Sony debuts eBook reader
- Added:
- Jul 28, 2008
Sony has launched a new Reader device, offering an alternative way for people to read books
The Reader is smaller than a typical hardback and can store up to 160 ebooks under one cover (with the option for more on an optional Memory Stick or SD Memory card).
The device will be and will be available to pre-order from Waterstone’s stores, waterstones.com and sonystyle.co.uk from 24th July.
The device has a battery life equivalent to approximately 6,800 continuous page turns which Sony claims is ‘enough power to read War and Peace five times on a single charge’.
Meanwhile, an “E Ink" electronic display panel, mimics a traditional book page by being viewable in direct sunlight or at angles of up to nearly 180 degrees. Users can also magnify text in three sizes.
"Reader allows people on the go to carry a wide variety of reading materials whether they are on a flight, in a waiting room, or outdoors," says Steve Dowdle, Managing Director Sony United Kingdom Ltd "Reader can handle a stack of books as well as other documents such as PDF’s or MS Word, yet offers a ‘book-like' reading experience unavailable with other electronic devices."
Sony’s “eBook Library” software, 14 pre-loaded excerpts from new and recent books, and includes a free CD-Rom of 100 classic titles including The Jungle Book, Pride & Prejudice, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Great Expectations. A unique waterproof case for Reader is also available.
Waterstone’s, will be taking pre-orders in store and online from July 24th, and ebooks will be available to download from the ebookstore on the Waterstone’s website –Waterstones.com/eBooks – from early September.
"The great thing about electronic books is that in the long run they will benefit writers, creating an easier way to enable first-time authors to get their work in front of the public. That will be a revolutionary change!” says author and ambassador of the Reader, Toby Young.
In addition to electronic books, Reader can also store and display personal and business documents in the many formats - ePub, PDF, RTF, TXT and MS Word (converted to RTF automatically on the supplied software) as well as JPEG images.