Sony announces Reader Daily Edition, free library ebook checkouts
By Nilay Patel 
posted Aug 25th 2009 10:31AM
posted Aug 25th 2009 10:31AM
It flew under the radar until a quiet leak this morning, but Sony's just announced the Reader Daily Edition, as well as updated Mac-compatible eBook Library 3.0 software and a new library content service. The Reader Daily Edition has a seven-inch touchscreen with 16 levels of gray as well as a AT&T 3G modem, enabling it to pull content wirelessly -- it'll launch in December for $400, and the 3G access will be free, but limited to accessing the Sony eBook store. Yeah, sorry -- no web browser here. We're a little more geeked about the library finder service, which enables you to check out ebooks and other digital content from your local public library on any of the Readers -- for free. The New York Public Library is the flashy public launch partner, but there are "thousands more" looped in through a partnership with Overdrive.com -- check out the huge selection of top-tier content you can get through the Chicago Public Library, for example. Interestingly, the library buys a fixed number of "copies" of each title and "checks out" the licenses, so you're on a time limit -- licenses will revert after 14-29 days depending on your local branch's rules. Yeah, it's a little DRM-y and there's a lot of interesting new media and copyright implications there, but it's still a pretty amazing idea, and it's definitely a major advantage over the Kindle. We're gunning for more info now, we'll let you know as soon as we find out more -- until then, check two more images after the break.
Update: We're told that partnerships with university libraries were "only a matter of time," but sadly there's no timetable for a European launch at the moment.
Read - Sony Reader Daily Edition PR
Read - Overdrive.com partnership PR
Update: We're told that partnerships with university libraries were "only a matter of time," but sadly there's no timetable for a European launch at the moment.
Read - Sony Reader Daily Edition PR
Read - Overdrive.com partnership PR
The price of the Daily Edition needs fixing in the article. I wish it was $300.
I guess Amazon's Kindle has a true competitor now.
Yeah I was really excited about this when I thought it was $300. It's still better than the Kindle though.
How about $100 off for no-3G option, Sony?
Yes, Sony finally has a real competitor to the Kindle. Overdrive support is something I've been hoping Amazon would go for, smart move on Sony's part.
If you read a lot though the fact that it'll work with all these libraries can make up the difference pretty nicely though...
@ shinigami
"How about $100 off for no-3G option, Sony?"
um, the Touch Edition is basically the same thing as this new Daily Edition, but slightly smaller and no 3G. it's also $300. try doing a little research please.
@quillaja
'um, the Touch Edition is basically the same thing as this new Daily Edition, but SLIGHTLY SMALLER and no 3G. it's also $300. try doing a little research please.'
So, different in one of the most important aspects of an e-reader then - screen size. Thanks for coming.
cooooooooool.............now ill be getting library card...............oh yes.........cool sony..........but dont keep the rent tooo high...............please...........guys.......i think sony is the only company that have a large no of competitors........
Ok, this is big. I do most of my reading through the library, and was waiting for something like this. I would definitely pay $400 for this once my area library system signs up. That's the only disadvantage right now. Smaller markets are going to suffer if their library doesn't sign up for this service.
Like you I am a voracious user of my local library, but I would also really appreciate the ability to download a book to my reader when I am on holiday and nowhere near the physical building. Hope the service comes to the U.K., and be available on the PRS-505.
typically all books and all libraries are the same. The company should be able to determine which books any local library has purchased the rights for digital versions from them via your local IP/Registration information. I don't know how many libraries are acutally buying ebooks though.
or put in your library card number...haha i forgot about those things >_
So my question is how many digital copies of the popular books do the libraries have? Will it be 5000 people fighting over 20 copies of "Spaceballs: The Book?"
This has worked on my 505 for about a Year. The only difference is that currently youh have to download Adobe Digital Editions software, and if your library supports Adobe Digital Editions, then just download and plug your PRS in, the Adobe Software will recognize it as an e-book reader and allow you to store the books.
Now I guess its just included as part of the new software.
My library has had Overdrive for a long time, but I don't think many people know it's there or use it.
Ok, this is big. I do most of my reading through the library, and was waiting for something like this. I would definitely pay $400 for this once my area library system signs up. That's the only disadvantage right now. Smaller markets are going to suffer if their library doesn't sign up for this service.
