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Sony Reader WiFi officially drops to $129.99

Donald Melanson — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST

Love 'em or hate 'em, one thing's for sure -- e-readers just keep getting cheaper. The latest to see a dip in price is the Sony Reader WiFi, which debuted at $149.99 just a couple of months back, but has now received a permanent drop to $129.99. What's more, Sony is also running a trade-in program through the end of December that will give you an additional $50 off if you turn in any old e-reader. Not quite the instant discount that an ad-supported Kindle gives you, but certainly not a bad deal if you're looking to upgrade from an older model.

Sony Reader WiFi officially drops to $129.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: e-readers

Brian Heater — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

The e-reader space is really -- if you'll pardon the expression -- heating up just in time for the holiday season. Industry leader Amazon dropped the gauntlet yet again, with the introduction of three new devices, including the entry-level fourth generation Kindle (which starts at an enticing $79 for the ad-supported version) and the Kindle Fire, which is helping to further blur the lines between the e-reader and tablet worlds. Not to be outdone, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Sony are also offering up impressive new devices for the holiday season. All in all, there's never been a more exciting time to give the gift of reading.

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Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: e-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader PRS-T1 hacked to expose Android, run other e-reader apps (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:54:00 EST

We knew that lurking under the e-ink screen gracing the front of Sony's PRS-T1 reader was some version of Android. What was unclear, was whether or not we'd ever be able to actually get a peek under its highly customized skin and a chance to start poking its open-source innards. Well, thanks to one intrepid hacker, we're almost there. YouTube user vladboroda has managed to install AWD.Launcher and a host of other apps on the Reader and actually got some of them up and running. You won't be able to play Angry Birds on its 6-inch touchscreen (yet...) but it is capable of running other e-reader apps, like FBReader, and there is access to the terminal. It's not quite enough that we'd start referring to the PRS-T1 as a tablet just yet, and the hack still isn't available to the public, but work is progressing and we're sure it'll have you browsing the web and slingshotting aggravated avians in no time. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Sony Reader PRS-T1 hacked to expose Android, run other e-reader apps (video)

Sony Reader PRS-T1 hacked to expose Android, run other e-reader apps (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wisconsin library loans iPads for at home e-reading

Lydia Leavitt — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:03:00 EST

If you thought hitting up the local library was far too Web 1.0 for your avant-garde lifestyle, you may want to check out the Eau Claire public library in Wisconsin -- it's not only lending books, but also, iPads. Each one of the 44 available tablets will be stuffed to the digital gills with 1,000 books, ten audiobooks and various apps for your reading (or, not reading) pleasure. Although other houses of learning have launched similar programs, this is the first of note to go with Apple slates for its e-reading experiment. If you're the proud owner of a library card and have less than $10 in fines, you too can get in line for one of the loaners. We wonder, does the old saying "you break it, you buy it" apply here?

Wisconsin library loans iPads for at home e-reading originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony PRS-T1 e-reader spotted on Dutch retail site for 165 euros

Sharif Sakr — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:05:00 EST

It's nigh on a month since we caught the WiFi-toting Sony PRS-T1 flitting its way through the FCC. Now the unannounced e-reader has popped up again -- this time on a Dutch seller's webpage with some pics, specs and a price of €165 (or $240 after a straight currency conversion). If accurate, most of the new features merit a nod rather than a yelp: a six-inch 800x600 e-ink screen that allows dual-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom; a plastic body that brings the weight down to 168g (six ounces, versus the 7.6-ounce PRS-650); plus, the inclusion of Wikipedia and Google search. Speaking of which, don't those look rather like Android buttons? Could it be that Sony is founding its latest Reader upon the omnipresent OS (as various rivals have done) and even permitting some of that green robot goodness to bubble to the surface? Perhaps it's better to wait than to speculate -- after all, recent rumors suggest that the official launch for this device is imminent.

Sony PRS-T1 e-reader spotted on Dutch retail site for 165 euros originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's back to school guide 2011: e-readers

Brian Heater — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here!

Most of us are still walking around hunchbacked from years of carrying heavy textbooks in our overstuffed backpacks. Thankfully, an e-reader can significantly lighten the loads for students everywhere. Sure, we've still got a ways to go before electronic devices can replace textbooks altogether, but in the long run, it's a purpose that could significantly impact the postures of backpack wearers all over. Jump past the break for our recommendations, and another opportunity to enter our back to school giveaway. Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win, and head over to our giveaway page for more details.

