Sony Reader Mobile Apps coming soon!

First, let me clarify my stance in regard to the eReader wars. I am an avid user of the Sony Reader Daily Edition, and I have found that is the best option for me. Personally, I prefer it’s eInk display over the color LCD screens of the iPad and NOOKcolor, as well as its sleek design that incorporates an aluminum body. But that’s not to say it is for everybody. Many love the physical keyboard of the current market leader, the Amazon Kindle 3. Many also adore the brick-and-mortar accessibility attributed to the NOOK through its maker, Barnes & Noble. So even though I have chosen my preference, that is not to say that I am biased. One area where Sony has sorely lacked in the eBook war is cross-platform integration. And when I say “sorely lacked,” I mean completely non-existent. Up until now, you could only read Sony eBooks on your PC, Mac, or Sony Reader. Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble have Apps available for many other platforms, most notably including iOS 4, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7. Amazon has a proprietary network dubbed WhisperSync that makes reading across all those platforms very easy. 

Sony's banner on the desktop software touting the not-so-distant release of their mobile apps.

Finally Sony is catching up – the Sony Reader software will soon be available on the iPhone and Android. Sony’s PC software has a new page devoted to the new Apps, with the giant banner reading “Available in December.” This is exciting news for anybody who currently uses the Sony Reader, as they will now be able to transfer their entire library of eBooks and eNewspapers to their smartphone. Sony touts that the mobile apps will have all the same functionality as the desktop software, which includes access to your entire library, access to the Reader Store where one can purchase new eBooks wirelessly, as well as the ability to create bookmarks, highlighting, and annotations. Furthermore, one may still adjust the font size of the eBooks just as they would on the normal Sony Reader. 

Here are three screenshots of the new Reader App, which are from the Apple iOS 4 version. From left to right, pictured is the Reader Storefront, the Reader Library, and a page in an eBook.

This is undoubtedly exciting news for current users of Sony’s Reader, but will this affect the eReader war?  In my opinion, this simply isn’t enough to draw potential consumers to Sony’s option.  Consumers already expect this feature, being as Amazon and Barnes & Noble have had it for so long.  What Sony needs to do is drop prices and advertise.  Currently, the cheapest Sony Reader is the Pocket Edition, but at $149.99 (MSRP is $179.99 but Sony has a temporary price reduction) it is still too expensive considering that it only has a 5″ eInk touchscreen and lacks any sort of wireless connectivity.  The step-up Reader Touch Edition, has a 6″ eInk touchscreen and chrome accents, but other than that it shares the same features as the pocket Edition; it is currently selling for $199.99 (MSRP is $229.99).  Lastly, the high-end Reader Daily Edition is the best option with a 7″ eInk touchscreen with both WiFi and free 3G connectivity, and it currently sells for $249.99 (MSRP is $299.99).  I would recommend a Sony Reader to anyone, but one does need to take into account all the pros and cons to see which is the best option.