It's October 1st. Soooo, what's the news? - Page 5

Zevs · 10-02-2008, 01:30 PM

Yeeee.... you guys are really bent on new gadgets! I'm a gadget freak myself, but I think the 505 works fantastically well as it is.....

Valloric · 10-02-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zevs

Yeeee.... you guys are really bent on new gadgets! I'm a gadget freak myself, but I think the 505 works fantastically well as it is.....

It works well, sure. Great, even. But an updated version with WiFi? I'm sold.

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

Can anyone see what he's doing well enough to be sure he's reading a 505?

I'm pretty sure it is a 505 -- if it's not, it's a very close lookalike.

Zevs · 10-02-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valloric

It works well, sure. Great, even. But an updated version with WiFi? I'm sold.

Yehh .. but how often do you want to buy books on the road .... and if you travel outside the US it won't work anyway.... For me more content would be the best news ... but I don't really have any problems with getting books enough as it is

What I need is a fast reading course

Zevs

athlonkmf · 10-02-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I'm pretty sure it is a 505 -- if it's not, it's a very close lookalike.

it'd be fun if his screen suddenly turns into colored pages at 18:00 :P

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 01:56 PM

That would be cool, even if the timing would be pretty tough to pull off.

vivaldirules · 10-02-2008, 01:57 PM

Wait a minute, now. Are we sure the Reader he has isn't a new A4 or 8-1/2 x 11" version? I mean, his hands just might be really big and so it's hard to tell for sure.

PsyDocJoanne · 10-02-2008, 01:58 PM

I'll get in on the betting action...

I'm betting it's not an updated reader. With the recent UK launch, the recent firmware update, and the new Target displays for the 505, I just don't think Sony would spend that amount to promote the 505 with something new right on the horizon.

I'm also betting it's not a relaunch/redesign of the bookstore. I'm with vivaldirules...too much fanfare for just a bookstore update.

So what do I think it is? Maybe a wireless add-on for the 505? Or perhaps an announcement of partnering with major textbook publishers, newspaper publishers, or the like?

JeFurry · 10-02-2008, 02:06 PM

Going a bit off the rails here (but this is my first post after a lot of reading, so I'm allowed)... but if we're looking for something that could shake up the eBook industry, perhaps we need to think of something a bit further out.

How about a new store where one could purchase eBooks as usual (but hopefully with major content partnerships), but also where aspiring (and professional) writers can upload their own eBooks for others to download? Much like they can in the forums here, but with an iTunes-like store, perhaps for money, optional DRM, and probably exclusive to Sony's Reader? Where writers don't need advance contracts, and the audience can tag, rate and review the books while the store will maintain charts and aggregate reviews? Sony could even partner with a publisher and offer editorial services or print book contracts to successful ones. It could be something like a cross between Authonomy.com and Apple's iTunes App Store. Just like that store, there'd be an awful lot of crap, but that would sink in the ratings in no time, and the gems would float to the top.

Since one of the greatest advantages of eBooks is the comparatively cheap reproduction and distribution, why not take advantage of that to completely undermine the traditional publication method with something like this that the traditional method simply can't achieve? It would also greatly boost the amount of eBook content, and shouldn't cost a massive amount. It could even tie in with National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org, but site currently in difficulties) in November.

Just an off-the-wall thought - it could use polish, and I haven't thought it through fully, but I think it's an exciting idea. I don't have any inside information, this is pure speculation.

-Jef.

Valloric · 10-02-2008, 02:23 PM

Since we're betting, an I'm a betting man (not really), I'm going to go with... Amazon partnership! Fat chance, I know...

But like PsyDocJoanne, I think a new device is unlikely... I just don't see it, what with all the latest pushing of the PRS-505. And the Amazon deal would be huge, and more than ample reason for a big show and announcement.

Then again, there really wouldn't be a big upside for Amazon in all this... bottom line, I don't have a clue. We'll wait 4 hours and then we'll see.

Imagine all this talk and hype for days now, and Sony introduces something truly lame? Man would that piss me off...

PsyDocJoanne · 10-02-2008, 02:41 PM

Valloric,

I very nearly said that myself! I asked myself what would be worthy of all this hoopla...and that's what came to my mind. But, like you, I don't see what Amazon would stand to gain. They clearly don't have any interest (at this point) in distributing ebooks to anyone but Kindle owners...and if they partnered with Sony and made .azw content available as .lrf, Jeff Bezos would (I think) be kissing a lot of Kindle owners goodbye, since it seems one of the main Kindle vs. Sony arguments is content availability. Of course I'm biased, but with the same content available, who would choose a Kindle over a Sony? (and go easy on me, Kindle owners, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers--it's just my opinion

)

As the day goes on, I'm more and more convinced it's going to be a letdown in one way or another....I hope Sony proves me wrong!

Zevs · 10-02-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDocJoanne

As the day goes on, I'm more and more convinced it's going to be a letdown in one way or another....I hope Sony proves me wrong!

Yeee.. who are the people building the hype and hystery about all of this, surely not Sony .... perhaps we could take some of the blame on us for building this up to a huge mountain of expectations ...?''

Zevs

vivaldirules · 10-02-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zevs

Yeee.. who are the people building the hype and hystery about all of this, surely not Sony .... perhaps we could take some of the blame on us for building this up to a huge mountain of expectations ...?''

Zevs

You got that right.