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Engadget's back to school guide 2011: e-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony PRS-T1 Reader wanders into the FCC with WiFi on board

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:04:00 EST

What exactly is a PRS-T1? Well, it's a new Sony Reader and it just so happens to have swung through the FCC with a WiFi n radio in tow. As you can see above, the regulatory label proudly proclaims this to be a "Digital Book Reader," though we could have guessed that from the PRS model number. What else do we know? Not much sadly. We're guess the T1 in the model name indicates that, whatever the panel's size, it'll be of the touchscreen variety. (Either that, or this is the tapenade colored model.) Despite Sony's official denials, looks like that rumored August launch for the company's latest e-ink devices may actually pan out.

Sony PRS-T1 Reader wanders into the FCC with WiFi on board originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony not giving up on Readers, new models expected in August

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:27:00 EST

Word has come, straight from the mouth of Sony's vice president of digital reading, Phil Lubell, that the company has some new Reader models in the pipeline. According to Bloomberg the latest Kindle competitors will probably land in August, just ahead of the launch of the S1 and S2 tablets. Beyond that, it's all just a guessing game, but it's probably safe to assume the touchscreens and pleasantly hefty aluminum bodies will remain. Let's just hope, for the sake of Sony, the new models also come sporting a new low price. With the company's entry-level Pocket Edition starting at $180, it's had a hard time keeping up with the Nook and Kindle which start at $139 (without ads).

Sony not giving up on Readers, new models expected in August originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony, Panasonic, others to launch cross-platform e-book service, later this year

Amar Toor — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:17:00 EST

Don't look now, but there's some major synergy going on in Japan's e-book market, now that Sony, Panasonic, Rakuten and Kinokuniya have all joined forces on a new digital quest. Today, the quartet of companies announced they're working on a system that would allow users to purchase and read content across their respective e-readers, injecting the e-cosmos with a heavy dose of free love and good vibes. Under the new service, customers would be able to manage their downloads and browse bestsellers within a centralized web-based marketplace, regardless of the device they go to bed with every night. Because within this new universe, there would be no "mine," "yours," or "theirs" -- all will be one and one will be all. The chieftains have already held powows with a handful of digital publishers, though they expect to have more friends around the campfire by the time the project launches later this year.

Sony, Panasonic, others to launch cross-platform e-book service, later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nook WiFi and Kobo eReader Touch Edition assault the Amazon Kindle fortress: a chart

Brian Heater — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:17:00 EST

The e-reader market just got a lot more crowded this week with the launch of the touch-enabled Nook and Kobo eReader Touch Edition. Will either device be able to take down the Amazon's industry defining Kindle? We've broken down the specs on the two new readers, the Kindle, and Sony's comparable Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-350SC) to find out which device will come out on top. There's a lot of overlap features between the different readers, like infrared touchscreens and Pearl E Ink displays. All of those important details and more in the chart after the break. Check it out, because you obviously like reading things.

Continue reading Nook WiFi and Kobo eReader Touch Edition assault the Amazon Kindle fortress: a chart

Nook WiFi and Kobo eReader Touch Edition assault the Amazon Kindle fortress: a chart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple rejects Sony Reader app, really doesn't want you buying content from others (update: Apple says it needs official in-app purchases)

Vlad Savov — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:39:00 EST

It's been quite a while since Apple's tight reins on the App Store were a subject worth discussing, but they're back in the spotlight now following the company's rejection of Sony's Reader app for iOS. The reasons given to Sony were that Apple will not ~~no longer~~ accept applications that permit in-app purchases of content that don't go through Apple itself, and, moreover, will not tolerate apps that access material purchased through external content stores. So the Sony Reader Store is out -- but wait, doesn't the Kindle app spend its time serving up Kindlebooks? No comment has been offered on the matter from either Apple or Amazon, while Sony's Reader Store page describes the situation as "an impasse" and promises to seek "other avenues to bring the Reader experience to Apple mobile devices." In the mean time, you can get the Reader app for Android or just read your ebooks on a device dedicated to that task.

Update: As noted by Harry McCracken over at Technologizer, it has actually been Apple's longstanding policy to forbid in-app purchases -- the Kindle and Nook apps send you to a browser -- so Sony's desire to do so will have been the major cause for the Reader application's rejection. That doesn't invalidate the second concern expressed in the New York Times article, that Apple will no longer tolerate content brought in from external stores, which is a displeasing development, if true.

