Sony closes USA and Canada ebook store - Page 16

taming · 02-13-2014, 12:36 PM

Unless I am mis-remembering, didn't Sony say that they would have to do a device firmware update at some point to get everything going?

bevdeforges · 02-13-2014, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Yeah, me too. I have a US account, despite not being in the US.

I'm wondering about that myself... Have a US Sony account, plus a non-US Kobo account - both based on the same e-mail address. My main concern is if the remaining credit on my last gift card is going to transfer.

Actually, if I could get a US Kobo account, I wouldn't mind at all. I originally signed up for Kobo because they gave me pricing info in US $ and I could pay with my US credit card. After the Japanese company bought them out and went "truly international", I can only get pricing in € and if I use my US credit card, I get hit with exchange and "international transaction" fees.

Bookworm_Girl · 02-13-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

Unless I am mis-remembering, didn't Sony say that they would have to do a device firmware update at some point to get everything going?

Not quite. You can read Kobo books today on your Sony reader and should still be able to if they took no action. It sounds like Sony plans to do a firmware update for newer models so that the link for on-device purchases doesn't point to a broken Sony store and connects to the Kobo store instead. It's a thoughtful gesture that I wasn't expecting.

Sony devices used to have the ability to connect to Google to wirelessly download non-DRM books. When Google rolled out their DRM'ed bookstore and subsequently the Play Store concept, this partnership with Sony was broken. Sony then issued a firmware update to remove the Google links.

sharphamster · 02-13-2014, 01:24 PM

Partial success on Kobo 3.6.0 desktop sync to my Sony 350.

- All of the Kobo-purchased books transferred and the half-dozen I opened displayed fine.

- None of the samples transferred.

- None of my Kobo bookmarks transferred.

- Random new collections like 'ebook' and 'automotive' sprinkled in the mix. Metadata tags IIRC - I think I remember weeding those out of Calibre after importing.

- Collections set up with Reader Library software are intact.

- ADE 1.7 still works to transfer Overdrive epubs.

All in all, not bad. The wholesale automatic transfer of my entire account library I could have done without, and I'm hoping there's more user-control available in the future. Other than that, I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.

tomsem · 02-13-2014, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Not quite. You can read Kobo books today on your Sony reader and should still be able to if they took no action. It sounds like Sony plans to do a firmware update for newer models so that the link for on-device purchases doesn't point to a broken Sony store and connects to the Kobo store instead. It's a thoughtful gesture that I wasn't expecting.

Sony devices used to have the ability to connect to Google to wirelessly download non-DRM books. When Google rolled out their DRM'ed bookstore and subsequently the Play Store concept, this partnership with Sony was broken. Sony then issued a firmware update to remove the Google links.

I would not assume it requires a firmware update. They should be able to just redirect the sony.com address to a kobo.com one. And if you have an account outside US/Canada, that should still go to Sony.

Bookworm_Girl · 02-13-2014, 07:45 PM

Sony has an FAQ which says they are doing both a firmware update and a desktop software update. The firmware update is not for all models though.

banjobama · 02-15-2014, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalReader

The Sony bookstore is closing only in North America. See: https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answer...-closure---faq

I'm aware, I got the email..did you quote me by mistake?

Quexos · 02-15-2014, 03:14 AM

No wonder, the Japanese engine seems to be stalling. These days it is the Chinese and Koreans that lead Asia.
Sony never tried to update their e-readers with lit screens as most competitors have done in the past three years and now they stop selling books. This does not bode well for Sony.

ProfCrash · 02-15-2014, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

I'm aware, I got the email..did you quote me by mistake?

I could be wrong but I believe that the point is Sony is not closing in Europe and Asia and Africa and Australia and South America. So people outside the US and Canada do not have to worry right now. Unless they opened a US or Canada account to get around geo restrictions.

