Sony to cease production of its e-reader, reports say

Sony will cease production of its e-reader, according to reports in the U.K. and Germany. Earlier this year, the company closed its online e-book stores in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada.

Sony will continue to produce its e-reader for Japan. A 13.3-inch digital paper device aimed at business users is expected later this year.

Known for its electronic devices, Sony was one of the first out of the gate with a major e-reader, landing on U.S. shores with its Reader in 2006. The Reader was well-reviewed, but readers were slow to embrace its technology. That went hand in hand with an e-bookstore that always seemed to be missing something.

After Amazon launched its Kindle in 2007, the popularity of e-readers exploded. Sony maintained its position as industry leader for a short time, but soon became eclipsed by the Kindle.

When Sony closed its American e-book store in March, it sent its customers to Kobo, the Toronto-based e-reader company now owned by Japanese online retailer Rakutan.

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