Sony Reader Daily Edition

The world of e-readers continues to heat up with Sony’s new high end model, the Reader Daily Edition.   Sony finally has a reader with wireless capabilities compliments of AT&T’s 3G network.  With wireless, you will have access to Sony’s e-book store, upcoming newspaper and magazine subscriptions, and the library.  It also boasts a 7-inch touchscreen, which can be viewed in landscape or portrait mode.  Plus, Sony’s Library software 3.0 will be unveiled with its new support for Macs.  All of this can be yours for a price of $399.   

Now I find the library addition interesting.  If your local library supports electronic lending, then you will be able to transfer the file to your Reader for 21 days.  After 21 days, the file will expire.  Sony is currently working with Overdrive.com to help make it easier to search library books.  While I think this is a great idea, there are a few things that jump out at me.  First, you need to be a member of the library you wish to borrow a book from.  I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a library card.  Plus, why do you need to be a member?  Its not like you can ‘steal’ the book, the file expires in 21 days.  The 21 days also bugs me.  I can’t finish a book in 21 days.  I simply do not have time, unless its all pictures and giant print.  I hope there is a way to renew your file, and not have to wait your turn again.  Libraries do not have unlimited copies of ebooks.  If they have 5 e-files of the latest Kim Harrison book, and if all of them are ‘in use’, then you need it to be ‘returned’ before you can use it.  It is still free material, but I am just curious how everything will work.

Now let’s talk about how this new reader compares to the Kindle, because that’s what this is all about.  First, with Sony adopting the new open file format, people will have a much bigger choice when it comes to buy e-books.  Any company that supports the Adobe-backed standard will work, including Google books.  I hope that you will be able to download these e-books on the go.  More choices, and less restrictions is a point for Sony.  Sony also has a touch-screen, and the Kindle does not.  However, the Sony is $100 more than the newest Kindle (DX not included).  I am not going to pay an extra $100 just for a touchscreen.  Sony may have lots of bookstore choices, but how often can you not find a book you want on Amazon.  Plus, it is still unknown if you will be able to download books from other bookstores on the go. I am still hoping for a partnership with Borders for buying books on the go.  Book availability is going to be especially important with Barnes & Nobles’ e-reader on the horizon.  Sony is getting much closer to competing with Amazon, and I for one can’t wait to see what is next. 

Via Crave

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