Sony cuts e-reader prices: Pocket Edition now $149
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 5th 2010 2:35PM
posted July 5th 2010 2:35PM
Not much of a surprise here, but it looks like you can officially include Sony in the e-book reader price wars. It's now dropped the prices on its three current models: the Pocket Edition is down from $169 to $149, the Touch Edition drops from $199 to $169, and the 3G-equipped Daily Edition is now $299 (down a full $50 from $349). As The Digital Reader blog notes, however, that still leaves Sony a bit out of step with the competition -- the Pocket Edition lacks the WiFi of the similarly-priced Nook, for instance, and the Daily Edition remains a tough sell even at $299.
i'll stick to my books.
nothing against people who buy these, but books can't be shorted or w/e and they can't be destroyed by all the random things that destroy computers.
I'll take my chanced that my book wont be destroyed in a flood or fire (which would destroy an e-reader anyways)
@BrianH Yeah, but if your e-reader were destroyed in a house fire or something, you could just buy a new one and then download all of your books again. No such luck with the dead trees.
@BrianH If you get a Kindle or a Nook, the books you buy will be tied to your account, not your device.
So if you experience a fire...(personally my books would be the least of my concerns) your books would be fine. You just sign in and download them again. If your computer explodes your books will still be fine. eBooks, in the examples you provided are the safest.
@Chuuchdizzle Yes, supports ePub. The sony readers are in fact my favorite. Get Calibre (freeware) and you're set to go. I guess they finally made these prices public, but have been selling at this price for about a month now.
In a world where android, iOS, and Web OS tablets will likely all exist by the end of the year, I just don't see these devices surviving.
@nickyP,
There is a big difference between active LCD or AMOLED screens of iPAD and Android/WebOS/MeeGo tablets and eInk screens of eReaders which just reflect light but not emit it. eInk is significantly better for reading. Unless those coming tablets will feature Pixel Qi or Mirasol screens, eInk devices will be better.
@jonyah
OK let me tell you this, I got a Sony and the reflection is so bad that I run to buy a Nook and sold the Sony on line.
Outside reflections and under the shade of a balcony were really BAD.
For me the main problem was the touch screen surface is way to reflective and also is too dark, so is not like a paper is a grayish surface, not good to read.
Is a eReader doesn't need to be touch. doesn't make the difference on the Reading in a good way all the contrary.
@sirexilon Only the touch and the daily edition have touchscreens, the pocket has the plain screen. And I do have to say that it is slightly darker if you get the touchscreen models though I do hope they get some way of making a touch screen one that isn't dark.
Forget the price, forget the lack of wi-fi; until they update with the new screens Amazon are using, this is a fire sale (...well, Sony's idea of a fire sale) on old technology. Even if the new screens don't have *that* much more contrast, *any* more is a big plus.
The pocket edition is still one of the best e-readers out there (great design with relatively little superflous crap; no touchscreen to add glare and reduce contrast) but at the price, and given the same old-technology screen, Nook is a much better deal.
I hope Sony have a new range planned using the new screens (and wi-fi - and if they need to add a secondary screen so you can use a store without putting a horrible touch layer over the main screen, then okay, just keep it small)... and they'd better not try to increase the prices to compensate.
First Apple releases the iPod and decimates Sony's portable media player division. Then Apple releases the iPad and it also decimates their eReader division. Apple should release a game console and a TV and finally put this listless and rudderless company out of business once and for all.
@Xenon
They have. It was called the Pippin
do they think only Price is the problems ?
even if it' drop to $99 ,ppl won't buy it.
nice try sony style.. but too late.
Ah, looks like the iPad wasn't a flop after all..
Received my Sony Reader Touch Edition in the mail two weeks ago. Was underwhelmed and disappointed. Then start getting used to it. Now I carry it everywhere I go. Sneak in a ten minutes read while waiting for your food order. Reading while having a coffee break. Its so convenient. Were it not for glare (not a deal breaker) it would be a 5 star product. Not to mention the full metal body. All the other Ereaders are made of plastic. Don't need Wifi or 3G. Book files are small and easily transferred through your PC.
@sirexilon
A Sony? Sorry, but Sony doesn't sell an ebook reader simply named Sony. This article is about an ebook reader made by Sony called the Pocket Edition, which handles itself quite well in light.
I plan on getting a Nook soon, but my Pocket has been a great buy.
PS-
Specifics matter.
Now idiots do also 16:9 screens for e-Readers where you do not even need a movie viewing options.
It pretends that it would be possible to read two pages at the same time but with it's only 1024x600 resolution it is only gimmick - you barely can display something properly in the portrait position.
FYI those price drops are NOT happening in Canada.
It was this price some time ago. With the nook at $149, they really need to drop this lower to compete.
Oh... they missed to mention that the Daily Edition is only available in the US! And that amazon's kindle is now global. Sony, you're droping the soap!
@Chuuchdizzle
Why get the Sony? The Nook WiFi is the same price ($149), has WiFi, a web browser, supports ePub and PDF just as well as the Sony, and can even use eBooks from the Sony bookstore.
The Sony is overpriced considering that it has less features than the Nook. The only benefit it has is being smaller, which may not be a benefit for some people.