Why Sony discountinued PRS-x50 line? - Page 5

Ripplinger · 09-30-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Who need "pocketability" though? Some of us carry purses, you know.

Me for one, and I'm sure there are others. I absolutely hate having to carry a purse and only use a small one in the summer when it's too hot to wear even a light vest with pockets. And the 650 would be too large to fit into that small purse.

prsita · 09-30-2011, 12:30 PM

J think that the commercial policy of the Sony is terrible, abandoning the PRS 50 line, after less than 10 months, without an explanation and, moreover, without any update of the system.

The PRS 50 devices where overpriced but people bought them confiding in the brand.

Now they offer a single model almost half price, with WiFi and better bacteries, because they made a big error in fixing the price, without excusing them and charging all the consequences only on the back of those who trusted Sony.

After this experience, I will not buy any more Sony. Luckily there are other options (like the new Kindle Touch, that j consider better).

jersysman · 09-30-2011, 03:38 PM

As I new buyer of a Sony eReader (coming over from the Nook), I can't see how Sony could compete in the eReader marketplace at that price point. Sony learned a hard lesson back in 70s and 80s when it had the superior product in the Betamax, but were forced out of the market by the lower priced and mass-produced VHS machines. I think they saw the same handwriting on the wall and is trying to stay in the eReader game. There are not enough consumers out there who will pay a premium for anything, especially in this market where there are numerous entries in the $100 - $150 price range. The average consumer is not willing to pay a premium of over $100 for the same machine that one of your major competitors just released for $99. While I think they could have come out with other iterations of the device (3g model is being released in Japan), I think they are viewing the T1 as their best shot to remain viable in the market.

Ashjuk · 10-01-2011, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jersysman

As I new buyer of a Sony eReader (coming over from the Nook), I can't see how Sony could compete in the eReader marketplace at that price point. Sony learned a hard lesson back in 70s and 80s when it had the superior product in the Betamax, but were forced out of the market by the lower priced and mass-produced VHS machines. I think they saw the same handwriting on the wall and is trying to stay in the eReader game. There are not enough consumers out there who will pay a premium for anything, especially in this market where there are numerous entries in the $100 - $150 price range. The average consumer is not willing to pay a premium of over $100 for the same machine that one of your major competitors just released for $99. While I think they could have come out with other iterations of the device (3g model is being released in Japan), I think they are viewing the T1 as their best shot to remain viable in the market.

I think you will find the reason why Sony lost out in the Betamax/VHS war is that the majority of the major film studios signed up for VHS, which left Sony without any significant source of material.

But I'm glad that when it came to the BluRay/HD DVD war Sony stuck to its guns and this time won through. Admittedly it helped to have the backing of other players in the market.

jersysman · 10-01-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashjuk

I think you will find the reason why Sony lost out in the Betamax/VHS war is that the majority of the major film studios signed up for VHS, which left Sony without any significant source of material.

But I'm glad that when it came to the BluRay/HD DVD war Sony stuck to its guns and this time won through. Admittedly it helped to have the backing of other players in the market.

The BluRay also was competively priced with the HD DVD. In the end, with the average consumer, it mostly always comes down to price.

ScalyFreak · 10-01-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashjuk

I think you will find the reason why Sony lost out in the Betamax/VHS war is that the majority of the major film studios signed up for VHS, which left Sony without any significant source of material.

...including the ones producing adult movies, if I remember right. And that is a very big and lucrative industry.

elcreative · 10-01-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prsita

J think that the commercial policy of the Sony is terrible, abandoning the PRS 50 line, after less than 10 months, without an explanation and, moreover, without any update of the system.

The PRS 50 devices where overpriced but people bought them confiding in the brand.

Now they offer a single model almost half price, with WiFi and better bacteries, because they made a big error in fixing the price, without excusing them and charging all the consequences only on the back of those who trusted Sony.

After this experience, I will not buy any more Sony. Luckily there are other options (like the new Kindle Touch, that j consider better).

So what's the problem, you've had the use of your reader since you bought it and it hasn't suddenly stopped working... there's a new one out... doesn't mean that you have to toss your current one and go get... I'm still happily using a 505 as well as later models and just thing, "Sony's got a new model, wow not" just as I think, "Amazon's got Kindles" and they've probably git a cure for that now... I got an eReader to read books, a new one doesn't affect my ability to read books on my eReader and there's nothing compelling about the new stuff, no new wonder screen so...

Ashjuk · 10-02-2011, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

...including the ones producing adult movies, if I remember right. And that is a very big and lucrative industry.

Probably why most people bough a VCR in the first place if the truth be known.

But not me. I bought mine to record the Live Aid concert in 1985 if any of you are old enough to remember that.

ScalyFreak · 10-02-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashjuk

But not me. I bought mine to record the Live Aid concert in 1985 if any of you are old enough to remember that.

Sing along now everybody... "we are the wooooorld!"

Ashjuk · 10-02-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Sing along now everybody... "we are the wooooorld!"

And I can even remember Woodstock, which really does make me feel old...

Pinecone · 10-05-2011, 01:01 PM

VHS was also licensed across several manufacturers.

09-30-2011, 12:30 PM	#62
prsita Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 103792 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: PRS 650	J think that the commercial policy of the Sony is terrible, abandoning the PRS 50 line, after less than 10 months, without an explanation and, moreover, without any update of the system. The PRS 50 devices where overpriced but people bought them confiding in the brand. Now they offer a single model almost half price, with WiFi and better bacteries, because they made a big error in fixing the price, without excusing them and charging all the consequences only on the back of those who trusted Sony. After this experience, I will not buy any more Sony. Luckily there are other options (like the new Kindle Touch, that j consider better). Last edited by prsita; 09-30-2011 at 12:33 PM.

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09-30-2011, 03:38 PM	#63
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	As I new buyer of a Sony eReader (coming over from the Nook), I can't see how Sony could compete in the eReader marketplace at that price point. Sony learned a hard lesson back in 70s and 80s when it had the superior product in the Betamax, but were forced out of the market by the lower priced and mass-produced VHS machines. I think they saw the same handwriting on the wall and is trying to stay in the eReader game. There are not enough consumers out there who will pay a premium for anything, especially in this market where there are numerous entries in the $100 - $150 price range. The average consumer is not willing to pay a premium of over $100 for the same machine that one of your major competitors just released for $99. While I think they could have come out with other iterations of the device (3g model is being released in Japan), I think they are viewing the T1 as their best shot to remain viable in the market.

10-05-2011, 01:01 PM	#71
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	VHS was also licensed across several manufacturers.

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