Sony Tosses the Sony Reader On the Scrap Heap

Nate the greatest (2261802) writes Sony has decided to follow up closing its ebook stores in the U.S. and Europe by getting out of the consumer ebook reader market entirely. (Yes, Sony was still making ereaders.) The current model (the Sony Reader PRS-T3) will be sold until stock runs out, and Sony won't be releasing a new model. This is a sad end for what used to be a pioneering company. This gadget maker might not have made the first ebook reader but it was the first to use the paper-like E-ink screen. Having launched the Sony Librie in 2004, Sony literally invented the modern ebook reader and it then went on to release the only 7" models to grace the market as well as the first ereader to combine a touchscreen and frontlight (the Sony Reader PRS-700). Unfortunately Sony couldn't come up with software or an ebook retail site which matched their hardware genius, so even though Sony released amazing hardware it had been losing ground to Amazon, B&N, and other retailers ever since the Kindle launched in 2007.

Re:The Million Dollar Question

[Vegan Cyclist]

Not sure now, but a few years ago the Sony reader had less restrictions than most (if that's what you're implying) - since it was able to read multiple formats, and no DRM requirements, i made it my choice, and we have 3 of them (different generations) in the house now. Will miss future iterations!

Re:Prime Reason Not to Buy eBooks

[hendrips]

Sometimes it seems like the people on this site have a reflex hatred of anything digital that simply bypasses rational thought or reading comprehension. Even a small amount of investigation would have shown you that:

-Sony e-readers already in existence won't stop working or lose access to the books that the owners have already downloaded.
-It's trivially easy to put books from sources other than Sony on their e-reader. PDF's, epubs, etc. aren't going anywhere.
-Even if someone did buy books from Sony, their account is being transferred to Kobo, and they will continue to be able to download any book they have purchased.
-And even if all of the above fails, the DRM on Sony's ebooks can (at least, according to other posters - I haven't tried) be broken pretty easily by an average person.

So no, exactly no one has said bye-bye to their book collection. Please don't spread misinformation.