Amazingly popular in the USA, but not worldwide, eBook readers are unfortunately a disappointment for not being able to get every copy of my beloved books on a Kindle like device here in Japan.

That said, in the USA today Sony introduced the Pocket Edition (PRS-300), available in pink, silver, and blue with a nice 5” screen, while the PRS-600 features a 6” touchscreen and is available in red, silver and black.

Both eBook readers support SD cards, support via transfer PDF or WORD files and even features a Mac Client… Two impressive little devices that are just missing a wireless module in order to kick some Amazon ass… Go Sony go and get them!

SAN DIEGO, August 5, 2009 ⎯ Sony is today delivering on its promise of making digital readers and eBooks accessible and affordable for consumers with the introduction of two new Readers. Part of a new Reader line, the Reader Pocket Edition™ puts a library in your hands for as little as $199. Both the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition™ will be available at the end of August, at SonyStyle.com, SonyStyle stores and select retail partners. Also, new releases and New York Times bestseller titles in the eBook Store from Sony will now be available for $9.99.
“We firmly believe consumers should have choice in every aspect of their digital reading experience,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division. “Our goal is to expand the market and provide greater access to what consumers want to read when they want to read it — whether they buy, borrow or get it for free.”

The Reader Touch Edition features a responsive, menu-driven six-inch touch screen panel that enables quick, intuitive navigation, page turning, highlighting and note taking with the swipe of a finger or by using the included stylus pen. Users can take handwritten notes with the stylus pen or type with the virtual keyboard. All notes can be exported and printed out for easy reference. The Reader Touch Edition includes an onboard Oxford American English Dictionary that allows you to look up a word by simply tapping on it. The Touch Edition also offers five adjustable font sizes, as well as expansion slots for both Memory Stick® PRO Duo™ and SD card, making your portable library virtually limitless. It comes in red, black or silver and will retail for about $299.