Connect updates?

pwalker8 · 05-06-2007, 11:53 AM

Has anyone heard any rumors about any upcoming updates to the Connect software or prs500 firmware? It's been over 8 months since the initial software and so far we have seen one small bug fix for both the reader and the connect software. That's a pretty long time.

NatCh · 05-06-2007, 01:58 PM

There were some right after the first update, but they seem to have faded out, I haven't dug up any fresh ones since then, myself.

In all fairness though, the first one was ~5 Months after launch, and it's only been ~2.5 months since then, that's not really all that slow an update schedule ... unless you're comparing it to iRex's.

pwalker8 · 05-06-2007, 04:13 PM

A lot depends on how you view the product. If the product is comparable to Apple's iPod/iTunes (roughly once every two months), then Sony's update cycle is very slow indeed. It's not like connect is mature software, or there aren't any bugs or obvious enhancements.

dhbailey · 05-07-2007, 07:52 AM

On the other hand, apple's update schedule simply shows that they're not willing or maybe not capable of fixing all the bugs at one time. Perhaps Sony is being more cautious and working on a much more significant upgrade.

HarryT · 05-07-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhbailey

On the other hand, apple's update schedule simply shows that they're not willing or maybe not capable of fixing all the bugs at one time. Perhaps Sony is being more cautious and working on a much more significant upgrade.

Very true. Eg, after four months, there STILL isn't a version of iTunes which works with Windows Vista. At least Sony were quick off the mark with a Vista-capable version of Connect.

Dave Berk · 05-07-2007, 08:27 AM

Sadly, I believe Sony sole purpose in providing a firmware update was to prevent more hacks like that of igorsk... to prevent access to certain folders... Now that that's done we will not see nor hear anything from them anymore.
I sure hope to be found wrong.. when their next update will roll with support for mac and linux, and simple way to add fonts... I will buy a hat and eat it too

.

HarryT · 05-07-2007, 08:37 AM

There IS a simple way to add fonts. You can embed whatever fonts you want in an LRF or PDF file.

Dave Berk · 05-07-2007, 08:40 AM

I tried that. But then the pages load ever so slow...

texag · 05-07-2007, 09:07 AM

I can't believe the comparison with the Connect Store and Itunes. Itunes has functioned just about perfectly from Day 1. You never heard the complaints like you hear on this site about the Connect Store.

Also, when the Itunes store updates, it is usually to add features or functionality.

Let's remember that Sony still hasn't provided any Mac support...at all...since the Reader was launched.

Also, there has been an update for Itunes that addresses most Vista issues and allows you to sync your Ipod. Still a few issues, but it is workable. Here's the link:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305042

HarryT · 05-07-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texag

I can't believe the comparison with the Connect Store and Itunes. Itunes has functioned just about perfectly from Day 1. You never heard the complaints like you hear on this site about the Connect Store.

The "Connect" store is what? About 8 months old? Compare it with "iTunes" when it was 8 months old and I think you'll find the comparison is rather favourable. At that time, iTunes was US-only, single-platform, with a very small content. Rather similar, in fact, to what Connect is now. Let's wait and see what "Connect" is like in, say, 5 years time. Then we'll be able to make a sensible comparison.

Quote:

Also, when the Itunes store updates, it is usually to add features or functionality.

Connect did add significant functionality at the 1.1 update. One very significant feature it added, for those of us who are creating content for the Reader, is the full-screen "preview" mode. Now you can sensible read LRF files on the PC rather than having to load them on the Reader to see how they'll look. That's a massive feature when you're creating books.

Quote:

Let's remember that Sony still hasn't provided any Mac support...at all...since the Reader was launched.

I'm afraid there are lots of products out there which don't have Mac support - it's a minority market. My Pocket PC doesn't support the Mac. Palms don't support the Mac. My Canon digital SLR camera doesn't. That's why I have both a Mac and a PC. If you have only a Mac, you can pick up a 2nd hand PC running XP for peanuts on eBay, etc.

