Sony PRS-650 discontinued, new model soon?

jdav · 01-24-2011, 07:32 AM

Finding no stock in the UK of the PRS 650 (Waterstones, Sony Centres, Dixons) I called two Sony Centre branches to ask about stock. Both times, the respective managers confirmed that there is a branch meeting coming up end of this week and they suspect no stock will be available before April. This they say is because it is likely that there will be a new model.

Considering the PRS 650 has only been out for around 3 months, I think the reason for this must be that either the 650 will be getting WI-FI and perhaps 3g or Sony are pulling out of the e-reader market. I doubt the latter as Sony have been very successful with their Japanese launch. Actually, there is one more possibility, Sony is going for the new colour e-ink screen.

MikeB1972 · 01-24-2011, 07:52 AM

I suspect that they have just sold out and the managers don't have any official info and are guessing.

The 350 was out of stock at waterstones as well, it's now back in.

Zetmolm · 01-24-2011, 07:56 AM

The most likely reason for the PRS 650 being out of stock is that Sony has a shortage of Pearl screens. For the rest, it is a very good and successful model, so Sony could hardly have another reason to discontinue it.

They might decide now that the shortage is going to last, and they might come up with an alternative for the display. If there is going to be a new model, that is all I would expect. But I doubt it.

These rumors about a new model have been circulating for quite a while now, and there is no real reason to believe they are true. What I really expect is that the 650 will gradually return to the shops as Sony manages to lay their hands on more Pearl screens.

speedlever · 01-24-2011, 09:17 AM

I really wish Sony would put wifi/3g in the 650. It would be much more attractive (to me).

Up until yesterday, I'd only put ebooks on my K3 via wifi. Would have done so again yesterday but the book I bought (~45MB) exceeded the file size that Google Mail (25MB) would transmit. I had to sideload that one.

ProfCrash · 01-24-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedlever

I really wish Sony would put wifi/3g in the 650. It would be much more attractive (to me).

Up until yesterday, I'd only put ebooks on my K3 via wifi. Would have done so again yesterday but the book I bought (~45MB) exceeded the file size that Google Mail (25MB) would transmit. I had to sideload that one.

I think it would be much more competitive with the WiFi option. The 3G option might be enough to get me to buy a second e-reader.

elemenoP · 01-24-2011, 09:59 AM

In December, the Sony US store said that the 650 was discontinued, and it turned out to be a stock status error. It was just out of stock. They have had a hard time keeping it in stock, probably because it shares a screen with the Kindle.

Because Sony is developing phone apps right now (Android app just came out, iphone app expected soon), and the phone apps include sync, I feel confident that the next models will include wireless in all models. But I don't think those will come out for at least another six months, which would be a year after these models came out.

eP

Blackadder · 01-24-2011, 10:01 AM

So how would a wifi/3g version work on the Sony outside the US.

As we (in the UK certainly) don't have a dedicated Sony store, presumably this would mean browsing, internet style, WH Smith/Waterstones or any of the other ebook stores for that matter.

ProfCrash · 01-24-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackadder

So how would a wifi/3g version work on the Sony outside the US.

As we (in the UK certainly) don't have a dedicated Sony store, presumably this would mean browsing, internet style, WH Smith/Waterstones or any of the other ebook stores for that matter.

I would guess the same way the Kindle works outside the US.

I have no idea how it works, I just know that it does.

jdav · 01-24-2011, 10:10 AM

I know many want the 3G option, but I am happy to transfer my books via pc. I have wondered if there is an app that allows you to buy the book on a smart-phone and transfer it to the reader. It is also nice to know that (as happened with the Kindle) Big brother cannot reach out and delete the book you are reading because of a copyright dispute that happened after the book was bought.

Blackadder · 01-24-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I would guess the same way the Kindle works outside the US.

I have no idea how it works, I just know that it does.

The UK has it's own Kindle store. Presumably other countries have their own as well.

ProfCrash · 01-24-2011, 10:23 AM

(sigh)

How many times does Amazon have to say it screwed up and that it won't happen again before that issue is a non-issue? How much time has to pass before people realize that it was a one time meistake?

The reality is that Sony can pull a book from its archive and Sony users who had not saved it to their device would not have access to the book. BN and Kobo can pull a book off of peoples Nooks and Kobo's. They won't because it would make for some seriously ugly publicity and they don't want that.

If you have a device with some form of wireless and you are concerned about someone taking your books, download the books to your computer so you have a backup. If you are really worried about it, don't turn on your wireless connection and download using the PC.

