Kindle Killer? The Sony Daily Edition Reader May Be Better Than The Kindle

Sony has been on a roll lately. Last week, they introduced the PS3 Slim, today Sony introduced the Daily Edition Reader at the New York Public Library. The new device, is part of their new eReader lineup which includes the Pocket Edition (5-inch screen, $200) and the Touch Edition (6-inch screen for $300). The Daily Edition looks great and will be giving Amazon’s Kindle a run for its money. Why, you ask? Let’s take a look at what the the Sony Daily Edition Reader has to offer to find out if its better than the current Amazon Kindle.

- Wireless Syncing/Download

Ability to sync to Desktop application through the built-in AT&T 3G service and download ebooks straight to the reader is extremely simple and easy. Both Kindle and Sony offer it, Kindle through its Kindle store.

- 7-inch touch screen

The touchscreen feature is great, something that’s missing on the Kindle. I didn’t mind having the buttons on the side of the Kindle, the ones that read previous and next page but the keyboard was something I despised. Sony does a good job of not having one. Sony also offers a bigger screen making it easier to read. The extra one inch is definitely welcomed.

- Availability

The Kindle is only available on Amazon’s website (unless you hit up Craigslist or eBay). The Sony Daily Edition will be available in multiple stores across the United States, along with Sony’s online store. Here’s some of the brick and mortar stores it’ll be available in:Best Buy, BJ’s, Borders, Sams Club, Staples, Target, Toys R’ Us, Wal-Mart. The more stores they have it in, the higher chance for sales and/or discounts. Plus it exposes Sony’s device to others who normally do not shop online or people who need to take a look and feel the device.

- Landscape Mode

The Daily Edition offers landscape mode to easily read text books and newspapers. The Kindle does not offer landscape mode on the device.

- Library Books

Amazon’s eBook store has thousands of books to choose from but the Daily Edition added ebook syncing from Libraries. Users will have the option of signing onto the eBook section on the Library websites, pick a book, input the library card bar code, sync it with their Readers and enjoy the book. Depending on location, users will have between 14-29 days to read the book, before the book is gone from the Reader.

- Mac and PC Compatible

Sony will finally offer their software, an updated 3.0 software, on the Mac OS platform. It’s about time. Maybe now more Mac users will finally go and buy a Sony Reader, even if it’s not the Daily Edition.

- EPUB/ACS4

These formats will make it easier to buy eBooks from other online bookstores and still be able to read it on the Sony device, unlike the Kindle, which only allows you to buy books from its Kindle Store.

-Black

Will be available in a sleek black color. That’s a change from the white and silver color of the Kindle, a change that I don’t mind.

The Sony Daily Edition will also offer the ability to read books from Google’s Book store. Last month, Google provided the Sony Book store with 1 million more eBooks for Sony eReaders customers. There’s also been talks of letting the Sony Reader access books from University libraries across the nation. While that may be a stretch, it’s not impossible. Google is planning to scan textbooks and other books from University libraries and put them in the their online book store. That deal is being challenged by a coalition that includes tech giants Amazon, Yahoo! and Microsoft.

The only downside I see to the Sony Daily Edition Reader is the price. With Amazon lowering the Kindle price to $299, its become more appealing to those who were waiting to buy a eReader. Sony’s touchscreen, wireless 3G device is going to cost a full $100 more. Will anyone be willing to pay an extra $100 for extra screen real estate, and access to books from more sources? I’d say yes. That was the same question many asked about the Kindle, will people spend more on the Kindle when the Sony eReaders were available for cheaper? The Kindle 2 went on to become a hit with consumers. People will pay more for convenience and ease of use.

I can’t wait to play with the Sony Daily Edition. It comes out in December, right around my birthday, so maybe someone will end up buying it for me.