505 - will sony support the 500?

junkml · 10-03-2007, 08:44 PM

I'm wondering if Sony will bother to provide updates or upgrades for the 500 now that the 505 is out. My bet is they won't. Some of the things everyone has been asking for will probably be implemented for the 505, but anyone with the 500 will be out of luck.

starship · 10-03-2007, 08:59 PM

So far as we know, 505 only provides a minimum upgrade to 500. If the firmware part doesn't change much, I don't see any reason why Sony wouldn't provide update for 500 as well as 505. After all, we 500 users are loyal, core users that Sony shouldn't neglect.

jasonkchapman · 10-03-2007, 09:17 PM

I got the impression that they probably will--at least to some extent.

MikeF74 · 10-04-2007, 10:33 AM

I just wonder if that support will extend to new functionality such as the new Adobe format. A lot of companies, especially the larger ones, like to only add functionality to the newest hardware to drive sales. So, while it is probably technically very possible and quite easy to port everything to the PRS-500 -- business interests might prevent it.

For the sake of the PRS-500 owners, lets hope I'm wrong.

jasonkchapman · 10-04-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeF74

So, while it is probably technically very possible and quite easy to port everything to the PRS-500 -- business interests might prevent it.

They might. Then again, business interests might demand it, instead. Sony has acknowledged better-than-expected sales as part of their decision to expand the venture. They have demonstrated that they not only read MR and other e-book communities, but that they listen to them. Existing owners are the most effective sales force they have right now.

Heck, I sold one this morning on the subway--at least the woman claimed she was heading for the Style Store this afternoon. Who knows? I'll take some back-ports in lieu of a commission check please!

WilliamG · 10-04-2007, 11:08 AM

Call me a negative Nancy all you want, but Sony, thus far, have never supported the 500. The 500 has been out about a year, and we got two firmwares: one that (essentially) just broke the battery meter, and one that fixed it. It took Sony months to fix that, whereas some smart people figured out how to fix it, and add a clock etc, much sooner. The 500 hasn't seen any added functionality since the day it came out. I wouldn't expect that to suddenly change, but hey, I'd love to be wrong.

astra · 10-04-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamG

Call me a negative Nancy all you want, but Sony, thus far, have never supported the 500. The 500 has been out about a year, and we got two firmwares: one that (essentially) just broke the battery meter, and one that fixed it. It took Sony months to fix that, whereas some smart people figured out how to fix it, and add a clock etc, much sooner. The 500 hasn't seen any added functionality since the day it came out. I wouldn't expect that to suddenly change, but hey, I'd love to be wrong.

I am afraid I am with you on this one.
Not that I really need any additional functionality but overall impression of sony's support of reader 500 was as you decribed it.

NatCh · 10-04-2007, 12:42 PM

Ehm. Before blasting Sony too solidly about the low number of firmware updates, you might consider the fact that the Reader has pretty much worked as advertised from the get-go. Arguably, they could have never done a single firmware update, and we wouldn't have much to fuss about if they hadn't.

I think maybe we subconsciously equate the ability to update firmware with a requirement to do so, whether it's needed or not.

And maybe we're kinda jealous of all the updates those iLiadittes have gotten, and forget that the Reader was more solidly functional out of the box than the iLiad was after its first half-dozen updates in as many months.

To the main question of the topic -- I think they still want 500 users to buy books from them, so they'll most likely support it for a while, anyway. I'd think in as much as they don't have to do too much extra work to backport features, they'll probably do it. Logically, that probably won't be everything, and as the hardware continues to develop, the 500 will eventually be left behind, so will the 505 for that matter. It's the nature of the beast. But I don't see them kicking the 500 to the curb quite yet.

WilliamG · 10-04-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Ehm. Before blasting Sony too solidly about the low number of firmware updates, you might consider the fact that the Reader has pretty much worked as advertised from the get-go. Arguably, they could have never done a single firmware update, and we wouldn't have much to fuss about if they hadn't.

I think maybe we subconsciously equate the ability to update firmware with a requirement to do so, whether it's needed or not.

And maybe we're kinda jealous of all the updates those iLiadittes have gotten, and forget that the Reader was more solidly functional out of the box than the iLiad was after its first half-dozen updates in as many months.

To the main question of the topic -- I think they still want 500 users to buy books from them, so they'll most likely support it for a while, anyway. I'd think in as much as they don't have to do too much extra work to backport features, they'll probably do it. Logically, that probably won't be everything, and as the hardware continues to develop, the 500 will eventually be left behind, so will the 505 for that matter. It's the nature of the beast. But I don't see them kicking the 500 to the curb quite yet.

I'm just sad because there was so much potential with the 500 that was never tapped. Ah well. There'd be little reason to buy a 505 if the 500 had the same features and cost much less!

NatCh · 10-04-2007, 02:08 PM

Well, aside from the detail that they won't be making any more 500's.

astra · 10-05-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Ehm. Before blasting Sony too solidly about the low number of firmware updates, you might consider the fact that the Reader has pretty much worked as advertised from the get-go

True true...

