Sony to go Android?

[Moejoe]

Isn't this job posting related to the Sony Android Phone / Game machine?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/e...aming-platfor/

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by porkupan

There seem to be these distinct possibilities:

1. Sony is no longer planning to attack the U.S. market. The Sony Reader is done
2. Sony would like to sell new Readers, but the channel is overstuffed with the last years models
3. The new lineup is still not ready, will not be ready until later in the year
4. Sony doesn't have rights to Pearl, so there is no point in trying to release anything new before the end of the year

I expect number two is a fact, regardless of the likelihood of the others.
Sony's announcement of introducing the reader to Japan was built around the current readers.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20006138-93.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64Q1QD20100527
They've been slowly launching the existing models in new markets so adding new rush-job skus would be a major complication. Factor in that it takes three months to get anything through FCC and nothing's been sighted yet and it looks like the earliest they might get something out is November.
(The current Touch was first sighted in July 2009 and shipped in October 2009, no?)

I wouldn't hold my breath for anything new from Sony this year.
Even if they did get any Pearl screens they'd be well-advised to ship them to Japan to defend their home turf.

[carld]

Originally Posted by porkupan

AFAIK Sony has not announced any new Reader line-up for this fall. And there has been no public leaks or anything that one could call "specific news" whatsoever. However, there is every reason to assume that there will be a new line-up, unless Sony has given up on the Reader business altogether. As an absolute minimum there should be an upgrade of all reader models to e-Ink Pearl screen.

I don't want to see Sony exit the e-ink market. Competition is good, and lots of people really like their readers. But if Sony doesn't have something big lined up they might as well close up shop and call it a day. I don't think Android matters much (doesn't the Sony already run some flavor of Linux?) unless they're going full-on App store, sort of an e-ink tablet. That might work.

[simplyparticular]

Well, it seems a little late to be hiring an Android engineer for an October device launch product, if this is the FIRST hiring. But I think someone from MR would have noticed this if it happened earlier.

So either they are branching into non-Sony device software (doesn't seem Sony's style), or they're long-term planning for a 2011 platform shift. Either way, it bodes well for at least one more round of Reader devices.

I'm still holding out hope for an October release of a Sony 6" with a Pearl screen, and Wacom touch underneath for $150-199. And did I mention WiFi and/or 3G?

But I'm a glass half-full kinda gal.

[peitsao]

I cancelled K3 order 'cause I had the K2 and hated the keyboard. Sony is the only reader I have kept over time. Just checked their website and ALL of their readers are sold out, so I'm crossing my fingers.

[simplyparticular]

Originally Posted by peitsao

I cancelled K3 order 'cause I had the K2 and hated the keyboard. Sony is the only reader I have kept over time. Just checked their website and ALL of their readers are sold out, so I'm crossing my fingers.

The 600 is showing out of stock, but when I go there, the 300 and 900 are still available.

[fjtorres]

And the first rumor of new Sony readers popped up just as I pooh-poohed the possibility.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94438

Good thing I didn't bet the farm.