Sony today announced that its Reader Digital Book will be the first eBook reading device to support the EPUB format, the International Digital Publishing Forum’s XML-based standard format for reflow able digital books and publications.

Starting next month, new Readers model Sony PRS-505, will be able to access and accept secure and non-secure ebooks in the EPUB format. EPUB has gained acceptance among major trade book publishers, many of whom have committed to begin publishing forthcoming ebooks in the format.
Current Sony PRSS-505 owners can already upgrade their eBook to support the new format on the Sony support site starting on today (at the time of writing, the update was not available yet).

Additionally, the device will support Adobe eBooks with digital rights management and have the capability to reflow standard text-based Portable Document Format (PDF) eBooks for improved flexibility and readability. These enhancements are now made possible with the support of Adobe Digital Editions 1.5 software (download).

PRS-505 model Readers will continue to support BBeB formatted eBooks offered at the Sony eBook Store.
Therefore, users can retain and grow their current collections of eBooks without having to reformat or repurchase them. All files are conveniently managed by the eBook Library software.

In celebration, Sony will introduce a limited edition red PRS-505 model.
It will ship with EPUB and enhanced PDF support right out of the box. The red Reader will be available next month at SonyStyle stores.