BusinessWeek gives Sony Reader a 3.5/5 in second round

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Screen size comes up a lot with readers, especially when it comes to PDFs and letter or A4 sizes. The article also discusses size discrepancies between readers and paper. I believe that eventually all PDFs will be "tagged" by default, allowing them to reflow on a reader's screen, and solve the PDF problem... or an app will allow users to extract PDF text and save it in a different reader format.

Printers don't simply scale down text in a hardback book's page and reprint it in paperback size... they create a paperback format, which is unique in itself. The development of e-readers suggests that size will be dealt with accordingly. Ultimately, e-formats will be similarly unique, and will not depend on the size of prior printed material. And someone will convert legacy printed material to e-formats, or provide an easy way to do it yourself. After all, that's one of the biggest points to having digital formats.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I believe that eventually all PDFs will be "tagged" by default, allowing them to reflow on a reader's screen ....

Or they'll go to something like Digital Editions which would have the same result.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you really think that not having a Mac version of a program matters to most companies? Macs represent such a small market share that they are a negligible market sector. As a software author myself (writing Windows software), I occasionally get asked for a Linux version of my software; I can count on the fingers of one hand (after 15 years in business) the number of times I've been asked for a Mac version!

Haven't Apple effectively admitted defeat on this front by switching to Intel processors and allowing modern Macs to boot Windows?

This is the second Apple Rag post I've seen of yours Harry, and I've been on the board for less than a week!

Just because you're not asked for a Mac version of your stuff does not indicate anything about the Mac market as a whole. You don't even say what your app is, what it does, or if there's potentially a Mac version already doing the same thing!

And the switch to Intel had NOTHING to do with Windows. The PPC was not keeping up at all, so Apple bailed purely for speed purposes (and it made a huge difference, I got a 4x increase in 1 generation).

In terms of Software, however, Apple has had a great program for developers. It's not as good as it used to be, but it's still good... and a company like Sony would certainly get Apple's support on this device (Sony's CEO actually appeard at Jobs' keynote last year, still for reasons unknown!).

Please stop ragging on the Mac, because you don't use one, and don't have a clue on how they work, how they're developed, or anything about the software and hardware support behind them. All you're doing is making detrimental comments that -- were they seen by Sony -- would disuade such support. You're causing more harm than good, based on false assumptions and false information.

Mac support from Sony is an absolutely valid criticism. Mac users tend to be more gadget-friendly, and are typically more apt to try out a product like the PRS-500. It's in Sony's best interest to include Mac support, even if it represents a smaller overall market than the PC.

*Sheesh*

-Pie

[EatingPie]

I also want to add that the contrast issue is the biggest problem I see with the Reader. I'm glad the reviewer nailed that one, and I hope it's something future e-Ink developments will focus on. Far more important than even resolution... so far the 800x600 screen has produced very crisp text.

-Pie

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

This is the second Apple Rag post I've seen of yours Harry, and I've been on the board for less than a week!

Just because you're not asked for a Mac version of your stuff does not indicate anything about the Mac market as a whole. You don't even say what your app is, what it does, or if there's potentially a Mac version already doing the same thing!

And the switch to Intel had NOTHING to do with Windows. The PPC was not keeping up at all, so Apple bailed purely for speed purposes (and it made a huge difference, I got a 4x increase in 1 generation).

In terms of Software, however, Apple has had a great program for developers. It's not as good as it used to be, but it's still good... and a company like Sony would certainly get Apple's support on this device (Sony's CEO actually appeard at Jobs' keynote last year, still for reasons unknown!).

Please stop ragging on the Mac, because you don't use one, and don't have a clue on how they work, how they're developed, or anything about the software and hardware support behind them. All you're doing is making detrimental comments that -- were they seen by Sony -- would disuade such support. You're causing more harm than good, based on false assumptions and false information.

Mac support from Sony is an absolutely valid criticism. Mac users tend to be more gadget-friendly, and are typically more apt to try out a product like the PRS-500. It's in Sony's best interest to include Mac support, even if it represents a smaller overall market than the PC.

*Sheesh*

-Pie

You do me a slight injustice here, Pie.

I have owned and used many Macs over the years (at present I have a slightly elderly Powerbook G4 which I use for C++ software development), and have, in the past, been a commercial Mac programmer.

I am not "anti Mac" in any way, shape or form. What I am is "pro" using the right tool for the right job, and the right tool for use with the Reader at present is without doubt a PC.

