Computer giant Sony Corp. is now batting for dominance in the electronic book market with the release of three new touchscreen e-book readers at very affordable prices.
Sony’s new touchscreen e-book readers are much lighter, and faster compared to other electronic book gadgets in the market, which is currently being dominated by Apple iPad and Amazon Kindle.
However, with the addition of the touchscreen capability, Sony has added some $29 price tag in its cheapest e-reader, called the Reader Pocket Edition, which sells at $179. It’s a bit pricy, for a black-and-white e-ink technology – $40 more than the Amazon Kindle and $30 more than Barnes & Noble’s Nook e-reader.
Meanwhile, the new 6-inch Reader Touch Edition costs $229 while the 7-inch Reader Daily Edition costs $299, with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity.
The big question now is: Whether the new e-ink technology gadgets can stand up against the multicolored Apple iPad?
According to Steve Haber, the president of Sony Digital Reading Business Division, the company hopes to take valuable market shares against the iPad by tapping the “previously untouched markets” like Spain, Japan, Australia, and China.
Haber also said that they have been working with distributors and local bookstores to ensure that there would be enough contents that would be cater to the needs of each market.
Sony, according to the official, will also develop applications that would allow users to use programs and other applications from their iPhones and Android-based smartphones directly to the new Sony e-readers.
But despite the new technologies being developed for the new Sony gadgets, competition remains at the highest level as Amazon unveiled two new versions of its popular Kindle device last month, selling under $139.
It’s tie-up with retail giant Target Store Inc. has made Kindle a formidable foe, dominating major outlets in the US.
Also, the iPad offers plenty of opposition with the device still selling at an outstanding pace months after it was first released.
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