New Chapter on Digital Reading (Sony)

[Patricia]

If I were betting, then I'd go for sony releasing a model with a large screen. This would appeal to the business and academic markets. People could read reports, academic papers (in PDF, even) and journal articles. But the device wouldn't compete directly with the 6" models, since it wouldn't be so easily portable, and would be more expensive.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Ok... I'm not going to argue with you. But, the bottom line is that LRF, TXT, RTF, HTML, XML, MOBI, PDF, ePUB are all text files. Some of these text files include an ML (markup language) like HTML and some include data delimiters like ePUB. Those that "embed" pictures require that the binary picture is base64 encoded so it can be stored as text.

So, basically all of the ebooks readers are text viewers, whether it is a Jetbook, CyBook or Sony Reader Digital Book.

I know you like the Sony, it is the device you choose and it is the best for you. That doesn't make everything else lame, or "shouldn't have ever been released" etc. Of course, you are welcome to your opinion and I guess that's what you were stating.

BOb

I was just using the 505 as a price comparison since it's the cheaper of the 6" eink devices. But the problem with the Jetbook is that it is expensive and you cannot purchase most books for it unless you can find them in DRM free PDF. Most people (IMHO) won't want to pay so much and not really be able to do much with it.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I was just using the 505 as a price comparison since it's the cheaper of the 6" eink devices. But the problem with the Jetbook is that it is expensive and you cannot purchase most books for it unless you can find them in DRM free PDF. Most people (IMHO) won't want to pay so much and not really be able to do much with it.

I do agree it is over priced for it's feature set, at least in the US market. However, perhaps in Germany and Chek speaking countries and whatever other languages it supports this isn't the case. It does have some unique features too.

BOb

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Patricia

If I were betting, then I'd go for sony releasing a model with a large screen. This would appeal to the business and academic markets. People could read reports, academic papers (in PDF, even) and journal articles. But the device wouldn't compete directly with the 6" models, since it wouldn't be so easily portable, and would be more expensive.

Nobody's making a larger screen that Sony could use - unless they use the 8" screen that's made for iRex, and I think that's extremely unlikely. The 9.7" screens which a number of manufacturers are planning to use aren't going to arrive until next spring.

[Lord KiRon]

Yep the only thing theoretically possible is a new LG-Philips screens instead of PVO used now, but it's same 6" and to tell you the truth not sure that they are better, just cheaper.

[Argel]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think Sony is going to announce that they are removing DRM from their full catalog and will sell all books in ePub format...

BOb

The sad thing about that comment is not just that it won't happen but that it won't happen despite the fact that it would be a huge commercial success.

My wife loves her 505 but she's shielded from the fact that the selection is so limited by the fact that I can format-shift for her. Not everyone can do that.

Sony's past is littered with examples of how their paranoid devotion to tying their devices to protected formats relegates them to the margins, despite the fact that their hardware is often superior - as is the 505 to my Cybook, by a mile. Would the iPod be where it is today if Sony hadn't tied their original player to a proprietary format? I would I still be buying Vaio laptops if they hadn't gone out of their way to fit a DVD drive hard-wired not to play my (legally obtained) region one DVDs.

They have real chance to challenge Amazon's potential dominance but I expect them to blow it again.

[athlonkmf]

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

Yep the only thing theoretically possible is a new LG-Philips screens instead of PVO used now, but it's same 6" and to tell you the truth not sure that they are better, just cheaper.

A Sony PRS99 for 99 dollar? that would shut the mouth of many critics who are aiming for a device less than 100 bucks.
It would indeed open a new chapter then. A simple, plastic, readonly device with no slots, upgrades, but can still hold a massive amounts of books. And above that, the deluxe prs505

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by Argel

My wife loves her 505 but she's shielded from the fact that the selection is so limited by the fact that I can format-shift for her. Not everyone can do that.

Everyone can do that, it's just that now everyone is willing. If you ask me, they're shooting themselves in the foot. I've never bought anything from Sony's catalog, and I sure as hell don't plan on anytime soon. I avoid DRM like the plague it is.

Fictionwise (and LIT books) is all I need.

[athlonkmf]

Originally Posted by Valloric

Everyone can do that, it's just that now everyone is willing. If you ask me, they're shooting themselves in the foot. I've never bought anything from Sony's catalog, and I sure as hell don't plan on anytime soon. I avoid DRM like the plague it is.

Fictionwise (and LIT books) is all I need.

I've set a budget to buy something anyway. Just to let them know that ebooks can be profitable.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by athlonkmf

I've set a budget to buy something anyway. Just to let them know that ebooks can be profitable.

Who said they couldn't be? I buy all my books, it's just that I offload my money at a different store. Fictionwise has better prices and you can easily remove the DRM. Also, Books On Board is nice too.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Argel

Sony's past is littered with examples of how their paranoid devotion to tying their devices to protected formats relegates them to the margins, despite the fact that their hardware is often superior - as is the 505 to my Cybook, by a mile. Would the iPod be where it is today if Sony hadn't tied their original player to a proprietary format? I would I still be buying Vaio laptops if they hadn't gone out of their way to fit a DVD drive hard-wired not to play my (legally obtained) region one DVDs.

They have real chance to challenge Amazon's potential dominance but I expect them to blow it again.

Well, they're learning. Walkmans play mp3s now, and Reader has an SD slot and reads RTF and PDF.

[dsuden]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

There is a competing technology: LCD.
The only real benefit of Eink is it uses less energy than an LCD.

Boy, I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that one. I couldn't wait to get AWAY from reading things off backlit screens. It's so fatiguing and unnatural. I love Eink displays for their eye comfort and "bookishness."

[astra]

Originally Posted by dsuden

Boy, I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that one. I couldn't wait to get AWAY from reading things off backlit screens. It's so fatiguing and unnatural. I love Eink displays for their eye comfort and "bookishness."

I am not alone!
Cheers!

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by dsuden

Boy, I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that one. I couldn't wait to get AWAY from reading things off backlit screens. It's so fatiguing and unnatural. I love Eink displays for their eye comfort and "bookishness."

Originally Posted by pepak

As far as I am concerned, e-ink is a lot easier on my eyes than LCD.

My original statement was that LCD screens can compete with Eink screens. All that anyone has shown in this thread is that an LCD screen would not suit _them_. No one other than Harry has presented a credible argument that LCDs are not a serious alternative to Eink.

BTW, what about the Ebw-1150? We have many many 1150 owners here. If LCD isn't competitive, then how do you explain them?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

BTW, what about the Ebw-1150? We have many many 1150 owners here. If LCD isn't competitive, then how do you explain them?

I can think of a couple of reasons:

1. It's very cheap. Not everyone can afford - or wishes to pay - the price of an eInk reader. The EBW is wonderful value for money.
2. Some people like backlit devices for reading in the dark.