I love having the 3G option on my Kindle. I know that there are Sony users who don't understand why it is so cool. I also know Sony users who have picked up a Kindle or a Nook and come to understand why the wireless option is so cool.

jdav · 01-24-2011, 10:51 AM

Point taken ProfCash. Makes sense.

viviena · 01-24-2011, 11:06 AM

I agree with eP that wifi-capable models from Sony are likely in the future, but I doubt 3G-capable models are... or at least, not to the extent that Amazon has taken it with their Kindle Wifi+3G. No free browsing via 3G of just about any website. Maybe free 3G solely to connect to the Sony Reader Store, but then Sony would have to 1) contract with various carriers around the world for 3G coverage, and 2) actually open up their Store to international customers. When it comes to providing content internationally, or maybe even just providing content, Sony's been anaemic compared to Amazon. I suppose instead of providing access to the Sony Reader Store, they could make arrangements with local bookstores beyond the mere affiliations that currently exist. In any case, these are likely reasons why the Sony Reader 950 is only sold in the USA.

As for wifi in general, yeah, it would be pretty cool to see it on upcoming Sony models. I can understand how having wifi appeals to so many. In my opinion, having wifi on an eink device certainly isn't a disadvantage, but I also feel that sometimes people are unwilling to believe that we owners are fine with our non-wifi devices. (After all, we knew what we were buying.) No, when we say we're fine with our non-wifi devices, we're not always speaking out of jealousy or ignorance. We probably have various reasons for being happy with what we have. For myself, it's the various things which are best done on a proper computer, such as the habitual stripping of DRM, of backing up all my purchases to a remote webserver at least, and if necessary, fixing metadata and formatting. Then there's the things I do which encourage my latent miserliness, such as price comparison shopping, checking libraries, trawling all over the net for reviews, and having about enough browser tabs open that I drown in a sea of relevant information. People who own non-wifi devices make the tradeoff of instant gratification for other things that are important to them and that are more characteristic of how they read (which in my case seems to include pedantry and suspicion, hmm).

david_e · 01-24-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I love having the 3G option on my Kindle. I know that there are Sony users who don't understand why it is so cool.

I'm very happy that you enjoy your Kindle so very much but why can't you accept that some of us know exactly how 3G/Wifi works and have decided that we just don't want or need it?

ProfCrash · 01-24-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_e

I'm very happy that you enjoy your Kindle so very much but why can't you accept that some of us know exactly how 3G/Wifi works and have decided that we just don't want or need it?

I can accept it. I have said that it is an important feature for me but that I understand that it is not important for other people.

I do think that Sony better positions itself with have 3G/WiFi on its device because a large number of people like that feature. It is a standard feature on the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. The Kindle and the Nook both have a larger marketshare then the Sony.

By adding the 3G/WiFi feature, Sony matches a feature that is clearly popular and adds to it with a touch screen that is receiving rave reviews. It makes the Sony a stronger competitor.

I guess I would see WiFi as something that is really easy to not use. You don't turn it on so you don't use it. There are people with Kindles and Nooks that have done just that. I have an MP3 player on my Kindle and I have never used it. I have text to speech and I have never used it. Just because it is there does not mean is has to be used.

The question is are Sony users better off if Sony adds a feature that many think is unimportant but it ends up increasing the sales of Sony e-readers making them a more viable product for Sony? Hopefully Sony would offer models without the wireless and models with the wireless.

01-24-2011, 07:32 AM	#1
jdav Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: PRS-600; Iphone 4	Sony PRS-650 discontinued, new model soon? Finding no stock in the UK of the PRS 650 (Waterstones, Sony Centres, Dixons) I called two Sony Centre branches to ask about stock. Both times, the respective managers confirmed that there is a branch meeting coming up end of this week and they suspect no stock will be available before April. This they say is because it is likely that there will be a new model. Considering the PRS 650 has only been out for around 3 months, I think the reason for this must be that either the 650 will be getting WI-FI and perhaps 3g or Sony are pulling out of the e-reader market. I doubt the latter as Sony have been very successful with their Japanese launch. Actually, there is one more possibility, Sony is going for the new colour e-ink screen.

01-24-2011, 07:56 AM	#3
Zetmolm Guru Posts: 615 Karma: 2362786 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: PocketBook Verse Pro Colour	The most likely reason for the PRS 650 being out of stock is that Sony has a shortage of Pearl screens. For the rest, it is a very good and successful model, so Sony could hardly have another reason to discontinue it. They might decide now that the shortage is going to last, and they might come up with an alternative for the display. If there is going to be a new model, that is all I would expect. But I doubt it. These rumors about a new model have been circulating for quite a while now, and there is no real reason to believe they are true. What I really expect is that the 650 will gradually return to the shops as Sony manages to lay their hands on more Pearl screens. Last edited by Zetmolm; 01-24-2011 at 08:00 AM.