Update 2: Looks like McCracken nailed it -- Apple's come out with a statement pointing out that the App Store guidelines require that apps that allow content purchases must also allow them in-app through Apple's official iTunes-backed system. We can't imagine that Sony is thrilled with the idea of cutting Apple in on Reader content, but if they want to play ball, they should be able to score an approval. Notably, Apple says that they are "now requiring" this even though the guidelines haven't changed, suggesting they're just now getting around to enforcing it; the effect on iOS' Kindle and Nook apps isn't yet known, but we wouldn't be surprised if Apple started nudging them in the direction of pushing updates. More on this situation as we have it.

Apple rejects Sony Reader app, really doesn't want you buying content from others (update: Apple says it needs official in-app purchases) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader app finally available for Android, only works with 2.2 and higher

Joanna Stern — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EST

Well, it's about time! We knew Sony was prepping some Reader apps to go along with its physical Pocket, Daily, and Touch Edition e-readers, and while it may have missed that December release date, the Android version of the app is now available in the Market. The free app is pretty much what you'd expect -- you can log in with your username and it automatically syncs previously purchased books, and like the e-readers, it also supports ePub and PDF formats. In addition, you can easily highlight text and adjust font and brightness settings right from the page you're reading. We downloaded the app and found it to be pretty decent, however, the Store shortcut launches within the browser rather than in the app. Ready for the twisted part? Sony has confirmed for us that the app will only work with handsets that run Android 2.2 and higher, which is incredibly ironic considering most Sony Ericsson handsets are, you know, still stuck with 2.1. Of course, it looks like that PlayStation Phone will work just fine when it's finally released, but that's neither here nor there -- hit the gallery for a pile of screenshots of the app.

Gallery: Sony Reader app for Android

Updated: Sony just let us know that the iOS version is still pending Apple's approval, but it should be available soon.

Sony Reader app finally available for Android, only works with 2.2 and higher originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough

Paul Miller — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:28:00 EST

You hear about this whole e-books thing? We hear it's gonna be a pretty big deal. Google, always with its finger on the pulse of our ever-evolving digital lifestyles, has decided to take a wild stab at this nascent market, and is launching Google eBooks today. Formerly known as Google Editions, the Google eBooks ecosystem is actually a pretty grand gesture, and seems to combine most of the positives of the primary e-book contenders (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple, naturally), while skimping on the UI flourishes, in traditional Google fashion. Books you buy are stored in the cloud, with your progress synced Whispersync-style, and can be read on your choice of native Android, iPhone, or iPad apps; from your browser; or on any device that supports the Adobe Digital Editions DRM for PDF and ePub files, which includes the B&N Nook and the Sony Reader (and plenty of other devices). Google is also trading on its vast repository of public domain books, with 3 million free eBooks on offer at its Google eBookstore, in addition to traditional paid fare. It's certainly a crowded market, full of sharp elbows, but it seems Google is having no trouble adjusting.

Continue reading Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough

Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony aims for half of Japan's e-reader market by 2012

Darren Murph — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:04:00 EST

Given the dominance of Sony's Walkman over in the Land of the Rising Sun, it's a little surprising to think that Sony has been all but silent regarding the Japanese e-reader market. We heard back in May that the mega-corp was planning an e-reader launch in Japan by the year's end, aiming to build out an elaborate e-book distribution platform with local telecom operator KDDI. Fast forward a few months, and it seems as if thing's are finally falling into place. New reports are suggesting that the 5- and 6-inch Sony Reader devices will be on sale in Japan on December 10th, with pricing set for ¥20,000 ($237) / ¥25,000 ($297), respectively. Additionally, it's planning to crack the seal on an online e-bookstore with around 20,000 titles, and that one should be ready to roll prior to the "year-end shopping rush." Perhaps more stunning, however, is Sony's intentions to "sell 300,000 Readers in the first year and win half the domestic market by 2012" -- that's according to Sony Marketing Japan president Nobuki Kurita. Bold words, Sony, but we love the ambition.

Sony aims for half of Japan's e-reader market by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader app hitting iPhone and Android devices in December

Vlad Savov — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:46:00 EST

Playing catchup, are we? Sony's hot on the trail of Amazon and Barnes and Noble, who already have e-reading apps for the Android and iOS platforms, with its own freshly announced Reader offering set for release next month. The functionality in this upcoming slice of software will be familiar: you get to access books already purchased at the Reader Store or pony up cash for new ones, while making bookmarks, notes and highlights on your mobile device. Throw in adjustable fonts and you've got your boilerplate beginning to a decent mobile e-reader. Now you just need to pick your fave ebook purveyor.

