Sony releases new ebook software, compatible with Mac, leaves out PRS-500 support

Aug 28 2009

Oh Sony, how can you break my heart? After all my excitement over your new and shiny ebook reading devices, you are now going to let me drown in a sea of obscurity only because I was an early adopter and took a chance when you first got into the ebook business. I didn’t think you’d forget about me, or at least, not this fast.

Of course I’m talking about how Sony upgraded their ebook software to version 3.0 today which finally includes a version for us Mac users (yay!). But I’m sad because the new upgrade leaves out support for the first generation Sony eReader, the PRS-500 (boo!). I can’t win. And worst of all, Sony makes it perfectly clear that the PRS-500 is left out in the ‘compatibility’ section of the software download page:

Device: Works with Reader Digital Book by Sony (Models: PRS-505, PRS-700, Reader Pocket Edition and Reader Touch Edition). Not currently compatible with the PRS-500 model.

The emphasis in bold is mine. However, they do say ‘not currently compatible’, does that mean that the PRS-500 will be supported in a future update? I’m not holding my breath. In a way I understand. Sony wants people to upgrade to their newer devices. I want to upgrade to a new eReader, but I want to do it on my terms and when I’m ready – not because of compatibility issues.

Nevertheless, the software upgrade is noteworthy, and overall a great step forward. In this review of Sony’s new ebook software, Mashable points out one feature that gives Sony a leg up over Amazon:

The big difference with Sony’s approach is that users can now read eBooks on their Mac or PC. Amazon won’t even let you buy a Kindle book unless you have a Kindle device attached to your account or you have an iPhone or iPod touch set as a registered device. Furthermore, you can only read the books on the portable devices themselves.

While most people will probably never read an ebook from Sony on their computer, it is just one more example of how Sony is working at being flexible with ebook consumers. Probably more exciting and more revolutionary, however, is another feature of the new Sony software:

The eBook Library Software also acts as an EPUB reader, meaning that those one million free books that Google Books is offering can be transferred quickly and easily to a Sony Reader device, or read on your computer.

That’s great news and I hope other companies in the ebook business follow Sony’s lead in adopting ePub as a standard ebook format.

As I’ve said earlier, I’m really on the fence on whether or not to upgrade to a new eReader. The fact that the new software will not support my trusty PRS-500 will certainly weigh heavily on my decision. For now, thank goodness for programs like Calibre, which does support my device on my Mac, and has for quite a while now.

By the way, the reviews of Sony’s new eReaders are starting to come in. Here’s a great review of the Sony Touch Edition PRS-600 by Mobile Tech Review. And if you’re not in the mood for reading, there’s an excellent review video at the bottom of the page on their site.

Read More: Technology, The Interwebs, eBooks

One Response

Sony continues to completely suck at user support. I used the previous eBook Library software version today on my PC and it immediately says “new version available, do you want to update”. I say yes, thinking that any obvious issues will be highlighted.

Then I go to access my PRS-500 from the new eBook Library application and it comes back with Error. Nothing useful like: “you have a PRS-500 and we have ophaned it with this new version”.

Sony needs wake up and look at how Apple has supported iPod users from the first version with iTunes. I for one will NEVER buy another Sony product, consumer or professional. And my next eBook reader will be an Amazon (or Apple). Sony, you just suck.

Reader Owner 10/15/2009 12:12 pm