August 31, 2011

Sony Introduces World’s Lightest 6” eReader With Enhanced Touch Screen

Reader™ Wi-Fi® will be the world’s first eReader to provide wireless public library access directly on the device to borrow eBooks

Sony today announced the launch of the lightest touch screen 6” eReader device ever, Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1), providing the most natural and immersive reading experience yet for book lovers. The new Reader Wi-Fi builds on the popularity of last year’s line, while reducing size and weight and incorporating new and enhanced features. At under 6 ounces and with a 6” E-Ink® Pearl V220 touch screen, Reader Wi-Fi is smaller than an average paperback book, can easily fit into a bag or pocket and is available in three color choices: black, red or white.

As part of Sony’s continued effort to support the Public Library System, Reader Wi-Fi will also be the first eReader to offer wireless connectivity to the public library system in the US and Canada via a dedicated icon on the device to allow easy and convenient borrowing of free e-books with a valid library card. Readers can access and download over 2.5 million titles via a Wi-Fi connection from Reader Store or shop from a wide range of bookstores and other websites that provide books in digital formats compatible with Reader Wi-Fi, such as EPUB, PDF and TXT.

“We believe in giving readers more freedom and flexibility while reading, and the new Reader Wi-Fi gives avid readers more access to content than ever. Bibliophiles can now buy, borrow or download free books wherever there’s a Wi-Fi connection,” said Phil Lubell, vice president of Networked Technology and Services Division at Sony Electronics.

Reader Wi-Fi will feature a glare-free Clear Dual Touch screen. E-Ink Pearl electronic paper displays a high contrast image that is easy to read for hours, even in direct sunlight. Book lovers can touch the screen to choose a book, swipe a finger to turn the page, zoom in and out by pinching fingers together or apart, tap and hold a word to find its meaning or translate into one of the 5 supported languages. On board are 12 dictionaries including 2 English language (British/American) and 10 translation (to and from French, German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian). Readers can even ‘write’ notes on the page or highlight text with a finger or the supplied stylus - just like a real book. With a battery life of over one month (3 weeks with wireless on) and 2 GB of storage capacity (enough to hold about 1,200 eBooks), Reader Wi-Fi makes reading easier, virtually anytime and anywhere.

In order to provide the most engaging reading experience, Reader Wi-Fi offers users numerous options for customization. Users can view collections of digital photos on-screen, plug-in headphones to listen to stored music while reading, or change the image on the front cover to the current title or to a favorite photo as a screensaver when your Reader Wi-Fi is in standby mode. Users can also personalize the reading experience by choosing from eight font sizes and a choice of six font styles. Screen contrast and brightness are easily adjusted for comfortable viewing in any lighting condition.

Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) is expected to be available October 2011 for about $149 at Sony Stores, online at http://store.sony.com, and other authorized retailers nationwide.

For more information, please visit www.sony.com/news.

Media contact:
Maya Wasserman
Sony Electronics, Inc
(858) 942-2681
Maya.wasserman@am.sony.com

September 27, 2010

Sony Announces Inaugural Participants in Reader Library Program

Program to Provide Training, Reading Devices and Educational Materials to Support eBook Programs at 30 Libraries across the Country

Reaffirming its commitment to work with libraries in expanding their eBook collections and digital reading programs, Sony today announced the inaugural list of 30 participating libraries in the Reader Library Program. The participating libraries, from across 17 states, include the Brooklyn Public Library, San Diego County Library, Omaha Public Library and the Denver Public Library. The program, which will be rolled out over the upcoming weeks, will provide participating libraries with in-house training on digital reading devices, educational materials to help librarians and patrons learn more about eBooks and digital reading devices for library staff use and patron demonstrations.

“The introduction of our Reader Library Program this summer was met with strong interest from libraries across the country looking to expand their digital reading initiatives,” said Phil Lubell, Sony Electronics’ vice president of digital reading. “Today, we’re excited to announce the first participants in the program and look forward to working closely with them in educating their patrons on the use of their growing eBook collections.”

“We’re excited to be one of the first libraries participating in Sony’s Reader Library Program,” said Zeth Lietzau, Manager of Denver Public Library’s Community Technology Center. “Our growing eBook collection is an important piece of the service we will provide our customers moving forward, and we are constantly looking for ways to increase awareness, understanding, and usage of this collection. The education materials and assistance made available from the Reader Library Program will be a big part of that effort.”