Sony Reader app hitting iPhone and Android devices in December originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-350SC) review

Joanna Stern — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:30:00 EST

There's no question about it: Sony had its work cut out when it came time to improve the next generation of its e-readers. Amazon's Kindle isn't only the best selling electronic reading device out there, but its new $139 WiFi version is the fastest-selling yet. And then there's the Barnes & Noble's Nook, which is an equally capable competitor, especially with recent firmware updates. Oh, and don't forget about the $140 Kobo. Yep, Sony had some serious work to do and its cheapest option - the $179.99 Pocket Edition -- does differentiate in some striking ways. The aluminum reader has been upgraded with a new 5-inch E Ink Pearl display and now has an extremely responsive touchscreen for navigating through books / menus. The updates certainly have put Sony back into the final four, but there's a few lacking features that just keep it from going all the way. You'll want to hit the break to find out just what we're talking about in our full review of this little guy.

Gallery: Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-350SC) review

Continue reading Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-350SC) review

Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-350SC) review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony demoes flexible electronic paper display, tickles our fancy

Vlad Savov — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:05:00 EST

Say, did the air just get a little richer in vapor? Sony has titillated its home nation with a demonstration of a new flexible e-paper display, which looks set to compete with LG's, HP's, Toshiba's, and hell even Sony's own, flexi-display ventures. Employing a plastic substrate, the above prototype is apparently capable of being rolled up like a regular old newspaper -- presumably fly-swatting is not a problem either -- but we have our usual reservations about yet another flexible display teaser. Oh, they're all gorgeous and revolutionary, it's just that we're not seeing too many of them in our local Walmarts, you know?

Sony demoes flexible electronic paper display, tickles our fancy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony slims down, speeds up, and adds touch to its entire Reader family

Joanna Stern — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST

With Amazon and Barnes & Noble both unleashing new e-readers under $150 it pretty much goes without saying that Sony's got to step it up, and its refreshed Reader family is what we've been expecting. Just like we'd heard and heard again, Sony's tweaked its entire Reader line up -- the Pocket, Touch, and Daily editions -- by adding improved optical touchscreens, speeding up page turns with E Ink Pearl displays and slimming down the brushed aluminum hardware. Beyond that, it's also updated its Daily Edition with WiFi -- there's still no connectivity options for the other two. We got to see all three a few days ago, so hit the break for our hands-on impressions and details on pricing and availability.

Gallery: Sony Pocket, Touch, and Daily editions hands-on

Gallery: Sony Pocket, Touch and Daily Edition press shots

Continue reading Sony slims down, speeds up, and adds touch to its entire Reader family

Sony slims down, speeds up, and adds touch to its entire Reader family originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge?

Sean Hollister — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:28:00 EST

We'd heard Sony was wrangling up a bunch of new Readers, and it looks like here they are -- a pair of familiar-looking e-readers with a distinctly different UI. If these legit-looking images are the real deal, you'll be getting a good bit more for your buck -- especially with the Reader Pocket Edition, which apparently finally managed to ditch the directional pad for a lovely E Ink touchscreen. We won't list all the improvements here, as you can obviously read them for yourself in the image immediately above, but our tipster confirms the new Pocket Edition will have a 5-inch display and the Touch Edition a six-incher, though he reportedly hasn't heard a word about 3G connectivity for either model. 2,500 extra page turns and a thinner, faster screen ain't nothing to sneeze at, but when Sony said it would compete on quality, we have to admit we began hoping for a wee bit more. Spot another picture after the break.

Continue reading Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge?

Sony's new e-readers pictured, last one-third longer on a charge? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's back to school guide: E-readers

Tim Stevens — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:19:00 EST

Yes, it's the next round of buying advice for those of you condemned to start hitting the books at the end of the summer. But, with one of these e-readers, you might just have fewer books to hit -- or at least lighter ones. Sadly most schools are still dependent on texts of the pulpy variety, but that doesn't mean an e-reader can't make your life a lot easier at school, and possibly even save you some money if you're reading the classics.

Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide: E-readers

Engadget's back to school guide: E-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony refuses to get caught up in a price war with Kindle, intends to compete on quality

Vlad Savov — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:42:00 EST

Boy, Sony sure loves to drag its heels when it comes to obvious industry trends. First netbooks were "a race to the bottom," now the company's saying it "won't sacrifice the quality and design" of its e-readers in order to lay claim to being the cheapest. This comes as a reaction to the Kindle's aggressive new $139 entry price point and continues Sony's reluctance to fiddle with what it sees as a successful formula. We're not going to second-guess the reasoning (too much), but it's not like there's that much room to differentiate yourself when you're using the same E Ink tech as the competition, is there? Guess if all else fails, Sony can always innovate the hell out of those leatherette cases and bundle them with the Reader.

