Sony is releasing two new Sony Readers this month. Both are essentially variations on Sony’s present eReader: the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition.
For the most part the new devices are what you expect from the Sony Reader. There’s no wireless and the storage is small, but you can use an SD Card or Memory Stick. The devices are meant for use with the Sony bookstore (now lowering prices to match Amazon), but they are more open than the Kindle and support the ePub format.
The Reader Touch is the same size and price as a Kindle 2, but trades in the wireless capabilities for a touchscreen. Touch gestures are used for turning pages, writing on a virtual keyboard, and navigation. For a customer choosing between the Reader Touch and a Kindle, it would basically amount to how much they wanted the touch screen.
The Reader Pocket has, I think, a much higher potential to steal away Kindle customers. The screen is only 5 inches, but Sony has priced the device at a competitive $199. Filling the niche of a budget, entry-level reader, the Reader Pocket could definitely reach at to those who haven’t yet considered buying an eReader.
Here are how the devices stack up to the Kindle:
| Kindle 2 | Reader Pocket | Reader Touch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6 inches | 5 inches | 6 inches |
| Wireless | 3G/Whispernet | No | No |
| Touch Screen | No | No | Yes |
| ePub | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $299 | $199 | $299 |