From endgadget:

Are people buying this thing? Has it developed a following? Is there a community devoted to software and hardware hacks? We're honestly not sure, which lead us to wonder how Sony could have changed things up to make the Reader -- in general, a solid concept -- a more desirable purchase for the mass market. Since it's surprisingly format agnostic for a Sony product, we don't expect to hear too many suggestions in the compatibility department, although there will understandably be some folks seeking support for WMA, non-BBeB protected content, native DOCs, and the like. That being said, should they have loaded it up with more flash, or at least made it compatible with memory cards bigger than 4GB? Would out-of-the-box support for Mac and Linux users help? How about a non-crippled RSS reader? (Hey, at least they hooked you up with Engadget, though). Help us out here, people, what would it take to send you home with a brand new Sony Reader?

I know one person using it, and as far as I have seen, it looks great!

The display is excellent, it is light, and it almost feels like a book, which is the most important thing for me. Looks great too.

can't same functions of this be implemented on sony smartphones?

I've never used a smartphone. What does it lack? What kind of features would you like to see implemented on it?

remember, these gadgets are for displaying static images.  once you focus on that, you can do wonders with battery life.  that and the big screen are the big wins with this over a smartphone.

For me, the requirement is simple: this needs to be marketed like a cellphone, in that "in exchange for buying $X in content over time, the unit itself is free".

Moreso than phones, the technology here is expanding so fast, that I don't want to buy one because the next one will be SO MUCH better. Which, if everyone feels the same way, will never happen, because no one will buy the first one.

How to get around that? Drop the price. Take massive losses to build the market. This isn't a convenience for high-end users... People who need books on the go already have iPods - ever hear of audiobooks?

Now, that only applies to text-based media... But, still, if you're talking about a device whose only strength is displaying... maybe... like black and white comic books or something, then it just plain has to cost less. It's too big to be my primary ANYTHING ELSE.

But, yes, as a spender on cutting-edge tech, as a GEEK, I want all the openness I come to expect from good devices. And access to the OS underneath. And/or a clear contract that I get the source code when you drop the platform abruptly for something (or nothing) else.

I have a rocket ebook reader. Still charges up fine. Can't use it because their servers are down permanently. can't load more content. can't use it as anything but a doorstop.

Will Sony of all companies be able to deliver anything close to this before we have a capable iPhone/iTablet solution for this need? Hell no.

Sorry if it sounds bitter. Really love the tech underneath this, but maybe I'd pay around $150 for what is on the table, today. TOPS. And only if it supports unlocked pdfs, html, rss, email, etc.

Now that I think about it, though, if it had all that and a nice input system for scribbling/writing on the go, I might be able to do like $200.

I like your input idea... that would be an excellent addition!