Finally, new Sony rumors

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by ardeegee

I'm sure that layer would only be added if someone wanted it, as it would add cost, complexity, and thickness to the unit.

But, remember, we won't know for a couple of days if even the new Sony Readers have that technology. There continues to be the real possibility that that "leaked screenshot" is fake and the features made up. Which would mean that the new touchscreens could be the same as the old touchscreens.

You're trying to scare me, aren't you? Same old touchscreens... *shudder*! It's working!!

I would think it would be only an option as well. I thought I'd read that it was in all Pearl's though. Can't find the source, so I'm probably working on a false assumption.

-Pie

[Lilly]

Originally Posted by Marcy

Can they? I am so umimpressed with their library software. Why don't they make a web-interface, so I can use my darn browser, which is faster, more reliable and just easier to use than the crap Sony tried to pawn off on us. If Amazon, Kobo, Fictionwise, B&N, etc. can use the web to sell their books, Sony certainly can. ePub books I buy from FW are downloaded via ADE, so that isn't the problem.

However, I do believe the page number is courtesy of ADE, not Sony. Their software sucks big time, but that is one thing that is *not* their fault.

-Marcy

I completely agree with that. A web based software would much improve their reputation. But I did ask Sony about the DRM ePub & PDF software issue and they said they are working on it. So we will see.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Lilly

I completely agree with that. A web based software would much improve their reputation. But I did ask Sony about the DRM ePub & PDF software issue and they said they are working on it. So we will see.

Does this mean a new version of ADE for the 500, 700, 300, & 600?

[Squirsier]

Here we go!!!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/s...entire-reader/

http://gizmodo.com/5627167/a-slim-ne...rrives-in-town

[JSWolf]

From Teleread... http://www.teleread.com/2010/09/01/t...ed-refinement/

The new readers use the Pearl screen, just like the Kindle, and it is remarkable that Sony’s new touch interface does not seem to interfere with the screen’s sharpness or contrast at all. I couldn’t tell the difference between their touch screen and my Kindle 3.

[Logseman]

So, the ace up their sleeve was the powerful touchscreen technology. That's the thing in which they're basing the price difference between them and Nook'n'Kindle.

[ardeegee]

Originally Posted by Logseman

So, the ace up their sleeve was the powerful touchscreen technology. That's the thing in which they're basing the price difference between them and Nook'n'Kindle.

No, I think what they are basing it on is "utter cluelessness."

[Logseman]

That's a less polite way to say it

I like touchscreen interfaces, but I don't see them as more valuable than button-steered ones. Thus I think the pricing is flawed.

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by ardeegee

No, I think what they are basing it on is "utter cluelessness."

Gotta agree with that one.

"Quality" is overrated to the huddled masses. When furniture went to mass production, the "quality hand-crafters" all but disappeared. People didn't care how much quality the chair had -- only that they could afford two chairs instead of one, and they could sit it them for a couple years.

Sony's quality and features will be worth the money to a few, but lower price and just being able to read books will win out for most. I don't suggest Sony's prices should match or beat Kindle/nook, but the gap should be significantly less to be competitive.

IMHO, of course. Perhaps the famous "street prices" will take care of that.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by Logseman

That's a less polite way to say it

I like touchscreen interfaces, but I don't see them as more valuable than button-steered ones. Thus I think the pricing is flawed.

That depends on what you are looking for

I want to be able to type notes, and there is only two ways to do that : touchscreen, or physical keyboard. Keyboard takes too much space, touch screen wins

And no more "click click click click" to access menus.

[Lilly]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

That depends on what you are looking for

I want to be able to type notes, and there is only two ways to do that : touchscreen, or physical keyboard. Keyboard takes too much space, touch screen wins

And no more "click click click click" to access menus.

That's the exact reason why I love my Sony PRS-900. I'm just not able to function with a non-touchscreen reader anymore. Plus, i think keyboards make the readers look less like a book (they bother me). I don't see myself ever buying again a non-touchscreen reader. I'm used to 1 touch menu navigation and don't want to ever go back.

[igorsk]

The touch screen technology is zForce from Neonode. The vids on their site are quite impressive.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Gotta agree with that one.

"Quality" is overrated to the huddled masses. When furniture went to mass production, the "quality hand-crafters" all but disappeared. People didn't care how much quality the chair had -- only that they could afford two chairs instead of one, and they could sit it them for a couple years.

I really disagree here.

You really need to look no further than Apple to see that people will pay for quality products (just stay away from the AppleTV!!). And you don't get any more "huddled" than computer geeks!

I think there are people who will pay for quality because they can, and people who don't simply because they can't afford it.

Sony's quality and features will be worth the money to a few, but lower price and just being able to read books will win out for most. I don't suggest Sony's prices should match or beat Kindle/nook, but the gap should be significantly less to be competitive.

IMHO, of course. Perhaps the famous "street prices" will take care of that.

Your assumption here is that Sony's product is significantly higher quality than the Kindle (etc.). Or noticeably, anyway! Back in the Kindle 1 days, the difference was pretty obvious in terms of industrial design. But now, Amazon has really worked in improving the design, and have a nice product. I don't see a major quality difference between the products.

So it really does come down to Sony being clueless with the pricing. I just don't envision the market bearing that out, especially when the other two major competitors are cheaper and have larger libraries... and use the same screen!

Had Sony dropped the new Pocket edition at $99, and the touch at $150, that would have been something! But alas...

-Pie

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by Logseman

That's a less polite way to say it

I like touchscreen interfaces, but I don't see them as more valuable than button-steered ones. Thus I think the pricing is flawed.

I like the touchscreen, but only due to the ability to mark up with a stylus. If I didn't have the ability to mark up my reading material I probably wouldn't care much for the touchscreen interface.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

Had Sony dropped the new Pocket edition at $99, and the touch at $150, that would have been something! But alas...

-Pie

I would have! I'd probably cry tears of joy it that happened! They have always been a bit pricier than their competitors, so the prices of their new Readers are about what I expected they would be. They will probably drop $20-30 off the price in a few months time, I imagine.