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When we found out a couple of weeks ago that Sony was going have a Reader event in New York on October 2, we assumed--but weren't entirely sure--that the company would be announcing a new electronic book reader. Well, Sony has introduced a new Reader, the PRS-700, and I got to play around with it at the event.

Before I get into impressions, let's start with the highlights: As rumored, the PRS-700 has a built-in LED "reading" light (though it's not a backlight). There are no wireless capabilities, but Sony's moved to a 6-inch touch-screen display. Also, the new Reader has expanded built-in memory (up to 350 books) while retaining its Memory Stick Duo slot.

The new Sony PRS-700 has a touch-screen and built-in light.

(Credit: Sony)

It's zippier, too--when you turn a page, the e-ink on the screen refreshes faster (we were told the PRS-700 has a faster processor than the earlier PRS-505, but we're waiting to confirm what the processor is). All of these upgrades add up to a higher price tag: the new Reader will retail for $400 when it comes out in November. That's over $100 more than what you can get the PRS-505 for today.

If you can ignore the high price for a second, the PRS700 is definitely a step forward for Sony in the digital-reader arena. If ever there was device that would benefit from the switch to touch-screen navigation, it's an e-book reader (Irex was the first with an e-ink touch-screen display, but that device was prohibitively expensive).

Like the iPhone and other next-gen touch-screen phones that have been appearing lately, the Reader incorporates some gesture-based commands. You can swipe your finger across the display to page forward or back (you can choose between a left or right swipe to advance pages in the settings menu). Swiping and holding your finger down at the end of the swipe allows you to advance or rewind through pages at a fast clip.

With the included stylus or your finger you can highlight words and add annotations via a virtual keyboard. The Amazon Kindle offers this feature via a Blackberry-style keyboard. However, the Kindle doesn't have a touch screen.

It's also worth noting that Sony is continuing with its effort to brand its Readers as "open" devices that are capable of reading multiple file formats. The press release says: "With the included eBook Library 2.5 PC software, you can easily transfer Adobe PDF documents with reflow capability, Microsoft Word documents, BBeB files and other text file formats to the Reader. The device can store and display EPUB files and work with Adobe Digital Editions software, opening it up to almost a limitless quantity of content."

(Credit: Sony)

I just got a news release from Sony that talks about how its $300 PRS-505 Reader Digital Book is slated to show up in Target stores nationwide this weekend along with its accessories. As I previously reported, Sony has a Reader event slated for October 2 as rumors of a next-generation Sony e-book continue to percolate (one CNET reader claims the new Reader will be called the PRS-700 and feature a built-in "lighting feature").

Here's what is in today's release:

This weekend, the Reader Digital Book by Sony will be available in Target stores nationwide. Beginning September 14, the PRS-505 model will be featured in the "Discovery Hub" endcap in the electronics section of all 1,634 Target stores. With the purchase of a Reader, consumers will also receive a coupon code to download a free copy of 'The Other Queen' by Philippa Gregory from the eBook Store by Sony. 'The Other Queen' is slated for release on September 16.

Alongside the device, the endcap will display Reader accessories including: eBook Store prepaid cards, Cover with Light Accessory, AC Charger and a Crocodile pattern cover with pouch for AC charger and USB cable.

Is mainstream America ready to buy e-book readers? Let us know what you think.

The Sony Reader gets ready to turn the page--whatever page it is.

(Credit: Sony)

Just got an invite to a Sony Reader event in New York on October 2. No word on whether this involves launching a next-gen electronic book reader or just promoting some new capabilities for the current model, the Reader Digital Book PRS-505, as we head into the holiday buying season.

Either way it seems clear that Sony isn't quite ready to cede the e-book market to Amazon's Kindle. Sony's got the better design, but the wireless download capabilities of the Kindle clearly give it an advantage. Anybody wanna predict what Sony's next move is?

Amazon's Kindle should make its official debut next week.

(Credit: Engadget)

Amazon's long-awaited--and somewhat anticipated--Kindle electronic book reader may finally get its official introduction on Monday, November 19. At least that's the strong sense I got from a conversation I had earlier today with a PR rep inviting me to an Amazon event here in New York on the 19th. When I asked whether the product was the e-book reader, he wouldn't say (he gave me the usual "you'll have to show up to find out"). But since the Kindle was due to be announced back in October, it seems safe to assume, this is finally it.

Those following the e-book space know that the Kindle has been rumored for months and pictures and specs have circulated on Engadget and other blogs. The New York Times ran an article in early September offering many details on the product, saying it would "be priced at $400 to $500 and will wirelessly connect to an e-book store on Amazon's site." Word is the wireless connection won't be Wi-Fi but a high-speed EVDO network.

As you can see form the picture, the device has a keyboard, which, according to the Times piece, users can use to take notes or navigate the Web. Amazon may also offer subscriptions to feeds from major newspapers. Like Sony's recently released $300 PRS-505 Portable Reader System (we're about to post a review), the Kindle uses E Ink technology, which does a great job mimicking printed text but can't display color or animation.

Anybody think the Kindle will blow Sony's Reader away?

Sony's new PRS-505 Reader is available in silver and dark blue and retains a $300 price tag.

(Credit: Sony)

Rumors have been circulating that Sony was about to release the second edition of its electronic book reader--and now it's official. Sony's new Reader Digital Book, the PRS-505, will hit stores shortly, and while it doesn't look that different on the surface, it's got some notable improvements.

• Next-generation electronic paper display delivers faster response and a higher contrast ratio, with eight levels of gray scale instead of four.
• Slightly thinner profile.
• More intuitive button layout allows for easier navigation.
• Available in silver and dark blue.

The new Reader costs the same as the old Reader ($300), offers the same amount of built-in storage (room for about 160 "typical" eBooks), and the same amount of battery life (Sony lists it at up to 7,500 page turns). While the original Reader wasn't bad, I saw plenty of room for improvement--and it appears that Sony has addressed some of the downsides that I noted in my review (Sony says it listened to what Reader owners had to say, but we pompous reviewers think we're the real influencers).

Whatever the case, the announcement couldn't have come sooner for Sony. Rumors of an Amazon digital book reader have been percolating for a while and turning the iPhone into an e-book reader doesn't seem all that difficult, considering "illegal" PDF-reader hacks seem to work pretty well. No word on when Apple will create a real e-book reader for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, but when it does, it will only validate this emerging market.

Hopefully, Sony's learned from some of its missteps in the digital music arena and a Sony executive I spoke with says it has. The company wants the Reader to be an open platform, and it helps that you can view Word and PDF files on the device along with the copy-protected books from the online Connect eBooks Store. I'm not sure Sony has the chops to create an iTunes-like store for e-books (Connect still has a little ways to go), but we'll see--at least Sony's out there trying to break new ground instead of watching Apple do it.