Sharp, Sony E-Readers Hit Store Shelves
TOKYO (Nikkei)–Sharp Corp. (6753) and Sony Corp. (6758) unveiled new devices Friday, as they look to take on U.S. Apple Inc.’s popular iPad.
Sharp released its Galapagos tablet, which features a 5.5-inch color LCD and is priced at 39,800 yen. The firm said it will take orders for the gadget at nearly 24,000 convenience stores nationwide, in addition to large electronics shops.
Sony, meanwhile, introduced is e-reader, called simply Reader. The price has not been fixed, but the 5-inch model is priced around 20,000 yen. Sony has set up sales areas inside three Kinokuniya Co. bookstores in Tokyo and Osaka, which will be open until Dec. 26.
The two companies also began making e-books available for the devices. Sony offers major books at prices 30-40% less than printed versions. Sharp’s titles are generally priced about the same as hard-copy versions, but some go for 30% less.
Source : Nikkei