Sony's Android tablet pair includes dual-screen model

By Eric Brown
2011-04-26

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Sony announced a pair of Android 3.0 tablets that integrate Sony's Qriocity video and audio, Sony Reader ebook content, and Playstation Suite games. Due to arrive this fall, the Sony Tablet S1 is a 9.4-inch model with a wedge-shaped design, while the S2 offers a folding clamshell format with dual 5.5-inch screens that can be viewed as a single display.

Following rumors of a Sony Android tablet earlier this month, Sony unveiled two of them, said to be arriving globally this fall with Android 3.0 ("Honeycomb"). Both the tablets, code-named Sony Tablet S1 and Sony Tablet S2, offer unusual sizes and designs.

Sony Tablet S1 (left) and S2
(Click to enlarge)

The S1 is the more standard model, although here Sony has selected a somewhat-unusual 9.4-inch touchscreen size. The S1 also features a wedge-shaped design that thickens toward the top of the screen. The design is said to increase ease of grip, as well as to offer a feeling of stability and lightness. It would also seem to make it easier to read when the table sits flat on a lap or table.

Whereas the S1 is "optimized for rich media entertainment," the S2 is all about "mobile communication and entertainment," according to Sony. This more unusual design is somewhat similar to the recent Kyocera Echo Android phone in that two smaller screens can be combined into one, albeit with a bezel between them.

Sony Tablet S1
(Click to enlarge)

The S2 offers dual 5.5-inch displays that can be folded together into a portable clamshell -- or more specifically a long narrow razorback clam with similarly curved exteriors (see the video farther below for the full picture). Like the Echo, the S2 enables the dual displays to show a combined view to create the illusion of a larger display, and also enables dual simultaneous views. (There was no mention of an Echo-like mode in which specialized apps can control both screens for showing related information.)

Sony offered few technical details on the tablets, and no mention of the processor. However, it noted that both the S1 and S2 are "Wi-Fi and WAN (3G/4G) compatible," says Sony. They are also said to offer DLNA capability, enabling the devices to show videos on TVs or send music to wireless speakers. In addition, the S1 model offers infrared technology and can act as a universal remote control for devices including Sony's Bravia TVs and set-tops.

The tablets will run Android 3.0 and have access to networked content via Sony’s Qriocity music and video services, also offered on the Google TV-ready Sony Internet TV. Sony makes no mention of support for the Android-based Google TV platform, however.

Additional integrated content includes access to ebooks from the Sony Reader Store, available for its monochrome e-reader tablet. The tablets also support Sony's PlayStation Suite gaming platform and app store, offering PlayStation games that have been ported to Android. (PlayStation Suite is also supported by the Xperia Play Android phone from Sony's Sony-Ericsson joint venture.)

Despite all these additions, Sony has apparently not monkeyed around with the Android 3.0 UI too much, as Google Senior Vice President Andy Rubin himself offered a testimonial, stating, "I'm excited about 'Sony Tablet' as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for."

S1 and S2 promo video
Source: Sony Corp.
(Click to play)

SKunimasa Suzuki, corporate executive, SVP, and deputy president of Consumer Products & Services Group, stated, "'Sony Tablet' delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time."

Availability

The Sony Tablet S1 and S2 will be available globally starting in fall 2011. More information may be found in this Sony Tablet press release and blog announcement.

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