Sony closes USA and Canada ebook store - Page 2

ShellShock · 02-06-2014, 02:45 PM

I guess that Sony purchases will be migrated to epubs in Kobo land and not kepubs (which would require more work to migrate). Which means that Kobo will have to continue supporting epubs and Adobe RMSDK, which is probably good news for those of us who do not like kepubs. But not so good news given what is happening with Adobe DRM. Now I do not know which way to turn.

taming · 02-06-2014, 02:46 PM

I wonder if this isn't part of a bigger story. A few days ago Kobo founder Michael Serbinis replaced with a Rakuten Japan executive as CEO, now this. Could a part 3 be coming?

simplyparticular · 02-06-2014, 02:47 PM

I just got the email, too. I hadn't actually purchased anything from Sony's e-bookstore in years, as I do mostly library reading, and my smattering of purchases these days is from Kobo, Nook or Amazon, thanks to Alf.

Sony's store was a travesty for a long time (and was a clunky mess for the Mac anyway), and just when they got it semi-workable, they stopped selling the readers.

I am happy that Sony is making the effort to move customers to Kobo, but I'm guessing some money changed hands for that, just like B&N bought Borders lists.

I feel bad for the people in Canada who just bought T3s, but Kobo should do better by them than Sony ever did.

ETA: I'm reading the FAQ - sucks to be a 900/950 owner - the 3G will be cut off.

Not sure what I'll do when my T2 dies. My T1 is already sputtering, and my daughter's 350 seems to need constant charging (although she's been using it alot this month with all the snow days).

VydorScope · 02-06-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Again, I am seeing that this is the bookstore. Has anyone received anything that says the e-readers themselves are being discountinued?

News report says that Sony plans to focus on "tablets and smart phones" so my take on that is, yes, the e-readers will go away in favor of full tablets.

ProfCrash · 02-06-2014, 02:48 PM

Cool enough. I wouldn't be surprised but the article I saw said they were closing the bookstore which is different then discontinuing the e-reader.

MickeyC · 02-06-2014, 02:52 PM

Got my first Sony (505) in early 08. Now have a T1.

What's next; a Paperwhite, i.e., switch to Kindle or get a Kobo when my T1 bites the dust?

VydorScope · 02-06-2014, 02:57 PM

So I wonder... those of you that are Sony customers, what will you do? Will you follow Sony to Kobo - or abandon the platform completely for something new? (i.e. Kindle, Nook, etc).

charmian · 02-06-2014, 03:00 PM

It seems then, that Sony is going to continue operating its store in the UK and other countries?

I wonder if Rakuten might eventually buy Nook from B&N and merge it with Kobo also.

OtterBooks · 02-06-2014, 03:01 PM

I don't think the device category was a good fit for Sony. Success here requires more than pumping out a compatible device (which by most accounts they did very well). You need a close connection to, and understanding of the industry and consumer culture of books in order to play on that field (and even then, it's been a near-hopeless game with Amazon playing). Those things are foreign to Sony, imo, and I suspect they are relieved to wash their hands of it and get back to making products that distract people from books. edit: even if it's just a partial exit from the market.

Namekuseijin · 02-06-2014, 03:09 PM

well, guess that one guy is going back to dead trees

OtterBooks · 02-06-2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

well, guess that one guy is going back to dead trees

No matter what happens, people with Sony ereaders should have no difficulty getting many years of use out of them.

markom · 02-06-2014, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

News report says that Sony plans to focus on "tablets and smart phones" so my take on that is, yes, the e-readers will go away in favor of full tablets.

If they release their reflective color LCD (10" or bigger) tablet in the next 12 months I will instantly forget about e-ink readers.

If they accompany it with good stylus I will forget about 13.3" flexible e-ink as well.

petrucci · 02-06-2014, 03:24 PM

I wonder if this will effect the Sony DPT S1. I suppose that it will probably not make much of a difference either way, as they do not sell it to the public.

Maybe it will be collectible and the price will go even higher.

