With Sony now expecting to record a loss for its 2013 fiscal year, the company is implementing a number of changes in a bid to return to profitability. Among them is a decision that will see it retire its Reader Store in Canada and the U.S. in favour of Kobo’s own digital books and magazines. The move will affect both Sony’s Reader device as well as its Xperia tablets and smartphones.
“Kobo is the ideal solution for our customers and will deliver a robust and comprehensive user experience. Like Sony, they are committed to those most passionate about reading and share our vision to use open formats so people can easily read anytime and anywhere,” said Ken Orii, Vice President of Digital Reading Business Division, Sony Electronics. “Our customers can be assured that they will have a seamless transition to the Kobo ecosystem and will be able to continue to access and read the titles they love from Sony devices.”
Sony Reader store customers will have their current e-book libraries migrated over to the Kobo one starting in late March. An email from Sony will provide with instructions on how to easily transfer their library to a Kobo account. The Sony Reader store will close its doors in late March.
The Kobo app will also be preloaded on select Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets. Specific timing will vary by country and carrier but the Kobo app is already available on Google Play if it does not come pre-installed on your next Sony device.
Source : Sony