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Sony this morning unveiled its answer to the Kindle 2 -- a wireless electronic book reader with a 7-inch touch screen that's 17% larger than Amazon's device.

Up until now, Kindle has claimed an edge over Sony's Readers by having built-in wireless connectivity, which lets users browse, buy and download books from Amazon's online store without having to plug into a computer. The Kindle also obviates the need for an Internet connection by using Sprint's wireless broadband EVDO network.

Sony hopes its new wireless device, dubbed the Daily Edition, will trump Kindle 2 in one key respect, namely the ability for users to turn pages, scribble notes and navigate through menus by way of a touch screen. The device's 7-inch black-and-white display is larger than the Kindle 2's 6-inch screen but smaller than the Kindle DX, whose screen is 9.7 inches.

The Daily Edition, priced at $399, is slated to ship in December, in time to take advantage of the holiday gift-giving season.