Sony have recently released an updated lineup to it’s popular PRS-505 ebook reader which we reviewed last year.

This year they are releasing the Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 and the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300. Both are looking to compete against different sides of the ebook reader market: Mainly the rise of the sub 5 inch ebook readers, and the new Amazon Kindle 2.

The Sony Reader Touch Edition is the new successor of the old PRS-505 and PRS-700, which adds a touchscreen into the mix. The Pocket edition sports a smaller 5″ screen format which we will review at a later stage.

The first thing you will notice once you handle a Sony Touch ebook reader is that it looks really classy – Its an elegant ebook reader which won’t look out of place next to your other accessories.

The screen is easy to read, and the contrast has been much improved since the PRS-700 and ebooks look great on this 6″ e-ink Vizplex™ paper-like screen.

The touch screen is interesting, unfortunately its a bit slow and doesn’t quite feel natural when interacting with words or the UI. Don’t expect an Iphone like touch interface on this ebook reader! But the touchscreen is useful, and adds to the ease of use of the ebook reader – For example you can flick through pages like on a real book.

In terms of capacity, the Sony Touch comes with 500 mb of internal memory which you can store about 350 books with, and you can expand this through an optional MS Duo (up to 16GB) and SD card (up to 16GB) slots for up to 13,000 eBook titles – practically an entire library!

The great difference in these new ebook readers is the change of stance from sony with reagards to ebook formats – Beforehand the Sony ebook readers were a bit limited in the book formats supported, not anymore.

You can now read eBooks in a choice of file formats: Reader Touch Edition™ supports EPUB  (industry standard), PDF, Text, RTF, Word and BBeB. Also displays most common image and photo file types including JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP (in black-and-white).

This is a big change and will mean that you can now upload ebooks which are both DRM and non DRM protected to read on the go!

The US version of this ebook reader comes with a 3G connection built in similar to the Amazon Kindle, which has been ommited from the European and UK release, but thats not too much of a problem. Thanks Russ for the clarification, the US version is like the European version, and does not include a 3G card.

You can still buy your books from your favourite online book shop such as Waterstones, Borders, and Whsmith in the UK.

This is a lighter and more nimble device, and if you are a fan of Sony products, or haven’t yet got your feet wet with an ebook reader device this is a very affordable device, which oozes of quality.

Is it the best device out there? Well we still like the Bebook (reviewed earlier) which supports more ebook reader formats.

But if you are looking to spend a little more, and like the look of the Sony Reader Touch we definately recommend it too. Click here to find out more.

!Update:
Waterstones have just lowered the price of the silver Sony Touch, get it at £29 less here: Click here to find out more about the promo.

How delightful would it be to have the capability to read your most favourite books-with the whole lot digitally stored on a compact device? The Sony PRS-505/SC Reader Digital Book, a redesigned and slimmer model, allows you to tote what was once a stack of books with one hand.

This sony ebook reader can hold roughly 160 eBooks whilst optional memory cards can store hundreds more. And thanks to its portable size that is about 1/3 of an inch thick and 9oz in weight, you are able to read through a vast library of books wherever and whenever you like. And as for battery life, it can support around 7500 continual page turns before needing to be changed.

Boasting cutting edge technology such as an amazing 6-inch display and e-Ink that is so paper like in its appearance that reading your books is enjoyable and easily accomplished even in the sunshine. It has a significant amount of internal memory and a slot where you can add or remove memory cards, making it perfect to take documents, Web content, etc., and read them while you are on the go. And thanks to its Integrated eBook Store, the Sony PRS-505 eBook reader let’s you browse, discover, search and even purchase thousands of popular, new and classic eBook titles. It is possible to visit other sites which offer unsecured eBook titles in Reader supported file formats, translating to vast amounts of suitable content to use in concert with your Reader.

And even though this device is called the Sony PRS-505/SC  Digital eBook reader doesn’t mean it can you can only read eBooks with it. In fact, using the Library 2.0 PC Software include with it gives you the ability to transfer Microsoft Word documents, PDF documents, BBeB Book as well as other text files right to your Reader, which provides you with the ability to view and access multiple files any time you like.

Recommended, get yours from Waterstones UK now and save £££.

*Update* Save £20 off your Sony Ebook reader at Waterstones today with our exclusive Sony Ebook reader voucher code: R27736