Steve Haber Speaks: Apple’s Rejection, Sony Reader Sales, the Future of E-Ink

PW: "In a wide ranging conversation, Sony Reader president Steve Haber said the Sony Readers have sold millions of units; that the redesigned Touch and Pocket edition units have sold out completely and he maintained that Apple changed the rules on them when it rejected the Sony iPad/iPhone app. Haber outlined a growing international demand for Sony Readers, the launch of a library device lending program and emphasized that not only are e-ink devices 'not doomed' but “set to replace the traditional book."

Sony’s New Readers: Price & Connectivity are Problems

Technologizer: "While Sony has cut prices compared to the ones its last-generation Readers started at, they’re still high: The Daily Edition is $299, the Touch Edition is $229, and the Pocket Edition is $179. True, the Readers have some of the nicest industrial designs of any e-readers, with aluminum cases rather than plasticky shells on the Kindle and Nook. Some folks might be willing to pay a premium for touch screens. And the Daily Edition’s 7″ screen is a plus compared to the 6″ Kindle and Nook. But the Touch and Pocket Editions’ reliance on USB transfers is anachronistic in an era in which the 3G Kindle and Nook are $189 and $199 respectively and the Wi-Fi-only versions are $139 and $149. In order to get a Reader with a built-in wireless bookstore you need to spend more than twice the price of the Wi-Fi Kindle."

Rumor: Sony Prepping PRS-350 & PRS-650 Readers - May Feature More Internal Storage, Wi-Fi & 3G

TFTS – Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities: "Both the PRS-350 and the PRS-650 are said to be 'extremely thin' coming in at under 10mm in thickness. As for the display, the PRS-350 will be 5 inches and the PRS-650 will be 6 inches, both of which should also come with faster page turns and improved contrast. In terms of storage, they are expected to see an increase over previous Reader devices and could go as high as 2GB of internal storage, though it was unclear if that was for both models or just the higher end PRS-650. Furthermore, the PRS-650 is also expected to have Wi-Fi and possibly 3G connectivity while the PRS-350 remains wireless free. Both models should also arrive sporting an updated Sony Reader user interface with a new home screen and note taking software."

New Android-based Sony Readers?

Mobility Site: "The way I see it, despite a lot of tough talk about refusing to drop the price of their ebook readers further so as to not compromise their quality, the powers that be at Sony have realized there may not be room in the Ebook Reader market for more than three players…and right now that would be Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble. Sony and their Reader line would be fourth right now…and that may not be good enough. They need to do something to find something to make their devices unusual or to at least add value. Now, if they made the Sony Touch Reader run Android 2.2 or 3 like a full fledged tablet….that could do it."

Waterstone's Slashes Price of Pocket e-Reader to 99.99 pounds | theBookseller.com

Waterstone's slashes price of pocket e-reader to 99.99 pounds | theBookseller.com: "Waterstone's has slashed the price of its Sony Pocket Edition eBook reader to 99.99 pounds, making it the cheapest on the market. The price change was made in store and online yesterday (9th August). When it first went on sale in September last year, it was priced at 179 pounds. The price of the Sony Touch Edition, 199 pounds, has not changed. The move could be seen as a direct riposte to Amazon.co.uk, which two weeks ago announced it would sell the wi-fi Kindle reader to UK customers for 109 pounds."

Sony Reader Sales for 2nd Quarter Triple Over Last Year

Publishers Weekly: "Kindle has reached its tipping point, and now the Sony Reader has, too. Earlier this year the 10 millionth book was downloaded from the Sony Reader Store, Phil Lubell, v-p of digital reading at Sony Electronics said today. 'We are well on our way to doubling this number by year's end,' he said. Since launching its digital reading business, the company has seen 'steady growth, month over month, year over year. In fact, device sales for the second quarter of this year are about triple what they were for last year.'" This is roughly half the percentage increase Amazon claims (tripling over two quarters), and of course must be well under Amazon's actual unit numbers.

Sony Reader Price Cuts

Of course, Sony simply had no other choice but do drop in step with the Kindle and Nook discounts. No surprise here. Won't help much. FT.com gives info.

SONY Lowers Prices on eReaders

From Mobility Site:

They may be a day late and a dollar short, but Sony has finally waded into the ebook reader price war. They have lowered the recommended prices for all three of their ebook readers. The Pocket Edition is dropped twenty bucks to $149, the Touch Edition drops thirty to $169, and the 3G Daily Edition lowers its price by 50 dollars to end up at $299. ...