Sony to compete with iPad

[GlenBarrington]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d18b6e90-1...44feab49a.html

With Sony's experience with ebook readers AND computers, I wonder if we can expect a better reading device?

[kennyc]

That could be very interesting given the move to epub at the Sony store and their general move towards more generic compatibility....

I would expect any such device to be more open.

[Lynn2010]

Competition is a great thing. It will give us a larger selection of e-readers and better technology. We must always protect competition in the marketplace.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

With Sony's experience with ebook readers AND computers, I wonder if we can expect a better reading device?

[etienne66]

Personally I think the Notion Ink Adam is far superior to the iPad, but Sony might do a better job. And unlike Apple's POS, I'll be able to buy ebooks from several different stores.

Etienne66

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by etienne66

Personally I think the Notion Ink Adam is far superior to the iPad, but Sony might do a better job. And unlike Apple's POS, I'll be able to buy ebooks from several different stores.

Etienne66

What makes you think that you won't be able to buy books from multiple sources for the Apple? For example, using the Kindle App, you'll be able to buy any Amazon eBook for it.

[etienne66]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What makes you think that you won't be able to buy books from multiple sources for the Apple? For example, using the Kindle App, you'll be able to buy any Amazon eBook for it.

From what I understand Apple will be using their own proprietary DRM and will not support the Adobe DRM. Which means unless they support DRM free books or allow other ebook programs for the iPad, you will have to buy your ebooks from their store.

Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't think we will know for sure until people start buying the iPad. But in general I don't like Apple. Then again I don't like Microsoft either, but with my job I don't have much choice but to use their software.

Besides I like the battery life of the Notion Ink Adam much better. 16 hours of video or 160 hours of ebook reading, if I have my numbers correct.

Etienne66

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by etienne66

From what I understand Apple will be using their own proprietary DRM and will not support the Adobe DRM. Which means unless they support DRM free books or allow other ebook programs for the iPad, you will have to buy your ebooks from their store.

What you say about "iBook" is perfectly true, but Apple said in the iPad launch that all applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch will run on the iPad, so that means that Apps like the Kindle App should run fine, which will open up other sources of books.

[queentess]

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

With Sony's experience with ebook readers AND computers, I wonder if we can expect a better reading device?

Probably, but you can almost guarantee it'll be linked to some awful awful software that makes the damn thing all but unusable, or will be horribly marketed (see: Betamax, PS3, any of their MP3 devices, the Sony Store Software...)

I'm almost always impressed by Sony's products, but rarely purchase them due to some major inadequacy that I just can't compromise on.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What you say about "iBook" is perfectly true, but Apple said in the iPad launch that all applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch will run on the iPad, so that means that Apps like the Kindle App should run fine, which will open up other sources of books.

well he said they would be able to run but he didn't say they would be allowed to run. Later on they were also careful to amend that to "almost all" so the jury is still out until devices are delivered to people who will try the other apps.

[Penforhire]

Sony's Vaio series laptops get mostly good reviews and have sexy design. They can be a worthy competitor. Competition is good.

Don't forget, this is not Apple's first drink from the poisoned well. Anyone remember the Newton? My boss had one. Cute but a horrible failure. While bashing Sony is easy (you didn't mention SACD disks, MD disks, Memory Stick, ...), don't forget Apple can't throw too many stones (Apple Lisa, anyone?).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

don't forget Apple can't throw too many stones (Apple Lisa, anyone?).

The Lisa may not have been a commercial success, but it was a revolutionary machine - eg the first commercially sold computer to use a mouse, if I recall correctly. Without the Lisa there would have perhaps have been no Mac and no Windows.

[guyanonymous]

No. That was without XEROX there would have been no Mac or Windows

[guyanonymous]

On a serious note - I love competition. The more the merrier. Some will survive, some will die, but it will all drive innovation.

I just hope that open standards for media are embraced as they do so. Proprietary formats (e.g., sony's media disk, Beta, Apple's .dmg format IMHO) that are locked into one vendor or one platform are, ultimately doomed to failure or to being forced to open up down the road (MS's office document formats).

Unless a new media storage format significantly improves upon current open formats, STOP, consumers don't want it!

(This has been another opinionated post by guyanonymous)

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What you say about "iBook" is perfectly true, but Apple said in the iPad launch that all applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch will run on the iPad, so that means that Apps like the Kindle App should run fine, which will open up other sources of books.

I'm pretty sure they said most*** iPhone applications would run. There's still Apple's app approval process to get through, which already has a demonstrated policy against duplicating native functionality. Until the thing is on the market, we won't know whether or not Apple intends to reject e-book reading apps.

*** Actually, it was "almost all".