Components of the Reader Library Program include:

• An in-house training session for participating library staff developed by Sony. This in-person session, will cover digital reading formats, an overview of sources for digital materials, and training on Sony’s Reader digital reading devices.
• Sony’s Reader digital reading devices for use by library staff. Educational materials and informational bookmarks to provide patrons background on digital reading devices and eBook borrowing programs.
• Bi-annual update sessions designed to keep participating libraries and their staff current with latest developments in digital reading content, format and devices.

Inaugural Participants in the Reader Library Program include:

• Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library (Shirley, NY)
• Kent District Library (Comstock Park, MI)
• Santa Barbara Public Library (Santa Barbara, CA)
• Fairfield Public Library (Fairfield, CT)
• Delaware Division of Libraries (Dover, DE)
• Plainfield Public Library (Plainfield, IL)
• Lake Oswego Public Library (Lake Oswego, OR)
• Hillsboro Public Library (Hillsboro, OR)
• Somerset County Library System (Bridgewater, NJ)
• Cliffside Park Free Public Library (Cliffside Park, NJ)
• Upper Saddle River Library (Upper Saddle River, NJ)
• Pasco County Library System (Hudson, FL)
• Springfield Greene County Library District (Springfield, MO)
• Library Connection (Windsor, CT)
• Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library (Presque Isle, ME)
• New Rochelle Public Library (New Rochelle, NY)
• River Edge Library (River Edge, NJ)
• Falmouth Memorial Library (Falmouth, ME)
• Princeton Public Library (Princeton, NJ)
• Macon County Public Library (Franklin, NC)
• Scottsdale Public Library (Scottsdale, AZ)
• Liverpool Public Library (Liverpool, NY)
• Omaha Public Library (Omaha, NE)
• Denver Public Library (Denver, CO)
• Westchester Public Library (Chesterton, IN)
• San Diego County Library (San Diego, CA)
• Holbrook Public Library (Holbrook, MA)
• Jefferson Country Public Library (Monticello, FL)
• Lavenia McCoy Public Library (Bayfield, CO)
• Brooklyn Public Library (Brooklyn, NY)

All of these libraries are members of the OverDrive network, a distribution network of 11,000 libraries worldwide. To find a library near you that offers eBooks, go to sonysearch.overdrive.com.

Sony is also providing digital reading assistance to libraries beyond the inaugural participants in the Reader Library Program. Libraries not currently participating will have access to further program information, details on applying for it, free eBook training videos and printable collateral for them to use in educating their patrons at www.sony.com/libraryprogram.

Libraries with additional questions regarding the program can contact program managers at libraryprogram@am.sony.com.

Sep. 1, 2010

SONY BRINGS DIGITAL READING EXPERIENCE TO LIFE WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW LINE OF READERS

New Readers Feature Sony’s Unique Touch Screens with Anti-Glare Technology for the Optimal Digital Book Reading Experience

Continuing to provide book lovers with the most natural, immersive digital reading experience, Sony today announced the launch of its beautifully-designed Reader digital books, including the new Reader Pocket Edition™, Reader Touch Edition™ and, in the US, the wireless Reader Daily Edition™. The new line of Readers features a host of new design and technology enhancements that make them the perfect device for any reader’s lifestyle.

“Today, we’re excited to announce not just the availability of the Reader Touch Edition and Pocket Edition in the countries we already serve but also plans to expand the Reader line to previously untapped markets,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division. “We take a thoughtful approach to country expansion, including Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan and China, working with local bookstores to ensure content is compatible, relevant and in the appropriate language for each market.”

The new Reader models bring a fresh level of flare to e-reading with colorful, elegant aluminum designs and all new, highly responsive touch screens. In addition to the new devices in the US, Sony announced development of a set of applications for iPhone and the Android Marketplace to extend the Reader experience across multiple portable devices.

“The success of our previous line of Readers illustrates book lovers’ demand for feature choices and full touch screens on their digital reading devices,” said Phil Lubell, vice president of Digital reading at Sony Electronics. “Today, we’re answering their call by providing an entire line of stylish, full touch screen devices with a variety of features and price points.”

What’s New

The new generation of Readers builds on the popularity of last year’s line. For 2010 Sony has restyled all three of the devices, reduced their size and weight, and made new, innovative touch screens available across the entire line.