"Interestingly, the library buys a fixed number of 'copies' of each title and 'checks out' the licenses, so you're on a time limit -- licenses will revert after 14-29 days depending on your local branch's rules."
Quick question: How is it justifiable for libraries to delete a book from your eReader if the text is in the public domain? A text-only library edition of Moby Dick has no production costs and no royalties attached -- the same novel is available as a free download from the Gutenberg Project. What business is it of my library if I wish to keep a copy on my eReader?
Perhaps beleaguered book vendors should begin offering package deals for texts -- something along the lines of _100 Classic Books for the DS_ (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/100-classic-book-collection-review).
Free! How anti-capitalist! Back to the USSR with you Sony. Free indeed. PAH!
Public schools, libraries, national parks, medicare, public transportation...all socialist programs that are destroying the nation! Keep your commie ebook reader Sony, I relish my ignorance! Excuse me while I go shoot deer foraging in my trailer park!
Public schools (incomparable failure for low-ncome families), libraries (non-federal, locally based, low-income and rural areas still under-served), national parks (monumental waste of tax payer money, poorly maintained and under used, originally created only to preserve game for hunters), medicare (with medicaid and social security we now have an unfunded obligations totalling 70 trillion dollars and a total u.s. economy of 12 trillion dollar - you can do the math), public transportation (inefficient wastes of money - everyone pays and only a few actually use)...all socialist programs that are destroying the nation! (well, you are finally right about one thing!)
In fairness to your satire and others who've replied to it.
Not many of the people who actually believe in those ideas are readers I would think.
@Mycrosoft
Underused??? Have you ever BEEN to a national park?? Trying going to the Grand Canyon or Shenandoah, or Acadia, or Yellowstone, or ANYWHERE. If anything, many of the parks have more people passing through them than they can really handle.
@ Marduk
Don't feed the right-wing troll!
I am a libertarian. But please, do not let that stop you from your generalizations.
A true liberarian advocates zero restrictions socially and economically. If that's what you are truly, then your libertarian status is irrelevant because that discussion would involve your presumably less conservative social views. Right now, we're talking about public institutions, and your shut-down-all-publicly-funded-institutions verdict is a typical example of far right economics and has been justly denounced as such.
And by the way: "Libertarian" is hardly ever used correctly even by its professed advocates. Newt Gingrich calls himself a libertarian even though he's never advocated a socially progressive platform in his life (such as Proposition 8). (Typical source: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/2009_04_07_Gingrich:_Iowa_gay_marriage_ruling_shows__judicial_arrogance_/)
I see you took my advice.
So for the same price as the kindle you get the free 3g, library service and PDF capabilities, and can use Ebooks in places other then Amazon without the fear of your content being mysteriously deleted. This sounds like all the features I was hoping for in an Ebook!
It's $100 more than the Kindle, and there's no guarantee they don't have the same remote wipes.
Well, it lacks a web browser though, which is half the reason I'd want a Kindle to be honest. Built in free 3G for just downloading books is lame. Other than that, this is pretty cool, although this kind of bugs me:
"Interestingly, the library buys a fixed number of "copies" of each title and "checks out" the licenses, so you're on a time limit -- licenses will revert after 14-29 days depending on your local branch's rules."
Missing the point of digital content?
And the memory is expandable!
@iofthestorm
I would think using an e-ink device to surf the web results in a horrible and slow experience. Better off using your blackberry/smart phone for that. The last think I want my ebook to become is an "all-in-one" that does everything poorly and nothing well. Basically, I buy an ebook reader to read books.
sweet, count me in
Great, another potentially cool gadget that won't work outside of the US.
I suspect there will be some geographical restrictions if it is actually extending public libraries. To ensure that only tax paying citizens of the city/state are benefitting. The up side is if this is really plugging into a public service there is no reason why Amazon couldn't have their own offering.
The geographical restriction is that you need a library card from a participating library. Ingenious!
free 3g service??? that sounds awesome, but it also sounds too good to be true.
but if true, sign me up!!!
It also sounds like its something hackable :)
Um... the Kindle has "free" 3G from Sprint for all their OTA downloads... so, um, why would this be too good to be true?
oh yeah, i'm just not used to associating the words "Free" and "AT&T."
