Interesting piece on failure of Sony to market its ereaders

[elemenoP]

When I first started considering a Sony, the lack of wireless gave me pause. Why should I spend more for a device that (seemingly) does less? But for me, I got it primarily to be a library book device, and no reader (AKAIK) can get library books wirelessly. So I decided not to let the wireless weigh too heavily in my decision, and I'm happy with that. I do contend that Sony needs wireless in all their models, if only to counter all these articles that say, "don't buy a Sony because it doesn't have wireless." Sony has a big problem with this.

eP

[meerkat]

I'm just the opposite, a reader WITH wifi will give me a pause.

My criteria of selecting ereader is no wifi, to force me concentrate on reading, not browsing the web.

[wvcherrybomb]

Sony makes eReaders?



Seriously, I didn't know that before I joined MR.

[astra]

Originally Posted by meerkat

I'm just the opposite, a reader WITH wifi will give me a pause.

My criteria of selecting ereader is no wifi, to force me concentrate on reading, not browsing the web.

I am not alone

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by meerkat

I'm just the opposite, a reader WITH wifi will give me a pause.

My criteria of selecting ereader is no wifi, to force me concentrate on reading, not browsing the web.

Originally Posted by astra

I am not alone

Double

I have never understood the desire for wifi on an e-reader; to me, it's like wanting a radio built into your washing machine, nice, but ultimately unnecessary.

[din155]

Originally Posted by meerkat

I'm just the opposite, a reader WITH wifi will give me a pause.

My criteria of selecting ereader is no wifi, to force me concentrate on reading, not browsing the web.

Same here. I went ahead with the bells and whistles (wifi and browser) of kindle but came back to Sony after found out that however advertised that feature may have been, I hardly used it. Plus there is no match for Sony's Aluminium body and double tap for dictionary.

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by din155

Same here. I went ahead with the bells and whistles (wifi and browser) of kindle but came back to Sony after found out that however advertised that feature may have been, I hardly used it. Plus there is no match for Sony's Aluminium body and double tap for dictionary.

Think I'll print this, get it framed and hang it on my wall.

[natasha_fawn]

I guess I'm unusual for a(n almost) Sony owner. I got the 950 rather than the 650 specifically because I wanted wifi. I find the wifi on my boyfriend's nook to be useful. I enjoy being able to do a quick search for something about the book I'm reading, maybe make sure I'm about to start the 2nd book in a series rather than the 4th, or do a quick email check without having to pull out the laptop. I don't own a smartphone, so I don't have any other way to check the internet when I'm away from a computer.

(I think I would enjoy a radio on a washing machine if I spent a lot of time in the laundry room. Actually, at the moment I would just enjoy a washing machine I didn't have to go down two flights of stairs to use and appease the quarter gods to use.)

[starrlamia]

Originally Posted by natasha_fawn

I guess I'm unusual for a(n almost) Sony owner. I got the 950 rather than the 650 specifically because I wanted wifi. I find the wifi on my boyfriend's nook to be useful. I enjoy being able to do a quick search for something about the book I'm reading, maybe make sure I'm about to start the 2nd book in a series rather than the 4th, or do a quick email check without having to pull out the laptop. I don't own a smartphone, so I don't have any other way to check the internet when I'm away from a computer.

(I think I would enjoy a radio on a washing machine if I spent a lot of time in the laundry room. Actually, at the moment I would just enjoy a washing machine I didn't have to go down two flights of stairs to use and appease the quarter gods to use.)

I do all of that before buying/downloading the book, and I use calibre to note which part in a series the book is. I dont have a smartphone either, or anyway to check the net away from a computer, and I cant complain at all, I spend 90% of my time on the web/computer so not having them is a nice change.

[SeaBookGuy]

Natasha:

We're taking exception to the writer's assumption that wireless is a "must include" feature (or the device is a "failure").

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by kartu

I think situation is rather grave.
Sony Readers get next to no media coverage.

I don't think the lack of press is necessarily a death knell. The iPod didn't kill the market for all other MP3 players.

Originally Posted by gmw

I'm fascinated by people that are so willing to assume they know so much about the internal business decisions of another organisation (I've seen the same assumptions in comments on these forums). Those inside Sony are the ones that know the facts and figures and company policies. Sure they may be making mistakes, but it takes a special kind of arrogance for an outsider to assume they know what those mistakes are.

Yes, and we see much of that arrogance on these forums. I've never been interested in armchair quarterbacking.

[Bookworm_Girl]

I have been reading this thread with interest before I jumped in. Here are some of my thoughts.

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

It's the business model, stupid! Where I disagree is the trashing of the poor Pocket. Folks listen to music on their players (or phones-as-players); they don't care about speakers, etc.

The Pocket Edition is a great product. No frills, very portable, 5" screen. The problem is that people are looking to break the $99 barrier with a no frills reader. Kindle, Nook, Kobo offer their models with Wi-fi in the $129-139 range. Yet, the Pocket is $179. Right now it is $139 at Borders. Sony should make that the new permanent price.

Originally Posted by boxcorner

I don't like monopolies and cartels, though, hence feel rather uncomfortable about Google's and Amazon's dominant positions .... Nevertheless, I think that competition is healthy, as it encourages innovation. Surely consumers have greater freedom when there's unfettered choice.

I agree. The problem is I feel like competition is not driving Sony to better their products exponentially. I think that touchscreen and collections management are the main areas where they have exceeded their competition. However, as the original link article states, they've had touchscreen for awhile now... They always seem to be several steps behind their competitors. Where's the lend-me? Where's the ebook gifting? Where are those smartphone apps? Where's the ebookstore website that doesn't require desktop software? They finally have Wi-fi and a browser in the 950, but it seems like an afterthought just to appease because it is missing key functionality like landscape viewing and the ability to download files.

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I do contend that Sony needs wireless in all their models, if only to counter all these articles that say, "don't buy a Sony because it doesn't have wireless." Sony has a big problem with this.

eP, I couldn't have said it better myself! People want value for their dollars. If they think they "might" use it (even if they won't in reality), then that's enough to create doubts in their mind to steer them away.

Originally Posted by natasha_fawn

I guess I'm unusual for a(n almost) Sony owner. I got the 950 rather than the 650 specifically because I wanted wifi.

Natasha, I am using the Wi-fi on my 950 more than I expected. I never felt that I really needed it before. However, now that I am used to having the web browser / Wikipedia access, I would be sad not to have it!

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I am using the Wi-fi on my 950 more than I expected. I never felt that I really needed it before.

B, Interesting!

I don't think I have ever used WiFi on my 950 except to test it.

I am hard pressed to think of what I might want to access on my 950 via WiFi!?!

[doreenjoy]

I think Sony is focusing on the European market. Any perceived failures in the US may be deliberate.

How's that for armchair quarterbacking? :lol:

[lilac_jive]

I love my 505 still, and if god forbid something happens to it, I'll buy another Sony. I think Sony relied very heavily on word of mouth for the Readers, first when they came out as it was a mostly new product, then later they were possibly content to ride on the Kindle's coattails. It's possible they don't see the need to push it if sales are good enough.

And since I love their product, I keep supporting them by buying through their bookstore (that's not a dig on those who don't purchase from them, just so you know )