Sony Officially Joins the Tablet War, Announces Market Launch of Sony Tablet S & P

Sony announced yesterday the market launch of not one but two Sony Tablet™ devices: the Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P devices that come with unique design and content that make for an engaging entertainment experiences.

First to be available by next month is the curvy Sony Tablet S device with a 9.4-inch touchscreen display optimized for rich media entertainment. It comes with a powerful NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile processor and weighs in at just about 1.33 lbs.

What makes it different from all the available devices in the market is its unique asymmetric design which resembles a folded magazine. According to Sony, this makes it comfortable to use even for hours shifts the device's weight closer to your palm, making it feel lighter and more comfortable while reading an e-book or watching a video. The screen is sloped when placed on a flat surface, enhancing visibility and making typing more comfortable. The built-in Wi-Fi® compatibility means Internet connectivity virtually anywhere there's a hotspot. 

 You can place the Sony Tablet S device on a specialized charging cradle (sold separately) which converts the device into a digital photo frame, a digital clock that displays customizable information or chumby with access to over 1,500 fun and entertaining apps.

Coming out later this year, the Sony Tablet P device is ideal for mobile communication and entertainment. With its innovative folding design, two 5.5-inch displays and weight at about 0.83 lbs., it can easily fit into a pocket, purse or backpack. It features the same NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile processor and is both Wi-Fi compatible and 4G capable for Internet connectivity on the go. 

A specialized software allows the device's dual screens to be used for different functions simultaneously such as playing video on one screen while using the other as a controller or reading email on one screen while using the other as a virtual keyboard. The displays can also be combined to form a single large screen for Internet browsing and more. By holding the device vertically, you can also read eBooks much in the same manner you would a physical book.

Both devices run on Android, Android 3.1 on Sony Tablet S devices and Sony Tablet P devices will be equipped with Android 3.2 by the time they ship. This could be a factor for some because the number of available Android Apps is still limited. Sony, however, included the Reader software and access to the Reader™ Store and its more than 2.5 million titles of bestsellers, new releases, classics, magazines and more.

You can also connect these devices to other Sony products like the PlayStation and Sony Bravia TV sets to play media content.  These devices can also work as remote controls for your TV sets.

The two devices also feature front and rear facing cameras that allow for video recording and capturing still images. The devices also support micro USB interface and SD card. A range of optional accessories includes a cradle, AC adapter, LCD screen protector, carrying case and USB adaptor cable for Sony Tablet S devices, and a rechargeable battery pack, AC adapter, LCD screen protector, carrying case and detachable panels for Sony Tablet P devices. A Bluetooth keyboard is also available for both models.

(images from sony.com)