4691mls · 02-15-2014, 11:32 AM

First Sony stopped selling readers in the US, now they are closing their US and Canada bookstores - if I were in another country I'd be worried. Who knows which store they'll close next.

thomasn75 · 02-15-2014, 12:04 PM

I think Europe shops will close when contact with txtr runs out but who knows when that is. Or maybe they are making money in Europe and will continue and use tablets and phones as their statement suggests. I can't see them producing another dedicated ereader

BearMountainBooks · 02-15-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasn75

I think Europe shops will close when contact with txtr runs out but who knows when that is. Or maybe they are making money in Europe and will continue and use tablets and phones as their statement suggests. I can't see them producing another dedicated ereader

Maybe they will sell the whole thing to Kobo. They obviously worked on some sort of partnership for the US thing.

lovestoread · 02-15-2014, 02:14 PM

This is not a shock, Sony lost interest in ereaders and Reader Store was next. But I am annoyed, I have to be honest.

I have a perfectly awesome PRST1, I love it, and whenever I've had any issues, the Sony support was very good and quickly resolved whatever was needed.

My son has a KOBO, I must be honest, KOBO hasn't provided much in the way of good customer service... we find KOBO frustrating at times. There is a good selection of ebooks, their prices are right, that is not the issue - the issue is support/customer service.

So, anyone who owns a Sony ereader is pretty much on their own, they won't get much support after March 2014 from anyone... I hope KOBO are about to hire a whole bunch of new customer service/ support reps and train them in the transition - and that the transitions are simple and workable.

02-15-2014, 03:14 AM	#233
Quexos Member Retired Posts: 1,999 Karma: 11348924 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Limbo Device: none	No wonder, the Japanese engine seems to be stalling. These days it is the Chinese and Koreans that lead Asia. Sony never tried to update their e-readers with lit screens as most competitors have done in the past three years and now they stop selling books. This does not bode well for Sony. Last edited by Quexos; 02-15-2014 at 03:16 AM.

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02-13-2014, 12:36 PM	#226
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Unless I am mis-remembering, didn't Sony say that they would have to do a device firmware update at some point to get everything going?

02-13-2014, 01:24 PM	#229
sharphamster Anathema Device Posts: 283 Karma: 257456 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Sony T3/350, Kobo AuraH20/Mini, Axim X50v	Partial success on Kobo 3.6.0 desktop sync to my Sony 350. - All of the Kobo-purchased books transferred and the half-dozen I opened displayed fine. - None of the samples transferred. - None of my Kobo bookmarks transferred. - Random new collections like 'ebook' and 'automotive' sprinkled in the mix. Metadata tags IIRC - I think I remember weeding those out of Calibre after importing. - Collections set up with Reader Library software are intact. - ADE 1.7 still works to transfer Overdrive epubs. All in all, not bad. The wholesale automatic transfer of my entire account library I could have done without, and I'm hoping there's more user-control available in the future. Other than that, I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.

02-13-2014, 07:45 PM	#231
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	Sony has an FAQ which says they are doing both a firmware update and a desktop software update. The firmware update is not for all models though.

02-15-2014, 11:32 AM	#235
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	First Sony stopped selling readers in the US, now they are closing their US and Canada bookstores - if I were in another country I'd be worried. Who knows which store they'll close next.

02-15-2014, 12:04 PM	#236
thomasn75 Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1085592 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo aura h2o v2, kobo Aura, sony prs t1	I think Europe shops will close when contact with txtr runs out but who knows when that is. Or maybe they are making money in Europe and will continue and use tablets and phones as their statement suggests. I can't see them producing another dedicated ereader

02-15-2014, 02:14 PM	#238
lovestoread Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 880 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: none	This is not a shock, Sony lost interest in ereaders and Reader Store was next. But I am annoyed, I have to be honest. I have a perfectly awesome PRST1, I love it, and whenever I've had any issues, the Sony support was very good and quickly resolved whatever was needed. My son has a KOBO, I must be honest, KOBO hasn't provided much in the way of good customer service... we find KOBO frustrating at times. There is a good selection of ebooks, their prices are right, that is not the issue - the issue is support/customer service. So, anyone who owns a Sony ereader is pretty much on their own, they won't get much support after March 2014 from anyone... I hope KOBO are about to hire a whole bunch of new customer service/ support reps and train them in the transition - and that the transitions are simple and workable.

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