PsyDocJoanne · 10-02-2008, 02:57 PM

Well, to be fair, Sony has built up a lot of hype for this...they've got their dude reading in the window, they've had splash advertising on the website for a while now, and while no one has leaked anything substantive yet, Sony did make sure all the major news outlets knew an announcement was coming.

And yes, I think we've been building the hype here as well, but it was Sony that got the ball rolling....

grooks · 10-02-2008, 02:58 PM

I'm betting it will be a new device. Not one that will replace the 505 but something along the lines of a 9.7" to be released by Astak and PlasticLogic.

I also think there will be a new bookstore partnership (maybe Amazon) and possibly a more concentrated shift to ePub.

10-02-2008, 02:06 PM	#69
JeFurry Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Device: iPad, Sony PRS-505	And now for something... a little bit different. Going a bit off the rails here (but this is my first post after a lot of reading, so I'm allowed)... but if we're looking for something that could shake up the eBook industry, perhaps we need to think of something a bit further out. How about a new store where one could purchase eBooks as usual (but hopefully with major content partnerships), but also where aspiring (and professional) writers can upload their own eBooks for others to download? Much like they can in the forums here, but with an iTunes-like store, perhaps for money, optional DRM, and probably exclusive to Sony's Reader? Where writers don't need advance contracts, and the audience can tag, rate and review the books while the store will maintain charts and aggregate reviews? Sony could even partner with a publisher and offer editorial services or print book contracts to successful ones. It could be something like a cross between Authonomy.com and Apple's iTunes App Store. Just like that store, there'd be an awful lot of crap, but that would sink in the ratings in no time, and the gems would float to the top. Since one of the greatest advantages of eBooks is the comparatively cheap reproduction and distribution, why not take advantage of that to completely undermine the traditional publication method with something like this that the traditional method simply can't achieve? It would also greatly boost the amount of eBook content, and shouldn't cost a massive amount. It could even tie in with National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org, but site currently in difficulties) in November. Just an off-the-wall thought - it could use polish, and I haven't thought it through fully, but I think it's an exciting idea. I don't have any inside information, this is pure speculation. -Jef.

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10-02-2008, 01:30 PM	#61
Zevs Book lover!! Posts: 133 Karma: 182 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Sony Reader 505; Nowadays Stanza, Kindle, Txtr and Bluefire on iPhone	Yeeee.... you guys are really bent on new gadgets! I'm a gadget freak myself, but I think the 505 works fantastically well as it is.....

10-02-2008, 01:56 PM	#66
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	That would be cool, even if the timing would be pretty tough to pull off.

10-02-2008, 01:57 PM	#67
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	Wait a minute, now. Are we sure the Reader he has isn't a new A4 or 8-1/2 x 11" version? I mean, his hands just might be really big and so it's hard to tell for sure.

10-02-2008, 01:58 PM	#68
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	I'll get in on the betting action... I'm betting it's not an updated reader. With the recent UK launch, the recent firmware update, and the new Target displays for the 505, I just don't think Sony would spend that amount to promote the 505 with something new right on the horizon. I'm also betting it's not a relaunch/redesign of the bookstore. I'm with vivaldirules...too much fanfare for just a bookstore update. So what do I think it is? Maybe a wireless add-on for the 505? Or perhaps an announcement of partnering with major textbook publishers, newspaper publishers, or the like?

10-02-2008, 02:23 PM	#70
Valloric Created Sigil, FlightCrew Posts: 1,982 Karma: 350515 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Since we're betting, an I'm a betting man (not really), I'm going to go with... Amazon partnership! Fat chance, I know... But like PsyDocJoanne, I think a new device is unlikely... I just don't see it, what with all the latest pushing of the PRS-505. And the Amazon deal would be huge, and more than ample reason for a big show and announcement. Then again, there really wouldn't be a big upside for Amazon in all this... bottom line, I don't have a clue. We'll wait 4 hours and then we'll see. Imagine all this talk and hype for days now, and Sony introduces something truly lame? Man would that piss me off...

10-02-2008, 02:41 PM	#71
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	Valloric, I very nearly said that myself! I asked myself what would be worthy of all this hoopla...and that's what came to my mind. But, like you, I don't see what Amazon would stand to gain. They clearly don't have any interest (at this point) in distributing ebooks to anyone but Kindle owners...and if they partnered with Sony and made .azw content available as .lrf, Jeff Bezos would (I think) be kissing a lot of Kindle owners goodbye, since it seems one of the main Kindle vs. Sony arguments is content availability. Of course I'm biased, but with the same content available, who would choose a Kindle over a Sony? (and go easy on me, Kindle owners, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers--it's just my opinion ) As the day goes on, I'm more and more convinced it's going to be a letdown in one way or another....I hope Sony proves me wrong!

10-02-2008, 02:57 PM	#74
PsyDocJoanne Loves her 505 and her Z4! Posts: 157 Karma: 631 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weston, FL Device: Sony PRS-505	Well, to be fair, Sony has built up a lot of hype for this...they've got their dude reading in the window, they've had splash advertising on the website for a while now, and while no one has leaked anything substantive yet, Sony did make sure all the major news outlets knew an announcement was coming. And yes, I think we've been building the hype here as well, but it was Sony that got the ball rolling....

10-02-2008, 02:58 PM	#75
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I'm betting it will be a new device. Not one that will replace the 505 but something along the lines of a 9.7" to be released by Astak and PlasticLogic. I also think there will be a new bookstore partnership (maybe Amazon) and possibly a more concentrated shift to ePub.

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