Don’t get me wrong. I want Sony to succeed. The more legitimate competitors, the better off we all are. But Sony seems to be making bad decisions, one after another. Even their latest netbook shows the company has no clue in more ways than one. So I am a bit skeptical about Sony.

I actually don’t think Sony is that far behind Amazon in the ebook market (in terms of technology). They are just following a different model. Honestly a more ipod model.

Sony cares about selling hardware in the ebook market. Amazon cares about selling books. This leads you down two very different paths.

I have actually liked the sony hardware, but it is way easier to buy books on a Kindle.

Also Sony has not been doing that well in the last few years. I would imagine the team that was working on ereaders has been cut to the bone and only recently (after it was clear the kindle was a success) given any real resources.

I guess the wording could be better but what I meant by Apple was a company such as Apple that would come in and revolutionize it again and put the ball back in Amazon’s court to see how it responds. It’s not about iPad or other shiny devices but rather a company that comes up with something outside-the-box. I’d say it’s been almost too easy for Amazon going through its competitors. Now Sony is trying to catch up but it’s all based on a reactive strategy than proactive. I still can’t imagine why Sony sat on its reader without making an effort to capture the e-book market. Sure. Sony is not in Amazon’s position and didn’t have the content bank to count on but still it’s a shame Sony is a follower in this industry and not a leader. Not at this point of time anyway.

It is to let 3rd parties deal with it and take a slice of the profits. Right now Apple is getting 30% off each ebook sale from the app store. That is probably as good, if not better, then what they would be able to do if they had made a deal with the publishers themselves.

This way apple gets the same money they would have gotten through selling it themselves, without doing anything.

What everyone needs to remember is that Apple is a hardware company. They use software and media to help them sell hardware. Building an apple ebook store would not help sell more iphones, macs, or iPad’s, any more then the current 3rd party ebook stores do.

Now i would love to have Apple get into the ebook market because i do not feel anyone has made an ebook experience as great as it could be. But i doubt the books would be cheaper then what amazon sells. I doubt apple is interested in a device that is built for just reading documents. I see why apple fans (like me) want apple to take on this market. I just don’t see why apple and it’s shareholders would want to.