Sony Formally Announces World's Lightest 6" eReader + Dedicated "Public Library" Wireless + Harry Potter eReader & Free E-Book Promo

A lot of news from Sony all in one product announcement about a product the gadget crowd has been talking about since a recent leak. Here we go with the details.

1. Release of World’s Lightest 6″ Touch Screen eReader

The new Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) builds on the popularity of last year’s line, while reducing size and weight and incorporating new and enhanced features. At under 6 ounces and with a 6″ E-Ink® Pearl V220 touch screen, Reader Wi-Fi is smaller than an average paperback book, can easily fit into a bag or pocket and is available in three color choices: black, red or white.

The PRS-T1 will retail for $149/USD.

2. The Library Angle

As part of Sony’s continued effort to support the Public Library System, Reader Wi-Fi will also be the first eReader to offer wireless connectivity to the public library system in the US and Canada via a dedicated icon on the device to allow easy and convenient borrowing of free e-books with a valid library card. Readers can access and download over 2.5 million titles via a Wi-Fi connection from Reader Store or shop from a wide range of bookstores and other websites that provide books in digital formats compatible with Reader Wi-Fi, such as EPUB, PDF and TXT.

3. The Free Harry Potter eBook Promotion

Sony’s first offer in collaboration with J.K. Rowling’s eagerly anticipated Pottermore website (www.pottermore.com) is a specially-created Reader Wi-Fi with a Pottermore promotion (PRS-T1HBC) which includes a voucher that enables Harry Potter fans to download free the first Harry Potter eBook title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, from Pottermore, when it becomes available.  Pottermore, partnered with Sony, is a unique website which builds an exciting and immersive online experience around the Harry Potter books and is the exclusive retailer of the Harry Potter digital eBooks.

The Wi-Fi eReader and the Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) and Reader Wi-Fi with Pottermore promotion(PRS-T1HBC) are scheduled to hit the street sometime in October.

Read the Complete Sony News Release

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries