[MerLock]

I think they are just updating their reader line and discontinuing the current models. I use to own one of their mp3 walkman players and just before the new ones were released, all the older models were no longer sold even before the new models were out. Also, right before the release of the newer models, the older models had a price drop to move old inventory. Intitally I thought they were removing mp3 players since there were no new models at the time the older models were discontinued. I'm guessing Sony just doesn't do very well at estimating when the new model comes out and when the older models get sold out.

So besides reading tech headlines, a good indication for me of when Sony would release something new, is looking for a price drop on their current models.

Fingers crossed that they aren't leaving the ebook reader industry. However, I do see them exiting the business of selling ebooks like they did their music store if they can't get enough publishers to sell through their stores or if not enough people purchase from their store. I believe Sony has been very willing in opening up their reader to other ebook formats, such as epub, so that consumers have alternative ways of downloading ebooks. I recall they even said that Sony would support kindle formatted books if Amazon would allow them to.

Also, usually when they do exit a certain business, like they did the music store or some of their other pet projects, it's heavily covered in tech blogs.