Sony refuses to get caught up in a price war with Kindle, intends to compete on quality originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Borders' Kobo-powered eBook Store now live with 1.5 million titles, Android and BlackBerry apps (update)

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:03:00 EST

Exactly how many eBook stores do we need? Depends. If you own a dedicated e-reader then one is all you get. Own a tablet or smartphone and the world of eBook stores is pretty much yours for the taking through competing apps. Borders looks to be taking a hybrid approach by offering up the $150 Kobo, $120 Aluratek Libre (available July 20th), $170 Sony Touch, and $150 Sony Pocket eReaders and today's launch of a self-branded eBook store powered by Kobo's catalog of more than 1.5 million titles -- "thousands" of which are free and available in a variety of formats including ePub (primarily) and PDF. Borders also has desktop PC and Mac apps ready for download in addition to a few apps listed as "coming soon" for both Android and BlackBerry devices -- these join the apps already released for Apple's iOS. It just went live so why not hit the source and have a browse.

P.S. Funny enough, there's not a single mention of Spring Design's Alex on Borders' new site. Funny sad, not ha ha.

Update: The Android and BlackBerry apps are now live.

Continue reading Borders' Kobo-powered eBook Store now live with 1.5 million titles, Android and BlackBerry apps (update)

Borders' Kobo-powered eBook Store now live with 1.5 million titles, Android and BlackBerry apps (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony cuts e-reader prices: Pocket Edition now $149

Donald Melanson — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:35:00 EST

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.

Sony cuts e-reader prices: Pocket Edition now $149 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony predicts digital content will overtake print 'within five years'

Donald Melanson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:33:00 EST

We can't say if there's an actual rule or not, but we're pretty sure that anyone in the e-reader business has to, at one point, make a prediction about when e-books will overtake actual books, and it looks like Sony has now come through with a big one of its own. That comes courtesy of Sony's Steve Haber, the man responsible for the company's digital reading business division, who says that: "within five years there will be more digital content sold than physical content." Note that he says "digital content," not books, so we can presume that also includes magazines and newspapers, but it's still a fairly ambitious statement nonetheless. What's more, Habar also insists that there is a place for standalone e-readers alongside multi-function devices like the iPad, saying that, "it's just like digital imaging, where you can take pictures with a cellphone - and many people take pictures with cellphones - but if they want the best possible picture they'll use a point-and-shoot camera or a digital SLR."

Sony predicts digital content will overtake print 'within five years' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E Ink shows off next-gen displays: high contrast, fast refresh, and rugged (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:56:00 EST

It took so long for electronic ink screens to finally hit the market we feel a bit silly getting impatient for the next-generation, but the Kindle has been on the market for a year and a half now, Sony Reader models for twice that long, and still we're dealing with the same crummy 7:1 contrast ratio, 16 shade grayscale, and .74 second refresh rate. E Ink's Sriram Peruvemba, however, is finally showing off next-generation models of the sort parent company PVI told us were coming, the first an improvement on existing screens that offers a 12:1 contrast ratio and a refresh rate fast enough for simple animations. Also shown is a larger, (slightly) flexible model rugged enough to take a meaty fist square in the face without blinking a single pixel. This version Peruvemba sees playing a major role in digital textbooks in the future. Unfortunately we still have a bit of time to wait for either, with the boosted contrast ratio model entering production later this year and the flexible one sometime in early 2011. Add another six months or so for devices using the things to make it to retail and hopes for a brighter, next-gen Kindle shipping by the holidays start to look a bit dim.

Continue reading E Ink shows off next-gen displays: high contrast, fast refresh, and rugged (video)

E Ink shows off next-gen displays: high contrast, fast refresh, and rugged (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-reader statisfaction study shows 93 percent of users are happy, just not you

Richard Lai — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:56:00 EST

The wind sure changes very quickly, eh? Just a week ago the University of Georgia revealed that many of its study participants -- Athens residents who were given a Kindle to play with -- weren't happy with their e-reader experience, but yesterday a new study reported something fairly contrasting. Rather than doling out touchscreen-less e-readers to a group of people, the NPD Group surveyed more than 1,000 e-reader owners in late November last year, and found out that 93 percent of them were "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with their devices, while only 2 percent "expressed any level of dissatisfaction." The report also reveals that wireless access is the favorite feature for 60 percent of the users, while only 23 percent chose the touchscreen. Compared to last week's report, this probably shows that consumers who actually buy e-readers don't really care about the touch feature, whereas those on the outer circle are mainly waiting for more -- and no doubt cheaper -- touchscreen e-readers. Seriously though, only 34 percent wanted color screens? Those guys sure are easy to please.

