Texas Book Festival

NatCh · 08-02-2006, 11:31 PM

It appears that Sony is planning yet more reaching out.

For those who also are blessed to be in the Great State of Texas, have a look at the Texas Book Festival (Oct. 27-29) -- particularly note the list of exibitors (down in the S's, if it needs to be said

)

NatCh · 10-23-2006, 10:27 PM

Anyone who's going to be in Austin, TX this Saturday (10/28) might want to come by the State Capital grounds for this.

Sony is definitely going to be there, so it's a chance to meet one or two of the marketing team folks who brought us the Reader, and maybe ask them a question or two directly.

<speculation alert>
Who knows? They may even bring some Readers to sell.

</speculation alert>

Alexander Turcic · 10-24-2006, 04:59 AM

Darn, Texas is somewhat too far for me to reach ;( Wish I had a chance to talk to those Sony guys myself.

NatCh · 10-24-2006, 11:33 AM

Would've been nice to maybe meet you, Alex, but I can see how Switzerland to Austin might be a bit of a hike for you.

Alexander Turcic · 10-24-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Would've been nice to maybe meet you, Alex, but I can see how Switzerland to Austin might be a bit of a hike for you.

I know. It's too bad. Had Sony been present at the Book Fair in Frankfurt, I would probably have visited it.

Morffius · 10-24-2006, 12:33 PM

Damn! I'll be at ren-fest on saturday. Maybe ill leave a bit early to make it back.

NatCh · 10-24-2006, 12:49 PM

They'll be there Sunday, too....

yvanleterrible · 10-24-2006, 04:01 PM

Sure would love to be there. We've had the first snowfall. It's melted now but still cold. Snowthrower's ready!

Michele · 10-25-2006, 12:08 AM

Rats, that's a nice festival, too! I was there 2-3 years ago and saw the Rock Bottom Remainders perform (Dave Barry, Amy Tan in leather, etc.). Let us know how it went, NatCh!

NatCh · 10-27-2006, 06:04 PM

Okay, folks, just to let all know, I'll be traveling the next couple of days, and my access will be a bit spotty, so if I seem to have dissappeared, it's only 'cause I have.

I'll be back in a couple though.

(and thought of the posting backlog I'll have waiting for me to wade through truly frightens me

)

Alexander Turcic · 10-27-2006, 07:14 PM

Nat have a safe trip! And make some photos if you can... wish I could be there!

igorsk · 10-30-2006, 11:15 AM

So, any news?

NatCh · 10-30-2006, 11:34 AM

Well I made it there and back well enough, though I'm still recovering from the long day somewhat. I'm not going to do a formal-type report because I wasn't paying close enough attention to do a proper job of one -- I was having way too much fun!

I didn't do pictures (sorry, Alex), but there wasn't really anything to photograph anyway. It was a large tent with standard booth spaces in it, and they had several Readers on a table along the front and a couple more along the side, as well as a laptop so folks could see the Connect Store listings. There were five Sony folks there, including two who were at the Blogger's Day in San Diego last month, one of whom is the product manager, it was cool to see them again.

They let me talk to folks who walked by, talked myself hoarse, actually, and they joked that I knew the Reader better than they did, which I found amusing. I told folks what I thought of the Reader, and answered questions from a user perspective that the marketing folks who were there really couldn't answer as marketing folks. I especially enjoyed answering the "how long does the battery last" question. I suggested folks come here to MobileRead for (lots and lots) more information, which I think surprised the Product Manager the first time he heard me do it, though he didn't object in the least.

General response from folks was positive. There were some who were really excited, of course, and a few that were completely unimpressed.

I most liked the folks who didn't figure out that they were functional until they saw the page change. The expressions on their faces were priceless!

Like I said, not much to say about the Sony Booth itself, it was more or l less what you'd expect.

Oh, they also had a ~32" plasma screen set up on its side with a giant cut-out of the Reader around it, so that the plasma showed where the Reader's screen would be. I joked some that it was next year's model.

Hmm, I had some things I was supposed to ask about....

prslabs.com -- they do want to open it, but can't tell when, not can't say, but don't know, it seemed to be a matter of limited resources and lots to do.

I specifically asked about "Function Expansion" (aka hacking). I didn't write it down, and they didn't want me to straight quote them anyway, but as a paraphrase: they're watching what's going on here in that area with great interest, and are excited and pleased that people are so interested in the Reader and what it can do. Add that to the past attitude toward hacking in the Librie' ....

I had some free time to talk informally with them and I was impressed with their interest in trying to make the Reader as open and accessible as they can. They apparently watch MR quite closely and are particularly interested in some of the suggestions and ideas that are popping up here. I don't know how long that level of attention can last, as they must have other things to do than read this forum, but it seems to be so for the moment.

Okay, I know I'm not remembering some other things I was supposed to ask about, so if y'all will remind me, I'll answer as I can. I think I was pretty good as far as remembering to ask the questions, but the discussion was pretty random, and I didn't take notes, as I said. And there were some things they couldn't comment on (they have bosses to answer to, you know), but I'll answer as best I can,

One last tidbit I picked up -- you might want to try looking for Readers at CompUSA before too long.

NatCh · 10-30-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

So, any news?