I'm just happy you wrote "too good" and not "to good".
+1 for good grammar on the internet.
i know, right...
When are vendors like Sony and Amazon going to remember that there is a world outside the USA? What about Asia - there's only about 2/3 of the world's population out here!! We have money to spend on these things you know...
Having visited Sony's shiny new sonystyle store yesterday in Ion Singapore wanting to take a look at the reader - and told "sorry sir that is only available in the UK" - I was really looking to Sony to address a huge gap in the market with the Reader Daily now Edition and came out bitterly disappointed.
Ok Apple - here's your chance to beat the pants off both Amazon Kindle and Sony - bring it on!
R.
they read things other then comic books in asia?
haha, i kid, i kid.
I know nothing about the Asian book publishing market, but here in the US, they are embracing and adapting to digital book media with open arms (nothing like how the music industry has been). They are working with companies to produce services such as digital audio books and ebooks, thats why devices like this and the kindle are gaining so much steam so fast.
I'm guessing the hold up in Asia must be inpart due to publishing houses, but like i said, i'm just speculating.
Click on the Overdrive.com link. There's bound to be a library in your area that is participating.
sounds interesting. might actually get me to pick up one of these. when they're available.
roll up, roll up!
come and see the ever changing goal posts of consumer gouging!
enjoy the thrill of being an early adopter!
seek the never ending pleasure of paying for our R&D and fat salaries!
watch as you pay yet again for the same content you already own in another format!
never again will you need a book that last 100 years and has a transferable license, no!
experience the future now, with built in obsolescence!
not a Sony dig... just saying
From browsing overdrive.com there are lots of libraries. One question is will they have an artificially limited number of ebook "copies?" That would be a wet blanket for the whole affair. I assume scarcity limits are needed because the library has to pay the publisher/author a per book fee to have it on the "shelf."
I really hope the library services are avaliable to 505 users, otherwise im gonna be getting a new ereader soon.
I just checked my local library's website... It's compatible with the 505. [I'm excited that I don't have to upgrade, but I probably will next year. The Reader line keeps getting better and better.]
http://overdrive.slcl.org/E60E2D88-B6D0-4D64-B43B-276CB6EA0539/10/380/en/Default.htm
Cool stuff.
And they didn't have to screw Google over, in order to get the books.
I think they've missed the mark once again.
Just make the reader large enough to display letter-sized documents without a need for re-formatting and you've entered a whole new market segment! Engineers, IT professionals, anyone who has to deal with PDF documents and formatted publications would jump on it!
I hope Plastic Logic gets it right with their eReader. Fingers crossed.
P.S. It looks like the touch screen may mess up the contrast just like in the 700-series Reader. We'll see...
cooooooooool.............now ill be getting library card...............oh yes.........cool sony.........
I have been downloading books from my library and syncing them with my PRS-505 for a year now. That was the reason I got the Sony over the Kindle in the first place. It is secure pdf synced through the Adobe e-book software. For DRMed books I use that. I use Calibre for my blogs, newspapers and free books. Between them I never use Sony's awful software.
Very exciting. I never heard about Overdrive.com before, but it turns out that my local library is participating. My son loves audiobooks, and I see that there is a whole ton of quality stuff available to him RIGHT NOW with this library card.
Where is the eLibrary 3.0 software? Cannot find it on the Sony site.
I was looking for it too, I guess we just need to wait. I've been waiting for Mac support for ages, been storing my books on my PC instead. No big deal, but I mostly use my Mac.
item available on or about 08/31/2009
Same will the new 3.0 software.
In case anyone is wondering the book featured in the picture is The Strain, by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo del Toro. I really liked it!
The Strain was an awesome read. If you have the time, read it; if not, make time.
I'm a little confused about all this library jazz.
Now, I live in New York.
So, I am not going to have access to Chicago libraries am I?
@mike - http://ebooks.nypl.org
For a cool $100 per annum.
Chicago Libary, however, is but one in many of those on board with Overdrive.com. Go to Overdrive.com and search by ZIP code, and then use your library card number to register. Obviously, the NY Pub Lib must be available to you.
no- only your local library that you have a library card with
Not necessarily...lots of libraries allow membership to people from elsewhere for a fee.
