Last August, Sony announced it’s entry into the eBook reader market with the Sony Reader Pocket Edition ($199.99), Touch Edition ($299.99) and Daily Edition ($399.99).  All of Sony’s readers are set to compete nicely with Amazon’s Kindle brand.  But has Sony bitten off more than it can chew?  I mean, Amazon’s Kindle is already a household name with a huge library of books at reasonable prices.  Will Sony’s late attempt to cash in on this lucrative market pay off?  Maybe.  Here are a few things that Amazon should be concerned about.

1.     The Feel:  Kindle users can attest that one of the problems with the Kindle Readers is their lack of feel.  Curling up with a book in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s day is not the same when you’re using a Kindle.  Although Sony can’t replace the feel of your favorite novel, it does try to do a little better with the their Daily and Touch editions.  The two Sony readers feature touch screens, which are about as good as you can get. . . for now.

2.     The Format:  Sony’s embrace of the ePub format will help ensure that your ability to transfer your eBook collection between devices.  The Kindle uses a proprietary format limiting your future choices to other Amazon products.  Think VHS vs. Beta.  The ePub format will surely be the dominant winner and Kindle will probably change down the road when sales start slipping.  But for now, Kindle’s lack of the ePub format is a plus for Sony.

3.     The Choice:  This one is pretty simple.  The Kindle offers two choices (Kindle & Kindle DX) while Sony offers three.  That’s 50% more choice.  That’s gotta be a good thing, right?

4.     The Price:  With three models to choose from, Sony seems to have something for everyone.  From the basic Pocket Reader to the full-featured Daily Edition, Sony’s got something for everyone.  Amazon will have to start figuring out how to compete with all the up and coming eBook readers that are sure to flood the market.