Sony Reader Pocket Edition

Reading just got more portable

Product

Sony Reader Pocket Edition

Promise

They keep telling us they’re the future, so how does Sony’s latest electronic book fit into the grand scheme of things?

Performance

The key here is ‘Pocket’. Who wants to lug around an e-book under their arm all day, when you can fit a paperback into you back pocket? With this device, and its smaller 5” screen, Sony hopes to bridge the gap. Ideal for commuters, it’s also a great idea for travellers who want to take up to 350 books on their trip: gap year goers, round-the-worlders and anyone who’s off on a long expedition. Navigation is a one-handed affair through the buttons at the bottom, and is both simple and intuitive: Sony has already got great credentials in pushing forward brilliant user interfaces that don’t confuse the casual user.

Verdict

Now compatible with Macs as well as PCs, this is a frankly great idea for travellers. Some readers might complain about the lack of a touch-screen to navigate through, but at £70 less than the full-size Sony Reader, you really can’t argue with it. The new size is still eminently readable with the e-ink readout looking nearly like the real thing, and in terms of memory, when are you ever going to want more than 350 books with you?