Sony Reader
The Sony Reader is a line of discontinued portable e-book reader devices manufactured by Sony Corporation, designed primarily for displaying digital books using E Ink technology to simulate paper reading.[1] Introduced in the United States with the PRS-500 model in September 2006, it featured a 6-inch grayscale E Ink display, support for formats like PDF, with later updates adding EPUB, and connectivity via USB for content management from PCs, marking Sony's entry into the consumer e-reader market following its earlier Librie e-reader in Japan.[1][2] Over its lifespan from 2006 to 2014, the Sony Reader series evolved through multiple iterations, including the PRS-505 (2007) with improved battery life of up to 7,500 page turns, the touch-enabled PRS-700 (2008), the pocket-sized PRS-300 (2009), and later Wi-Fi-capable models like the PRS-T1 (2011), PRS-T2 (2012), and PRS-T3 (2013), which offered 6-inch screens, public library e-book borrowing via OverDrive integration, and access to Sony's Reader Store for purchasing titles.[1][2] These devices emphasized lightweight design, adjustable text sizing, and collections functionality for organizing libraries, contributing to the early popularization of e-reading before competitors like Amazon's Kindle dominated the market.[2] Sony discontinued production of new consumer Reader models in 2014 amid declining market share, closing the Reader Store in the US and Canada on March 20, 2014, and partnering with Kobo to migrate user libraries and provided support for existing devices until the software was discontinued in 2023.[3][4][5] The company later shifted focus to professional digital paper devices like the DPT series for note-taking, but these were also phased out by 2020, effectively ending Sony's involvement in the e-reader hardware space.[6] Despite the discontinuation, the Sony Reader garnered a loyal following for its durable build and ad-free experience, influencing the development of modern e-readers.[1]History
Origins and Initial Launch
Sony's entry into the e-reading market was motivated by the growing trends in digital publishing during the early 2000s, as well as the shortcomings of earlier devices like the Rocket eBook, which suffered from low-resolution LCD screens, limited battery life, and insufficient content availability.[7] The company sought to address these issues by developing a device that offered a more natural, paper-like reading experience, leveraging advancements in electronic paper technology to make prolonged reading comfortable and eye-friendly.[8] This initiative began as early as 2001 through a strategic collaboration among Sony, E Ink Corporation, Philips Components, and Toppan Printing to create a high-resolution electronic ink display suitable for consumer applications.[8] The culmination of this effort was the announcement of the Librie EBR-1000EP on March 24, 2004, as the world's first consumer e-reader featuring an E Ink display. It was released in Japan on April 24, 2004, exclusively through Sony Style stores and online, marking Sony's debut in dedicated e-reading hardware.[9] Priced at ¥41,790 (approximately $380 USD at the time), the device faced initial challenges including its high cost relative to traditional books and limited availability solely in the Japanese market, with no immediate plans for international expansion.[9][10] To support content delivery, Sony formed partnerships with 15 major Japanese publishers and newspapers, including Kodansha, Asahi Shimbun, and Yomiuri Shimbun, through the joint venture Publishing Link, which operated the Timebook Town online store for downloading e-books in Sony's proprietary BBeB (BroadBand eBook) format—co-developed with Canon.[9] This store launched alongside the device in 2004, providing access to thousands of titles optimized for the Librie's capabilities.[11] Key technical decisions included adopting E Ink's microcapsule-based display technology, integrated with a Philips display module for enhanced resolution of about 170 pixels per inch, ensuring readability in various lighting conditions without backlighting.[8]Evolution and Discontinuation
Following the initial Japan-only Librie, Sony shifted its e-reader strategy toward global expansion with the launch of the PRS-500 in the United States in September 2006, priced at $350 and available for pre-order through Sony's online store, with subsequent availability in Europe marking the product's international debut.[12][13] Over the subsequent years, the product line evolved through several key technological milestones to enhance usability and competitiveness. In 2008, Sony introduced touchscreen functionality with the PRS-700, enabling swipe-based page turning, stylus-based note-taking, and an on-screen keyboard, which streamlined navigation compared to button-based predecessors.[14] Wi-Fi integration arrived in 2011 with the PRS-T1, allowing direct access to the Sony Reader Store and web browsing without a computer connection.[2] Additionally, upgrades to E Ink Pearl technology, starting with 2010 models like the PRS-650, improved contrast and readability by offering higher resolution and reduced glare over earlier Vizplex screens.[15] Sony also conducted limited experiments with color E Ink displays around 2010, though these did not result in widespread commercial models.