I know you're not going for Kindle-bashing.
It's just that until I had the Kindle I didn't understand the wireless access thing either so I thought I would try to explain it. Now I see that it is just two entirely different mindsets in the way that users interact with their ereaders. Both models have their pros and cons. I wish somebody would combine the two into the ultimate system! Sony has infamously made the statement that their buyers want a touchscreen over wireless. What is amusing to me is that on the Sony forum you read people debating about wireless accesss but on the Kindle forum you read people debating why they don't want a touchscreen. Personally I love the touchscreen. People want their mobile phones to have a touchscreen so why wouldn't they want the same for improving ereader technology? Just like I don't get why Sony didn't add Wi-fi to the new 350/650 models even if they only kept 3G in the 950.
I am a big time library user too as you know from other threads. And, I prefer to buy my books in EPUB format to have a variety of sources from which to purchase and also to have the portability option to other ereader brands. I have used the Sony Store occasionally on my 900 to browse for books but not really to purchase them. The Sony Store does have a best sellers and recommendations page, you can access your wishlist, and you can redownload previously purchased Sony books from your account page too. However, only a few books have what Sony calls excerpts. You read them within the store on your ereader, and 3G can sometimes be slow so it's awkward. It is really slick how Amazon lets you download a chapter (for most of the books in their store) straight to your device. You can collect several samples and read them when you want.
Sony needs to be more internet user-friendly. That's why I'm happy that they've added a browser to the 950. I've always been jealous of the Kindle's wikipedia integration. I am also really happy that they are soon to release mobile apps. It will be nice to read content on multiple devices like my iPhone and have it synched. Sony has excellent ereader hardware. It just seems that they are slow to join the party on some of these software features.