E-reader statisfaction study shows 93 percent of users are happy, just not you originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony says the Reader is selling 'very well,' thank you very much, isn't planning color versions

Tim Stevens — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:37:00 EST

With all this talk of iPads and Kindles shaking up the print world, few people are sparing a thought for Sony's noble Reader series, so the company would like to take this opportunity to remind you that it is "selling very well." Fujio Noguchi, Deputy President of Sony's e-book division, indicated that the gadget is its most popular item in the Sony Style store, with the Touch Edition selling the most units. He says that his focus is on "readability" and that the company will continue to use e-paper, good news for those with sensitive eyes, but that Sony has no plans for a color Reader until color e-ink screens are of sufficient quality. So, for now, you'll just have to buy yourself the one on the left above if you're looking to tickle your cones.

Sony says the Reader is selling 'very well,' thank you very much, isn't planning color versions originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-reader privacy policies compared: Big Kindle is watching you

Nilay Patel — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:04:00 EST

It's definitely shaping up to be the year of e-book readers: the Amazon Kindle is flying off (virtual) shelves, and we'd expect the Barnes & Noble Nook to start moving at a decent clip once the kinks get worked out. But any device with an always-on 3G connection to a central server raises some privacy questions, especially when it can broadcast granular, specific data about what you're reading -- data that's subject to a wide spectrum of privacy laws and regulations when it comes to real books and libraries, but much less so in the digital realm. We'd say it's going to take a while for all the privacy implications of e-books to be dealt with by formal policy, but in the meantime the best solution is to be informed -- which is where this handy chart from our friends at the Electronic Frontier Foundation comes in. As you'd expect, the more reading you do online, the more you can be tracked -- and Google Books, the Kindle, and the Nook all log a ton of data that can be shared with law enforcement and various other third parties if required. Of course, we doubt the cops are too interested in your Twilight reading habits, but honestly, we'd rather users weren't tracked at all. Check the full chart and more at the read link.

[Thanks, Tom]

E-reader privacy policies compared: Big Kindle is watching you originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader Daily Edition starts shipping, gets more newspapers

Donald Melanson — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:35:00 EST

Sony hedged its bets a bit in committing to ship date for its Reader Daily Edition when it first announced it, but it looks like it's managed to get the first ones out the door on the early end of its December 18th to January 8th estimate, with the initial batch of pre-orders shipping today. Unfortunately, anyone that didn't pre-order the e-reader is out of luck for the time being, as it's now back-ordered with a new estimated ship date of January 15th. In related news, Sony has also announced that it's signed up an additional 16 publications that will be offering wirelessly-delivered subscriptions on the Daily Edition, including The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Baltimore Sun, and The Denver Post. None of those are exclusive to Sony, however, unlike the News Corp-owned publications that were announced last week.

Sony Reader Daily Edition starts shipping, gets more newspapers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony staying conservative with Reader device, aware of current tablet mania

Paul Miller — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST

Sony's Sir Howard Stringer played the tease at today's Reader content partnership presser, stating that while Sony could make the device into a multimedia tablet, it would rather wait and see if consumers warm up to current devices. Stringer's watching if people find the form factor "comfortable and helpful" before Sony starts "plowing on a thousand apps" or building a "Vaio Reader." We don't really know how much e-reader acceptance points to the demand for color multimedia tablets, but in regards to the (non-existant, ever-present) Apple Tablet, Stringer says "we're all working on variations of the same thing." Hopefully we'll figure out what exactly he means by that before we grow old and start reading books or something horrible like that.

Sony staying conservative with Reader device, aware of current tablet mania originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony e-readers get exclusive Dow Jones, New York Post content

Donald Melanson — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:52:00 EST

Hoping to read the New York Post on an e-reader anytime soon? Then your choices just got quite a bit more limited, as the newspaper has signed a deal that will see Sony offer the only version of the paper for digital reading devices. Joining it are various exclusive offerings from Dow Jones & Company, including The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch, which won't be completely exclusive to Sony readers, but will be available in special editions only available on Sony readers -- that includes The Wall Street Journal PLUS, a digital edition of the morning paper that also features an update of the day's events after the close of the markets. Owners of the Sony Reader Daily Edition will also naturally be able to get the day's papers wirelessly delivered to their readers, with subscriptions running between $9.99 and $19.99 a month.

