Adios Sony, Let's try this again

[MerLock]

Slayda just made it seem like Sony had come out and said they will no longer provide firmware updates for the 500 which I don't think they have.

From Sony point of view, it makes sense for them as a business to put more resources into updating the device that sold the most since those updates would affect a larger user base. Sony knows the sale figures of the 500 vs the 505 and prob. also assume that some of those who own 500's have upgraded to the 505.

If owners of the 500 only make up a small percentage of the readers out there, then it makes sense for Sony as a business to focus their efforts and resources on the 505. But it seems like there are still many users of the 500 out there looking for firmware updates and a lot of 505 owners who would like to see Sony provide an update for the 500 (since it gives 505 owners more confidence that Sony continues to support older products within reason).

I would think it would be more productive for 500 owners to ban together through the forums to acknowledge that they would love an update to their 500 devices and to also write Sony to let them know there is still a relatively large 500 user base out there. It would also not hurt for 505 owners to offer their own support.

Ultimately it's Sony's decision but I think it's a better and perhaps more productive way of getting your message across to Sony and other users than making a post stating your are done with Sony.

But you as a consumer also have a right to buy whatever product you want and you have ever right not to buy Sony for whatever reason you may have. Just some people may disagree with those reasons. But it's your hard earned money... you do business with whomever you want for whatever reason.

And I agree that this poll is kind of biased in my opinion.

[ghostwheel]

The Poll is definitely biased I think it was meant to be.

Sadly, Sony very often abandons their customers. Once you give them your money, they're off to get more money from other people. The most amazing recent example was their H9 camera, which came out with several bugs (for example a sports shooting mode that exposes pictures for 1/60 sec, to give a nice smear! Luckily I didn't get that camera, though I was very tempted at first), these were never fixed, and then a new camera came out. On the other hand, they've been amazing me with the PS3, coming out with updates every 2 weeks. Maybe the competition is hard... And they certainly don't distinguish between the different hardware version of the PS3 - and they are very different! Much much more different than the 505 and the 500.

Of course Sony has a right to do whatever they want (until the lawmaker decides to interfere and give consumers rights that the free market can not provide them. I think in these cases of DRM, laws will have to be made at some point.) But most of us here represent consumers, users. And we can definitely complain about Sony's actions. For now, this is the only thing that can change their mind. We have a right to complain, loudly, and they have a right to ignore us. If we don't complain, you can be sure that they won't listen.

I also absolutely don't agree that "the 500 didn't change - it still does what it promised it would". The 500, or any bookreader is useless without content. Sony promised not just the content that was at the Connect store at the time, but much new content in the future. Now that a new format is available for all Sony readers but the 500, it is very likely that many books will be available only in the new, better format (will ebooks.com convert everything also to Sony's format? Will sony offer everything that ebooks offers on their connect site?) This is how sony is abandoning the 500 - I bet there will be no more new content very soon.

But, I have to say that I personally do not buy any DRM protected content from Sony anyway. I only buy books that I'll be able to read on any future reader I own. I simply do not trust Sony to allow me to transfer content to whatever reader is available in 10 years. Has sony earned my trust? In no way! So, I have to say that I don't really care, Sony. You lost me some time ago. On DRM you really have to trust the company you buy from...

[grimo1re]

The option: "I'm happy with my PRS500" now but who knows what I'll buy in a couple of years" ? is missing!

[swar235]

The 505 is my first Ereader and I'm exceptionally happy with it. I've seen several puzzling complaints posted on this site but this one puzzles me the most. My cell phone needs updating every 1 to 2 years. My car was obsolete the moment I drove it off the lot and I've replaced my television, computer, printer and other electronic devices on a failrly regular schedule. Always based on the fact that didgital technology has a half-life of about 3 minutes.

This is nothing new so I guess I'm surprised as anyone willing to enter the Ebook market is probably a pretty technologically savvy individual. This being the case, how could you expect your Ereader to be exempt from the technological trends evident all around us?

And that is all I have to say about that.

PS. This is my first post to this site so be gentle.

[pilotbob]

I think there has been a bit of a call latley for Sony to "fix" some "issues" on the PRS-500.