[16] Strategically, Sony emphasized openness in content ecosystems to broaden appeal. By 2009, the company committed to the ePub format as an industry standard, converting its Reader Store to 100% ePub compatibility by December and updating firmware to support Adobe Digital Editions DRM, aligning with publishers like Random House and HarperCollins.[17][18] In a related move, Sony partnered with Google in 2009 to integrate over 500,000 public-domain titles from the Google Books Library Project directly into the Reader devices, providing free access to digitized classics and enhancing the platform's library without proprietary restrictions.[19] The evolution culminated in the PRS-T3, released in 2013 as the final model, primarily in markets like Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia, featuring refined Pearl E Ink and five-point touch.[20] Production and sales of Sony Readers ended in 2014, with software support and the Reader Store closing on March 20, 2014, after which Sony pivoted by licensing its e-book catalog to Kobo, transferring customer accounts and content access to the rival platform to maintain service continuity.[3][21] Several factors contributed to the discontinuation, including intensifying competition from Amazon's Kindle, which captured dominant market share through aggressive pricing and ecosystem integration, leading to Sony's declining position. High development and operational costs further strained the division, as Sony sought to stem financial losses amid a broader industry shift toward multifunctional tablets like the iPad that combined e-reading with other capabilities.[22][23][24]Models
Librie EBR-1000EP (2004)
The Sony Librie EBR-1000EP, released in April 2004, was the company's first e-reader and the inaugural consumer device to feature an E Ink display. It utilized a 6-inch Vizplex E Ink screen with an 800x600 resolution and 170 dpi, rendering text in 4 levels of grayscale for a paper-like appearance without backlighting. The device measured 126 mm × 190 mm × 13 mm and weighed 190 g without batteries or case, designed to approximate the heft of a standard paperback. Powered by four AAA alkaline batteries, it offered up to 10,000 page turns per charge, equivalent to reading approximately 40 novels. Internal storage was limited to 10 MB, sufficient for about 20 books, with expandability via a Memory Stick slot that could accommodate up to 500 titles on larger cards. Connectivity was provided through a USB 2.0 port for transferring content from a Windows PC, alongside a headphone jack and mono speaker for limited audio support. A distinctive hardware element was the built-in miniature QWERTY keyboard positioned below the screen, enabling users to add notes or bookmarks—up to 40 per book—directly on passages. The Librie focused on Sony's proprietary BBeB (BroadBand eBook) format, which supported basic multimedia but emphasized text with Open MG digital rights management, often limiting access to rented content for 60 days. Launched exclusively in Japan at ¥41,790 (about $380 USD), it integrated with Sony's Connect online store (formerly TimeBook Town) for purchasing or renting titles, including three preloaded Japanese dictionaries and an encyclopedia. Absent were wireless capabilities, backlighting for low-light reading, or support for reflowing PDFs, reflecting its early-stage technology. User interaction relied on intuitive physical controls, including dedicated page-turn buttons on the left side and a jog dial for navigation, menu access, and font size adjustments across multiple levels. The reflective E Ink display ensured readability in direct sunlight or ambient light, mimicking printed pages, while text search and simple annotation via the keyboard enhanced engagement for Japanese literature enthusiasts. However, the lack of global availability, proprietary ecosystem, and dependence on PC-based content management constrained broader adoption. The Librie was discontinued in 2005 after roughly a year on the market, primarily due to low sales stemming from its high price, sparse BBeB content library, restrictive DRM policies, and an unready consumer market for e-readers. These limitations, including slow page refreshes and no over-the-air downloads, hindered widespread appeal despite its innovative display. It served as a precursor to the PRS series, influencing subsequent designs with button-based navigation and expandable storage.PRS-500 and PRS-505 (2006–2007)
The Sony PRS-500, released in September 2006 as the company's first e-reader for the global market, featured a 6-inch E Ink display with an 800 x 600 pixel resolution and 170 dpi, supporting 4 levels of grayscale for text and basic images.[25] It included 64 MB of internal storage, sufficient for approximately 80 e-books, along with a slot for Memory Stick Duo or SD cards to expand capacity, physical navigation buttons including a joystick and dedicated page-turn controls, and USB 1.1 connectivity for transferring content via the CONNECT Reader software.[25] The device launched in the United States at a price of $349, emphasizing portability with dimensions of 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches and a weight of 8.8 ounces.[12][25] In 2007, Sony introduced the PRS-505 as an upgraded model, available initially in the United States in October and later in Europe, addressing several shortcomings of the PRS-500 while maintaining the core button-based interface without touchscreen or built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.