I still enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone

vivaldirules · 10-05-2007, 08:02 AM

Anyone recall how many 500's were sold? 10,000? I thought I read here that it was a bit of a surprise to Sony that it turned out to be that high. For a device sold in a fringe market (okay, an up-and-coming market) that's been out less than a year, I don't think they're going to stop supporting it with that kind of base. Also knowing that the people who bought them are the technology's biggest supporters. And really, the word this week seems to be that the 505 is a nice but pretty minor model improvement with the the improved e-ink display being most notable. I assume that's not a big change (in terms of support from Sony). Two firmware editions for them to maintain? Big deal. And Adobe Editions for all of us. So I'm guessing (let's see....crystal ball, crystal ball) we're safe until a really major model change happens....uh, in 2009....er, July 12 to be exact. So there!

Kilarney · 10-05-2007, 08:07 AM

For the PRS-500, we've seen serial numbers in the 60-thousands, for whatever that's worth.

NatCh · 10-05-2007, 11:48 AM

I think the 10k mark was passed in the first 2~3 months.

10-03-2007, 08:44 PM	#1
junkml Addict Posts: 277 Karma: 1004969 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: Sony Reader	505 - will sony support the 500? I'm wondering if Sony will bother to provide updates or upgrades for the 500 now that the 505 is out. My bet is they won't. Some of the things everyone has been asking for will probably be implemented for the 505, but anyone with the 500 will be out of luck.

10-05-2007, 08:02 AM	#12
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	We're safe! What's with the glum attitude, man? Anyone recall how many 500's were sold? 10,000? I thought I read here that it was a bit of a surprise to Sony that it turned out to be that high. For a device sold in a fringe market (okay, an up-and-coming market) that's been out less than a year, I don't think they're going to stop supporting it with that kind of base. Also knowing that the people who bought them are the technology's biggest supporters. And really, the word this week seems to be that the 505 is a nice but pretty minor model improvement with the the improved e-ink display being most notable. I assume that's not a big change (in terms of support from Sony). Two firmware editions for them to maintain? Big deal. And Adobe Editions for all of us. So I'm guessing (let's see....crystal ball, crystal ball) we're safe until a really major model change happens....uh, in 2009....er, July 12 to be exact. So there!

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10-03-2007, 08:59 PM	#2
starship Member Posts: 12 Karma: 13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington,DC Device: Treo 680/Sony PRS 500/Apple iPhone	So far as we know, 505 only provides a minimum upgrade to 500. If the firmware part doesn't change much, I don't see any reason why Sony wouldn't provide update for 500 as well as 505. After all, we 500 users are loyal, core users that Sony shouldn't neglect.

10-03-2007, 09:17 PM	#3
jasonkchapman Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 2347 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC Device: Sony Reader, nook, Droid, nookColor, nookTablet	I got the impression that they probably will--at least to some extent.

10-04-2007, 10:33 AM	#4
MikeF74 Groupie Posts: 179 Karma: 28 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	I just wonder if that support will extend to new functionality such as the new Adobe format. A lot of companies, especially the larger ones, like to only add functionality to the newest hardware to drive sales. So, while it is probably technically very possible and quite easy to port everything to the PRS-500 -- business interests might prevent it. For the sake of the PRS-500 owners, lets hope I'm wrong.

10-04-2007, 11:08 AM	#6
WilliamG Addict Posts: 307 Karma: 60998 Join Date: Sep 2006	Call me a negative Nancy all you want, but Sony, thus far, have never supported the 500. The 500 has been out about a year, and we got two firmwares: one that (essentially) just broke the battery meter, and one that fixed it. It took Sony months to fix that, whereas some smart people figured out how to fix it, and add a clock etc, much sooner. The 500 hasn't seen any added functionality since the day it came out. I wouldn't expect that to suddenly change, but hey, I'd love to be wrong.

10-04-2007, 12:42 PM	#8
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Ehm. Before blasting Sony too solidly about the low number of firmware updates, you might consider the fact that the Reader has pretty much worked as advertised from the get-go. Arguably, they could have never done a single firmware update, and we wouldn't have much to fuss about if they hadn't. I think maybe we subconsciously equate the ability to update firmware with a requirement to do so, whether it's needed or not. And maybe we're kinda jealous of all the updates those iLiadittes have gotten, and forget that the Reader was more solidly functional out of the box than the iLiad was after its first half-dozen updates in as many months. To the main question of the topic -- I think they still want 500 users to buy books from them, so they'll most likely support it for a while, anyway. I'd think in as much as they don't have to do too much extra work to backport features, they'll probably do it. Logically, that probably won't be everything, and as the hardware continues to develop, the 500 will eventually be left behind, so will the 505 for that matter. It's the nature of the beast. But I don't see them kicking the 500 to the curb quite yet.

10-04-2007, 02:08 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Well, aside from the detail that they won't be making any more 500's.

10-05-2007, 08:07 AM	#13
Kilarney Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	For the PRS-500, we've seen serial numbers in the 60-thousands, for whatever that's worth.

10-05-2007, 11:48 AM	#14
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 the 10k mark was passed in the first 2~3 months.