I regard the Mac as very much a niche tool for specialist markets, which it's very good at (eg the graphic design and publishing markets). All I'm saying is, as a commercial programmer I completely understand Sony's commercial decision not to support this niche market just as, for example, they are not supporting Linux either.

This is a product aimed at the home user, and the overwhelming majority of home users have Windows machines. Naturally, therefore, this is what Sony support.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

I also want to add that the contrast issue is the biggest problem I see with the Reader. I'm glad the reviewer nailed that one, and I hope it's something future e-Ink developments will focus on. Far more important than even resolution... so far the 800x600 screen has produced very crisp text.

-Pie

Screen contrast is critically dependent on the ambient lighting conditions. In direct sunlight, or good artificial light, the screen background is virtually white and the contrast excellent. In dim artificial light, the background darkens to a dark grey, and the contrast is very poor.

A good reading light is an essential "accessory" for the Reader.

I'm sure that future developments in the eInk field will improve the contrast.

[dhbailey]

First concerning the contrast -- I've had my reader for several weeks now and can only say that I don't have any problem with the contrast. I've been able to read it in all the same ambient lighting conditions I can read dead-tree books in, and I need additional lighting in all the same situations I need additional lighting for dead-tree books.

Second, concerning the Macs -- I didn't read anything anti-Mac in Harry's posts, just a pragmatic outlook on the computing marketplace.

I would add, however, that my experience has been that Mac users are more likely to be early-adopters of new technology and I agree that Sony is missing a potential huge expansion of sales of the reader to those who only use Macs and who don't really want to install Windows on their Macs.

While I can understand the economics of the situation which would say that Sony's action in not bothering with a Mac version of Connect is likely to have little effect on their corporate bottom line, I also can see that if they made things easier for Mac users, there would be many more Readers in people's hands, and when all the PC users see their Mac friends using the Reader, they might be more likely consider buying one for themselves.

The average home-user of the PC has only a few concerns, none of which is addressed by the Sony Reader or the Connect software:
1) can I access iTunes?
2) can I get to YouTube?
3) can I do instant messaging?
4) can I get to MySpace?
5) can I do my e-mail?

The average PC user, in my experience, is just as unlikely to buy the Sony Reader as is a Mac user. The Reader is definitely not for everybody and the more Sony can do to raise it's profile in the computing world's eyes, the better for all of us.

And it's also my estimation that if PG were not around, there would be fewer Readers sold -- mine wouldn't have been bought, at least. I do hope Sony realizes the debt it owes to the presence of so many books that can't be read away from a computer on anything other than a hand-held e-book reader (palm, pocketPC or Sony Reader) and makes a sizable donation to help support the continued survival of PG.

My next great wish for e-books would be that more computer programming books become available at more reasonable prices. There is much I want to investigate in this field but I can't justify dropping $50 for a book which is just to pique my curiosity or is a different slant on web-site design or html coding from books I already own.

I think that there is a huge potential for technical books, if Sony would just pitch their Reader to such publishers.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by dhbailey

First concerning the contrast -- I've had my reader for several weeks now and can only say that I don't have any problem with the contrast. I've been able to read it in all the same ambient lighting conditions I can read dead-tree books in, and I need additional lighting in all the same situations I need additional lighting for dead-tree books.

That's exactly the way to look at it - it needs good light, just like a paper book does. The complaints, perfectly justifyably, come from people who have previously used back-lit devices which can be used in very poor light, something which the Reader can't be.

I would add, however, that my experience has been that Mac users are more likely to be early-adopters of new technology and I agree that Sony is missing a potential huge expansion of sales of the reader to those who only use Macs and who don't really want to install Windows on their Macs.

While I can understand the economics of the situation which would say that Sony's action in not bothering with a Mac version of Connect is likely to have little effect on their corporate bottom line, I also can see that if they made things easier for Mac users, there would be many more Readers in people's hands, and when all the PC users see their Mac friends using the Reader, they might be more likely consider buying one for themselves.

That's what I find slightly puzzling, you see. You say that you have "Mac friends". I don't; I certainly know people who own Macs, but they all have PCs too, just as I have both Macs and PCs, and always have had, for the simple reason that while Macs are extremely good at some things, there's so much software around for PCs that everyone I know who owns a Mac also owns PCs. That's why I personally consider it something of a "non issue" whether or not Sony support the Mac, because everyone that I personally know with a Mac (including myself) would simply run it with their PC instead. This will, I think, become even more the case now that Intel-based Macs can boot Windows natively, a point which Apple are actually using as a selling point for Macs!

