Sony is shutting down its Reader Store in the U.S. and Canada. Beginning in late March, Kobo will start providing Sony's digital reading customers with full access to its online catalogue, moving current Sony Reader Store customers over to Kobo's platform via what was described as "a simple and easy migration process." The Reader Store will close March 20, but until then Sony's customers can still purchase e-books there.
In an e-mail to Reader Store customers, Sony noted: "Although we're sorry to say goodbye to the Reader Store, we're also glad to share with you the new, exciting future for our readers: Reader Store will transfer customers to Toronto-based e-reading company, Kobo--an admired e-book seller with a passionate reading community. We strongly believe that this transition will allow you to enjoy a continued high-quality e-reading experience."
Kobo's new CEO Takahito Aiki, appointed just this week, said, "With a shared philosophy to deliver the best reading experience across platforms and with the best content available, Kobo and Sony will reach more people than ever before."
Ken Orii, v-p of Sony's digital reading business division, commented: "Our customers can be assured that they will have a seamless transition to the Kobo ecosystem and will be able to continue to access and read the titles they love from Sony devices."