Salgueiros · 02-06-2014, 03:26 PM

I think i may buy an extra PRS T3 just in case...

sharphamster · 02-06-2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

No matter what happens, people with Sony ereaders should have no difficulty getting many years of use out of them.

Yes :] My 300 is still going strong, the little champ.

Sony FAQ says gift card credits will transfer also. Finally, Kobo store credits for me, here in the US.

02-06-2014, 02:47 PM	#18
simplyparticular Guru Posts: 610 Karma: 1395952 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Device: Oasis 3 & GlowLight 4	I just got the email, too. I hadn't actually purchased anything from Sony's e-bookstore in years, as I do mostly library reading, and my smattering of purchases these days is from Kobo, Nook or Amazon, thanks to Alf. Sony's store was a travesty for a long time (and was a clunky mess for the Mac anyway), and just when they got it semi-workable, they stopped selling the readers. I am happy that Sony is making the effort to move customers to Kobo, but I'm guessing some money changed hands for that, just like B&N bought Borders lists. I feel bad for the people in Canada who just bought T3s, but Kobo should do better by them than Sony ever did. ETA: I'm reading the FAQ - sucks to be a 900/950 owner - the 3G will be cut off. Not sure what I'll do when my T2 dies. My T1 is already sputtering, and my daughter's 350 seems to need constant charging (although she's been using it alot this month with all the snow days). Last edited by simplyparticular; 02-06-2014 at 02:59 PM.

02-06-2014, 03:01 PM	#24
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	I don't think the device category was a good fit for Sony. Success here requires more than pumping out a compatible device (which by most accounts they did very well). You need a close connection to, and understanding of the industry and consumer culture of books in order to play on that field (and even then, it's been a near-hopeless game with Amazon playing). Those things are foreign to Sony, imo, and I suspect they are relieved to wash their hands of it and get back to making products that distract people from books. edit: even if it's just a partial exit from the market. Last edited by OtterBooks; 02-06-2014 at 03:07 PM.

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02-06-2014, 02:45 PM	#16
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,178 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	I guess that Sony purchases will be migrated to epubs in Kobo land and not kepubs (which would require more work to migrate). Which means that Kobo will have to continue supporting epubs and Adobe RMSDK, which is probably good news for those of us who do not like kepubs. But not so good news given what is happening with Adobe DRM. Now I do not know which way to turn.

02-06-2014, 02:46 PM	#17
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	I wonder if this isn't part of a bigger story. A few days ago Kobo founder Michael Serbinis replaced with a Rakuten Japan executive as CEO, now this. Could a part 3 be coming?

02-06-2014, 02:48 PM	#20
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Cool enough. I wouldn't be surprised but the article I saw said they were closing the bookstore which is different then discontinuing the e-reader.

02-06-2014, 02:52 PM	#21
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Got my first Sony (505) in early 08. Now have a T1. What's next; a Paperwhite, i.e., switch to Kindle or get a Kobo when my T1 bites the dust?

02-06-2014, 02:57 PM	#22
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	So I wonder... those of you that are Sony customers, what will you do? Will you follow Sony to Kobo - or abandon the platform completely for something new? (i.e. Kindle, Nook, etc).

02-06-2014, 03:00 PM	#23
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	It seems then, that Sony is going to continue operating its store in the UK and other countries? I wonder if Rakuten might eventually buy Nook from B&N and merge it with Kobo also.

02-06-2014, 03:09 PM	#25
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	well, guess that one guy is going back to dead trees

02-06-2014, 03:24 PM	#28
petrucci Groupie Posts: 198 Karma: 1647827 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I wonder if this will effect the Sony DPT S1. I suppose that it will probably not make much of a difference either way, as they do not sell it to the public. Maybe it will be collectible and the price will go even higher.

02-06-2014, 03:26 PM	#29
Salgueiros Eudaimonia Posts: 898 Karma: 9164418 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Sony PRS T2, Sony PRS T3, Sony DPT-RP1	I think i may buy an extra PRS T3 just in case...