Sony's competitive future with Kindle - Page 6

Latinandgreek · 04-30-2011, 09:35 PM

I have two Sony e-book readers, and I love them. Their build quality is excellent, and I would not hesitate to buy further upgrades to the line. I recommend them to people on a regular basis, and I have "converted" a few. I lucked out on the price for my PRS-350 ($129), but I paid around $300 for my 505, and I never regretted a penny spent on that device.

cybmole · 05-03-2011, 01:38 PM

i switched from kindle to sony after realising that epub is a far superior format to .mobi. it allows for various neat stylistic layout features that Kindle / mobi cannot & will not ever be able to do.
Plus the sony is better for reading in bed - it lies more flat, maybe due to its metal case, and having touch screen for page flips & word look ups is so much better than kindle buttons.
I do miss the 5 way navigation of Kindle though - 1 press to skip forward / back a chapter on K whereas . on sony it's at least 5 moves - options - go to .. select toc menu , select chapter you want...

Kindle also has more format options - regular, condensed... and a range of line spacing options, but once I got used to Sony's fonts I was OK with not having that.

Kindle has proper portrait or landscape reading options. flip an epub to landscape orientation on the Sony & big chunks of text go walkabout - that's a shocking bug or feature!

Poppaea · 05-03-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybmole

i switched from kindle to sony after realising that epub is a far superior format to .mobi. it allows for various neat stylistic layout features that Kindle / mobi cannot & will not ever be able to do.
Plus the sony is better for reading in bed - it lies more flat, maybe due to its metal case, and having touch screen for page flips & word look ups is so much better than kindle buttons.
I do miss the 5 way navigation of Kindle though - 1 press to skip forward / back a chapter on K whereas . on sony it's at least 5 moves - options - go to .. select toc menu , select chapter you want...

Kindle also has more format options - regular, condensed... and a range of line spacing options, but once I got used to Sony's fonts I was OK with not having that.

Kindle has proper portrait or landscape reading options. flip an epub to landscape orientation on the Sony & big chunks of text go walkabout - that's a shocking bug or feature!

Sounds as if you liked your Kindle better...

cybmole · 05-03-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppaea

Sounds as if you liked your Kindle better...

no - the better for bed time reading + epub format support wins out over the 5 way navigation & other features. Kindle has been gathering dust since I go the sony.

But if ever a device combining best feature of both his the streets I'd be 1st in queue!

Pomtroll · 05-03-2011, 03:33 PM

Yes it would be nice if there ever was a reader that combined the best features of all readers.

Harmon · 05-04-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pomtroll

Yes it would be nice if there ever was a reader that combined the best features of all readers.

Isn't this where Apple steps in & steals all the best ideas, combines them into a top notch product & walks off with a nice chunk of market share?

(Hey Steve! You listening? oh...I see... Well, I wish you would...)

AlbertaCowboy · 05-05-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I have two Sony e-book readers, and I love them. Their build quality is excellent, and I would not hesitate to buy further upgrades to the line. I recommend them to people on a regular basis, and I have "converted" a few. I lucked out on the price for my PRS-350 ($129), but I paid around $300 for my 505, and I never regretted a penny spent on that device.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have spent close to a grand on ebook readers for myself & my wife, as well as for gifting. I will certainly buy Sony as long as they are made. God, I hope they don't scrap the e-ink readers in favour of tablets. I'd hate to have to keep my 650 for a few more years without upgrading

Leyor · 05-06-2011, 10:10 AM

Sony makes wonderful products, unfortunately niche products has always been a bit of an achilles heel for Sony.

Their sales strategies for such products are oddly disjointed, usually relying on their central website to provide most of the sales. Witnessed by the fact that other e-book readers are so readily available where people buy them, and Sony's are absent.

It's always odd when people want to spend their money on Sony readers, but Sony isn't letting them, by not ensuring a wide availability in brick and stones stores where people buy this kind of electronics. In many other countries, only one of the models are even available.

It's a shame since the product is of good build quality, has an appealing design and functions with a very high usability that makes it appealing to a larger demographic than some of the other e-book readers available.

It just doesn't look like this is something thats important enough for Sony to keep on top of, they made a great product, and sort of left the ball there.

hols57 · 05-08-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leyor

Sony makes wonderful products, unfortunately niche products has always been a bit of an achilles heel for Sony.

Their sales strategies for such products are oddly disjointed, usually relying on their central website to provide most of the sales. Witnessed by the fact that other e-book readers are so readily available where people buy them, and Sony's are absent.

It's always odd when people want to spend their money on Sony readers, but Sony isn't letting them, by not ensuring a wide availability in brick and stones stores where people buy this kind of electronics. In many other countries, only one of the models are even available.

