Sony Reader goes open, will be able to work with other booksellers

While Sony's Reader has never received the enormous press or enjoyed the supposed whirlwind sales of Amazon's Kindle e-book, and is certainly lacking in, erm, EV-DOness, the Reader is about to get one trick the Kindle doesn't have yet: openness. Sony will be shooting out an update on Thursday to allow the Reader to use purchased books in the protected EPUB format from whoever is peddling them, instead of being tied to the Sony's e-book store, or just DRM-free text and PDF documents. That openness should help Sony beef up its selection -- which is lagging behind Amazon's -- and will hopefully mark a bit of a turning point in the e-book market to more standards and, more importantly, more books.

[James @ Jul 24th 2008 9:00AM]

Remind me, why was this received so poorly, while the Kindle was raved about? Was it only the book selection because I, honestly, would rather be seen using one of these the the Kindle.

[BoxOfSnoo @ Jul 24th 2008 9:04AM]

EV-DOness.

[John @ Jul 24th 2008 9:07AM]

The name Sony.
Drm.
Lack of open-ness.

Pretty much everything this article says they fixed, except it's made by Sony.

[billbert @ Aug 23rd 2008 7:49PM]

I would rather be seen with an actual book!

[Eric H @ Jul 24th 2008 10:00AM]

Have you used one? I demoed one and the pages turned horribly slow, the screen was beautiful, but the page turning was a killer.

[Jon Doe. @ Jul 24th 2008 10:01AM]

And I don't care what I'm seen with. It isn't a fucking popularity contest or a fashion show.

[SoloSalsa @ Jul 24th 2008 10:41AM]

Yep: the book selection. Sony isn't the only company that makes e-book readers. The reason why Kindle is magnitudes more successful than all of the others is simply because: it comes from a company that deals with books. Amazon, being the humungous store it is, sells nearly every book in the world, so it has a vast Kindle library. Sony, however, makes music and movies not books, so it has to beg the publishers to give them books.
For example, it had some bestselling recent works of fiction, out of a series. They only carried the first book in a series or trilogy: odds are you've already read the first, and want to get the follow-ups, which Sony didn't have.

Another reason: the Sony store is only for Windows, but the Kindle has a cell modem in it and downloads books directly on the device.

When I saw the headline, I was hoping it meant the store will be open to other operating systems...

[Gilbert Tang @ Jul 24th 2008 10:44AM]

@ Eric H: I actually own one and am constantly pleased at how well it does what it was built to do, display books.

While there is a notable refresh, I find it's similar to or shorter than actually turning a page; it's hardly a wait, or killer for that matter, not even while reading 150MB PDF casebooks.

That said, the one thing this device had really fallen behind on is the e-book store, which is archaic and cumbersome, but most of all made me want to do for only working with Windows.

Now that this update is out, I'm happier, but wary. I'm happy for obvious reasons in that I can buy anything I want now; but I'm wary because it's almost a white flag saying they're just not pushing for it.

We'll see.

[NeoteriX @ Jul 24th 2008 11:20AM]

@Gilbert Tang

...Casebooks? You mean law case books? How?

If you speak the truth and have your casebooks in PDF and readable via an ereader, I'm not going to be able to convey how sad I am that I had to lug 50+ lbs of books for 3 years...

[spyker @ Jul 24th 2008 11:27AM]

@Erik H. It's faster than turning a page on a book.

[Josh @ Jul 24th 2008 11:40AM]

One of the problems with Kindle, according to this article: http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=526&doc_id=139702&f_src=flffour are the lack of an extensive library, the cost and the inability to access web content like weblogs.

[Temple @ Jul 24th 2008 11:41AM]

I own one, it is a very good device. I also now own a Kindle, but the Sony was much more open then Amazon's offering, allowing for the ability to play pdf, txt, jpg, rtf, etc.

For the Kindle you have to convert it to Kindle's format, which either means emailing your file in, or paying Amazon for the conversion. Not very useful when you have tons of files.

If Sony's Reader can do EVDO and use Amazon's store, I'm in.