As a software developer I have faced this issue quite a bit with customers. What is a "bug" and what is not. Well, to most software developers a "bug" is when the system is not working as it was designed to work. Sometimes the design is flawed or it doesn't meet a users needs or expectations. But, that doesn't make it a "bug".

So, the fact that the .rtf reader on the Sony doesn't include/support pictures and the TOC links don't work.... well, that may have never been part of the design for the viewer, but alot of users expect those things to work. So, they start saying that Sony doesn't support their customers. Ok. I won't deny that the .rtf viewer doesn't meet some peoples expectations, but in Sony's eyes it may be working as designed. Sure, they said it would "view" rtf files.

Many times the way we deal with this stuff is that we improve our message about the limitations that we never even considered because it wasn't on our radar... but we can understand how customers see it as so.

I work on a Payroll application. We had one customer explain to us that when she entered an employee's time card incorrectly the system did not pay the employee the correct amount. "When are you going to fix that?", she asked. My jaw hit the floor!

BOb

[bobbarkerissatan]

Originally Posted by fdp

Alright, I'm listening to the people who are arguing that the PRS500 is an outdated ...

Thank you for finally posting some evidence. Now can we stop bringing up the "PRS500 has inferior hardware to the PRS505" argument?

[zechs]

When I bought the PRS-500 I bought it because of the purported PDF support. The Add was very misleading. You can hardly read any pdf document with the PRS-500. I did not say anything or complain much thinking that surely sony must realize this error and will correct it with a software upgrade.

I am very much disappointed by sony's decision not to do a software upgrade for the PRS-500.

[sianon]

I bought a Sony 500 at the beginning of 2007. My choice at that time was between the Sony and Illiad. The deciding factor at the time was that I could convert some Microsoft reader files to work on the Sony (I reside in a country where format shifting is legal). The sony worked as promised, yes reading PDF was painful and very limited. I then upgraded to the Illiad 14 months ago given the implementation of the mobipocket format and the availability of e-books in that format. I was pleasantly surprised with the readability of PDF and delighted with the infinite size adjustment of font size for mobipocket.
More recently I destroyed the screen of my Illiad and am now back to using my old Sony. Apart from the painful process of going back and converting books and regathering my library I am pleased with the battery life of the Sony. I am also pleased that I can go to sleep whilst reading and know that the Sony will turn off (or go into sleep mode) after a short time and preserve battery life.
I am in no way upset by Sony not delivering the update as per 505. Yes this would have been nice, but I do not expect software upgrades for any device I might buy. The 500 will do me for the next 6 to 12 months (I have that much reading material available) then I will look at what is available and choose whatever system best suits my needs.
As an aside, I have considered the Cybook but to buy it here in Australia, we are expected to pay for it in EUROS which makes it extremely expensive as opposed to the conversion rate from US dollars.

[Tattncat]

Originally Posted by fdp

Having feelings quite similar to Betty and many of those who posted in response to her, but not wanting to have to embed my message in the middle of a back and forth about televisions, I am going to try this again.

Some people feel that what is being done to the PRS500 is unfair (in the interest of disclosure I am one of them). They were 1st generation adopters, and there always is a level of risk to that, but at the same time many of these people were the core believers in e-books, e-ink in particular, and in the ideas that are now proliferating into the wide variety of products found in these forums. They, we, constitute a valuable consumer block in the area of portable reading devices.

Sony created a very good product in the reader, but at the same time did not come through with decent software for users to get materials onto the reader in formats other than the proprietary Sony BB-bs. In particular proper pdf reflow support has been a necessary but lacking function since the inception of the device. For me at least, this has been a primary frustration with an otherwise enjoyable device, and has been the main factor in keeping me from buying another Sony reader.

The truth is that I did expect software and firmware updates that would allow the reader to overcome some of it's deficiencies and honestly the software ones wouldn't have been that hard (in particular a browser plugin akin to the fully working but Japanese-only one available for the Librie). The reader didn't replace print-outs for me, as most of the articles I read are published in PDF format and not made to fit onto a tiny page. I can't use it for work or school, and I'm not saving paper. Seeing an update finally come out that supports more formats and pdf reflow, and then realizing that it doesn't support the PRS500 is more than disappointing. Most PRS500's are probably only 1/3 to 1/2 way into their potential operational life span, maybe less if the batteries are replaced at some point. What we have here is a case of a product being made obsolete by a software update.

