Will the PRS-500 get a firmware upgrade?

AprilHare · 08-15-2009, 05:30 AM

A little bit of speculation, anyone? Will the PRS-500 get a firmware upgrade?

GeneS · 08-15-2009, 07:56 AM

I really cannot see Sony making any moves to update a reader model they have, so far, abandoned. If anything, I believe they may offer a trade-in allowance toward the 300 or 600 as they did when the 700 was debuted.

JSWolf · 08-15-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneS

I really cannot see Sony making any moves to update a reader model they have, so far, abandoned. If anything, I believe they may offer a trade-in allowance toward the 300 or 600 as they did when the 700 was debuted.

Sony did not abandon the 500. The 500 was unable to have ePub added to it due to a limitation in the available code space in the ROM. But maybe Sony will abandon LRF/LRX and allow the 500 to have ADE with ePub. That we won't know until it happens or not.

Who are you? · 08-15-2009, 08:31 AM

The available space on the 500 is not the reason for not having epub (because there is more than enough space). I'd even go as far as saying that a dedicated hacker could have ePub support on the 500 in no more than a few hours, with most of that time being used to make ADE authorize the device.

LRF and LRX do not have to be abandoned to support epub either.

junkml · 08-15-2009, 08:57 AM

I had to vote for "other", I don't believe Sony will do squat for owners of the 500.

AprilHare · 08-15-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkml

I had to vote for "other", I don't believe Sony will do squat for owners of the 500.

I don't know if you can change your vote, however I did find this here: http://electronicsblog.sel.sony.com/...95140802902467 from author Valerie Motis posted 8/13/2009:

Quote:

The Sony eBook Store changes to EPUB format

eBook fans, we have heard you-

To help stop the confusion among all the digital book formats, we plan on converting our eBook store to the industry-standard EPUB format by the end of the year. By adopting an open standard, our eBook store will be compatible with multiple devices and our Readers can access multiple sources for content. Right now, our current Reader devices support EPUB and our newly announced Reader Pocket Edition and Reader Touch Edition will too. If you have a PRS 500, we won't leave you out in the cold. There will be an update path. If you are interested in learning when it's available, please send an email to feedback@ebookstore.sony.com with "500" in the subject line and we'll drop you a line when the process is up and running.

You'll start to see more and more EPUB content become available in the coming months and that means more for you to read. What's better than that?

Anyone feel like rigging the vote and sending an e-mail?

junkml · 08-16-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

I don't know if you can change your vote, however I did find this here: http://electronicsblog.sel.sony.com/...95140802902467 from author Valerie Motis posted 8/13/2009:

Anyone feel like rigging the vote and sending an e-mail?

Interesting, but color me cynical. I wouldn't be surprised if their "upgrade path" was just offering $25 towards a 600. I honestly will be surprised (quite pleasantly surprised) if they actually do anything worthwhile for the 500.

That being said, I am QUITE tempted to get the 600, if it will fit in my Oberon cover.

AprilHare · 08-16-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkml

Interesting, but color me cynical. I wouldn't be surprised if their "upgrade path" was just offering $25 towards a 600. I honestly will be surprised (quite pleasantly surprised) if they actually do anything worthwhile for the 500.

That being said, I am QUITE tempted to get the 600, if it will fit in my Oberon cover.

The more PRS-500 owners who send them a e-mail, the more demand for firmware upgrade, the more likely we are to get one rather than a rather stingy trade-in offer.

RWood · 08-16-2009, 11:30 PM

I am leaning toward a conversion piece of software that converts ePub to LRF/LRX.

AprilHare · 08-17-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWood

I am leaning toward a conversion piece of software that converts ePub to LRF/LRX.

That could work however wouldn't it be nicer to just take code from the 505 and apply it to the 500? The ePub/ADE code is already done, after all, and works fine (elsewhere).
Converting existing LRF/LRX files might be possible too, and if space on a PRS-500 is an issue converting them from LRF/LRX to ePub and then jettisoning the LRF/LRX code might provide space (if truly needed, but I have my doubts).

junkml · 08-17-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

The more PRS-500 owners who send them a e-mail, the more demand for firmware upgrade, the more likely we are to get one rather than a rather stingy trade-in offer.

Yep, I signed up to be notified about the update, and it would be cool if it was a firmware update or a decent trade-in offer. I'm hoping for the best.

Hellmark · 08-18-2009, 06:50 PM

My guess, trade in, like what happened when the 505's were released.

DrMoze · 08-19-2009, 07:56 PM

Sadly, their 500 "trade-in" offer was far less ($100?) than what you could easily sell one for in decent condition.

AprilHare · 08-20-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Sadly, their 500 "trade-in" offer was far less ($100?) than what you could easily sell one for in decent condition.

This is another reason Sony may decide to upgrade the firmware: lack of takeup of their previous trade-in offer.

junkml · 08-20-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

This is another reason Sony may decide to upgrade the firmware: lack of takeup of their previous trade-in offer.

If they would offer the trade-in of $150 of the 300 (making it $150) or $200 off the 600 (making it $200), they would probably see more people taking advantage of the offer.

50% off any Sony reader if you trade in your 500 model.

Those trade-in values would be more in keeping with what a 500 goes for on ebay.

View Poll Results: Will there be a PRS-500 firmware upgrade?
Yes; a firmware upgrade for the PRS-500!	18	43.90%
No; there will be a new trade-in offer	17	41.46%
No; Sony will do something else for PRS-500 owners	4	9.76%
Other (leave a message in thread)	2	4.88%
Voters: 41. You may not vote on this poll

08-15-2009, 05:30 AM	#1
AprilHare Wizard Posts: 2,981 Karma: 11862367 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony Reader PRS-T2	Will the PRS-500 get a firmware upgrade? A little bit of speculation, anyone? Will the PRS-500 get a firmware upgrade?

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08-15-2009, 07:56 AM	#2
GeneS eBook Enthusiast Posts: 120 Karma: 726 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-350, Astak PocketPro, iPhone, Asus eee Pad Transformer	I really cannot see Sony making any moves to update a reader model they have, so far, abandoned. If anything, I believe they may offer a trade-in allowance toward the 300 or 600 as they did when the 700 was debuted.

08-15-2009, 08:31 AM	#4
Who are you? Groupie Posts: 184 Karma: 300001 Join Date: May 2009 Device: 505	The available space on the 500 is not the reason for not having epub (because there is more than enough space). I'd even go as far as saying that a dedicated hacker could have ePub support on the 500 in no more than a few hours, with most of that time being used to make ADE authorize the device. LRF and LRX do not have to be abandoned to support epub either.

08-15-2009, 08:57 AM	#5
junkml Addict Posts: 277 Karma: 1004969 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: Sony Reader	I had to vote for "other", I don't believe Sony will do squat for owners of the 500.

08-16-2009, 11:30 PM	#9
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	I am leaning toward a conversion piece of software that converts ePub to LRF/LRX.

08-18-2009, 06:50 PM	#12
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	My guess, trade in, like what happened when the 505's were released.

08-19-2009, 07:56 PM	#13
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 860 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	Sadly, their 500 "trade-in" offer was far less ($100?) than what you could easily sell one for in decent condition.