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Sony: UK isn't ready for 3G eBook reader

Posted on 27 Aug 2009 at 08:31

Sony has confirmed that the UK will eventually receive a 3G-enabled Daily Edition eBook reader, but that it may take "a year or two".

Click here for our first impressions of Sony's Reader Touch

The company launched two new eBook readers on the UK market yesterday, but the event was somewhat overshadowed by news that the US was receiving a reader with a 7in screen and 3G connection, dubbed the Daily Edition, allowing people to download eBooks wirelessly from the Sony Reader store.

Speaking at the launch of the Reader Touch and Pocket Edition, a Sony executive told PC Pro that the company didn't believe the UK market was ready for the 3G version.

We're expecting the Kindle to arrive here before Christmas, I think everybody is, but, to be honest, we don't see it as much of a threat

"We're a year behind the US with these products, so the groundwork's done over there," said Omar Gurnah, category manager for Reader for Sony UK. "We need to bring that level of awareness to the UK market, which is what we're doing with these [Reader Touch and Pocket Edition]. It'll definitely happen, but maybe not for another year or so."

Asked whether delaying the launch of the Daily Edition was wise with rumours circulating that a Kindle launch is imminent, Gurnah claimed the company wasn't too worried.

"We're expecting the Kindle to arrive here before Christmas, I think everybody is, but, to be honest, we don't see it as much of a threat. It'll be great, because it'll raise awareness, but we think it'll push people towards the cheaper Reader Touch. In the end, it could be a good thing for us."

Gurnah also confirmed that Sony was looking to partner with libraries to bring eBook rentals to the UK market. Beside admitting that the scheme would be on a "much smaller scale" than in the US, he could offer no concrete details.

Author: Stuart Turton

User comments

Far too expensive

I'd love one of these, but the whole thing is just too expensive. Maybe if eBooks were widely available and cheaper than the hardcopy I'd take the plunge, but sadly they're not.

By altecsole on 27 Aug 2009

It's Sony who isn't ready

I have been waiting for an e-book reader with download capability ever since the kindle was launched in the US. So have many of my friends. Why is it that these big corporations always assume the UK consumer is 'behind'? They're continually treating us like idiots and I, for one, am fed up with it!

By GEBaron on 27 Aug 2009

More Spin?

Analysing the various reports suggests that it is the UK 3G/Wifi companies that are not ready, NOT the consumer.

Amazon (Kindle) and now Sony in the US have a pricing model with the networks based on no subscription and data download costs. Amazon have reportedly been trying to arrange a similar deal in UK for 2 years without success. Hence no Kindle Wifi/Sony Reader

By incognitii on 27 Aug 2009

Sony Daily Edition, Kindle Wifi et al

It would be interesting to know how many readers would be prepared to subscribe to a service to have daily newspapers delivered to their Sony/Kindle in UK? I would sign up in a flash!!

By incognitii on 27 Aug 2009

Sony Daily Edition, Kindle Wifi et al

It would be interesting to know how many readers would be prepared to subscribe to a service to have daily newspapers delivered to their Sony/Kindle in UK? I would sign up in a flash!!

By incognitii on 27 Aug 2009

Those pesky customers

"Why won't the buy what we think they should buy" says Sony.

By Lacrobat on 27 Aug 2009

OPTICAL

Problems with these electronic books is like the Paperback ones... they get LOST.

If you lose a paperback things are not too bad but an ebook loss is LOADS OF BOOKS.

By lenmontieth on 28 Aug 2009

Far too expensive

This is widespread misperception about eBooks. The publishing industry is set up to produce pbooks, the requirement to add many formats of of the same title in ebook and audiobook, create and maintain digital content departments to manage the distribution of these, means that eBooks add costs for publishers. eBook sales do not yet generate the ROI that publishers are paying to produce them. Wider adoption will drive prices down.

By kurtjohnson on 29 Aug 2009

Far too expensive

The misconception I refer to is that eBooks are cheaper to produce and therefore should be less expensive. Yes and no, they add costs for now, costs they do not generate the revenue to fund.

By kurtjohnson on 29 Aug 2009

Format........Trust

Proprietary. Main issue with both the Sony and Kindle formats is that they do not transfer to customers other devices, PC, Mac, Smartphone, other brands of readers. Building a Library of eBooks is an investment. How will one access these in the future should the Kindle be discontinued? When device manufacturers attempt to control/limit access to content using a device and proprietary formats they are asking customers to risk their investment. Formats that allow users to download and backup their eBooks, load them to a variety of devices (existing and future devices) reduce the risk of losing an eBook library. eBooks must overcome this issue and make the consumer comfortable that they own their eBooks, same as they own and control a pbook that resides on their shelves.

By kurtjohnson on 29 Aug 2009

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