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01-24-2011, 07:52 AM	#2
MikeB1972 Gnu Posts: 1,222 Karma: 15625359 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Device: BeBook,JetBook Lite,PRS-300-350-505-650,+ran out of space to type	I suspect that they have just sold out and the managers don't have any official info and are guessing. The 350 was out of stock at waterstones as well, it's now back in.

01-24-2011, 09:17 AM	#4
speedlever Fanatic Posts: 592 Karma: 138200 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NC, USA Device: PW2014, PW2012, iPad Pro	I really wish Sony would put wifi/3g in the 650. It would be much more attractive (to me). Up until yesterday, I'd only put ebooks on my K3 via wifi. Would have done so again yesterday but the book I bought (~45MB) exceeded the file size that Google Mail (25MB) would transmit. I had to sideload that one.

01-24-2011, 09:59 AM	#6
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	In December, the Sony US store said that the 650 was discontinued, and it turned out to be a stock status error. It was just out of stock. They have had a hard time keeping it in stock, probably because it shares a screen with the Kindle. Because Sony is developing phone apps right now (Android app just came out, iphone app expected soon), and the phone apps include sync, I feel confident that the next models will include wireless in all models. But I don't think those will come out for at least another six months, which would be a year after these models came out. eP

01-24-2011, 10:01 AM	#7
Blackadder Somewhat bored Posts: 65 Karma: 499999 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kobo Glo hd	So how would a wifi/3g version work on the Sony outside the US. As we (in the UK certainly) don't have a dedicated Sony store, presumably this would mean browsing, internet style, WH Smith/Waterstones or any of the other ebook stores for that matter.

01-24-2011, 10:10 AM	#9
jdav Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: PRS-600; Iphone 4	I know many want the 3G option, but I am happy to transfer my books via pc. I have wondered if there is an app that allows you to buy the book on a smart-phone and transfer it to the reader. It is also nice to know that (as happened with the Kindle) Big brother cannot reach out and delete the book you are reading because of a copyright dispute that happened after the book was bought.

01-24-2011, 10:23 AM	#11
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	(sigh) How many times does Amazon have to say it screwed up and that it won't happen again before that issue is a non-issue? How much time has to pass before people realize that it was a one time meistake? The reality is that Sony can pull a book from its archive and Sony users who had not saved it to their device would not have access to the book. BN and Kobo can pull a book off of peoples Nooks and Kobo's. They won't because it would make for some seriously ugly publicity and they don't want that. If you have a device with some form of wireless and you are concerned about someone taking your books, download the books to your computer so you have a backup. If you are really worried about it, don't turn on your wireless connection and download using the PC. I love having the 3G option on my Kindle. I know that there are Sony users who don't understand why it is so cool. I also know Sony users who have picked up a Kindle or a Nook and come to understand why the wireless option is so cool.

01-24-2011, 10:51 AM	#12
jdav Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: PRS-600; Iphone 4	Point taken ProfCash. Makes sense.

01-24-2011, 11:06 AM	#13
viviena Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 520610 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canberra, Australia Device: Currently Kobo Clara HD and Aura One, iPad	I agree with eP that wifi-capable models from Sony are likely in the future, but I doubt 3G-capable models are... or at least, not to the extent that Amazon has taken it with their Kindle Wifi+3G. No free browsing via 3G of just about any website. Maybe free 3G solely to connect to the Sony Reader Store, but then Sony would have to 1) contract with various carriers around the world for 3G coverage, and 2) actually open up their Store to international customers. When it comes to providing content internationally, or maybe even just providing content, Sony's been anaemic compared to Amazon. I suppose instead of providing access to the Sony Reader Store, they could make arrangements with local bookstores beyond the mere affiliations that currently exist. In any case, these are likely reasons why the Sony Reader 950 is only sold in the USA. As for wifi in general, yeah, it would be pretty cool to see it on upcoming Sony models. I can understand how having wifi appeals to so many. In my opinion, having wifi on an eink device certainly isn't a disadvantage, but I also feel that sometimes people are unwilling to believe that we owners are fine with our non-wifi devices. (After all, we knew what we were buying.) No, when we say we're fine with our non-wifi devices, we're not always speaking out of jealousy or ignorance. We probably have various reasons for being happy with what we have. For myself, it's the various things which are best done on a proper computer, such as the habitual stripping of DRM, of backing up all my purchases to a remote webserver at least, and if necessary, fixing metadata and formatting. Then there's the things I do which encourage my latent miserliness, such as price comparison shopping, checking libraries, trawling all over the net for reviews, and having about enough browser tabs open that I drown in a sea of relevant information. People who own non-wifi devices make the tradeoff of instant gratification for other things that are important to them and that are more characteristic of how they read (which in my case seems to include pedantry and suspicion, hmm).