Touch Screen for Everyone

Based on the popularity of the full touch screen on its previous Reader Touch Edition and Daily Edition models, Sony equipped the entire line of new Readers with improved, optical touch screen technology designed specifically for digital reading. The new, first-to-market technology enhances ease of use and increases reading clarity, creating an immersive reading experience for consumers. Book lovers can now escape into their favorite books with the lightest swipe of a finger or stylus pen.

Improved E Ink Displays

All three devices utilize E Ink® Pearl electronic paper displays, which delivers a paper-like display that is readable in direct sunlight. The screens offer a high contrast ratio with 16 levels of grayscale, ensuring that text and images are crisp and easy to read.

A Reader Pocket Edition that Will Wow You

The new Reader Pocket Edition sports a five-inch, full touch screen and a smart, lightweight design that’s easy to slip into a purse or jacket pocket for convenient, on-the-go reading. It is available in chic colors, including silver and pink. It has 2 GB of onboard memory, which lets you carry up to 1,200 of your favorite books, and retails for about $179.

A New Reader Touch Edition: More of Everything Readers Love

The new Reader Touch Edition features a six-inch full touch screen and an intuitive design with 2 GB of onboard memory. In addition, it offers dual expansion slots for up to 32GB of additional memory and the ability to play MP3 and AAC audio files. It’s available in black or red for about $229.

A Reader Daily Edition that Adds WiFi and New Web Features

The Reader Daily Edition provides a wireless connection to Sony’s Reader Store from most of the U.S. via AT&T’s 3G network. Now, it will also provide Wi-Fi and basic Web browsing capability on its large, seven-inch full touch screen.

“The eReading space is doing very well and the Daily Edition has been a great performing product in this popular connected devices category,” said Glenn Lurie, president of AT&T emerging devices. “We’re looking forward to connecting Sony’s next generation wirelessly connected eReader on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network.”

A host of pre-loaded practical and reading-based URLs will provide direct access to optimized, text-based sites to add a new dimension to the reading experience. The Reader Daily Edition also includes 2 GB of memory and expansion slots for additional memory (up to 32 GB). It comes in silver and will sell for about $299.

Additional New Features Across the Entire Line

New features allow for easier reading of PDF or personal documents. Intuitive content zoom, adjustable contrast and brightness control, as well as automatic multiple page creation will make documents designed for a standard sheet of paper easier to read on a smaller screen. Also, personalized standby screen options will allow users to use their favorite photos as a screen saver and the collections functionality will allow them to group their favorite reads.

In addition, the new Reader line is more global than ever, offering users the ability to look up words and phrases with the built in New Oxford American Dictionary, Second Edition and Oxford Dictionary of English eDictionaries, as well as 10 translation dictionaries in languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Wordsmiths across the globe can now create “word logs” to track the words they’ve looked up per dictionary, book or periodical in chronological order, while quickly switching between dictionaries.

More Content on More Devices

In addition to announcing a new generation of Readers, Sony has also made several changes and improvements to Reader Store. More than 1.2 million titles are available in the U.S via the store. Sony remains committed to providing an extensive offering of newspaper and magazine content for single issue purchase or subscription within the newsstand area of the store. Soon to be available titles include The Harvard Business Review, The Wilson Quarterly and Dell Magazines' highly regarded fiction magazines: Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Asimov's Science Fiction, and Analog Science Fiction and Fact. The store’s Public Library application continues to provide easy access to local public libraries to borrow eBooks for free. To make choosing a book easier, the New York Times Bestsellers list will be featured alongside the Reader Store’s bestsellers. By next month, integration with Goodreads will also permit the inclusion of reader reviews from that site onto the Reader Store.

With Reader™ Desktop Edition (formerly Reader Library) for Apple’s Mac OS X and Microsoft® Windows® and Reader™ Mobile Edition for Apple iPhone and Google Android-based smartphones, users will be able to synchronize their reading among multiple devices. These free applications, available later this year, will offer an intuitive digital reading experience with an elegant interface and access to Sony’s Reader Store for browsing and purchasing content. Reader Desktop Edition also includes the ability to easily manage content for the non-wireless Reader models.