Leaping Gnome · 05-07-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhbailey

On the other hand, apple's update schedule simply shows that they're not willing or maybe not capable of fixing all the bugs at one time. Perhaps Sony is being more cautious and working on a much more significant upgrade.

I would estimate that half of iTunes' updates in the last year or two are to add new features.

Sony's commitment to the Connect store and software is pitiful. There are so many things that could be improved that by not putting out any significant updates in nine months they have shown they don't really care about the platform in my opinion. They put out something just good enough to get by.

astra · 05-08-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

My Canon digital SLR camera doesn't

Are you sure?

(well it is off top and you don't have to answer

)

HarryT · 05-08-2007, 08:16 AM

The software which lets me control all the camera's settings, etc, I think is Windows only. I could be wrong, however - I tend to use my PC rather than my Mac for that sort of thing, so it's possible I overlooked it

.

astra · 05-08-2007, 08:31 AM

I use PC only, but I thought there was a mac option on my canon's slr CD. I could be wrong though. Will have a look at the CD tonight, just out of curiosity

texag · 05-08-2007, 04:58 PM

Harry,

I use a Canon SLR and it works flawlessly on the Mac. Might have some fun exploring that.

05-06-2007, 11:53 AM	#1
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	Connect updates? Has anyone heard any rumors about any upcoming updates to the Connect software or prs500 firmware? It's been over 8 months since the initial software and so far we have seen one small bug fix for both the reader and the connect software. That's a pretty long time.

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05-06-2007, 01:58 PM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	There were some right after the first update, but they seem to have faded out, I haven't dug up any fresh ones since then, myself. In all fairness though, the first one was ~5 Months after launch, and it's only been ~2.5 months since then, that's not really all that slow an update schedule ... unless you're comparing it to iRex's.

05-06-2007, 04:13 PM	#3
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	A lot depends on how you view the product. If the product is comparable to Apple's iPod/iTunes (roughly once every two months), then Sony's update cycle is very slow indeed. It's not like connect is mature software, or there aren't any bugs or obvious enhancements.

05-07-2007, 07:52 AM	#4
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	On the other hand, apple's update schedule simply shows that they're not willing or maybe not capable of fixing all the bugs at one time. Perhaps Sony is being more cautious and working on a much more significant upgrade.

05-07-2007, 08:27 AM	#6
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	Sadly, I believe Sony sole purpose in providing a firmware update was to prevent more hacks like that of igorsk... to prevent access to certain folders... Now that that's done we will not see nor hear anything from them anymore. I sure hope to be found wrong.. when their next update will roll with support for mac and linux, and simple way to add fonts... I will buy a hat and eat it too .

05-07-2007, 08:37 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	There IS a simple way to add fonts. You can embed whatever fonts you want in an LRF or PDF file.

05-07-2007, 08:40 AM	#8
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	I tried that. But then the pages load ever so slow...

05-07-2007, 09:07 AM	#9
texag Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2007	I can't believe the comparison with the Connect Store and Itunes. Itunes has functioned just about perfectly from Day 1. You never heard the complaints like you hear on this site about the Connect Store. Also, when the Itunes store updates, it is usually to add features or functionality. Let's remember that Sony still hasn't provided any Mac support...at all...since the Reader was launched. Also, there has been an update for Itunes that addresses most Vista issues and allows you to sync your Ipod. Still a few issues, but it is workable. Here's the link: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305042

05-08-2007, 08:16 AM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The software which lets me control all the camera's settings, etc, I think is Windows only. I could be wrong, however - I tend to use my PC rather than my Mac for that sort of thing, so it's possible I overlooked it .

05-08-2007, 08:31 AM	#14
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	I use PC only, but I thought there was a mac option on my canon's slr CD. I could be wrong though. Will have a look at the CD tonight, just out of curiosity

05-08-2007, 04:58 PM	#15
texag Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2007	Harry, I use a Canon SLR and it works flawlessly on the Mac. Might have some fun exploring that.

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