AT&T to Power New Sony 3G Wireless E-Reader

JR Raphael

Aug 25, 2009 4:03 pm

AT&T will power the wireless connection on Sony's newly announced 3G e-reader, the two companies have announced. The Sony Reader Daily Edition will start shipping this December for $399 with wireless connectivity automatically included.

Sony's New E-Reader

Sony's Reader Daily Edition is seen as a direct competitor to Amazon's 3G-enabled Kindle e-reader device, which uses Sprint Nextel's network for its wireless connection. The Reader Daily Edition will be 7-inches wide with an aluminum body and standard E Ink electronic touchscreen display. Sony says about 30 to 35 lines of text will be visible when the device is in portrait mode. It'll boast enough built-in memory to store around 1,000 standard e-books, with integrated slots for optional memory expansion.

AT&T's E-Reader Connection

The deal to provide wireless service for Sony's new e-reader is AT&T's second step into the electronic reader market this summer. Just last month, the company announced it would provide 3G access for an upcoming Plastic Logic e-reader set to debut in 2010. (The Plastic Logic Reader will serve as the exclusive storefront for the Barnes & Noble eBookstore.) At that time, an AT&T exec discussed the "tremendous market potential" the company saw with electronic reading devices.

Precisely what AT&T gains from the deals, aside from exposure, has not been disclosed; however, speculation by The Wall Street Journal suggests the communications giant will likely receive a portion of the profits from all wireless purchases made through the e-reader devices.

"The deal with Sony reflects a concerted effort on AT&T's part to maximize use of its wireless network and develop new revenue streams," The Journal suggests.

Rhapsody tries music subscription iPhone app by Donald Bell

Rhapsody tries music subscription iPhone app

by Donald Bell

Rhapsody's iPhone app will allow users to stream ad-free music and add selections to their playlist queue.

(Credit: Rhapsody)

Subscription music service Rhapsody, a division of Real Networks, has announced plans to port its service to Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch. In a blog post Sunday, the company said it will submit the application (demonstrated on the video below) this week to Apple for review.
Historically, Apple has steered clear of subscription music, making it impossible for services such as Napster or Rhapsody to work with the iPod, fearing competition with its own iTunes music service. But the success of iPhone music applications such as Pandora, Last.fm, and Slacker, may have opened the door for subscription services as well. (Last.fm is a part of CBS Interactive, which also publishes CNET News.)
Rhapsody's mobile app will require that users hold a Rhapsody-to-Go account, which currently runs $14.95 per month. (Non-subscribers will apparently be offered a limited time free-trial period.) The Rhapsody app allows subscribers to explore and stream Rhapsody's entire online music catalog over EDGE, 3G, or Wi-Fi, as well as create and store playlist queues of their favorite content. The app does not, however, allow users to download and store Rhapsody songs directly on the device, or cache content temporarily to hear offline.
If Rhapsody's application is approved by Apple, it won't likely be alone. Competing services such as Spotify have shown off similar applications, and Napster will surely want to get in on the action as well. The real question is whether people will find subscription music capabilities valuable. With free, ad-supported services such as Pandora already dominating the spotlight, it remains to be seen whether Rhapsody can convince new customers to spend close to $15 a month for unlimited on-demand music streaming.
In the blog post, Rhapsody also revealed plans to develop an Android application. It's not known whether that version would offer greater flexibility (local storage, over-the-air downloads) than the version for the iPhone.

Rhapsody on iPhone from Jamie on Vimeo.
(Via PC World)

Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.

Nokia's Booklet 3G Netbook Takes On Apple and Google

by Chris Brandrick

Aug 24, 2009 9:54 am

Nokia announced it is moving beyond its mobile roots and boldly entering the PC market with its netbook offering dubbed the Booklet 3G.
The rumors surrounding Nokia's entry into the netbook market have been circulating for several monthsnow, and today the company made a splash by finally revealing its first computing product, an attractive yet small app-friendly device which blurs the lines between Ultra Mobile PC's and netbooks.
The Windows powered aluminum device boasts a competitive 12 hours of battery life and also packs in WiFi connectivity, an HDMI port and integrated 3G and GPS, all in a neat well crafted 10" package. The only thing that the company has chosen to keep quiet about spec wise was what version of Windows the device would use.
Nokia could tackle the increasingly popular netbook market by taking advantage of its history as a communications company. Whereas many manufacturers simply take the basic PC experience and make it portable, Nokia could attempt to integrate cell phone and laptop usage habits into one integrated device, thereby enhancing the user experience while on the move.
The integration of Nokia's Ovi services within the Booklet is just one interesting step that the firm has taken in order to differentiate itself from other netbook providers, while also boosting Ovi's profile. The benefits gained from having Ovi built into this new device are plentiful, from cloud storage, synched contacts, mail, media and more. Another smart move by Finnish firm is the Booklet's integrated 3G capabilities, which will allow users to be connected pretty much anywhere, anytime, without a WiFi network.
These various additions on a whole could create a harmonious united link between your cell and netbook, that no other device has been able to offer before.
Check out the below video for further details on what the netbook can offer:


Nokia's Executive Vice President for Devices, Kai Oistamo, had this to say regarding Nokia's move into computing: "A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility, we are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us."
What's interesting is that Nokia choose to announce the new Booklet now, only days before Apple is expected tohold a media event where it may reveal its much discussed rumored tablet. By adding in 3G connectivity it can be assumed that Nokia is racing to seriously compete in the mobile computing market which is about to get all the more interesting, as Apple and Google turn up the heat.
Further details regarding the device, such as pricing and availability, will be revealed at the 'Nokia World' press event next week.
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Article Source: PC WORLD