The new Reader Pocket Edition and the new Reader Touch Edition are available immediately, and the new Reader Daily Edition is expected to be available this in time for the holidays. The Reader Pocket Edition and Touch Edition, as well as available accessories such as AC adaptors, cases and covers with reading lights, are available now at SonyStyle.com and SonyStyle stores.

Jun. 29, 2010

Sony Unveils Reader Library Program to Promote Digital Reading at Public Libraries

Digital Reading Business Eyes New eReader and eBook Opportunities in Asia and Europe

In recognition of Library Advocacy Day, Sony today unveiled the Reader Library program, a new initiative to support the work of public libraries as they expand and promote their ebook collections. The program provides public libraries with training on digital reading devices, educational materials to help readers learn about the eBooks and digital texts available to them through their local libraries, and digital reading devices for library staff use.

“Libraries play an important role in our civic and cultural life, and Sony believes that it’s important to support public library systems as they expand their services and digital offerings, particularly eBooks,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony Electronics’ Digital Reading Business Division.“Our program is a new initiative that will provide librarians with additional resources, enabling them to inform and demonstrate to patrons how to benefit from their growing eBook collections.”

The Reader Library program is open to public libraries with robust ebook lending programs. Program components include:

A training program for library staff developed by Sony. This one-time web-based session covers digital reading formats, an overview of sources for digital materials, and training on Sony’s Reader digital reading devices.

Sony’s Reader digital reading devices for use by library staff. Educational materials to provide readers background materials on digital reading devices. Sony will begin the program with a handful of libraries nationwide to tailor educational materials that reflect the content and features of each library’s digital collection.

Bi-annual update sessions designed to keep libraries and their staff current with latest developments in digital reading content, format and devices.

The Library program reaffirms Sony’s commitment to work with local libraries throughout the country as they expand their eBook collections.Sony’s Readers are compatible with the industry-standard formats in which libraries offer their digital collections. Therefore, consumers can readily borrow perennial favorites and new releases from their local library’s collection.

For more information on the program, please contact Annie Lee, senior business manager for Sony’s Reader business at annie.lee@am.sonycom.

May 17, 2010

SONY UNVEILS PLANS TO EXPAND GLOBAL READER BUSINESS

Digital Reading Business Eyes New eReader and eBook Opportunities in Asia and Europe

Sony today announced it is preparing to make its Reader digital book available in several new markets. Plans include availability in new Asia/Pacific markets this year, including Japan, China and Australia, as well as further European expansion to encompass countries such as Italy and Spain. In each country Sony intends to leverage its relationships with local retailers, publishers and distributors to introduce the Reader along with a host of local content to help ensure the best possible reading experience.

Sony anticipates strong global demand for eReaders and eBooks in 2010, specifically within Asian markets. According to analyst firm Nomura Holdings Inc., Asia represents one of the fastest growing eBook and eReader markets, with Japanese eBook sales topping $500 million in 2009. Additionally, analyst firm DisplaySearch is predicting that China will become the world’s largest eReader market by 2015.

“Sony continues to be a pioneer in this market, and in the years since we unveiled the first eReader, we’ve hit a global tipping point in digital reading with demand for and sales of the Reader dramatically increasing in 2009,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony Electronics’ Digital Reading Business Division. “Sony’s strategy has always been to make the Reader a global product and we’ll take a thoughtful approach to country expansion that will consider not just the hardware experience within these new countries but the content experience as well.”

The Reader’s seamless integration with Sony’s Reader Store recently enabled Sony to reach the 10 million eBook download milestone, and it will be working towards having relevant, local-language content available either through its own or local affiliated book stores, upon entering new countries. Since launching the Reader in the United States in 2006, Sony has expanded its global footprint into North America and Europe. Today, the Reader is available in eight countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. Sony’s Reader Store is currently available for users in the United States and Canada.

Sony will announce general availability, local pricing and pre-order dates for the Reader in Japan, China, Australia, Spain and Italy at a later date.

May 6, 2010

Sony's Reader Store celebrates it’s 10 MILLIONTH BOOK DOWNLOAD

Marks Digital Reading Milestone with 10 Most Purchased Books of All Time

Enabling a revolution in digital reading, Sony today announced that as of May 5, book lovers and eBookworms have downloaded more than 10 million books from the Reader™ Store. This does not include the millions of books downloaded from other sources such Google Books and public libraries, or through other ebookstores in the U.S. or Sony affiliated bookstores in Europe. In celebration, all accounts with an eBook purchase from the Reader Store on May 5, 2010 will receive a $10 credit for future purchases on the store. The 10 millionth book downloaded was "Digital Fortress," by Dan Brown.