[LC @ Jul 24th 2008 11:42AM]

I have the PRS 500 and a Kindle and have to say I like the Kindle better. The Sony software was kind of annoying to use. While sleeker looking, I could care less what the thing looks like as long as it has a great screen and a comforatble weight.

I think the Kindle is doing better because of the free EVDO and the ability to shop and download books without using a computer. It's basic web browser is also a great freebie to read rss feeds and non graphic intense web pages.

[Lars @ Jul 24th 2008 1:57PM]

@Temple: Wow, I didn't know that!

Once I heard about the Kindle being able to connect to the web (though not really to browse web pages, which makes sense) and download e-books directly, I felt that the Kindle was what I would wind up getting --even though I think Sony's design is much more sleek and user-friendly.

However, I figured that the most use I'd get out of it was viewing PDF's. I have access to a binding cutter and a fast optical scanner designed for converting books to electronic file formats. So I've converted some of my own personal library of books already. And the huge difference in price, plus this news is making me think that Sony's Reader is the way to go after all.

[Jamar @ Jul 25th 2008 5:21AM]

I wish they sold the Librie in the States instead of the Reader.

[dextro @ Jul 24th 2008 9:00AM]

I already wanted a Sony Reader but now I REALLY want a Sony Reader... Any idea of what price they'll get in the UK?

[Scythe @ Jul 24th 2008 9:14AM]

Via MobileRead:
"No price yet, sorry folks, but we heard people say something of around £200."

Should be available for pre-order later today or tomorrow apparently.

[Scythe @ Jul 24th 2008 9:04AM]

Sweet, my wife can continue to be occupied while I play the PS3! ::high-five Sony::

Oh, and I'm actually excited for this. Anyone that uses the Sony eBook store knows how painful the selection can be. Let alone the bugs that many have encountered. However, I've used both the Kindle and the Sony Reader, and the quality of the Sony Reader (and the speed) is far superior to the Kindle I was using.

[chefgon_ign @ Jul 24th 2008 9:08AM]

Besides the lack of on-device shopping, this seems like a much slicker device than the Kindle. I was playing with a demo unit at the store the other day and it is very nice. The Kindle would be better if it didn't look so much like a giant early 90's PDA.

Can the Kindle do PDFs? That seems like a pretty big feature to me. Lots of the technical books I buy include a PDF version on an included CD.

[weg @ Jul 24th 2008 9:32AM]

In theory, the Sony Reader is able to display PDF, but the small display makes it almost impossible to display academic papers or the like. I've read reports that most PDFs are illegible on the Sony Reader (see, for instance, http://www.43folders.com/2007/11/11/my-fling-sony-reader). The iRex iLiad has a larger display and can deal with PDFs very well (tried it at Borders, it showed a 250 page technical document with lots of illustrations without problems), so I really hope they'll eventually open up the iLiad to be able to read the proprietary, protected formats, too.

[dagwud @ Jul 24th 2008 10:06AM]

Dangit. For a moment I was excited by the prospect of not having to print article PDFs to make them comfortably portable.

That stinks.

[chefgon_ign @ Jul 24th 2008 10:06AM]

Ouch, I'm glad I saw that before splurging on one for PDFs.

[Bacchus @ Jul 24th 2008 10:54AM]

Actually, I use mine for reading scientific papers all the time. There is a program called pdflrf written by some generous fellow which converts pdf files to the sony fileformat lrf. I'm not sure, but I think that the program works by converting the pdf document into a sequence of grey scale images.
It removes the white borders and can even split up multicolumn documents correctly. It's not perfect. Sometimes the bottom line on a page is not cut properly and whenever you have a combination of multicolumn and single column elements, it messes up. However since buying the ereader I've used it for reading almost every paper I've read and my desk at work is a whole lot tidier.

[Mike @ Jul 24th 2008 12:36PM]

@ weg,

Do you have a 505? I don't think so. PDFs are not illegible as you claim. The problem is that the PDF will only zoom to medium size. The trick is to view them in landscape mode. Secondly, the firmware upgrade Sony is about to release for the 505 will include PDF reflow which should make viewing PDFs much easier.