It's a shame since the product is of good build quality, has an appealing design and functions with a very high usability that makes it appealing to a larger demographic than some of the other e-book readers available.

It just doesn't look like this is something thats important enough for Sony to keep on top of, they made a great product, and sort of left the ball there.

I agree! My particular beef with Sony is that they make fine products, but then let it slide when it comes to content. So in the UK you can't really use the Sony store for ebooks, you have to go to Waterstone's or WH Smith. The Sony store is almost an afterthought. I had the same problem with the early version of the PSP - nice item, lousy content, so I sold it and got a Nintendo instead.

elcreative · 05-08-2011, 02:57 PM

There's a good reason why you have to use Waterstones... it is/was the original Sony Store UK with W H Smiths useable... Sony Store is a US outlet for US release books... this means that it's NOT for UK use (i know you can get around this), Waterstones is for UK release books! Want to blame someone then try the publishers/agents and authors who have publishing agreements related to geographical areas... hardly Sony's fault in this case...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hols57

I agree! My particular beef with Sony is that they make fine products, but then let it slide when it comes to content. So in the UK you can't really use the Sony store for ebooks, you have to go to Waterstone's or WH Smith. The Sony store is almost an afterthought. I had the same problem with the early version of the PSP - nice item, lousy content, so I sold it and got a Nintendo instead.

Poppaea · 05-08-2011, 03:37 PM

Not to mention that brick and mortar moaning. Here in Germany they are sold in absolutly every bigger bookstore and in the two biggest chains selling media equipment. There are literary thousends of stores selling Sonys (if there is supply, which since Christmas has been scarce).

Leyor · 05-08-2011, 08:48 PM

Couldn't help commenting on the following:

1. Regarding the Sony Store vs. WH Smith, I don't know how either stores are as I mostly download Free non drm ebooks from Baen or Gutenberg. However ultimately it's Sony's responsability to negotiate deals etc. with the publishers. They are the ones selling the product and eco system behind it, to us. That means that if we're unhappy with it, we can really only take it to Sony, who then can evaluate wheter its worth negotiating a better deal or pressure said publishers. From a customer perspective, it can't really be anyones fault except Sony's.

2. Sounds great that they are selling well in Germany. However still doesn't change the fact that they are near impossible to get in Denmark (had to import my PRS-950 from the US), and that they have a limited amount of models available outside the US.

In greece that I visit often, you can find both the Kindle and Nook in many bigger retail chains, but I've only seen a few Sony 350'ies. While this may be due to the retail chains importing them themselves, or sheer coincidence, I don't know.

However Sony could definitely do a MUCH better job at making their products available to consumers.

Shopaholic · 05-08-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hols57

I agree! My particular beef with Sony is that they make fine products, but then let it slide when it comes to content. So in the UK you can't really use the Sony store for ebooks, you have to go to Waterstone's or WH Smith. The Sony store is almost an afterthought. I had the same problem with the early version of the PSP - nice item, lousy content, so I sold it and got a Nintendo instead.

It says right on the back of the box that the Sony store is ONLY for use in the US & Canada.

elcreative · 05-08-2011, 10:07 PM

Sony Store vs Waterstones first, W H Smiths can be used but the equivalent to Sony Store is Waterstones in the UK... the original comment by the OP was about having to use Waterstones rather than Sony in the UK when Sony Store is specifically for the US and Waterstones for the UK (and likewise other countries have their outlet)... it is basically a non-issue, Sony have negotiated to set up a store for the UK, it's Waterstones... you can hardly complain about not being able to access the US Sony Store which contractually doesn't have the right to sell in the UK...

The real problem, as has repeatedly been commented on, is the publisher/author geo-restrictive publishing agreements which are nothing to do with Sony and actually pre-date eBooks anyway. These agreements are dumb, yes, especially in a world of eBooks but Sony (and all other eReader producers) can't yet force authors/pubs to ignore legally binding contracts... but they definitely could improve on product availability...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leyor

Couldn't help commenting on the following:

1. Regarding the Sony Store vs. WH Smith, I don't know how either stores are as I mostly download Free non drm ebooks from Baen or Gutenberg. However ultimately it's Sony's responsability to negotiate deals etc. with the publishers. They are the ones selling the product and eco system behind it, to us. That means that if we're unhappy with it, we can really only take it to Sony, who then can evaluate wheter its worth negotiating a better deal or pressure said publishers. From a customer perspective, it can't really be anyones fault except Sony's.

However Sony could definitely do a MUCH better job at making their products available to consumers.

