Sony Intros Upgraded Reader
by Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 10/2/2008 2:46:00 PM
At a New York press conference Thursday evening, Sony introduced a new version of its e-book reader. The Sony Reader PRS 700 will begin shipping in November and will be priced at $399. Among the most significant upgrades is a new touch screen that allows readers to select their reading choice by touching an icon on the screen and also lets readers turn pages by swiping their fingers across the screen. The 700 also has an advanced search function and new note-taking capabilities, and a reading light has been added. With additional storage capacity, the 700 can accommodate up to 350 e-books and will also play DRM-free music and spokenword audio.
The device is not wireless, however, although Steve Haber, president of the newly formed Digital Reading business division, said Sony will develop a wireless device, and when it does it will be done on an open platform.
In conjunction with the launch of the 700, Haber said Sony’s goal is to double the number of e-books available for the player from approximately 50,000 to 100,000 by the holiday shopping season. Some prices for e-books at the Sony eBookstore have been lowered with bestsellers now priced at $11.99.
Haber said Sony is committed to the e-book market, which he said “is moving in a positive direction.” As part of the company’s commitment, the Reader team, both hardware and software units, have been combined in offices in San Diego. Haber said the introduction of the Reader in the U.K. has exceeded expectations and that Sony will introduce the device in France soon.
