Sony unveils its first tablets in bid to compete with Apple's iPad
Sony revealed Tuesday two Google Android-based touchscreen tablets, which will released this fall in an attempt to catch up to Apple's year-long head start with the iPad.
The tablets, dubbed S1 and S2, were unveiled at a media launch in Japan, Reuters reports. Sony will attempt to leverage its successes in the gaming industry to drive sales of the tablets, as both the S1, which sports a 9.4-inch display, and the S2, which features two 5.5-inch displays, will be compatible with select PlayStation games.
Sony deputy president of consumer products and services Kunimasa Suzuki indicated that the devices will run the tablet-designed Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, as he pulled a prototype from a jacket pocket at the launch.
In an effort to distinguish itself from the growing list of Android-based iPad competitors, such as the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab, Sony has developed two unique form factors for its tablets. The S1 has an "off-center of gravity form factor," while the S2 features a foldable dual-screen setup.
The two devices will be marketed under the "Sony Tablet" brand and will feature heavy cross-promotion of Sony's Qriocity media suite.
The S1 will feature a Tegra 2 processor, Wi-Fi and 3G/4G cellular data capability. IT will also include an IR port for AV controls with Sony's line of Bravia televisions and support for the Sony-initiated Digital Living Network Alliance standards. Sony held off on revealing further details on either the S1 or the S2, disclaiming that "design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
The devices are slated for a global release in the fall of this year.
In January, Sony surprised attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show when the company declared its intentions to take the No. 2 spot in the tablet market within a year, despite not having released a tablet.
Earlier this year, Sony unveiled the next-generation version of its PlayStation Portable, dubbed the NGP in hopes of striking back at Apple, whose popular iOS devices have quickly begun cannibalizing Sony's share of the gaming market.
The Japanese electronics giant also took the wraps off a partnership with Google and other Android handset makers that will produce the PlayStation Suite, an Android-compatible content platform that will bring both classic and new PlayStation games to the mobile operating system.
"Users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history," the company said in a statement in January. The move is a break from precedent from Sony, which has preferred its own proprietary formats over open ones.
Sony faces an uphill climb against Apple, which has attracted crushing demand for the iPad 2. Apple COO Tim Cook told investors last week that the iPad 2 is experiencing "the mother of all backlogs." Supply constraints caused Apple's quarterly sales of the iPad to decline to 4.69 million in the first quarter of calendar 2011, but Apple is still expected to sell 40 million iPads this year.
In April, research firm Gartner revealed that it expects Apple's iPad to continue to dominate the tablet market through 2015. The market is expected to grow to 294 million tablets in 2015, with Apple maintaining an estimated 47 percent market share.
The tablets, dubbed S1 and S2, were unveiled at a media launch in Japan, Reuters reports. Sony will attempt to leverage its successes in the gaming industry to drive sales of the tablets, as both the S1, which sports a 9.4-inch display, and the S2, which features two 5.5-inch displays, will be compatible with select PlayStation games.
Sony deputy president of consumer products and services Kunimasa Suzuki indicated that the devices will run the tablet-designed Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, as he pulled a prototype from a jacket pocket at the launch.
In an effort to distinguish itself from the growing list of Android-based iPad competitors, such as the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab, Sony has developed two unique form factors for its tablets. The S1 has an "off-center of gravity form factor," while the S2 features a foldable dual-screen setup.
The two devices will be marketed under the "Sony Tablet" brand and will feature heavy cross-promotion of Sony's Qriocity media suite.
The S1 will feature a Tegra 2 processor, Wi-Fi and 3G/4G cellular data capability. IT will also include an IR port for AV controls with Sony's line of Bravia televisions and support for the Sony-initiated Digital Living Network Alliance standards. Sony held off on revealing further details on either the S1 or the S2, disclaiming that "design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
The devices are slated for a global release in the fall of this year.
In January, Sony surprised attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show when the company declared its intentions to take the No. 2 spot in the tablet market within a year, despite not having released a tablet.
Earlier this year, Sony unveiled the next-generation version of its PlayStation Portable, dubbed the NGP in hopes of striking back at Apple, whose popular iOS devices have quickly begun cannibalizing Sony's share of the gaming market.
The Japanese electronics giant also took the wraps off a partnership with Google and other Android handset makers that will produce the PlayStation Suite, an Android-compatible content platform that will bring both classic and new PlayStation games to the mobile operating system.
"Users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history," the company said in a statement in January. The move is a break from precedent from Sony, which has preferred its own proprietary formats over open ones.
Sony faces an uphill climb against Apple, which has attracted crushing demand for the iPad 2. Apple COO Tim Cook told investors last week that the iPad 2 is experiencing "the mother of all backlogs." Supply constraints caused Apple's quarterly sales of the iPad to decline to 4.69 million in the first quarter of calendar 2011, but Apple is still expected to sell 40 million iPads this year.
In April, research firm Gartner revealed that it expects Apple's iPad to continue to dominate the tablet market through 2015. The market is expected to grow to 294 million tablets in 2015, with Apple maintaining an estimated 47 percent market share.
Comments
Will Sony stick with tradition and infest it with DRM-laden everything, resulting in possibly good hardware, but crippled with horrendous software? If anyone can butcher Android to a level worse than what it is already, it will be Sony.
I shake my head in disappointment with Sony's S2. It's gonna make the most nastiest burnout when as it burns through the atmosphere.
