Sony finally does something that I like, I don't think Amazon's going to be too fond of it

[thewayne]

They opened up their ebook software so that anyone can create content for it.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/09/sony-opens-up-ebook-platform-to-self-publishers/

Basically, they're in partner with a site where you can upload your book, specify how much to charge for it, and specify what platforms it is available for: Stanza (iPhone and more), Google Android, and Barnes & Noble.

I like the Sony ebook readers in terms of their physical form factor and ergonomics. I like the Kindle. I don't like the cost of either, they're just too expensive for a single-purpose device for me. I've read a lot of ebooks on my PDAs over the years as it is a multi-function device that I use daily. I'm also not at all a fan of some of the things regarding DRM on a Kindle, nor do I like their pricing structure, though I understand the cost of ebooks through Amazon has come down. I read a story of someone whose Kindle was stolen, and though he could disable his account so the thief couldn't buy books on it and charge the owner's account, Amazon couldn't/wouldn't remotely brick it, which should be easily possible considering the persistent cellular connection that it maintains.

Comments

[silveradept]

I'm sort of waiting for the ASUS device to come out, but hooray for opening up your platform so that more people can use it, instead of proprietary tying of things to your platform. Haven't we already figured out that doesn't work?

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

Do you have an URL for the Asus?

[silveradept]

Here's at least one. Promotional material about the reader, from CNet.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

Very interesting! I wonder if it'll be the same eInk that the Kindle uses or an LCD. I'd have concerns about battery life with the latter, but I don't see how they could afford a double-screen eInk system for that price point after having seen an estimated cost breakdown of the Kindle.

[silveradept]

Who knows. Perhaps they've managed some interesting new technology that makes it possible to be useful and long-lived on a color sort of eInk.