Sony Library compared to Amazon's Library

itzmeigh · 09-29-2009, 11:34 PM

How do they honestly compare? Does Amazon (Kindle) really have that many more books? I know that several people here don't use Sony's library at all. But assuming that you aren't interested in converting books yourself. and you are trying to pick between the Sony line or the Kindle line. Would the Kindle's library really win you over?

If there is a thread that discusses this already please feel free to point me that way! Any other links that might help post them too!

juj1n · 09-29-2009, 11:38 PM

Sony Store = David
Amazon Store = Goliath

Caveat - David doesn't win this fight.

AnemicOak · 09-29-2009, 11:42 PM

I think it depends on what you read. For fiction Amazon still has a bit of a lead on selection, but I don't think it's by as much anymore. For non-fiction I'm not sure, but I think Amazon might have a good lead.

For price Amazon used to win most of the time, but Sony's done a good job of countering. Some books I've checked were cheaper at Amazon, some were cheaper at Sony.

Gideon · 09-30-2009, 12:07 AM

Amazon is stomping the bejesus out of Sony in terms of non-fiction and older books.

For newer fiction it's about the same with Amazon generally being a few bucks cheaper per book.

And, of course, ignore all obscenely large numbers that are really just public domain titles.

orion2001 · 09-30-2009, 12:09 AM

Even if you don't want to convert books, it seems that most ebook stores and publishers outside of Amazon are moving towards the EPUB format. This works very well in Sony's advantage since they have been supporting EPUBs for a while. I don't know the numbers, but I'm sure if you tallied up all the books in Sony Connect and other stores selling EPUBs it would probably be a lot more than Amazon's total. Amazon does still have a big advantage in their library size and the fact that all these books are easily available from a single site.

In the long run though, I think a more open format like EPUB will win and Amazon will probably be forced to adopt it too. At least I hope that is the case. Their lack of support for other formats also hurts any chance they have of targeting a global audience and I think that is something that can possibly have negative repercussions at a later point in time when a bulk of non US ebook enthusiasts have already built up brand loyalty towards some other brand.

doreenjoy · 09-30-2009, 01:24 AM

I don't know that I'd call the Sony Store "David" considering they have all those Google books available.

Besides, the Sony devices will use any EPUB or LRF book from any site.

Juliette · 09-30-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I don't know that I'd call the Sony Store "David" considering they have all those Google books available.

Besides, the Sony devices will use any EPUB or LRF book from any site.

And that's a plus for a reader. Kindle will more or less tie you to Amazon, Sony, on the other hand...

mgrunk · 10-07-2009, 11:21 PM

I am staying w/ the Sony because of epub - but the Amazon search and suggested read features for me are much better.

Ervserver · 10-08-2009, 01:15 AM

The Sony wins hands down because it is available in pink

vivaldirules · 10-08-2009, 01:32 AM

I started tracking Sony's offerings two years ago and have on a couple of occasions tried to make a careful comparison of them with Amazon. The thread is here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16810

Basically, the total number of ebooks (not blogs or newspapers and being careful to avoid duplicates) is well more than two to one in favor of Amazon and that ratio is steadily increasing. If you pick a particular subject or genre, you're much more likely to find what you want at Amazon that at Sony. Where the difference is the smallest is for new titles where the two vendors seem to be more closely matched.

It's hard to make a general statement but I'm frequently annoyed by finding a title I want to read that is available for the Amazon Kindle but not for the Sony Reader.

Crowl · 10-08-2009, 04:22 AM

The comparison is much simpler for europeans, the kindle now has access to some books there and the sony has zero, so an even clearer win for them and I just wish that sony would take advantage of the time they have while the kindle only has this soft launch to implement their own store outside north america because the combination of a sony store in addition to the existing stores would present a much more competitive opposition.

09-29-2009, 11:34 PM	#1
itzmeigh Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-505	Sony Library compared to Amazon's Library How do they honestly compare? Does Amazon (Kindle) really have that many more books? I know that several people here don't use Sony's library at all. But assuming that you aren't interested in converting books yourself. and you are trying to pick between the Sony line or the Kindle line. Would the Kindle's library really win you over? If there is a thread that discusses this already please feel free to point me that way! Any other links that might help post them too!

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09-29-2009, 11:38 PM	#2
juj1n Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 350 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Lots!	Sony Store = David Amazon Store = Goliath Caveat - David doesn't win this fight.

09-29-2009, 11:42 PM	#3
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I think it depends on what you read. For fiction Amazon still has a bit of a lead on selection, but I don't think it's by as much anymore. For non-fiction I'm not sure, but I think Amazon might have a good lead. For price Amazon used to win most of the time, but Sony's done a good job of countering. Some books I've checked were cheaper at Amazon, some were cheaper at Sony.

09-30-2009, 12:07 AM	#4
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Amazon is stomping the bejesus out of Sony in terms of non-fiction and older books. For newer fiction it's about the same with Amazon generally being a few bucks cheaper per book. And, of course, ignore all obscenely large numbers that are really just public domain titles.

09-30-2009, 12:09 AM	#5
orion2001 Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 24658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	Even if you don't want to convert books, it seems that most ebook stores and publishers outside of Amazon are moving towards the EPUB format. This works very well in Sony's advantage since they have been supporting EPUBs for a while. I don't know the numbers, but I'm sure if you tallied up all the books in Sony Connect and other stores selling EPUBs it would probably be a lot more than Amazon's total. Amazon does still have a big advantage in their library size and the fact that all these books are easily available from a single site. In the long run though, I think a more open format like EPUB will win and Amazon will probably be forced to adopt it too. At least I hope that is the case. Their lack of support for other formats also hurts any chance they have of targeting a global audience and I think that is something that can possibly have negative repercussions at a later point in time when a bulk of non US ebook enthusiasts have already built up brand loyalty towards some other brand.

09-30-2009, 01:24 AM	#6
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	I don't know that I'd call the Sony Store "David" considering they have all those Google books available. Besides, the Sony devices will use any EPUB or LRF book from any site.

10-07-2009, 11:21 PM	#8
mgrunk Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 96 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: metro Atlanta, GA Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	I am staying w/ the Sony because of epub - but the Amazon search and suggested read features for me are much better.

10-08-2009, 01:15 AM	#9
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	The Sony wins hands down because it is available in pink

10-08-2009, 01:32 AM	#10
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	I started tracking Sony's offerings two years ago and have on a couple of occasions tried to make a careful comparison of them with Amazon. The thread is here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16810 Basically, the total number of ebooks (not blogs or newspapers and being careful to avoid duplicates) is well more than two to one in favor of Amazon and that ratio is steadily increasing. If you pick a particular subject or genre, you're much more likely to find what you want at Amazon that at Sony. Where the difference is the smallest is for new titles where the two vendors seem to be more closely matched. It's hard to make a general statement but I'm frequently annoyed by finding a title I want to read that is available for the Amazon Kindle but not for the Sony Reader.

10-08-2009, 04:22 AM	#11
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	The comparison is much simpler for europeans, the kindle now has access to some books there and the sony has zero, so an even clearer win for them and I just wish that sony would take advantage of the time they have while the kindle only has this soft launch to implement their own store outside north america because the combination of a sony store in addition to the existing stores would present a much more competitive opposition.

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