I have to admit that after looking at Sony's offer, I'm starting to warm towards it.

Assuming that the Iliad's specs are true, it is undoubtedly the superior machine. However, I somewhat doubt that it really has everything stated... at least, not without being horrendously expensive. I have a feeling that the stated Iliad specs are of a prototype that will not reach mass production, at least, not without some of the more esoteric (for an eBook reader) features removed (e.g., WiFi, wired ethernet, SD or CF slot, USB host, touch screen).

The Sony Reader is much more conservative in terms of specs, which means, it is also much more likely to be the production model. After all, it is in essence a simplified and somewhat less pretty Libre. However, the real advantage with the Libre is not the device itself, rather, content.

With the release of the Sony Reader is the unveiling an e-Book store that will actually sell popular books in the format. If they do it right, it may well become the "iPod" of the e-Book market. Furthermore, unlike the digital audio scene where you can convert your CDs into MP3s that will work on any third party player (and as such, many people already having a large volume of "legacy" content not bound by DRM), you cannot simply "convert" your dead-tree books into a digital format.

AFAIK, there will be no such service with the iRex Iliad and it would be in Sony's interest to not make their book service compatible with any other player (ala iTunes Music Store).

Let's be clear... public domain literary content will not make eBook readers mainstream. Being able to get the next "Harry Potter" will.

Regards,
Michael Tam