Obviously it's probably only worth it to get a membership from the larger library systems.
Oh and if you live in NYC you can have double membership with both borough and city libraries free yay.
can some one from engadget dig into the source of the DE screen? PVI has never made any mention of this size. Maybe its from LG?
meh nevermind ill call pvi and ask myself.
Sa-wheet my local library is participating and they have Orwell's 1984 available for reading!
"the library buys a fixed number of "copies" of each title and "checks out" the licenses, so you're on a time limit -- licenses will revert after 14-29 days depending on your local branch's rules."
I understand the need for publishers to make money. I just don't like the idea, or even see the need, to create "artificial" scarcity. It's like living in the twentieth century all over again. We're basically saying It's not good enough to have extremely long physical wait list, we now need to create extremely long digital ones too?
Let me play this one out for a moment. Let's say I want to read the latest copy of "Useless Popcorn Fiction". I check to local library to see if they have a digital version available. They do but, because the author was on Oprah yesterday the wait list for the "digital" version is three months long! I could wait the three months or I could throw down the $10 and get it now.
We could go even further and say maybe the author signed with an independent publisher and their only charging $5 for a copy and it's not DRM'd. Let's see $5 or three months...
Granted if I don't have $5 to buy the book then yes I'd need to wait the three months but, if I have the money to buy a $400 e-reader then I don't think the $5 isn't going to be a problem.
And for the record, I don't read popcorn fiction...
Yeah uh, what the hell? The idea seems cool, except for this stupid bit.
This is great. I was thinking of buying my Mom a Kindle for Christmas but the overdrive integration won me over since she's a member of the Free Library...
I might get one too since I'm a member of the Montgomery Public Library... Interesting proposition indeed.
I looked at both links but any word about a Canadian release? I see OverDrive 'tours North America' in an 18-wheeler spreading knowledge about e-book downloads, but that AT&T 3G thing is making it seem like it might not. I'd take it even without the 3G wireless.
Lots of Canadian libraries are participting... the overdrive.com website has a list. You don't need the Daily Edition to access the Overdrive library downloads -- you can use any of the new models (and maybe a couple of the old ones).
re. wireless in Canada -- I wouldn't hold my breath. We'll be through a couple more product cycles before that happens.
I must say that I have never been on the e-reader bandwagon... until I read about Sony's little gem allowing for free checkouts of e-books from libraries. A fresh concept on DRM AND Free? That's amazing. It takes the best of both worlds.
I'm seriously interested in this. Amazon can suck it, never liked them or their Kindle. They remind me of Apple and their tyrannical ideals of remotely deleting your content without your knowledge. Damn you, Big Brother!
I've been doing this for months on my PRS-505 and it has been amazing! Seriously, this is such a killer feature that I didn't even consider getting a Kindle (except to discover it wasn't compatible) when I was looking to buy my eBook reader.
Still waiting for the 3.0 software to come out. Do you think it will come out on the 31st when the new eReaders are released? I'm illin' for that Mac support so I can stop needing to reboot into Windows. Adobe will have to update Adobe Digital Editions for Mac to accommodate the new eReader Mac driver for it to be really useful for me, though. Otherwise, I still won't be able to transfer borrowed library ebooks to my PRS-505 on the Mac.
I wonder if Sony's going to pull an Amazon and *not* release the Daily Edition in Canada because of difficulties with 3G providers ....
I'm mostly satisfied with my 505, but I would consider the Daily Edition simply because of (a) larger screen size and (b) two additional (larger) font sizes - my eyes don't work quite as well as they used to...
Content creators don't get it. Publishers don't get it. Amazon doesn't get it. Now Sony continues to not "get it." These companies are so lost. Oy.
When the story said "The New York Public Library is the flashy public launch partner" I thought that meant that you could access the NYPL's ebook collection from the device, apparently it's your local library only. That tempers my interest a whole lot.
There is no mention of the Daily Reader being able to receive Newspapers and mMagazines electronically.... Why not I ask?
Went to see the PRS 600 and the 300 at the Sony store tonight in San Jose, Ca. While the text on the 300 was really sharp and good contrast; the 600 suffers from the muddled high glare problems just like the 700. I was disappointed to see the 600 isn't much better than the 700 in term of readability. I will be keeping my 505 until Sony figures out that we want a SHARP typesets! Until then, I'll stick to my great looking 505.
