the suggestions for improvements but, let's face it, there's no "show stopping" bug that makes an update vital - the system seems remarkably stable and bug free. It may not do everything we'd like it to, but what it does do, it does very well. Because of that, I guess there's not really much pressure on Sony to rush out an update.

The "Connect" software is a different story - I really hope we get an upgrade to that ASAP. It's just awful.

Nightwing · 12-01-2006, 03:01 AM

Some items...

The PS3 is a money looser right now and not enough mfg and part defect rejection levels.
They just replace the head of the division that handles the PS3...
They need a update due to major bugs...

The Reader is ok for now... But agree some changes to the software along with a Mac version are needed...

Drats!!!!! Forgot that in the survey about Mac version of the software!

11-30-2006, 03:36 PM	#1
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Any hints on first software update? Has anyone heard anything about the first software update for the Reader? It's been out over two months now, lots of suggestions have been posted here, emailed to Sony and given to their customer service reps. Maybe I'm just spoiled but I'm used to the first update coming out shortly after release. Any inklings?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Software to batch update PDF metadata/ substitute software for Sony eBook library	ksri99	Sony Reader	6	05-20-2012 01:53 PM
BeBook Software Update	horseman	Erste Hilfe	4	03-14-2010 01:07 PM
software update	SUSGOD	Gen3 Developer's Corner	9	06-17-2009 07:17 AM
Do I need to update my software	reader2009	Sony Reader	4	12-28-2008 08:43 AM
Software Update 2.6 Out	jæd	iRex	14	08-15-2006 11:43 AM

11-30-2006, 04:38 PM	#3
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I think late next summer may be a bit overly cautious, but I wouldn't think that we'd see anything until early spring at the earliest. Yeah the Reader's been out a while, and we've given them a lot to think about, but they have to decide which things they can/will do, and actually have time to do them ... I think maybe Feb./Mar. for my guess. If they'd fully opened the OS to users, I think we'd already have had at least 2 updates by now.

11-30-2006, 05:12 PM	#4
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	I guess I figured they pushed out "Rev A" for the holiday buying season here in the US and already would have had a list of to-dos that they were busy working on while manufacturing, shipping and buying were taking place.

11-30-2006, 05:15 PM	#5
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	What do you mean by "opening the OS"? The OS is Linux, and you can download and change the firmware already. Just set up an ARM cross-compiler toolchain and code away.

11-30-2006, 05:26 PM	#6
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Heh, your comment proves the point about having new versions already, igorsk. I mean releasing documentation about how the hardware interacts with the OS & apps so that talented, ahem, 'Independent Developers' like yourself wouldn't have to figure all that out stuff from scratch.

11-30-2006, 05:52 PM	#7
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Sony released the source of the framebuffer driver, so anyone can find out how to drive it... In fact I'm quite sure that the custom software released fot Librie (e.g. SimpleReader) will work with minimal changes. I guess that leaves the buttons but those shouldn't be too hard to figure out (and will probably have an interface similar to Librie's). I would probably make something myself, but I'm not really familiar with Linux programming, and doing it on Windows is sort of awkward too.

11-30-2006, 09:17 PM	#9
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,221 Karma: 27110894 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	And I actually like the button assignments on the reader!

11-30-2006, 10:38 PM	#10
ktb1381 Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 278 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Amazon Kindle	Hey, Sony just released a PS3 firmware update.

11-30-2006, 11:05 PM	#11
doctorow Guru Posts: 914 Karma: 3410461 Join Date: May 2004 Device: Kindle Touch	And the PS3 is still very new. So there is hope for a sooner Reader firmware update, too.

12-01-2006, 12:29 AM	#12
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	The PS3 also outselld the Reader and is a bigger profit component. Plus there are 3rd parties that make packages for the PS3 that can demand changes be implemented quickly so their games play correctly.

12-01-2006, 12:36 AM	#13
BettyE Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 130 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ Device: Rocket eBook / Sony PRS-500 / Kindle	Maybe I'm naive but as soon as I got my Reader, I checked for a firmware update. I figured there would be some kind of update within the first month or so. I figured Sony delayed the product because they were trying to get as much done as possible, and then they released the Reader at the last possible minute to catch holiday sales. So I thought there must have been some updates that were just about to be final that didn't make it into production but that were ready one or two months later.

Advert

Advert

12-01-2006, 02:45 AM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I agree with almost all the suggestions for improvements but, let's face it, there's no "show stopping" bug that makes an update vital - the system seems remarkably stable and bug free. It may not do everything we'd like it to, but what it does do, it does very well. Because of that, I guess there's not really much pressure on Sony to rush out an update. The "Connect" software is a different story - I really hope we get an upgrade to that ASAP. It's just awful.

12-01-2006, 03:01 AM	#15
Nightwing Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 541 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Cowon A2 Dell x3i, Sony Reader & Eee PC!	Some items... The PS3 is a money looser right now and not enough mfg and part defect rejection levels. They just replace the head of the division that handles the PS3... They need a update due to major bugs... The Reader is ok for now... But agree some changes to the software along with a Mac version are needed... Drats!!!!! Forgot that in the survey about Mac version of the software!