What a week it's been in the eReader market. Left for dead by some (including me), the eReader market has continued to thrive in spite of the more than 28 million iPads sold to date.

In fact, in the past week:

• Sony introduced a $150 eReader.
• Rumors continued to fly about a full-color, 7-inch, Android-powered Kindle from Amazon.com.
• Barnes and Noble was reportedly trying to release an update to its Android-powered Nook in September in an attempt to beat Amazon to market.

Sony claims its latest reader device is the smallest and lightest touch screen Wi-Fi eBook reader on the market, and the Pearl V220 weighs in at less than 6 ounces. As they boast, it's small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and it gives you access to free eBooks from public libraries from a Public Library icon on the device. (You need a valid library card to access these books.) You can also buy eBooks in a variety of formats, including EPUB, PDF and TXT, from Sony or elsewhere.

At only $149, the black and white touch screen should be much more affordable than the color, Android-powered offerings from Amazon and Barnes and Noble, but it offers the touch screen (which the current $139 Kindle doesn't) and Wi-Fi access.

Meanwhile, Amazon has been making headlines with its long-rumored tablet, due out some time this Fall. Some analysts have been calling this tablet, sight unseen, an iPad killer because it is supposed to come in at half the cost. And after seeing $99 HP TouchPads fly off the shelves recently, Amazon apparently took notice and will offer a device in the $250 price range (if you believe the rumors).

If that's not enough eBook reader news for you, rumor has it that that Barnes and Noble will release the Nook Color 2 later this month, apparently in an attempt to beat the Amazon tablet to market.

All of this adds up to a huge week in eBook reader news and what could make for a very interesting holiday shopping season.

For more information:
- see the Sony press release
- see Amazon Tablet Rumor Round-up on PC Advisor
- see Rumor: Barnes & Noble to release Nook Color 2 this month on Digital Trends

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