[redbees]

khalleron and Dulin's Books,

I'm not sure if this is what you mean when you refer to Sony 'partnering' with Google Books, but when I access the Sony Reader Store via wifi on my 950, I find a section on the front page labeled 'Google Books'. Upon selecting this, I am taken to an area with the choices 'Subjects' and 'Authors'. Below that is a section labeled 'Featured Books'. It is possible to download Google books directly to the reader. The only books available to download from Google appear to be free, however, not ebooks that cost money.

I am doubtful that this qualifies as 'partnering' in the same way the iRiver manufacturer's involvement does, as that probably allows download of non-gratis ebooks, but I just thought I'd mention it. It seems that Sony's new arrangement will also allow downloading/purchasing of non-free ebooks from Google, and of course ebooks from Pottermore.

Although I personally don't consider wifi to be especially important on an ereader, I am glad that Sony seems to be responding to consumer demand for certain features, as this may enable them to stay relevant in the ereader market.