BTW, while the Iliad is a more capable device (i.e. touchscreen) it is also much larger and twice as expensive ($699 was the cheapest I saw).

[weg @ Jul 24th 2008 7:32PM]

@Mike: No, you are right, I don't own a 505 (I played around a little bit with one the last time I was in the US, but I didn't have any PDFs with me). When I heard about it the first time, I was desparately looking for reviews saying that viewing PDFs on that device works at least decently, however, you're the first one who says that it's actually practicable. There's a large number of reviews out there that claims that it doesn't work reasonably well, even in landscape mode (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-9799560-23.html). And honestly, when I was playing around with the iLiad (PDF in landscape mode), I had the impression that the display shouldn't be smaller than that.. and the iLiad has a larger display than the 505.

[chickenator @ Jul 24th 2008 9:11AM]

i want the watch!

[AJ @ Jul 24th 2008 9:53AM]

Exactly what is it about the watch that makes you want it - the metal strap?

[Relax @ Jul 24th 2008 9:26AM]

Wow... this is a good news for book readers

[AlphaTeam @ Jul 24th 2008 9:45AM]

Thanks, but my proprietary format Kindle with hundred thousand book selections for only $9.99 is very nice. It doesn't matter if the book is "open" or not, if it costs $15 or $20.

[blowhard @ Jul 24th 2008 9:54AM]

Great news for PRS-505 owners, bad news for all of us PRS-500 owners who are getting snuffed by good ole $ony.

[Anthony @ Jul 24th 2008 10:56AM]

I didn't read anywhere the the PRS-500 wasn't getting an update. Did you? I personally kept mine because I tend to hold the book w/ my left hand & wanted to change pages w/ that same hand. Refresh rates aren't terrible & the "brighter" 505 wasn't really noticeable to me either.

[Mike @ Jul 24th 2008 12:39PM]

Sorry, the update is for the 505 only. Sony is studying the option for the 500. (as per mobileread.com)

[Cory @ Jul 24th 2008 9:56AM]

Or I could just read ebooks on my PSP...

[chefgon_ign @ Jul 24th 2008 10:36AM]

...or your cell phone, or your ipod, or your PDA...

There are tons of devices you probably already have that have LCD screens and can display text files, but a true e-book reader is a completely different experience. It really isn't comparable.

[Jon Doe. @ Jul 24th 2008 10:02AM]

I don't suppose ereader.com uses this format eh.

[Ethan @ Jul 24th 2008 10:23AM]

What about rtf? I quite like a bit of formatting.

[zeus9387 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:18AM]

I actually already have the PRS-505 and can tell you that it already supports RTF files. In fact, that is what I use on it almost exclusively as my school text books are only otherwise available as PDFs.

[Julian @ Jul 24th 2008 10:27AM]

I never heard of sony's thing until now but every time i go on Amazon the first thing i see is a plug for thier kindle. I've seen this thing twice in the wild and I really dont get it? are people reading 20 books at once that they need this thing? why not just carry an actual book? this just seems like a waste of money.

[infoclipper @ Jul 24th 2008 11:25AM]

The point is for people who actually read: my Kindle paid for itself in the first month and a half I owned it, just from the difference in price between deadwood books and ebooks. Now every book I read, actually keeps money in my pocket.

[Bob @ Jul 24th 2008 1:39PM]

Even if eBooks are the same price as paper books an eBook can be better for many people.
- Instant gratification. Ease of obtaining a book at any hour of the day/night without having to drive anywhere
- Able to bring multiple books with you on trips without lugging heavy space consuming books in your carry-on.
- I like grabbing the iPod and eReader as I leave for a trip and knowing I have all my books, most of my music and my good movies with me. No more choosing what books to bring or what CDs to bring when I pack.
- Able to search an entire book for references or passages very quickly & knowing you didn't miss anything
- For those that like simplicity & no clutter but like to read. Its nice not having stacks of books to store in a house, having to give away or having to recycle them. For me some books I never read again so they just take up space once I am done with them.
- For environmental people, they can feel like they are saving a tree

[David D @ Jul 24th 2008 10:34AM]

I sorta like the concept of an e-reader for trips and stuff like that. I read a lot on trips, so not having to carry 20 books onboard a plane for a weeklong trip would be really great. This device being open is a really great thing, making me want it more... EV-DOness wouldn't be bad either, but I don't need it that badly. Now, just drop the price $100 and I'm in.

