Sony Announces Smaller, Touchscreen E-Ink Reader With Pottermore Promotion

Posted on September 1, 2011

Sony has announced the launch of its new e-ink eReader. The device is 6" long and uses a touch screen interface. The new version is lighter and smaller than last year's version. It's smaller than an average paperbook. It comes in black, white and red.

The Reader's Wi-Fi is the first eReader to offer wireless connectivity to the public library system in the U.S. and Canada. The device has a library icon that will allow readers to borrow free ebooks from libraries if they have a library card. The Reader supports .epub, .pdf and .txt formats.

Sony has partnered with specially-created Reader Wi-Fi with a Pottermore promotion which contains a voucher to to download free the first Harry Potter eBook title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, from Pottermore, when it becomes available.

Each reader comes pre-loaded with 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 with the stylus that comes with the Reader. Sony says the batter will last over a month or 3 weeks with wireless on. It has 2 GB of storage, which should hold about 1,200 ebooks.

The Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) and Reader Wi-Fi with Pottermore promotion(PRS-T1HBC) will hit Sony stores and other retailers in October. They will retail for $149.