Now I understand that Sony has to make money, they have to sell the new model. I'm sure others, like myself, are already looking around for a replacement device/upgrade for the PRS500's they bought at launch. I've been waiting for an excuse to give my reader to a family member for some time. Here's the thing, I have, whether or not you agree with my feelings or the reasons for them, lost faith in the product line. Years of stagnation with little to no progress on the software front led me close to it, and now it has happened. I can't see buying another Sony reader product if they go through with this move. I don't personally like the Kindle, or anything else out there, but I can wait.

So, add me to the angry customer list, and if you feel the same, add yourself too.

Hey, I like my 505! I am enjoing the software updates and by using Adobe's program & Calibre, I'm not having many problems finding the books I choose. Currently I have downloaded 717 books and am still looking.

[Roy White]

To answer the original question posted... How happy are 500 owners with their 500? I love mine. Sure it doesn't have some features that would be nice to have like a dictionary, or ability to buy a book instantly and online without a computer like the 'kindle, but what I bought it for, is TO READ STUFF! And it does that PERFECTLY! Since I discovered this site and all the Saints presenting thousands of Public Domain books for free in a format the 500 deals with PERFECTLY. Id have to say I'm extremely happy with my reader and if it takes 10 years before it breaks or quits working I know I will continue to be happy with it because ALL I want to do with it... IS READ STUFF! When it finally breaks I will take a look around and make my choice to buy another based on whats available and if Sony has the best option at that point I'lll buy it.

Roy

[morissen3k8]

Is there a petition going out to sony with a list of requests? Maybe if large numbers knocked on Sony's corporate doors they may listen and issue updates. Some manufacturers are receptive when they hear a lot of people complaining to them or to their ebook reader divison. Until they sure don't whats going on...

[RWood]

I have a 500 and am very happy with it. It does everything that Sony promised it would do. It is dependable. The operating system is stable. There is a great library of free downloadable ebooks (from MobileRead and others) that I love, 3rd parties have made books available in the LRF format (Steve Jordan Books and Fictionwise to name two), and there are support tools (calibre and BookDesigner to name two) that allow me to convert my own content to the Sony.

Sure there are new features that some would like to have in their readers. If I want some of these features I will need to buy a new reader. It is a lot like my DVD player, if I want HD, I need to buy a new player.

[VP_]

I have a 500 and happy with it., would be great if Sony make some PRS-ACL2 Light Cover for it at least...

[kacir]

I have voted for #4, but it is ONLY because there was not an option saying:
- I did not really expect Sony to make update for PRS500 to provide functionality that is far beyond what they promised and delivered.

If there was some serious bug present, I think we would be entitled to a free firmware update.
a month ago in a thread speculating about the next update I wrote:
....
I tell you why there are no firmware updates. The reason is simple. Very simple. The Reader JUST WORKS (Tm).
I know, I know ...
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=18

I have voted for option #4, but I do not plan to purchase another Sony device.
- I am satisfied with PRS500 for now, and I will very likely use it for quite a long time before buying new one
- If I buy a new device I will looking at the price/performance ratio and also at the accessibility of the device in my country. If something catastrophic happened to my Reader at the moment I would probably purchase Hanlin V3 from Czech republic www.jinke.cz

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Roy White

To answer the original question posted... How happy are 500 owners with their 500? I love mine. Sure it doesn't have some features that would be nice to have like a dictionary, or ability to buy a book instantly and online without a computer like the 'kindle, but what I bought it for, is TO READ STUFF! And it does that PERFECTLY! Since I discovered this site and all the Saints presenting thousands of Public Domain books for free in a format the 500 deals with PERFECTLY. Id have to say I'm extremely happy with my reader and if it takes 10 years before it breaks or quits working I know I will continue to be happy with it because ALL I want to do with it... IS READ STUFF! When it finally breaks I will take a look around and make my choice to buy another based on whats available and if Sony has the best option at that point I'lll buy it.

Roy

Amen!
I did not know I had a secret brother out there ;-)

Also, do not forget all the
BAEN stuff,
Tor books,
and other numerous free ebooks popping out faster than I can manage to read them.

By the way...
I just my CMAS* licence