[26] Key enhancements included a refined 6-inch E Ink display with the same 800 x 600 resolution and 170 dpi but upgraded to 8 levels of grayscale for improved image quality and contrast, 192 MB of internal storage for around 160 e-books, and slightly faster page-turn speeds due to Vizplex imaging film.[27][26] The battery life reached up to 7,500 page turns per charge, similar to the PRS-500, with quicker charging options via USB or an optional AC adapter.[27][26] Both models adopted a slimmer, more portable design compared to predecessors, with the PRS-505 measuring 6.9 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches and weighing 9.2 ounces, prioritizing ease of one-handed use through ergonomic button placement and a focus on lightweight construction without integrated wireless beyond the Connect feature.[26][27] Priced at $299 upon release, the PRS-505 saw broader availability in Europe throughout 2007, but production of both devices was discontinued by late 2007 as Sony shifted toward models with enhanced features like touchscreens.[26] Despite these advances, the PRS-500 and PRS-505 faced limitations that impacted adoption, including no native support for the EPUB format on the PRS-500—requiring conversion tools for broader compatibility—and clunky handling of PDFs due to the lack of zoom or reflow options, making larger documents difficult to read on the small screen.[28][26] These issues became more pronounced amid competition from Amazon's Kindle 1, launched in November 2007, which offered wireless downloading for a wider range of formats and quickly gained market share. This early button-centric era laid groundwork for Sony's later evolution toward touchscreen interfaces in subsequent models.PRS-700 (2008)
The Sony Reader PRS-700, released in 2008, marked a significant advancement as the first model in the series to incorporate a touchscreen interface, enhancing user interaction with digital books. It featured a 6-inch E Ink display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, equivalent to 170 dpi, supporting 16 shades of gray for improved readability and contrast over previous models. An infrared touchscreen overlay allowed for direct input without obstructing the e-ink surface, while retaining physical buttons for core functions like page turning. The device included 256 MB of internal storage, sufficient for approximately 350 average-sized e-books, and supported expansion via SD and Memory Stick Duo cards.[29][14][30] Navigation on the PRS-700 combined touch-based controls with traditional hardware, enabling users to swipe fingers or use the included stylus for annotations, highlighting text, zooming in or out on content, and accessing menus via an on-screen keyboard. This intuitive setup allowed for quick searches within books and note-taking directly on pages, reducing reliance on button-only navigation from earlier models like the PRS-505. Physical buttons on the sides provided alternative page-turning options, ensuring accessibility in various reading conditions, and the device connected via USB 2.0 for charging and content transfer. Battery life was rated for up to 7,500 continuous page turns on a single charge, with dimensions measuring 6.9 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches and a weight of 10.6 ounces, making it portable and comparable to a slim paperback.[31][32][33] Launched on October 2, 2008, with availability starting in November, the PRS-700 debuted at a retail price of $399 and was distributed in the United States, Europe, and Japan through Sony stores and retailers. It coincided with the introduction of the Sony Reader Store, an integrated digital bookstore offering e-books in formats like EPUB and PDF, allowing seamless purchases and downloads directly to the device. Despite these innovations, the model faced drawbacks including a relatively slow touch response time compared to capacitive screens, which could lag during swipes or annotations, and the E Ink technology—while advanced—was not yet the faster Pearl variant that became standard in subsequent releases. The PRS-700 was discontinued in late 2009 after less than a year on the market, serving as a precursor to Sony's diversified 2009 lineup of budget and larger-screen variants.[14][32][34]PRS-300, PRS-600, and PRS-900 (2009)
In 2009, Sony expanded its Reader lineup with three models targeting different user needs: the ultra-portable PRS-300 Pocket Edition, the mid-range PRS-600 Touch Edition, and the premium PRS-900 Daily Edition. Launched in August for the PRS-300 and PRS-600, and December for the PRS-900, these devices marked a diversification strategy by offering varied screen sizes, features, and price points while sharing enhancements in PDF support and display technology.[35][36] All models were discontinued in late 2010 as Sony shifted focus to newer iterations.[37] The PRS-300 Pocket Edition prioritized portability with a 5-inch E Ink Vizplex display at 800 x 600 resolution (approximately 173 dpi) and 8 levels of grayscale, lacking touchscreen functionality for a simpler button-based navigation. It featured 512 MB of internal flash memory (about 440 MB available), sufficient for roughly 350 average-sized e-books, and measured 6.25 x 4.25 x 0.3 inches while weighing 7.76 ounces, making it lighter and more compact than prior 6-inch models. Priced at $199, the device offered up to 7,500 page turns per battery charge and supported formats like EPUB, PDF, and TXT without wireless connectivity or expandable storage.[38][39][40] The PRS-600 Touch Edition introduced touchscreen interaction on a 6-inch E Ink display with 800 x 600 resolution (170 dpi) and 8 levels of grayscale, including stylus support for annotations and navigation. Equipped with 512 MB internal storage (approximately 256 MB available after system use) and slots for Memory Stick Duo or SD cards, it allowed expansion for additional content like MP3 audiobooks via its audio output. Battery life reached up to 7,200 page turns, and its dimensions of 6.85 x 4.76 x 0.39 inches contributed to a weight of about 10 ounces; it retailed for $299 and emphasized improved PDF reflow and zooming over earlier models.[41][42][34] The PRS-900 Daily Edition catered to users seeking larger screens for PDFs and periodicals, featuring a 7.1-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen at 1,024 x 600 resolution (120 dpi) with 16 levels of grayscale for enhanced contrast over Vizplex predecessors. It included 2 GB internal storage (1.6 GB available) with slots for Memory Stick Duo and SD cards, 3G wireless via AT&T for direct downloads, and landscape mode optimized for two-page PDF views without an accelerometer. Measuring 8.1 x 5.0 x 0.6 inches and weighing 12.75 ounces, the thicker design accommodated its features; priced at $499, it supported stylus-based highlighting and notes, with battery life comparable to the PRS-600.[36][43][44] Across the lineup, Sony improved PDF handling with better reflow, resizing, and annotation tools compared to 2008 models, alongside the adoption of Pearl E Ink technology in higher-end variants for superior contrast and readability. These advancements laid groundwork for subsequent experiments with color-like displays in the 2010 series.[34][11]PRS-350, PRS-650, and PRS-950 (2010)
In 2010, Sony released a refreshed lineup of e-readers featuring improved display technology, slimmer designs, and enhanced performance, positioning them as direct successors to the 2009 models. The PRS-350 Pocket Edition, PRS-650 Touch Edition, and PRS-950 Daily Edition incorporated E Ink Pearl screens for higher contrast and faster refresh rates compared to previous Vizplex displays, along with touchscreen interfaces on all models for intuitive navigation and annotations. These devices emphasized portability and reading comfort, with tiered options catering to different user needs, from compact daily carry to larger-screen browsing with connectivity.[45] The entry-level PRS-350 Pocket Edition featured a 5-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen display with 800 x 600 resolution (approximately 173 dpi), offering sharp text rendering in 16 shades of gray. It included 2 GB of internal storage (about 1.4 GB available for user content), expandable via microSD card slot, and measured 5.7 x 4.1 x 0.3 inches while weighing 5.6 ounces for enhanced portability. Lacking built-in Wi-Fi or 3G, it relied on USB connectivity for content transfer and supported stylus-based annotations for highlighting and note-taking directly on pages. Priced at $179, it was available in silver and pink finishes, targeting budget-conscious readers seeking a lightweight device for on-the-go use.[46][47] The mid-range PRS-650 Touch Edition upgraded to a 6-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen with 800 x 600 resolution (170 dpi), providing a balance of screen size and readability. It also offered 2 GB internal storage with microSD and Memory Stick PRO Duo expansion options, and shared the PRS-350's slim profile at roughly 6 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches and 6.7 ounces. Early models omitted wireless connectivity, but later variants (such as the PRS-650SC) added optional Wi-Fi for direct e-book downloads from the Sony Reader Store. Annotation tools allowed for handwriting notes and underlining via the infrared touchscreen, and it supported audio playback for MP3 and AAC files through a headphone jack. Launched at $229 in black or red, it appealed to users desiring touch interaction without the bulk of larger screens.[15][45] At the premium end, the PRS-950 Daily Edition boasted a 7-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution (120 dpi), optimized for landscape viewing and extended reading sessions. Equipped with 2 GB internal storage and dual expansion slots for microSD and Memory Stick PRO Duo, it measured 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches and weighed 9.6 ounces, supported by a larger battery offering up to two weeks of use. It integrated 3G via AT&T for free connectivity to the Sony Reader Store and Wi-Fi for broader access, including a basic web browser and dictionary lookup during reading. Annotation capabilities extended to stylus-based markup, and its design facilitated seamless integration with public domain content. Priced at $299 in silver, it launched later in the year for users prioritizing connectivity and screen real estate.[48][45]| Model | Display Size & Resolution | Storage | Connectivity | Dimensions & Weight | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRS-350 Pocket | 5-inch Pearl, 800x600 (173 dpi) | 2 GB internal + microSD | USB only | 5.7 x 4.1 x 0.3 in, 5.6 oz | $179 |
| PRS-650 Touch | 6-inch Pearl, 800x600 (170 dpi) | 2 GB internal + microSD/Memory Stick | USB (Wi-Fi optional in later models) | 6.0 x 4.4 x 0.4 in, 6.7 oz | $229 |
| PRS-950 Daily | 7-inch Pearl, 1024x600 (120 dpi) | 2 GB internal + microSD/Memory Stick | Wi-Fi + 3G | 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 in, 9.6 oz | $299 |