Sony to move its Reader eBook service to Kobo

Continuing it's bid to divest itself of underperforming product lines (see post below), Sony is tossing it's Reader book store and has decided to ally itself with Kobo for content in on its eBook readers and Xperia tablets. Below what Sony announced earlier.

"Sony Electronics, together with Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today announced that Kobo will provide Sony's Readeran and Sony's Xperia tablet and smartphone users in the United States and Canada with Kobo's world-class catalogue of more than 4 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers, graphic novels, and kids content."

Sony's Reader Store customers and their current eBook libraries will transfer to the Kobo ecosystem starting in late March. Reader Store customers will be able to take advantage of Kobo's new dedicated Kids Store and magazine experience, and have full access to purchase the most popular bestsellers.

Good deal for Sony Reader owners and also for Kobo loyalists who now have an expanded universe of titles to choose from. As a result of this change the Reader Store in the U.S. and Canada will cease to exist on March 20, 2014 at 6 p.m. (EST). 

"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."

"With a shared philosophy to deliver the best reading experience across platforms and with the best content available, Kobo and Sony will reach more people than ever before," said Takahito Aiki, CEO, Kobo. "Together, millions of customers across the US and Canada will find their next great read at their fingertips – any time, any place, and on any device."

The free, top-ranking Kobo App for Android will be pre-loaded on select Sony Xperia smartphones and tablets. Timing and availability may vary by market and carrier. Sony's WiFi Reader will also harness the wide variety of content available via the Kobo eBookstore. Sony's current Reader Store customers in the US and Canada will have access to the Kobo eBookstore starting in late March via a simple and easy migration process, and Sony's Reader Store will close in late March. Reader Store customers will receive an email from Sony with instructions on how to easily transfer their library to a Kobo account. Until that time, Sony's customers can continue to purchase eBooks from Sony's Reader Store.