Sony launches two dedicated reading devices into local e-reading category

As a pioneer of digital reading devices, Sony has launched into the New Zealand e-reading market with two digital reading devices, the Reader Touch Edition and Reader Pocket Edition.

Reading in New Zealand is seeing a massive paradigm shift as awareness and enthusiasm for ebooks becomes more widespread. With the Sony Reader, passionate readers can now easily carry a library of books with them on a dedicated reading device, wherever they go.

“Technology is now making it possible to improve the accessibility of literature. We’ve hit a tipping point for digital reading globally and based on our expertise and experience in this area, Sony is in a unique position to capitalise on the e-reading category,” said Carl Rose, Managing Director, Sony Australia and New Zealand.

“The digital reading revolution has come to New Zealand and will change the landscape of our local reading industry. We’re anticipating strong consumer demand for ebooks and look forward to launching our Reader devices, which are lightweight, portable and provide the comfort of reflective display technology for the most natural reading experience.”

The Reader Touch Edition and Reader Pocket Edition both feature full touch screens with e-Ink Pearl technology, delivering a natural and comfortable display – similar to ink on paper and fully readable in direct sunlight. The simple and easy-to-use touch screens also allow users to turn pages effortlessly with the swipe of a finger to enjoy fast and intuitive navigation of their favourite books.

With two English and ten translation dictionaries on board in five languages, Reader is a multilingual device. If you ever get stuck on the meaning of a word, simply double-tap the word to call up the dictionary feature and check its meaning or translation. You can also free search the dictionaries for words.

In 2006, Sony was the first company in the world to introduce a digital reading device and has since 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 will also launch Reader models in Japan, China, Spain and Italy later this year.

The Sony Reader range will be available for pre-order at sony.co.nz and in Sony Style stores from tomorrow (3 September 2010), and arrive in store at Sony Style and selected retailers from October 2010 for $399.95 (Touch Edition) and $299.95 (Pocket Edition).

For a video tour of the Reader and other Sony products, please visit sonylearn.tv.

Features

6” Reader Touch Edition (PRS650BC) and 5” Reader Pocket Edition (PRS350SC) available in
New Zealand from October 2010

Easy to use touchscreen allows you to turn pages with a swipe of the finger and
effortlessly navigate through your books

Read for hours without eye strain on this no glare paper-like display - even in direct
sunlight

Double-tap a word to find its meaning or translation in one of the 12 built-in dictionaries

Unbelievably small and thin and lighter than most paperbacks at just 155 grams

Store up to 1200 books or documents on your Reader – a whole library in your hands

Enjoy 2 full weeks of reading on a single battery charge