Sony cuts Reader prices to fend off competition
updated 06:40 pm EDT, Mon July 5, 2010
Sony follows Kindle, Nook with own cuts
Sony followed Amazon and Barnes & Noble into price cuts on its e-book readers. The Reader Daily Edition has seen the steepest cut, falling from $350 to $300. Both of the lower-end readers have also seen drops, as the Pocket Edition now matches the Nook Wi-Fi at $150 (down from $170) and the Touch Edition carries a slight premium at $170 versus its earlier $200.
The reductions come both to remain competitive with the lower prices of the Kindle and Nook but, in the case of the Daily Edition, help distance it from the iPad. Except for the now upgraded Kindle DX, the Daily Edition was the most expensive conventional 3G reader. As such, it faced some of the steepest competition from the iPad, which at $500 is still much more expensive but also had a video-capable display, apps and much more storage. Apple is believed to have skimmed e-reader customers from rivals ever since it launched in April. [via MobileRead]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
Fortunately for Apple, the iPad won't have to
face any pricing pressure since it's still in high demand. Apple said at one time it would be willing to lower iPad prices and it probably will when the first Android tablets are introduced to the masses. A $50 price reduction on all models would keep the pressure on the competition.