New Sony Readers for 2011?

jimmyuk · 04-18-2011, 10:46 AM

Has anyone heard if Sony is planning on releasing new eReaders this year?

I really like the style of Sony readers (compared with the competition, especially the Kindle), but they're still lacking that killer app of OTA purchases, or at the very least wifi link to an online store for purchases. Having to do everything via a PC is tolerable, but not ideal. They may lose me to Amazon this year if they don't correct that. :-(

Currently like my PRS-300, though... would LOVE it if Sony had introduced the above feature.

SeaBookGuy · 04-18-2011, 12:47 PM

I would think there'll be new models in the autumn as usual - perhaps Wifi on the midsize (650) to compete with the Kindle?

kartu · 04-19-2011, 02:34 AM

950 already has both 3G (usable to purchase books) and WiFi. Oh, and google books app. (I guess it won't work via 3G though)

tubemonkey · 04-19-2011, 04:54 AM

How about an OverDrive app? Downloading library books directly to your ereader would be cool.

jimmyuk · 04-19-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartu

950 already has both 3G (usable to purchase books) and WiFi. Oh, and google books app. (I guess it won't work via 3G though)

Yeeeah, but it's too bulky for my needs. I really like the petiteness of the 350, though would consider something the size of the 650 if it had all the right features.

jbcohen · 04-19-2011, 07:49 AM

In a previous thread I talked about some of the newest advances in microprocessors, the items that are the brains to your readers. The new models that you all are talking about will: 1) will have the same screens that your current models do but have better resolution on those screens; 2) will have lower power requirements, meaning that the batteries will last longer. As far as when you will be able to purchase the new models depends on a few factors: 1) How quickly Sony Corp buys the new micro processors and puts them into the readers; and 2) How quickly the company can get the new models to market. All told I would expect the new models to be available around XMas time as Sony has a few problems to work out before they can shipp the new models such as: 1) How to acomodate the new chips in the existing architecture of the readers and if that can not be done the company will need to spend time re-designing the current architecture (which will take time); and 2) getting the bugs worked out, its inevitable any time you put new technology into older architecture some things don't go quite right and the company needs to figure out what went wrong and how to solve them. Needs to be done becuase you will not be particularly impressed with a new reader that you spent all that dollars on and when you press the power button nothing happends or it goes into what is often referred to in the tech industry as the post then stops there. I say again I would expect something around XMas time or perhaps more realistically around Spring 2012.

elemenoP · 04-19-2011, 08:11 AM

Does Sony typically release new models every year?

eP

igorsk · 04-19-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Does Sony typically release new models every year?

Yes, in October or so.

darknessangel · 04-19-2011, 10:38 AM

They haven't had stock in readers for a couple of months... and you expect new readers?

I'm rather wondering if they are thinking about restructuring their whole e-book reader/shop approach. Perhaps we'll see something like whispernet in Sony's new flock? Or just another "nothing new, move along, move along".

SeaBookGuy · 04-19-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

How about an OverDrive app? Downloading library books directly to your ereader would be cool.

Without WMA that would seem fairly useless to me. I do put some shorter Overdrive mp3-format items on it now, after using WMP for tagging and nice cover art (to apply the pic to each file, not just the album itself!)

tubemonkey · 04-19-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

Without WMA that would seem fairly useless to me. I do put some shorter Overdrive mp3-format items on it now, after using WMP for tagging and nice cover art (to apply the pic to each file, not just the album itself!)

I'm talking about EPUB.

Note: only Windows devices (PC and Moblie) support WMA. Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone only support MP3.

mcrmama · 04-19-2011, 09:42 PM

An overdrive app and wifi for library books would be very cool. I have the app on my ipod but would prefer it on the reader itself.

tubemonkey · 04-20-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrmama

An overdrive app and wifi for library books would be very cool. I have the app on my ipod but would prefer it on the reader itself.

I have the app on both my Nook Color and iPod touch. Would love to see it on the eink readers.

doreenjoy · 04-20-2011, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darknessangel

They haven't had stock in readers for a couple of months... and you expect new readers?

Considering Sony regularly released Walkman products up until a year ago, Yes, I absolutely expect to see new readers in October.

FizzyWater · 04-20-2011, 04:08 AM

I'd vote for an upgrade of the ADE to allow for B&N ebooks to be read on the Sony without hacking.

04-18-2011, 10:46 AM	#1
jimmyuk Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Sony PRS-300	New Sony Readers for 2011? Has anyone heard if Sony is planning on releasing new eReaders this year? I really like the style of Sony readers (compared with the competition, especially the Kindle), but they're still lacking that killer app of OTA purchases, or at the very least wifi link to an online store for purchases. Having to do everything via a PC is tolerable, but not ideal. They may lose me to Amazon this year if they don't correct that. :-( Currently like my PRS-300, though... would LOVE it if Sony had introduced the above feature.

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04-18-2011, 12:47 PM	#2
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,029 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I would think there'll be new models in the autumn as usual - perhaps Wifi on the midsize (650) to compete with the Kindle?

04-19-2011, 02:34 AM	#3
kartu PRS+ author Posts: 1,637 Karma: 2446233 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300, 505, 600, 650, 950	950 already has both 3G (usable to purchase books) and WiFi. Oh, and google books app. (I guess it won't work via 3G though)

04-19-2011, 04:54 AM	#4
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,762 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	How about an OverDrive app? Downloading library books directly to your ereader would be cool.

04-19-2011, 07:49 AM	#6
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	In a previous thread I talked about some of the newest advances in microprocessors, the items that are the brains to your readers. The new models that you all are talking about will: 1) will have the same screens that your current models do but have better resolution on those screens; 2) will have lower power requirements, meaning that the batteries will last longer. As far as when you will be able to purchase the new models depends on a few factors: 1) How quickly Sony Corp buys the new micro processors and puts them into the readers; and 2) How quickly the company can get the new models to market. All told I would expect the new models to be available around XMas time as Sony has a few problems to work out before they can shipp the new models such as: 1) How to acomodate the new chips in the existing architecture of the readers and if that can not be done the company will need to spend time re-designing the current architecture (which will take time); and 2) getting the bugs worked out, its inevitable any time you put new technology into older architecture some things don't go quite right and the company needs to figure out what went wrong and how to solve them. Needs to be done becuase you will not be particularly impressed with a new reader that you spent all that dollars on and when you press the power button nothing happends or it goes into what is often referred to in the tech industry as the post then stops there. I say again I would expect something around XMas time or perhaps more realistically around Spring 2012.

04-19-2011, 08:11 AM	#7
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Does Sony typically release new models every year? eP

04-19-2011, 10:38 AM	#9
darknessangel Addict Posts: 297 Karma: 1018140 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505, iPad	They haven't had stock in readers for a couple of months... and you expect new readers? I'm rather wondering if they are thinking about restructuring their whole e-book reader/shop approach. Perhaps we'll see something like whispernet in Sony's new flock? Or just another "nothing new, move along, move along".

04-19-2011, 09:42 PM	#12
mcrmama Addict Posts: 239 Karma: 16806 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo Aura One	An overdrive app and wifi for library books would be very cool. I have the app on my ipod but would prefer it on the reader itself.

04-20-2011, 04:08 AM	#15
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	I'd vote for an upgrade of the ADE to allow for B&N ebooks to be read on the Sony without hacking.