[Chris Schmidt @ Jul 24th 2008 10:41AM]

I've had one for about a year now. It's actually remarkably open already: shows up as a mass storage device, reads a variety of formats sans-conversion, and looks a hell of a lot nicer than the Kindle. The big news here is that it will now accept another DRM format. The Sony eBook store has always been a joke - buggy iTunes knock off with a skimpy selection and no Mac support. Maybe Borders will adopt the ePub format and we can get some competition.

[zeus9387 @ Jul 24th 2008 11:19AM]

it already supports RTF. That is what I use currently.

[spyker @ Jul 24th 2008 11:28AM]

Anyone know if this will be for the old and crappy e-reader too? I want open-ness :(.

[Maverick Saturn @ Jul 24th 2008 11:41AM]

I've always liked the concept of this, its just finding a decent one, but once I do, I can stick this on its own on my bookshelf :)

Walk into a library and its empty, only these are in there.

Customer: "Urm, do you have Harry Potter?"
Librarian: "Yeah, its on every shelf, you can't miss it"

[nathan.wong @ Jul 24th 2008 12:19PM]

Hallelujah! Sony has seen the light!

[Luke @ Jul 24th 2008 2:55PM]

Has anyone been able to get the Sony Store Connect software to run on Vista X64? I have some gift cards I've been unable to use because it doesn't seem to want to install, and I haven't found a workaround.

[spmartin82 @ Jul 24th 2008 4:10PM]

I would be all over this or even a Kindle, but I simply am not buying into the belief that an e-book should cost even 1/2 of a paperback's price. There is no printing, no packaging and no shipping. Initial file production and minimal per-item bandwidth are the only costs. If Amazon would give the option to add the electronic version of a book I am buying on paperback/hardcover to my order for $2, I would purchase a Kindle and do it almost every time.

Many of the books I buy for reference (and even some of the fiction) I like to tag, make notes and mark up in general. Even with the closed platform on the Kindle, make it cheaper for me to own both an electronic and hard copy and I'm sold. The model is moving this way already in the DVD world (MPEG4s and WMVs included on-disc).

[Michael Lomker @ Jul 24th 2008 5:23PM]

@Temple -- Amazon isn't currently charging for conversion although they reserve the right to do so in the future. They will convert files and email them back to you (for transfer via USB) for free even if they do start charging for EVDO transfer. Their PDF converter actually makes a PDF readable on the small screen...I couldn't imagine why you'd want to try viewing a PDF directly.

You also seem to imply that everything has to be converted. The Kindle reads MOBI files (.prc) directly and their are programs to convert to that format right on your PC if you don't want to bother with emailing them.

[Illystor @ Jul 24th 2008 5:26PM]

I work at a Waterstone's branch in the UK, and I can say now, if you haven't already heard (Publishing News and TheBookseller have been all over it) we will be stocking the Sony Reader in our stores as of around September.

To be honest, when we got the PCs in our stores for our customers to browse our online store I felt that technology was encroaching on the traditional bookstore a bit too much. Our stocking of an e-book reader is something I'm not best pleased with.

Obviously we are posturing to take on Amazon, possibly pre-emptively, and the Kindle. Still... the absurdity. I love gadgets as much as the next guy, but why reinvent the wheel?

Amazon advertises the Kindle as a "wireless reading device"..... *cough*BOOK*cough*

Still, if indeed e-books do take off. I think support of multiple formats is a must for these devices.... that or the BA and PA settling on an industry-wide standard.... because I hate the prospect of Amazon becoming to ebooks what Apple is to music. One company having a monopoly on both the sales of ebooks and ebook readers is a terrible thing for the book industry in my opinion, and I really hope they don't make the mistakes made by the music industry.....

So in summary.

Bah to ebooks, but if they are a necessary evil, support for multiple formats or forms of DRM: good, Amazon becoming the sole significant player in the ebook industry: bad.