Another Stab at Electronic Books

In light of Sony’s poorly managed rootkit fiasco, the introduction of the Reader for electronic books offers the company an opportunity to redeem itself, and put some exciting new technology in the hands of consumers. (The Reader is an updated version of the Librie, which was released last year in Japan. The product received bad press because of its high cost and its digital rights management software that automatically deleted purchased ebooks after 60 days.)

For those who are ready to move away from “ink on dead trees,” the upside of the Reader is a crystal-clear screen with remarkable clarity and contrast. Several reviewers reported thinking the demo units didn’t actually function — the screens looked so clear they assumed them to be printed. The technology, from U.S. company eInk, promises approximately 7,500 page turns per battery charge.

Sony still hasn’t dealt with the price issue. The U.S. version of the product will likely cost about what the Japanese version did — around $400. But Sony may have learned a lesson from the uproar over rootkits. The English version of the book-sized Reader will display PDF files. No word yet about whether purchased electronic titles will self-destruct in two months.

In the past, several companies including Microsoft have tried to sell ebook devices. None been well received, but Sony’s entry into the market looks like it could be a significant step in the right direction.