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Sony plans a Kindle rival with wireless downloads by AP: Yahoo! Tech

Sony’s new e-readers are not wireless yet, but they are going to launch one later this year that will work on AT&T’s cell network, offering anywhere downloads much like Amazon’s Kindle. But there is a key difference in Sony’s strategy that feels like a departure from the company that doggedly clings to proprietary standards (remember betamax?):

Though Sony is following in Amazon’s footsteps by adding wireless capability, its e-book strategy differs in crucial respects.

The only copy-protected books the Kindle can display are from Amazon’s store, and the only devices the store supports are the Kindle, the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

Sony, on the other hand, has committed to an open e-book standard, meaning its Readers can show copy-protected books from a variety of stores, and the books can be moved to and read on a variety of devices, including cell phones.

Sony also announced Tuesday that the Readers will be able to load e-books “loaned” from local libraries. A library card will provide access to free books that expire after 21 days.

The library connection “would seem to be something Amazon would never embrace, so that could be a key differentiator,” said Richard Doherty, director of research firm The Envisioneering Group.

via Sony plans a Kindle rival with wireless downloads by AP: Yahoo! Tech.