You caught me typing it up, igorsk.

igorsk · 10-30-2006, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the report! Pity that there's no date on prslabs, I guess I'll continue on my own for now

BTW, did you ask about the actual sales? Are they going well/not so well/better than expected/etc?

08-02-2006, 11:31 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Texas Book Festival It appears that Sony is planning yet more reaching out. For those who also are blessed to be in the Great State of Texas, have a look at the Texas Book Festival (Oct. 27-29) -- particularly note the list of exibitors (down in the S's, if it needs to be said )

10-30-2006, 11:34 AM	#13
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Informal trip report. Well I made it there and back well enough, though I'm still recovering from the long day somewhat. I'm not going to do a formal-type report because I wasn't paying close enough attention to do a proper job of one -- I was having way too much fun! I didn't do pictures (sorry, Alex), but there wasn't really anything to photograph anyway. It was a large tent with standard booth spaces in it, and they had several Readers on a table along the front and a couple more along the side, as well as a laptop so folks could see the Connect Store listings. There were five Sony folks there, including two who were at the Blogger's Day in San Diego last month, one of whom is the product manager, it was cool to see them again. They let me talk to folks who walked by, talked myself hoarse, actually, and they joked that I knew the Reader better than they did, which I found amusing. I told folks what I thought of the Reader, and answered questions from a user perspective that the marketing folks who were there really couldn't answer as marketing folks. I especially enjoyed answering the "how long does the battery last" question. I suggested folks come here to MobileRead for (lots and lots) more information, which I think surprised the Product Manager the first time he heard me do it, though he didn't object in the least. General response from folks was positive. There were some who were really excited, of course, and a few that were completely unimpressed. I most liked the folks who didn't figure out that they were functional until they saw the page change. The expressions on their faces were priceless! Like I said, not much to say about the Sony Booth itself, it was more or l less what you'd expect. Oh, they also had a ~32" plasma screen set up on its side with a giant cut-out of the Reader around it, so that the plasma showed where the Reader's screen would be. I joked some that it was next year's model. Hmm, I had some things I was supposed to ask about.... prslabs.com -- they do want to open it, but can't tell when, not can't say, but don't know, it seemed to be a matter of limited resources and lots to do. I specifically asked about "Function Expansion" (aka hacking). I didn't write it down, and they didn't want me to straight quote them anyway, but as a paraphrase: they're watching what's going on here in that area with great interest, and are excited and pleased that people are so interested in the Reader and what it can do. Add that to the past attitude toward hacking in the Librie' .... I had some free time to talk informally with them and I was impressed with their interest in trying to make the Reader as open and accessible as they can. They apparently watch MR quite closely and are particularly interested in some of the suggestions and ideas that are popping up here. I don't know how long that level of attention can last, as they must have other things to do than read this forum, but it seems to be so for the moment. Okay, I know I'm not remembering some other things I was supposed to ask about, so if y'all will remind me, I'll answer as I can. I think I was pretty good as far as remembering to ask the questions, but the discussion was pretty random, and I didn't take notes, as I said. And there were some things they couldn't comment on (they have bosses to answer to, you know), but I'll answer as best I can, One last tidbit I picked up -- you might want to try looking for Readers at CompUSA before too long.

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10-23-2006, 10:27 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Anyone who's going to be in Austin, TX this Saturday (10/28) might want to come by the State Capital grounds for this. Sony is definitely going to be there, so it's a chance to meet one or two of the marketing team folks who brought us the Reader, and maybe ask them a question or two directly. <speculation alert> Who knows? They may even bring some Readers to sell. </speculation alert>

10-24-2006, 04:59 AM	#3
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Darn, Texas is somewhat too far for me to reach ;( Wish I had a chance to talk to those Sony guys myself.

10-24-2006, 11:33 AM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Would've been nice to maybe meet you, Alex, but I can see how Switzerland to Austin might be a bit of a hike for you.

10-24-2006, 12:33 PM	#6
Morffius Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 20 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: IPhone / Paper	Damn! I'll be at ren-fest on saturday. Maybe ill leave a bit early to make it back.

10-24-2006, 12:49 PM	#7
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	They'll be there Sunday, too....

10-24-2006, 04:01 PM	#8
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Sure would love to be there. We've had the first snowfall. It's melted now but still cold. Snowthrower's ready!

10-25-2006, 12:08 AM	#9
Michele Addict Posts: 209 Karma: 999496 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Device: Kindle 3	Rats, that's a nice festival, too! I was there 2-3 years ago and saw the Rock Bottom Remainders perform (Dave Barry, Amy Tan in leather, etc.). Let us know how it went, NatCh!

10-27-2006, 06:04 PM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Okay, folks, just to let all know, I'll be traveling the next couple of days, and my access will be a bit spotty, so if I seem to have dissappeared, it's only 'cause I have. I'll be back in a couple though. (and thought of the posting backlog I'll have waiting for me to wade through truly frightens me )

10-27-2006, 07:14 PM	#11
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Nat have a safe trip! And make some photos if you can... wish I could be there!

10-30-2006, 11:15 AM	#12
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	So, any news?

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10-30-2006, 11:46 AM	#15
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Thanks for the report! Pity that there's no date on prslabs, I guess I'll continue on my own for now BTW, did you ask about the actual sales? Are they going well/not so well/better than expected/etc?