Sony's new range of products have been unveiled in the lead-up to Christmas, with the first Sony-branded e-readers making their way to our shores, alongside new Bravia TVs and the curiously-titled Bloggie Touch.
The first of two e-readers launched in Australia, the Reader Touch Edition, features a 6-inch touch E Ink screen with 2GB of internal memory. Sony quotes an estimated battery life that will last approximately 10,000 page turns. It will sell for AU$299 — a bit on the pricey side. It's available from early September.
The screen is purported to be so sensitive, it only requires a "feather touch". Here, a Sony spokesperson actually whipped out a feather to prove it.
Next up is the Reader Pocket Edition, which is similar to its older brother in most things except screen size (5 inches instead of 6). It also supports fewer file formats. Again, like the older model, this will be available in Australia from early September, for AU$229.
Alongside the two new 3D-capable Bravia models (NX710 and NX810) announced, Sony also revealed the latest channel addition to its Bravia Internet Video service. Moshcam has a repository of live gig recordings that can be streamed directly to a television. It's just like being there — except without a can of beer being spilled down your back.
The new Walkman E-Series boasts 50 hours of music playback, drag-and-drop from Windows Media Player and iTunes, and a new Karaoke mode. Unfortunately, Sony failed to develop a feature that deactivates Karaoke mode when using public transport.
The E353 (4GB), E454 (8GB) and E455 (16GB) will be available from October at a price yet to be determined.
It seems Sony pre-empted the announcement of that other Touch device with its new Bloggie Touch. The tactile video recorder features a 3-inch touchscreen, full HD recording and the ability to capture 12.8-megapixel still images. There's no optical zoom, just 4x digital. It will come in black, pink, silver and blue for AU$299 from October. Matrioshka dolls not included.
Here's the recently announced digital SLR, the Alpha A55, featuring Sony's translucent mirror technology. And one very, very big lens.
3D is definitely gaining momentum in Sony's imaging sector. The Cyber-shot TX9 can shoot 3D panoramas, like the NEX-5.
Digital radios were on show as well, with the retro-styled XDR-S16DBP. Try saying that with a mouthful of cheese. Finished in wood, the radio also has an LCD display. It will be available from October for AU$199.
One of the other new ranges Sony revealed were the PIIQ headphones, designed with the spirit of skaters, artists and "urban culture" in mind. The five models range from in-ear buds to closed headphones, and are priced from AU$29.95 through to AU$179.95.