Sony Reader on UK BBC Radio 4 at Noon

Patricia · 09-10-2008, 06:35 AM

I'm listening to BBC Radio 4. They've just announced that the consumer programme 'You and Yours' at noon (UK time) will feature a review of the Sony Reader.

Patricia · 09-10-2008, 07:32 AM

Well, they introduced the item as being about the 'literary iPod'.

The first part of the discussion mentioned that the Sony is a page-size deivice that could hold 160 books. It is availailable in the UK via Waterstone's and is largely sold out.

A Waterstone's spokesman agreed that the stock had sold out within 3 or 4 days, but that they had managed to get a little bit more stock since the initial launch. More stock is on order from Sony. He advised anyone wanting a Reader to put their name down for one in a store, and hoped to have 'plenty in stock' by October. He said that Waterstones had the majority of Sony Reader stock in the UK.

Alternatives were then mentioned: the kindle (USA only) and the Iliad. the Iliad has a larger screen and more features but is more expensive.

A technology expert, Bill Thompson, said that he had tried the Sony and that it was a 'useful little device'. He wasn't pleased with the slow refresh rate but friends had told him that he would get used to it. E-ink was clearly explained.
The expert said that these were very usable devices, had gone beyond early adopters, but were still fairly early. He liked paper books (saw them as 'furniture') but thought that the new Readers would be useful as 'supplementary devices', so that one could read while away from one's paper library.

HarryT · 09-10-2008, 07:58 AM

That all sounds pretty positive, anyway. Nice to hear the comparison to the "literary iPod"

.

acidzebra · 09-10-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

Well, they introduced the item as being about the 'literary iPod'.

Oh dear, JSWolf is going to have a fit

As for stock, it is easy to sell out if you have little of it. Haven't seen any solid numbers thus far.

JSWolf · 09-10-2008, 08:06 AM

Unless Waterstones is willing to tell us how many Readers they have sold, all we have are guesses which are worth as much as all the other guesses on how many devices sold.

HarryT · 09-10-2008, 08:08 AM

Think positive. The LHC has been switched on and the world hasn't ended

.

cen · 09-10-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Think positive. The LHC has been switched on and the world hasn't ended

.

No collisions happening until next month.... ;]

Any how

You can listen to the review here starts 10min 15 seconds in.

Dave Berk · 09-10-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Think positive. The LHC has been switched on and the world hasn't ended yet

.

Fixed it for you.

igorsk · 09-10-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Unless Waterstones is willing to tell us how many Readers they have sold, all we have are guesses which are worth as much as all the other guesses on how many devices sold.

"The chain is expected to reveal further sales figures later in the week. "

JSWolf · 09-10-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acidzebra

Oh dear, JSWolf is going to have a fit

As for stock, it is easy to sell out if you have little of it. Haven't seen any solid numbers thus far.

Quote:

It's promising to do for books what the iPod has done for music.

That is a very well said statement. as for stock, they did say thousands. That's as concrete as we'll get,

09-10-2008, 06:35 AM	#1
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Sony Reader on UK BBC Radio 4 at Noon I'm listening to BBC Radio 4. They've just announced that the consumer programme 'You and Yours' at noon (UK time) will feature a review of the Sony Reader.

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09-10-2008, 07:32 AM	#2
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	Well, they introduced the item as being about the 'literary iPod'. The first part of the discussion mentioned that the Sony is a page-size deivice that could hold 160 books. It is availailable in the UK via Waterstone's and is largely sold out. A Waterstone's spokesman agreed that the stock had sold out within 3 or 4 days, but that they had managed to get a little bit more stock since the initial launch. More stock is on order from Sony. He advised anyone wanting a Reader to put their name down for one in a store, and hoped to have 'plenty in stock' by October. He said that Waterstones had the majority of Sony Reader stock in the UK. Alternatives were then mentioned: the kindle (USA only) and the Iliad. the Iliad has a larger screen and more features but is more expensive. A technology expert, Bill Thompson, said that he had tried the Sony and that it was a 'useful little device'. He wasn't pleased with the slow refresh rate but friends had told him that he would get used to it. E-ink was clearly explained. The expert said that these were very usable devices, had gone beyond early adopters, but were still fairly early. He liked paper books (saw them as 'furniture') but thought that the new Readers would be useful as 'supplementary devices', so that one could read while away from one's paper library.

09-10-2008, 07:58 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	That all sounds pretty positive, anyway. Nice to hear the comparison to the "literary iPod" .

09-10-2008, 08:06 AM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Unless Waterstones is willing to tell us how many Readers they have sold, all we have are guesses which are worth as much as all the other guesses on how many devices sold.

09-10-2008, 08:08 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Think positive. The LHC has been switched on and the world hasn't ended .