Sony to announce new reader

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's my point: we don't know, and hence this thread title - a definitive statement that Sony are about to announce a new reader - is misleading.

I read elsewhere (I don't remember where) that Sony is selling off T2 stock, which is a sure sign that a new e-reader is upcoming early. However, on looking at the Sony site, I see no evidence of that. Can anyone else confirm what may be an unfounded rumour?

[Ripplinger]

Confirmation by Sony or not, rumor or not, Sony selling off T2s or not... every year this speculation happens and every year since 2006 Sony comes out with a new reader sometime between August-October.

So while Sony hasn't made a definite statement yet, by now after 7 years of the same pattern, does anyone really need an official Sony announcement to know they'll release a new reader for 2013?

The only question for me is will it have a front light or not. And like Rizla, I'm not taking the French interview as gospel, I'll wait to see what they come out with for 2013.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Either she's lying, ill-informed or Sony e-reader strategy is idiotic.

Two out of three ain't bad

[doubleshuffle]

Ever since this thread started, every time it pops up on the forum's front page I read Sorry to anounce new reader. Have to admit I like that in some weird way.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Two out of three ain't bad

Come now; don't sell Sony short.
They are perfectly capable of meeting all three requirements.

(I hope not, but it wouldn't be the first time somebody there pulls the trifecta. Hint: Kutaragi!)

[trocchietto]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Frontlighting gives you more even light coverage without any loss of battery life or added weight. At a minimal added cost. Plus the KPW screen really is white.
It may not be for everybody but it is a genuine improvement over the T1.

and John f.

Guys, ok, it will be eventually more white the screen and one can manage with a different packaging, more light.
both of you convinced me.

let's see what happen, I am ready to switch to a color Eink supplier that furnish a rootable device to use android, it is definetely useful to have a bad tablet that last for days and do not give struugle to the eyes of a bookwormer like me

[porkupan]

This story about Sony supposedly having market research showing that consumers are not interested in built-in light is old news. Steve Haber (president of Sony DRBD) was making this statement a couple of years ago, and it must be a "talking point" for now. I doubt Sony would be investing in its own front-lighting tech, as PRS-700 was a disaster, but if such technology is offered by E Ink, Sony might buy it.

Otherwise, I am not sure where the dedicated ebook reader development is taking us. Neither B&N nor Amazon is coming up with a flood of semi-annual or quarterly upgrades. Could it be that eInk technology has hit a dead end? I don't think there is any Android-based reader with an eInk-HD screen. Perhaps those are not supported by Android distributions and drivers offered by FreeScale, and neither Sony nor B&N has the know-how to make its own?

For Sony front-light seems like a logical step forward. A generation upgrade that's big enough to justify some new purchasing from existing fans. I wouldn't be expecting any FCC action until July, and official announcement until end of August.

[fjtorres]

The Tolino shine runs android with xga frontlit eink and desperately needs better software.
There is some interest at xda:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2218458

[porkupan]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The Tolino shine runs android with xga frontlit eink and desperately needs better software.

You're right, it is an eInk HD running Android. Interesting. Perhaps Sony PRS-T3 will have that too.

The guy on XDA is complaining about Shine not having a landscape mode. Well, Sony Readers no longer have it either. And when they did (before Android), it never worked very well anyway. My info may be a bit obsolete, but I don't think any of the mainstream readers has landscape mode.

I've been a Sony Reader fan since the very beginning (since I bought a PRS-500 to supplement my old REB-1100), and I've had every model of it. But since they have now started actively shutting down the root/hacking capabilities (including removing ADB from Android), I am about to give up.

I am not sure if B&N is ever going to release another generation of eInk-based front-lit nooks, but if they do, I may be switching.

[thk84]

I'm also waiting for PRS-T3!

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by porkupan

My info may be a bit obsolete, but I don't think any of the mainstream readers has landscape mode.

It took them about six months to add it, but the Kindle Touch got landscape mode last summer. The KPW inherited the feature. (There was a big fuss because the older models launched with 4-way rotation.)
The Kobo glo only does it on pdf.
The Nook doesn't.
The stock Sony T1 does so I assume the T2 does it, too. (Though some might debate how mainstream Sony is, these days. )

A new Nook Glo with XGA screen is very likely. In the fall, if they've learned their lesson.
It'll be interesting to see how hackable it ships.

Given that my android reader of choice is Coolreader, I'm keeping an eye on this:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=147

Coolreader on a KPW would be a nice consolation prize if neither Sony nor Nook steps up.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by porkupan

But since they have now started actively shutting down the root/hacking capabilities (including removing ADB from Android), I am about to give up.

Really? Is the T2 less rootable than the T1? Is it a deliberate policy on Sony's part to restrict rooting? This is important news to me if it is the case.

I was going to sell my T1 to fund a T3. Maybe I should keep it after all.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by porkupan

I am not sure if B&N is ever going to release another generation of eInk-based front-lit nooks, but if they do, I may be switching.

Yes, I've been thinking this way for awhile. My main doubt is that the Nook lighted screen seems to be fragile. If they fix that, it may be my next reader, if I can get one outside the USA. I might have to take a trip lol.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Really? Is the T2 less rootable than the T1? Is it a deliberate policy on Sony's part to restrict rooting? This is important news to me if it is the case.

As a matter of interest, what does "rooting" allow you to do on your T1 that the stock device can't do?

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by HarryT

As a matter of interest, what does "rooting" allow you to do on your T1 that the stock device can't do?

You are then on a vanilla android system, so you can install apps, for instance I had the kindle app on my t1, which allowed me to access my kindle account and read my mobis on it. At that time I had epub and mobis, so that made sense to me. You can also install fbreader and coolreader, or a mail app (I had k9 for instance running very smoothly). It does not replace a tablet of course, but the readability in the sun can be useful.

Forgot to say : the sony firmware is still on the device, so you can access the sony interface anytime without rebooting, it is implemented as a button, but also have the vanilla android interface.