The Sony Reader looked like the PlayStation-maker's big stab at the tablet and reader market, pitting itself against the Kindle, Nook and Apple iPad. According to a new report, though, Sony wants to unite PSP and Reader functionality in a new line of products 2010. These plans include PSP-esque phones made with Sony Ericsson technology, as well as a netbook/tablet competitor.
Sony wants a better Reader product that can go toe to toe with the iPad, sources told the Wall Street Journal. The new mobile devices will be capable of "downloading and playing videogames," according to the Journal, it sounds like the multifunctional tablets will perform similar tasks.
Sony Online Services, a service intended to be an answer to iTunes, will launch in the near future, and content on the next-gen Reader will reportedly come from that distribution channel, which should feed PS3s, PSPs, PCs, and Internet-ready HDTVs and Blu-Ray players.
As someone who is on the fence about the iPad over its Internet display limitations (i.e., no Flash support), but would love to see an alternative with wider software choices and functionality freedoms, I am quite eager to see what Sony brings to the table. They have an open invitation to change my mind before the iPad or iPad 2.0 do.
Do you think Sony will be able to compete with the iPad? What would you like to see an alternative device be able to do? Sound off in the comment section below.