[EatingPie]

I'm not sure how calling the Mac a "non-issue" is NOT anti-Mac, but that's just me.

Let me be clear here guys, you are still working under a false assumption, (If only bold was so easy on the Reader! ). Mac support can generate huge profits, even though (as you say) Windows is more popular in the home. Here's two examples, that are NOT Photoshop or Quark!

Microsoft Office -- About 10 years ago, Bill Gates made a public promise to develop office for the next 5 years (I won't go in to the politics of this). Now 10 years later, we're waiting on an Intel Native version, which the Microsoft MacBU is working on, and due sometime this year. Well beyond Gates' original promise, but still going strong.

While Microsoft makes most of their profits off Windows Sofware, the Mac Business Unit is VERY profitable. I once read that they made a half-billion dollars per year off the Mac alone, but I don't have a reference so sprinkle that number with salt. Regardless of the specifics, they make big money, and the MacBU will probably never be shutdown.

Let me be clear on this, I'm talking about Microsoft here!

The iPod. You know that it became the best-selling MP3 player when it was still Mac only? It took over a year, maybe two, IIRC for Apple to make the thing work with Windows. Sure that opened it up to much greater acceptance, but once again, just with the Mac, it was so successful its sales emberrassed every other MP3 player out there.

That's what I find slightly puzzling, you see. You say that you have "Mac friends". I don't; I certainly know people who own Macs, but they all have PCs too...

In terms Mac being purely "niche," you're wrong here too -- I once saw a list of the ten most popular Windows programs, and every one was available on the Mac too. I have existed Mac-only since 1992, with no need for Windows at all. (Edit: technically, Internet Exporer is no longer supported, but I still have a working version, albiet old and crappy.)

Okay, so you say you understand Sony's reluctance to support the Mac. But even Microsoft doesn't understand that decision! And the iPod proved that even a solid Mac-only piece of hardware could become a monsterous profit windfall.

Sony is being short-sighted by locking the Reader in to Windows. They are cutting out a huge population of users -- who, as I mentioned previously, tend to be more likely to purchase cool, bleeding-edge products. And I'm betting the same would go for Linux users.

Sony needs to provide Mac support for the Reader, and it's a good business decision to do so!

-Pie

[HarryT]

Let's just agree that we hold different views on this, Pie . I don't think I'm going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. No point in arguing about it.

Yes, it would nice if Sony were to support the Mac - no dispute there. My belief is that Sony have no particular commercial incentice to do this. You hold a different view. That's fine - the world would be a very boring place if we all held the same view.

We can both enjoy our Readers.

All the best,

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

(Edit: technically, Internet Exporer is no longer supported, but I still have a working version, albiet old and crappy.)

Totally unrelated, but have you tried FireFox? Or perhaps there's some reason it doesn't work well for your needs ...?

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Let's just agree that we hold different views on this, Pie . I don't think I'm going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. No point in arguing about it.

Yes, it would nice if Sony were to support the Mac - no dispute there. My belief is that Sony have no particular commercial incentice to do this. You hold a different view. That's fine - the world would be a very boring place if we all held the same view.

We can both enjoy our Readers.

All the best,

No problem! :

Actually, this is the most I've ever fanboyed on the Mac in my life... kinda felt weird!

-Pie

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Totally unrelated, but have you tried FireFox? Or perhaps there's some reason it doesn't work well for your needs ...?

Thanks natch. Actually, I don't use IE, I was just clarifying my example -- it's abandonware. Apple provides their own browser, Safari. But I use something called Camino, which is the speediest browser for the Mac... it's based on Firefox's gecko engine. Oh, and don't forget Opera!

Lots of browsers to choose from on this side of the fence.

-Pie

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I regard the Mac as very much a niche tool for specialist markets, which it's very good at (eg the graphic design and publishing markets). All I'm saying is, as a commercial programmer I completely understand Sony's commercial decision not to support this niche market just as, for example, they are not supporting Linux either.

This is a product aimed at the home user, and the overwhelming majority of home users have Windows machines. Naturally, therefore, this is what Sony support.

For a company that just managed to sell its millionth iPod in a very short period of time, outselling all other MP3 players... and whose iTunes store also outsells its music competition... I'd consider Apple a company that knows how to sell media products (besides graphics) to consumers, and a company I'd want to talk to.