Sony Corp. is considering developing a tablet-style computer that would compete with Apple Inc.'s iPad, though it wants more evidence consumers will buy them, said Mike Abary, senior vice president of
Sony's Information Technology Products unit. Electronics manufacturers have renewed interest in tablet-style computers now that Apple, which sold 1 million iPads in less than a month after its debut,
has shown it's possible to build portable devices with big touch screens and long battery life at a low cost. Sony wants more proof of consumer demand before pressing ahead with production plans,
Abary said.
For now, Sony plans to keep investing in its Reader line of devices that display digital books, Abary said. U.S. sales of digital reading devices will rise to 5 million
this year from 2.2 million in 2009, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Sales of digital books in the U.S. more than doubled to $313 million last year.
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at Bloomberg »
