Sony Portable Reader

iRex isn't the only company introducing an ebook reader this Spring. Sony is getting ready to launch its Reader. The Reader offers um, well, readers, a 6 inch display on which they can peruse up to approximately 80 stored books (they're basing their number on unillustrated books. If your preferred literature is more picture heavy, expect to be able to carry fewer) In addition to being able to display eBooks, the Sony Reader can also allow users to browse PDFs, read documents, view JPEGs and listen to MP3s. The product page mentions that the Reader can display blogs and newsfeeds as well; although as it's not (as best as I can tell) web-enabled, online news sources will need to be downloaded to the device and read  as static content.

Unlike Katie, I've never been a big fan of the idea of the ebook concept. It's not that I don't appeciate the convenience of having a large bulk of your personal library with you at all times, it's just that I enjoy the sensuality of book reading. For me there is something special in the sound the leafs makes when they're turned, the way the the pages feel beneath the fingertips, the sense of accomplishment in moving the bookmark further and further through the chapters until at last you reach "The End." (Hey, give me a break, I was a Lit. major.) It's this sort of thing I feel like ebook technology will never be able to replicate, no matter how paper-like the display is.

However, as I'm writing this, I'm thinking about the  single volume edition of the Gormenghast novels which is taking me ages to read because I refuse to lug it about with me on my daily commute. Comparing that 1168 bohemouth to 8.8 ounces of the Sony Reader, its obvious which I would prefer to have weighing down my messenger bag. Darn it. Now the gadet geek in me wants one, and the book nerd in me is grumpy. Some days it's difficult to be a Gemini.-[Star C. Foster]

Product Page (via IFlipFlop)

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