Sony e-readers get exclusive Dow Jones, New York Post content originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's 3G-enabled Reader Daily Edition up for pre-order, content deals coming next month

Darren Murph — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:24:00 EST

Amazon and Barnes & Noble may be swiping the limelight, but Sony's clearly playing for keeps with its $399 Reader Daily Edition. The 7-inch e-book reader has just been listed for pre-order over at SonyStyle, and with it will come wireless access (via AT&T) to the company's own eBookstore. We're told that the company will "announce newspaper and magazine content providers within the next month," and of course, no monthly fees will be tacked on from browsing and buying books. If plans stay on track, we should see the first shipments leave next month -- so, is Santa treating you with one, or what?

Update: Looks like not everyone will snatch one of these before that fateful day in December, so we'd suggest either settling on a Kindle / Nook or preparing your wallet to deal with 'Tickle Me Elmo' levels of eBay insanity.

Filed under: Displays, Handhelds

Sony's 3G-enabled Reader Daily Edition up for pre-order, content deals coming next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Reader follows Kindle to the Great White North, conquers entire high school (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST

Why, it was just yesterday that Amazon finally acknowledged the existence of our friendly neighbors to the north, saying "Why not?" before shipping a few Kindles northward. Now Sony is announcing its Reader is also set to take off, but in a very different way. The Reader has always been available in Canada (no pesky wireless contracts to negotiate), but ownership will now be compulsory for students at Toronto's Blyth Academy, who will each be provided with a Touch Edition and who must surely be a little nervous after what happened at Princeton. All textbooks will be replaced by digital equivalents, meaning smaller book bags, fewer strained backs, and no more quality time with parents making covers out of brown paper bags. Slightly uncomfortable promotional video is included below.

Continue reading Sony Reader follows Kindle to the Great White North, conquers entire high school (video)

Filed under: Displays, Handhelds

Sony Reader follows Kindle to the Great White North, conquers entire high school (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's CEATEC concept party includes Walkman bracelet and 0.2mm thin OLED (video)

Darren Murph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:13:00 EST

We've yet to see a trade show where Sony left its Rhode Island-sized booth at home, and CEATEC is no exception. Aside from pushing its 1080p 3D installations with an epic amount of force, the company also had a smattering of swank new concepts on display that caught our eyes. A 0.2 millimeter-thin flexible OLED display was alive and displaying content, while an ultrathin Reader mock-up looked more like a MID and less like a Kindle. Without question, the two items that took our breath away were the all-panel laptop (which tossed the traditional keyboard in favor of a single, swooping display) and the Walkman bracelet, which did little more than talk dirty to us and get our imaginations working overtime. Unfortunately, all the good stuff was behind bulletproof glass with practically zero information to digest, but you can indulge your senses anyway in the gallery below and video after the break.

Gallery: Sony's CEATEC concept party includes Walkman bracelet and 0.2mm thin OLED

Continue reading Sony's CEATEC concept party includes Walkman bracelet and 0.2mm thin OLED (video)

Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets, Laptops, Wearables

Sony's CEATEC concept party includes Walkman bracelet and 0.2mm thin OLED (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: Sony plays both ends against the Kindle

Ross Rubin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Last week, Sony introduced Reader Daily Edition, the latest and most advanced Reader in its 2009 lineup, and attempted to recapture the excitement around the category that it had at the launch of the original Reader but then gave up to Amazon. By adding 3G connectivity to the Daily Edition, Sony's answered the biggest perceived feature gap between its products and Amazon's e-reader.

However, far from playing me-too, the Daily Edition tells quite a different distribution story than the Kindle, from purchasing devices to the content. The $400 Daily Edition (a term that warmly evokes printed books and newspapers without being corny) will join the $300 Touch Edition and the $200 Pocket Edition. Of these, the Pocket Edition has the most near-term potential for success due to its greater portability and low price, particularly in these grim economic times.

Speaking of which, Sony seems to have picked up more positive buzz about its library integration for free book lending than it has for adding wireless to the line. For all the struggles of subscription services, consumers don't have any problems with renting content as long as it's free.

