Sony e-books division survives Connect cull

[NatCh]

That might be an extremely clever play. I think I'd like to see that play out. Yes I think I'd like to see that a lot.

[BobVA]

Originally Posted by gabcarac

I think you are right. If this gets confirmed, I think Connect could have been a way to prove that the concept works, to then open up to other players who can concentrate on content. Fingers crossed this is explanation.

Same here - I'd be delighted to get my books delivered by Amazon or Border's and let Sony do what it does best, hardware. They seem to be doing OK selling TV's and DVD players that play non-Sony movies and programming.

Fingers crossed,
Bob

[NatCh]

Amazon is probably a long-shot, since it owns Mobipocket now. But I'd like to see an Amazon/Borders e-book face off. That'd ROCK!

[flyinggeek]

Sounds to me like the beginning of the Rocketbook store all over again. First they plug support from the content store, then they have no more new releases, suddenly it is only available for registered users who still have content from there and then it slowly dies... Let's hope I'm wrong. I love my reader and would hate it if it would go the way of my Rocketbook (i.e. I can still use it, but general support is all but dead).

As for Amazon & other supporting the reader: Is there any sign for this happening? BOL supported the Rocketbook once but withdrew from that market as well...

Christian

[dhbailey]

What is the news about the Connect Store being phased out? What did I miss?

[HarryT]

The Connect MUSIC store - not the eBooks one .

[RSaunders]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

{snip} They need to concentrate on hardware, and now that the device is out, and LRF is a format to reckon with, they can get busy spreading LRF to Amazon, Borders, etc... they should be interested in Sony's hardware base, especially if the readers are selling well.

I think that's a pretty likely outcome. I've emailed the people at most online book sellers and asked them why they don't sell LRF books, particularly when they sell many other DRM formats. The answer, from the half that answers, is "Sony doesn't license their format to other ebook retailers" not "We don't need Reader users as customers."

I suspect CONNECT is still around for ebooks only as long as it takes to get 3-4 DRM ebook retailers to license the format. That way Sony can be supportive of us, in hopes of selling more hardware, without having to put any real energy into content.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by RSaunders

I've emailed the people at most online book sellers and asked them why they don't sell LRF books, particularly when they sell many other DRM formats.

Note that "LRF" is the file extension for DRM-free books, such as those we create ourselves. Books with DRM have an extension of "LRX".

The name for the actual format, which includes both "LRF" and "LRX", is "BBeB".

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Amazon is probably a long-shot, since it owns Mobipocket now. But I'd like to see an Amazon/Borders e-book face off. That'd ROCK!

I don't know about that... Mobi is a good e-book format for non-dedicated readers, and Sony is for dedicated readers, so they can expect to increase overall sales without hurting Mobi.

Amazon has shown its willingness to take risks and compete in others' markets. It also rarely turns down a source of revenue. And if it sees the Sony Reader as a viable source of sales, why wouldn't they use it?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Note that "LRF" is the file extension for DRM-free books, such as those we create ourselves. Books with DRM have an extension of "LRX".

The name for the actual format, which includes both "LRF" and "LRX", is "BBeB".

Noted... although I believe I speak for everyone here that we'd like to forget about LRX...

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I don't know about that... Mobi is a good e-book format for non-dedicated readers, and Sony is for dedicated readers, so they can expect to increase overall sales without hurting Mobi.

Amazon has shown its willingness to take risks and compete in others' markets. It also rarely turns down a source of revenue. And if it sees the Sony Reader as a viable source of sales, why wouldn't they use it?

Good points, Steve.

I suppose it'll come down to just how exclusive they want to be with their new Kindle. (I ran across a rumor somewhere recently that it's the software that is holding up the Kindle, but who knows with such rumors?) I guess it also depends on what sort of model they're planning on following with it. If it's some sort of subscription model (as has also been rumored) where the hardware is subsidized, they may be more reluctant to allow others into their sandbox. If they just plan to sell e-books and also sell hardware, then I can see them being more inclusive. They did drop all e-book formats except Mobi when they bought that company, but enough time has passed that whatever reasons motivated that move may no longer apply.

Whatever happens, it should be very interesting to watch.

[wgrimm]

Originally Posted by flyinggeek

Sounds to me like the beginning of the Rocketbook store all over again. First they plug support from the content store, then they have no more new releases, suddenly it is only available for registered users who still have content from there and then it slowly dies... Let's hope I'm wrong. I love my reader and would hate it if it would go the way of my Rocketbook (i.e. I can still use it, but general support is all but dead).

Christian

I believe that I predicted this prior to the release of the Reader, and compared Sony's Connect bookstore to Gemstar's effort. Sony's people don't understand ebooks and ebook reader buyers, and greed clouded their vision. I have no sympathy for them- the history of the Gemstar effort was there for all to learn from.

I for one am extremely tired of the whole mess with "ebooks." The only place I have been buying from online (for years) is ereader, and only when there are deals. In general, ebook pricing is ridiculous, and since I read alot, I think companies like Sony and the book publishers are trying to take advantage of me. Here's an example- I spent almost $70 at Borders last month for Singh's 'Mac OS X Internals'. Would be nice to have it in an e-readable format. Guess what- if I want this in pdf, I shell out another 50 bucks or so.

Yeah, publishers- DRM your products, overcharge me, make limited selections available and expect me to pay twice for the same property in an electronic format, and I will be SURE to fill your coffers with cash from my wallet.....

Even without seeing Amazon's detailed plans for the Kindle- just having dealt with them on $300 worth of .lit files when they played with M$- I can predict failure there too.

[igorsk]

I for one am extremely tired of the whole mess with "ebooks." The only place I have been buying from online (for years) is ereader, and only when there are deals. In general, ebook pricing is ridiculous, and since I read alot, I think companies like Sony and the book publishers are trying to take advantage of me. Here's an example- I spent almost $70 at Borders last month for Singh's 'Mac OS X Internals'. Would be nice to have it in an e-readable format. Guess what- if I want this in pdf, I shell out another 50 bucks or so.

That's why we all Baen.

[UncleDuke]

i used my creadit and never looked back

[JAcheson]

It's surprising to me that only 20 people were being let go.

I would have expected a fairly large staff being needed to run an online music store. Though, maybe it's just that only 20 people were involved in the North American side of the business.