Will Sony stick with tradition and infest it with DRM-laden everything, resulting in possibly good hardware, but crippled with horrendous software? If anyone can butcher Android to a level worse than what it is already, it will be Sony.
Hmm the issue with Sony is that it is way too diversified. Well, another day, yet another iPad "competitor".
Sony held off on revealing further details on either the S1 or the S2, disclaiming that "design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
After looking at those mockups I can?t help but think, ?No shit!? They are very impractical, IMO.
The S1 is pretty slick looking providing the sides are merely indentions. That design lends the potential for good camera and speakers. Beyond that I don?t see much good I can see about them. The cons are pretty endless but I?ll stop with saying the S1 will feel uneven in portrait mode and will ed up thicker at the thinnest point to accommodate the battery.
The S2 just looking wrong in every way.The curve, the hinge, the side bezels which I assume are touch controls. It?s like someone opened up their eyeglass case and said, ?I have an idea."
Please die the cold and miserable death your inane actions have meritoriously warranted over the past few decades.
Warmest Regards,
The World.
It's a little refreshing that they are trying a different form factor and not simply copying Apple to a T.
I like the idea of a tapered back. This way when you put it on your lap you don't have to hold it at a comfortable angle.
Apple has a pretty good solution for that too if you buy the new case... but building it into the form factor is interesting.
As far as sflocal's comments about the DRM bullshit are concerned - couldn't agree more.
Who knows thou, maybe Sony has finally learned it's lesson and that's why they are running with Droid... maybe pigs will fly one day also.
I consider the design to be progressive.
Who knows thou if it's balanced in a way that is comfortable. Will have to hold one to know.
Do they track your every movement thou?
While Sony is a known name I don't believe that their tablet will create the desired effect they're looking for. After all Android 3.0 leaves much to be desired.
I shake my head in disappointment with Sony's S2. It's gonna make the most nastiest burnout when as it burns through the atmosphere.
Will Sony stick with tradition and infest it with DRM-laden everything, resulting in possibly good hardware, but crippled with horrendous software? If anyone can butcher Android to a level worse than what it is already, it will be Sony.
Samsung are far more diversified than Sony will ever be, yet they do well. I hope, however, that Sony can pull something out.
"Users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history," the company said in a statement in January. The move is a break from precedent from Sony, which has preferred its own proprietary formats over open ones.
I guess this was before Google decided to make Android "not as open".
Mind you I can't see this working out. Once the basic OS is cracked and people can download and install games at will for free. Sony will start loosing money hand over fist.
Give it 6 months tops before it's playstation feature is killed off.
Sony revealed Tuesday two Google Android-based touchscreen tablets, which will release this FAIL in an attempt to catch up to Apple's year-long head start with the iPad.
fixed.
Seems that Sony will be using the Playstation angle to market its tablet. But wait wouldn't people rather play on their PSP if their mobile?
While Sony is a known name I don't believe that their tablet will create the desired effect they're looking for. After all Android 3.0 leaves much to be desired.
Dude- if they ever get their PSN up..
hackers utterly pwn3d the fuk out of it. It's been down since the 20th with zero ETA for restoring the service. I can't wait for mainstream media to finally pick that story up. any day now...
The playstation gaming angle is a dead end though, as PS1 games require buttons galore. Far too many to work in any way on a touch screen only device. They should focus PS gaming on the Xperia Play, but they messed that one up with a botched launch with no PS store, no PSN support, and just a handful of PS1 games on the Android Marketplace. The final kick in the teeth is that any PS1 game you've already bought from the PSN store you have to re-buy for the Xperia. What a mess.
Hmm the issue with Sony is that it is way too diversified. Well, another day, yet another iPad "competitor".
Looking at them all, I'm still half expecting Mattel to come out with yet another iPad copy, or even Etch A Sketch.
Give RIM and HP their due, at least they are doing something different and should be commended for doing so.
Android truly is the "beige box" of the tablet world.
1: ASUS & AMD
3. Apple
4. Sony
Having said that, Sony is merely a shadow of its former self. A healthy dose of skepticism is certainly warranted regarding just about anything they do these days.
Although I think that Android is ok its really killing innovation from companies like Sony. Rather than investing in their own OS they are going with Android with a little front-end on it. Rather than trying to be different or innovative they are just shipping another Android box, its like windows all over again.
Give RIM and HP their due, at least they are doing something different and should be commended for doing so.
Android truly is the "beige box" of the tablet world.
An OS has to hit critical mass before developers really start creating apps for it. These companies could create their own OSes but the most likely scenario is none of them achieve large enough sales for developers to really bother. Nice looking hardware is no longer enough, it is now about the entire ecosystem.
Asus: WTF is that contraption?
RIM: Ho hum
HP: it's the slate, no wait it's a palm....
Xoom: looks and feels like a cheap piece of sh*t.... It ain't cheap though
Sony: interesting.... But why would anyone buy it?
If I were to get anything android it would be a nook. Cheap enough to play around with, light, and can be used as a reader/browser. But then again, why bother?
How will these android tablets going to differentiate themselves from each other is beyond me. Pricing will be cutthroat competition, hardware is all the same pretty much... Features can be easily copied. I don't see them going anywhere for a long time.
As for Sony, well expect their crap to be virtually DOA. Just like the pspgo.
That clamshell option is stupid. What you going to do when that sh** breaks at the hinges?
Lol!