Quote:
Originally Posted by Zyzomys
The Sony line-up has not been discounted in Canada to match prices in the US, so for Canadians the choices are the Kobo at $149CDN, the Sony PRS600 at $229CDN, and the Kindle2 also at $229CDN (after exchange rate and duty/taxes).
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I don't think the $149 Kobo at Wal-mart and Chapters/Indigo has anything to fear from a $229 Touch Edition at Best Buy from a completely indifferent sales rep. It's true Kindle is US$189 + shipping (there is no duty) and comes close to the Sony price ... but the Kindle 2i is a much more capable device than the Sony Touch considering the fully open 3G that Amazon provides. Amazon is also a pretty solid brand in Canada and, heck -- it's the first or second choice for Canadians to buy books -- so even a premium price isn't a barrier over a Sony device.
Kobo's unique local marketing channel in a bookstore and in a major discount retailer will serve it well; Amazon's Kindle can leverage its market position among avid readers; Sony needs to do more than vaguely approximate price after shipping is factored in.
And, in a nod to the thread, Nook isn't even in the game.