In addition, Sony is marking the 10 millionth book milestone by announcing the 10 most purchased books of all time on the Reader Store:

1. 1. "The Lost Symbol," by Dan Brown
2. 2. "I, Alex Cross," by James Patterson
3. 3. "Breaking Dawn," by Stephenie Meyer
4. 4. "Eclipse," by Stephenie Meyer
5. 5. "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett
6. 6. "Twilight," by Stephenie Meyer
7. 7. "New Moon," by Stephenie Meyer
8. 8. "The Lovely Bones," by Alice Sebold
9. 9. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," by Stieg Larsson
10. 10."The Last Song," by Nicholas Sparks

Since its inception in September 2006, Sony's Reader Store has included a wide offering of new releases and bestselling eBook titles for book lovers of all kinds. Today it features access to more than one million titles and links to borrow eBooks from local public libraries nationwide.

Aug. 25, 2009

Digital Reading Ecosystem Expands for Sony's Reader

Further evidence of the broad support for its open approach to digital reading, Sony today announced relationships with a variety of traditional and digital publishers who provide content in industry standard formats to create a universe of reading material compatible with the Reader.

Aug. 25, 2009

Extra, Extra: Sony's Daily Edition Rounds Out New Line of Digital Readers

Delivering on its promise to give consumers a variety of choices, Sony today announced the third member of its new Reader family - the Reader Daily Edition™, a highly-anticipated wireless model with 3G connectivity. The Daily Edition caps its new line of Reader products, joining the Reader Pocket Edition™ and the Reader Touch Edition™ which were announced earlier this month.

Aug. 13, 2009

Sony Converts Reader Store to EPUB Format

In an effort to take the confusion out of digital book formats, Sony today announced its plan to convert its Reader Store to the industry-standard EPUB format by the end of the year. Adopting an industry-standard format and Adobe® Content Server 4 (ACS4), a popular, cross platform server software solution that copy protects downloadable eBooks, allows Sony to make its Reader Store compatible with multiple devices and its Reader devices open to multiple sources for content.

Aug. 5, 2009

Sony announces two new additions to the Reader family; Drops eBook pricing

Sony is today delivering on its promise of making digital readers and eBooks accessible and affordable for consumers with the introduction of two new Readers. Part of a new Reader line, the Reader Pocket Edition puts a library in your hands for as little as $199. Both the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition™ will be available at the end of August, at SonyStyle.com, SonyStyle stores and select retail partners. Also, new releases and New York Times bestseller titles in the Reader Store will now be available for $9.99.

Jul. 29, 2009

The Reader Store announces access to more than 1 million public domain books from Google

The Reader Store, together with Google, today announced it is providing access to more than 1 million free public domain books - from classics such as Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island to biographies, historical texts, romance novels and hundreds of other genres. The announcement reinforces Sony's commitment to providing consumers with the largest, most comprehensive selection of eBooks available. These titles, which Google has digitized as part of its Google Books project, are available in EPUB format and are optimized for current models of the Sony Reader Digital Book.

Mar. 18, 2009

The Reader Store provides access to over a half-million free public domain books from Google

Content for the Reader Digital Book by Sony just blew wide open. Starting today, the Reader Store will provide access to more than a half-million public domain books from Google optimized for current models of the Reader.

Oct. 6, 2008

New Sony Style Store Opens Its Doors with Exclusive Preview of Sony Reader Digital Book

Sony Electronics is opening a new Sony Style store, located at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif., and offering a first look at the new Sony Reader Digital Book. The new model, PRS-700, incorporates an interactive touch screen display for the most intuitive digital reading to date.

Oct. 2, 2008

Sony's Third Generation Reader Digital Book Gives Readers a "Feel" for Literature

With the latest edition of Sony's Reader Digital Book, announced today, readers can truly let their fingers do the walking.

Oct. 1, 2008

Sony Starts a Reading Revolution

To help combat a general decline in reading in the U.S., particularly among young people, Sony is spearheading a so-called "Reader Revolution" to spark the imaginations of young readers and engage the public in digital reading.