SolRaven · 05-08-2011, 10:19 PM

I bought 3 Sony readers before I bought a Kindle and the only reason I finally broke down and bought a used Kindle2 was because I wanted a book that was only available as an ebook on Amazon. At the time, Amazon didn't allow you to purchase Kindle books unless you had a verified Kindle on your account. The rules changed a few months later. Now my Kindle feels like my throw away. I don't mind lending it out or taking it on trips because I'm not worried about what happens to it.

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04-30-2011, 09:35 PM	#76
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I have two Sony e-book readers, and I love them. Their build quality is excellent, and I would not hesitate to buy further upgrades to the line. I recommend them to people on a regular basis, and I have "converted" a few. I lucked out on the price for my PRS-350 ($129), but I paid around $300 for my 505, and I never regretted a penny spent on that device.

05-03-2011, 01:38 PM	#77
cybmole Wizard Posts: 3,720 Karma: 1759970 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	i switched from kindle to sony after realising that epub is a far superior format to .mobi. it allows for various neat stylistic layout features that Kindle / mobi cannot & will not ever be able to do. Plus the sony is better for reading in bed - it lies more flat, maybe due to its metal case, and having touch screen for page flips & word look ups is so much better than kindle buttons. I do miss the 5 way navigation of Kindle though - 1 press to skip forward / back a chapter on K whereas . on sony it's at least 5 moves - options - go to .. select toc menu , select chapter you want... Kindle also has more format options - regular, condensed... and a range of line spacing options, but once I got used to Sony's fonts I was OK with not having that. Kindle has proper portrait or landscape reading options. flip an epub to landscape orientation on the Sony & big chunks of text go walkabout - that's a shocking bug or feature!

05-03-2011, 03:33 PM	#80
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	Yes it would be nice if there ever was a reader that combined the best features of all readers.

05-06-2011, 10:10 AM	#83
Leyor Ninja Librarian Posts: 179 Karma: 347750 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denmark Device: Sony PRS-950, Cybook 3. gen, Sony T1, Kindle Paperwhite	Sony makes wonderful products, unfortunately niche products has always been a bit of an achilles heel for Sony. Their sales strategies for such products are oddly disjointed, usually relying on their central website to provide most of the sales. Witnessed by the fact that other e-book readers are so readily available where people buy them, and Sony's are absent. It's always odd when people want to spend their money on Sony readers, but Sony isn't letting them, by not ensuring a wide availability in brick and stones stores where people buy this kind of electronics. In many other countries, only one of the models are even available. It's a shame since the product is of good build quality, has an appealing design and functions with a very high usability that makes it appealing to a larger demographic than some of the other e-book readers available. It just doesn't look like this is something thats important enough for Sony to keep on top of, they made a great product, and sort of left the ball there.

05-08-2011, 03:37 PM	#86
Poppaea Lucifer's Bat Posts: 2,577 Karma: 20638583 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Earth/Berlin Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Not to mention that brick and mortar moaning. Here in Germany they are sold in absolutly every bigger bookstore and in the two biggest chains selling media equipment. There are literary thousends of stores selling Sonys (if there is supply, which since Christmas has been scarce).

05-08-2011, 08:48 PM	#87
Leyor Ninja Librarian Posts: 179 Karma: 347750 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denmark Device: Sony PRS-950, Cybook 3. gen, Sony T1, Kindle Paperwhite	Couldn't help commenting on the following: 1. Regarding the Sony Store vs. WH Smith, I don't know how either stores are as I mostly download Free non drm ebooks from Baen or Gutenberg. However ultimately it's Sony's responsability to negotiate deals etc. with the publishers. They are the ones selling the product and eco system behind it, to us. That means that if we're unhappy with it, we can really only take it to Sony, who then can evaluate wheter its worth negotiating a better deal or pressure said publishers. From a customer perspective, it can't really be anyones fault except Sony's. 2. Sounds great that they are selling well in Germany. However still doesn't change the fact that they are near impossible to get in Denmark (had to import my PRS-950 from the US), and that they have a limited amount of models available outside the US. In greece that I visit often, you can find both the Kindle and Nook in many bigger retail chains, but I've only seen a few Sony 350'ies. While this may be due to the retail chains importing them themselves, or sheer coincidence, I don't know. However Sony could definitely do a MUCH better job at making their products available to consumers.

05-08-2011, 10:19 PM	#90
SolRaven Wizard Posts: 2,214 Karma: 12796976 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Sunshine State Device: Clara, Voyage, Oasis, Paperwhite & PRS-650	I bought 3 Sony readers before I bought a Kindle and the only reason I finally broke down and bought a used Kindle2 was because I wanted a book that was only available as an ebook on Amazon. At the time, Amazon didn't allow you to purchase Kindle books unless you had a verified Kindle on your account. The rules changed a few months later. Now my Kindle feels like my throw away. I don't mind lending it out or taking it on trips because I'm not worried about what happens to it.

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