University library access would be fantastic, during my degree getting journal articles and book chapters onto the 505 was a clunky process, and wasn't well formatted. If they can get partnerships with the big journal article databases like Jstor and EBSCO this would be a must have for students!
Finally an eBook reader worth getting for those of us without the kindle being available where they live.
Great, now just make it with color e-ink, so I can subscribe to Newsweek, The Economist and read graphic novels, and I'll buy it.
Just FYI:
You can already check out digital books from libraries all over the USA, as long as the library has a digital book collection and uses the Adobe Digital Editions software. The libraries I have used offer books in the EPUB format, which is a DRM standard compatible with the Sony Reader PRS-505 and later models. The Kindle cannot read EPUB format books (unless you hack it with a 3rd party plug in, so I hear).
I have the PRS-505 (I may upgrade to this new Daily Edition for the larger screen) and I check out digital library books for free all the time.
BAH, I would love this feature, makes my 505 even better, but then I dont live in the states so this is US only and up north here this does not apply. A real shame, hopefully this will be corrected soon.
Wouldn't be so bad if I could get a library card from an American Library but do not think I can do that without actually moving down there...
What formats does this support?
I see EPUB, MobiPocket, and Adobe PDF eBook on my library's site.
From what I've seen, there aren't too many good books on the service. And especially since I use a site shared by quite a few cities in Michigan, scarcity because even more of an issue.
It looks like NetLibrary books are also compatible with Sony readers. But the libraries have to pay extra to let people read the books offline/on a device, which Michigan does not. :(
Before everyone gets too carried away with "free," and I know some folks have mentioned this -- to download the book from a library, you will need a library account with that library (which may or may not be free depending on communities served by that library). The book downloaded is on LOAN -- you will have it for so many days & then "poof" it is gone. Typically there are only so many copies of an eBook available to check out, just like with hardcopy books. If a copy isn't available, you put in a request and your name goes on a list with other patrons who are waiting for the item.
@Frastoglegnia
"Quick question: How is it justifiable for libraries to delete a book from your eReader if the text is in the public domain? A text-only library edition of Moby Dick has no production costs and no royalties attached -- the same novel is available as a free download from the Gutenberg Project. What business is it of my library if I wish to keep a copy on my eReader?"
Answer: Also available in the eBook Store from Sony are all the Google books. All the FREE public domain books that Google made into eBook format. So instead of checking out a public domain book from your library just download it free permanently.
Frausto,
While some commenters definitions of libertarianism do not jibe with yours, it does not mean their defintion is not valid. There is no "true" practical definition of libertarianism and as such it can apply from stances on a wide range or principles to a total obliteration of the state. While Mycroft is overgeneralizing himself in terms of state-funded programs, so are you in the area of politics. All but the fringe on either end of the political spectrum are tired of hearing names used as metaphors of evil, stupid, or whatever else is appropriate to their point of view.
Most of the issues we face stem from government interference or inaction - policies that artificially affect the business cycle to block recessions, government pressure to hand out loans to the unworthy, and the lack of political courage to change our inevitable issues with social program cost. Bush is hardly stupid and is not the cause of our current economic and social problems, although he certainly did not do much to either recognize or treat the symptoms, and has little to point to in his presidency of value. Obama is not as smart as he or many of his supporters think, does not seem to care about the state of the country aside from political expediency, either does not care or understand the cause and effect of his policies, and deserves some credit for the problems we face. Politicians are what they are and will continue to think about themselves above those they serve. The Democrat/Republican argument is increasingly irrelevant given how many people reject the basis for either party - the large moderate block in the population.
If the eReader facilititates the ability for people to choose content, allows for some ability for many to access the content - aside from the hardware cost, and still represents a viable business model for the authors and suppliers, it seems solid to me. Keep pirating from the thieves on the net, and we'll find out how little content will be available, ot the ability to access it.
I work at a library that has been using OverDrive for almost 2 years now. We also use the Sony Readers. We have not experienced any content wipes or problems. It's the only reader that has been compatible with the service because of the Adobe DRM.