Sony shows off two Android 3.0 tablets

Sony's new Android devices, arriving later this year.
Source: Sony

Sony has announced two tablets. The first is codenamed S1 and has a 9.4 inch screen – roughly the same size as Apple's iPad. The S2 is a more exotic beast, consisting of two folding 5.5 inch screens.

Both tablets will run Google's Android 3.0 operating system. Sony plans to extend the range of games, media and reading material available through its own online stores. Users will be able to download music and films from its Qriocity shop and books from its Reader Store. Sony says that Playstation Suite, which should be available by the end of this year, will be a source for games; it includes an emulator for PSOne games.

So far, Sony is keeping details of the hardware spec close to its chest. The S1 screen will be 1280 × 800 pixels. As in the Motorola Xoom, the first Android 3.0 tablet to hit the market, the processor will be an NVIDIA Tegra 2. An infra-red interface should allow the S1 to be used as a remote control, though initially only for Sony televisions.

According to Sony, the S1 and S2 both have in-built Wi-Fi and UMTS. The two devices are expected to be released in the autumn. Sony has not revealed its pricing strategy for the devices.

Sony is one of the last major IT companies to enter the booming tablet market. Samsung had one of the first devices to square up to the iPad with its Galaxy Tab and has announced a number of Android 3.0 models. Acer and Asus have already launched the first of their Android 3.0 tablets while Toshiba, Dell and Lenovo are among those planning a launch of their own tablets in the coming months.

(crve)