Connect is no longer Connect it's now The eBook Store from Sony

[Lobo59]

Just noticed that Sony has changed the name of the Connect site to "The eBook Store from Sony". I did a Google search on "the eBook Store from Sony and Borders" and it came up with a privacy statement on the new website that refers to The eBook Store from Sony and Borders. I haven't found anything thing more about the Sony and Borders partnership, but the new eBook store name must be in anticipation of the start up. It'll be interesting to see what Border's prices will be for our Sony readers... (Just hurry, I wanna earn points!)


Lobo59

[Ervserver]

hmmm hopefully a sign of a bigger and better thing

[BenG]

I just visited the Connect store for in first time in a while. I noticed that there a few RSS feeds you can subscribe to.

[Leaping Gnome]

Originally Posted by Lobo59

It'll be interesting to see what Border's prices will be for our Sony readers...

What do you mean by this? Borders has sold the Reader for a long time, at the usual MSRP. Some have also sold physical Sony Connect giftcards.

[Dajala]

It would be nice to be able to add your own RSS feeds to the list. I want Mobileread on my PRS505!!

[Astropin]

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

What do you mean by this? Borders has sold the Reader for a long time, at the usual MSRP. Some have also sold physical Sony Connect giftcards.

Maybe he meant for their ebooks?

[kezza]

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

What do you mean by this? Borders has sold the Reader for a long time, at the usual MSRP. Some have also sold physical Sony Connect giftcards.

Borders and Sony are supposed to be expanding Borders' role when they roll out their new online store next month, when the Borders-Amazon contract expires. It seems like the Borders online store is supposed to start selling Sony ebooks, but the details are little fuzzy. I'm not holding my breath for something amazing, but if it means I can download books on my (non-intel) Mac I'll be happy.

[Lobo59]

Yep, my wonder is about the cost of the eBooks that are supposed to available via Borders website in the near future. There is a sticker on the PRS-505 box in the displays at Borders that gives a credit at the "The eBook Store by Sony at Borders" at this time.

[Leaping Gnome]

Eh, I would expect the "Borders" store to just be a rebranded Sony store, or even the same store with Sony and Borders logos displayed. I would not expect much if any difference in prices. Would thing that might happen is Borders can use their retail clout to spur publishers to expand their catalogs on Connect.

[dhbailey]

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

Eh, I would expect the "Borders" store to just be a rebranded Sony store, or even the same store with Sony and Borders logos displayed. I would not expect much if any difference in prices. Would thing that might happen is Borders can use their retail clout to spur publishers to expand their catalogs on Connect.

That has been my impression and my hope, too. With a major book retailer jumping on the Sony Reader bandwagon this way there will be a more powerful competitor to Amazon, and between Amazon and Borders/Sony the ebook market may finally reach the critical-mass necessary that publishers do several things:

1) make ebook versions available more quickly;
2) make them cheaper than their paper versions right off the bat and realize lots of savings from not having to print, ship, store, account for as many paper copies and still sell large numbers;
3) bring out backlists of popular authors since there will be very little expense involved, especially for those authors whose books have been electronically submitted in Word or WordPerfect format from the start;
4) get things organized more logically and legally so that human readers won't have to resort to Napster and Kazaa sorts of file sharing networks to get new books for their readers and thus the publishing world can learn from the lessons of the recording industry and continue to make a profit with minimal piracy issues.

[edsohsmith]

There is a Sony Reader page up on the Borders Beta site:

http://beta.bordersstores.com/online...iew_sonyreader

Interesting that they list the $100 classic offer together with the new $50 credit

great offers
Now through January 15, 2008, when you purchase the Reader Digital Book you'll receive $50 in eBooks from the eBook Store from Sony at Borders. Offer details below.*

Also, when you purchase the Reader Digital Book before January 31, 2008, receive 100 free classic eBooks. Look for redemption details on the package.

Add to your existing eBook library and save up to 40% off thousands of bestsellers through the holiday season at the eBook Store from Sony at Borders.

[CapriCornflakes]

The plan is to have the Sony/Borders eBook Store work independently AND integrated with the new Borders.com coming in February.

Steps are currently underway to begin testing in-store downloads for eBooks at select locations.

Presently, they already have services in place to allow downloads of music in-store, with downloads of audiobooks coming in January.

http://www.bordersmedia.com/godigital/

With in-store capability, this should allow the ebook downloads to qualify for select discounts through the Borders Rewards membership program.

[JSWolf]

I would have honestly thought one of the stores in Boston would be on that list. Oh well.

[CapriCornflakes]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I would have honestly thought one of the stores in Boston would be on that list. Oh well.

Just the same as I had thought they would put one in the Union Square location in San Francisco.

But then, this is a test program, and supposedly this concept won't be seen in most stores until 2009. Who knows what criteria they followed to determine locations?

Still, this in-store support may be one additional reason for Sony to partner with Borders, seeing as Sony has very few Style stores, and Borders likely has an established relationship with publishers, saving Sony the time to build one.

[kezza]

Originally Posted by CapriCornflakes

The plan is to have the Sony/Borders eBook Store work independently AND integrated with the new Borders.com coming in February.

Steps are currently underway to begin testing in-store downloads for eBooks at select locations.

That would be very nice, indeed. I have about 5 Borders stores convenient to me (and I don't have a car, so they're very convenient indeed). Does anyone know if we'd be able to get Borders Rewards points for ebook purchases when we can start buying through borders.com?