Continue reading Switched On: Sony plays both ends against the Kindle

Filed under: Handhelds

Switched On: Sony plays both ends against the Kindle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Sony Reader Touch Edition gets touched, desktop software upped to 3.0

Ross Miller — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:33:00 EST

Sony's Daily Edition may be taking a front row seat in everyone's hearts and minds right now, but let's not forget just three weeks prior the company revamped its other two, decidedly network connectivity-free e-book reader models. MobileTechReview got its hands on the PRS-600 "Touch Edition," which scores points for an easy-to-use dictionary and enhanced note-taking abilities that are purported to sync to the desktop, at least eventually. Turns out the screen isn't as sharp as the PRS-505 and there's a bit of glare, but there's certainly more contrast with the new device. Last we heard both readers were due for check out by the end of this month, although as of this writing only Pocket Edition seems to be available on Sony Style -- and if you're already enjoying a Sony reader, you'll be happy to know that 3.0 desktop software is now making the rounds for PC and Mac. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Tom]

Read - PRS-600 review
Read - SonyStyle store
Read - eBook Library Software 3.0

Continue reading Video: Sony Reader Touch Edition gets touched, desktop software upped to 3.0

Filed under: Handhelds

Video: Sony Reader Touch Edition gets touched, desktop software upped to 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google makes over a million public domain books available in EPUB format

Donald Melanson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:34:00 EST

The deal may have first been announced somewhat quietly last month, but now that Sony's come out with what's arguably its most attractive e-reader to date, the availability of over a million public domain books in the Sony-friendly EPUB format is sure to garner a fair bit more attention. As Google announced on its Inside Google Books blog, those books are now all available for download starting today and are, of course, completely free and able to be used on the EPUB-supporting device of your choice. The move also takes on a particular prominence in light of Google's recent fight with Microsoft, Yahoo, Amazon and the Open Book Alliance, who have taken issue with Google's settlement with book publishers and authors that would give it the right to digitize orphan works and make the now out-of-print (but non-public domain) books widely available.

Filed under: Handhelds, Software

Google makes over a million public domain books available in EPUB format originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Readers cozy up for a family portrait

Paul Miller — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:52:00 EST

It's too bad Sony doesn't have a working prototype to show of its new Daily Edition Reader (pictured on the right), but we got to look at all three of the Readers up next to each other, and it paints quite the picture of familial unity. We asked to see the Daily Edition without its cover, but apparently it's built into the device -- though you can change it out for an alternative, and the battery is replaceable. Check out the close-ups below.

Gallery: Sony's Readers cozy up for a family portrait

Sony's Readers cozy up for a family portrait originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's 'Daily Edition' Reader launch event

Paul Miller — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST

We're huddled up in an obscure corner of the New York Public Library, waiting for Sony to drop its new Reader news on us. There are numerous publishing people here, and for our money we'd say a wireless-equipped, "daily" news sort of device is about to descend upon us, but we'll find out for sure when Sony gets on the makeshift stage and tells all.

10:30AM: The President and CEO of the New York Public Library is up front, and he says the digital content of the NYPL will be available to Sony Readers for free.

10:34AM: Steve Haber, president of Sony's Digital Reading Business Division is up now, and he likens the transition from books to digital books to vinyl to CD and film to digital photo.

10:38AM: Launching 3.0 eBook Library software. Mac and PC compatible, notes made on the touch edition can be printed.

10:40AM: Library Finder. You can register for a library card, and then check out ebooks from the "library" over the internet. Content expires in the number of days specified by the library. No late fees!

10:43AM: Sony Reader Daily Edition! 3G, 7-inch touchscreen, $399. Picture is up top.

10:53AM: Check out some "hands-on" photos below. He didn't let us touch it, and apparently this isn't even a working prototype. Still, from our angle, it's looking pretty slick!

Gallery: Sony's 'Daily Edition' Reader launch event

Filed under: Handhelds

Sony's 'Daily Edition' Reader launch event originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony takes Reader openness one step further, will offer EPUB titles only

Darren Murph — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:18:00 EST

Slowly but surely, the mega-corp who has historically clung tight to its own formats while the world opts for others is finally seeing the light. Just over a year after Sony pushed out an update that enabled its Reader to use purchased books in the open EPUB format, the outfit is now promising to sell digital books only in that format by the year's end. Moreover, Sony is aiming to nix its "proprietary anti-copying software in favor of technology from the software maker Adobe that restricts how often e-books can be shared or copied." Once the switchover takes place, books purchased in Sony's online store will be readable on any device that supports EPUB, one of which will be Plastic Logic's forthcoming e-reader. And to think -- if only this change of heart would've happened prior to the introduction of ATRAC...

Filed under: Displays, Handhelds

Sony takes Reader openness one step further, will offer EPUB titles only originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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