Absolute Gadget

Now, I'm not sure just how many of you will swap your dead-tree reading devices for something a bit more twenty-first century, but Sony hopes you'll ditch the normal paperback for its new e-book reader called, err, the Reader.

Previously the device was only available in the US, but it has finally traversed the Atlantic. The gadget can store up to 160 novels in its (small) internal memory. But of course, shove in an SD card (wot, no memory stick - shurley shome mishtake!) and you can store a veritable library.

The device can be reserved for buying in Sony and Waterstone shops only and weighs only 250g. According to the press bumph we were sent, the battery lasts for 6,800 page turns, which is the equivalent of reading War and Peace five times (honestly once is enough!)

The Reader uses eInk tech which means that it should be readable in all light conditions and won't cause eye strain (unlike a normal laptop where you have to type in a darkened room while others enjoy the glorious sun we are having in the UK today).
 
Meanwhile, Waterstones is getting ready for the Reader by launching an eBook store where you can download books onto the reader for a small fee. While pricing details aren't available, it is widely expected that one of these devices will set you back £250.

The Reader is compatible with these formats: ePub, PDF, RTF, TXT and DOC and JPEG images. It will be available for pre-order from today at waterstones.com and sonystyle.co.uk.

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