The software -- which will finally let Mac users interface with Sony's devices -- allows users to browse and purchase books online. This is pretty standard stuff, and apart from Mac compatibility (finally), no different than what Amazon already offers with the Kindle.
The big difference with Sony's approach is that users can now read eBooks on their Mac or PC. Amazon won't even let you buy a Kindle book unless you have a Kindle device attached to your account or you have an iPhone or iPod touch set as a registered device. Furthermore, you can only read the books on the portable devices themselves.
Although many will argue that the eBook experience is far superior on a device rather than a computer screen -- and I would agree -- reading books on your laptop or desktop can still be extremely useful. If you're a student, for instance, it's much easier to make notes using your computer keyboard rather than a touch screen.
The eBook Library Software also acts as an EPUB reader, meaning that those one million free books that Google Books is offering can be transferred quickly and easily to a Sony Reader device, or read on your computer.