Sony’s plans for a new Reader were prematurely confirmed Saturday after Dutch retailer bol posted a listing for the PRS-T1. The look shows a device with a six-inch E Ink Pearl screen and a look deliberately patterned after Sony Ericsson smartphones like the Xperia Play. The touchscreen is being upgraded to support multi-touch and would support pinch-to-zoom.
The design would go some way towards addressing complaints about earlier readers. Wi-Fi would now be standard without needing to also get 3G, putting it in step with the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. Sony is looking to reduce the weight of the reader by switching from aluminum to less premium but much lighter plastic, which brings the PRS-T1 down to 0.37 pounds.
Google searching, Wikipedia, and a built-in dictionary will go beyond reading, the description reads. It should support AAC and MP3 audio as well as common image formats. Sony will give a book-friendly 2GB of space with a microSD slot for more.
The Dutch price shown is sitting at 165 euros, or $239. US pricing is likely to be lower as it doesn’t include tax and might sit at $199 or less. Accessories like a case, a touchscreen pen, and a reading light should follow suit. American launch details are likely imminent but weren’t disclosed.
