Sorry Sony, this looks like a great reader, but my guess is that this reader isn’t going to do much damage to Kindle sales.  And truthfully, I haven’t had my paws on one yet, though would love to see one.

The good:

• Hello? Touch screen.  Yes, I realize that e-ink is a rather new technology, but touch screens have been around for years and years and years.  Ever heard of a Palm Pilot?  I know some of you are old enough.  I love my Kindle, but I would love my kindle even more if it had a touch screen and every person that I have ever showed my kindle to, starts getting their paw prints on the screen, because they are trying to touch the screen to select things.  So yeah, this is the feature that would sell me on the PRS-600.
• Google Books.  Again, has anyone seen this most wonderfully amazing piece of work from google? Books, magazines.  Yeah, I absolutely LOVE this.  If I could read PDFs on my Kindle I would be so so so happy (see “the bad”).  I must admit the PDF thing makes this HUGELY tempting to me.
• Library books.  Yes, I’m not sure how exactly this works, but the sony reader allows you to actually “borrow” library books. How can you not love that?

The Bad:

• No wi-fi, no connectivity.  Say what Sony?  Seriously, I’m so over having to actually use a physical cord to plug my devices into my computer and “sync” them.  Frankly, I’ve been annoyed with my iPod touch of late for this very reason.  Yeah, Amazon has this one locked in (pretty much) – A 3g connection that works most anywhere (my Kindle even connects up in the North woods of Wisconsin – albeit it’s not 3g).  Sony could offer a wi-fi connection to sync books, magazines and newspapers and yeah this creates a little more difficulty for the user in that they’d have to find the nearest coffee shop or restaurant with free wi-fi to connect.   I’ve never been one to turn down a nice hot dark roast though so personally, I wouldn’t have a problem buying a cup of joe somewhere so I can connect and sync.
• No response to Amazons lower price point on the 6″ Kindle. I think Sony is going to have to lower their price on this for sales to really take off.  Sony does offer a smaller “pocket size” reader with a 5″ screen (no touch screen) for $199.

The Reality:

The Sony PRS-600 looks like a great ebook reader, but like the Kindle, nothing is perfect.  I guess I’m not willing to wander around with 2 devices so I can get the great benefits of both.  The PDF reader again is FABULOUS, but to me a magazine just isn’t a magazine without color photos and formatting.  So for now, I’ll stick with reading news and novels on my Kindle an wait for a product that comes a bit closer to my “ideal” before making another purchase.

Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition – Black (PRS600BC)
Price: —

33 used & new available from USD 140.00

Check out this great video review of the Sony PRS-600: