Sony Unveils Two 'Sony Tablets', Both Equipped With PlayStation Suite

Sony today unveiled two tablets, both of which will come equipped with PlayStation Suite and have the option to play first generation PlayStation titles. Codenamed S1 and S2, the tablets will use the latest Android 3.0, are WiFi and WAN (3G/4G) compatible, and will be released starting in fall 2011. The S1 tablet is designed with "rich media entertainment" in mind. It is a 9.4-inch single-screen device with a curve at the top to emulate the feel of holding a magazine, and has both front and rear cameras. The new hardware will be the first tablet to receive PlayStation Certified standing, and users will be able to play PlayStation One games on it. It will also have cross-device connectivity, allowing it to act as a remote control for other Sony products, such as Bravia televisions. The S2 tablet has two 5.5-inch screens, which can be folded together for easy portability. The screens can work in unison, or display separate images for combined usability -- for example, the top screen can show a movie, while the bottom screen displays control buttons. The bottom screen will also be able to display a PlayStation controller interface, with PlayStation One titles showing on the top screen. Both tablets will run the the Tegra 2 processor, and are collectively known as the 'Sony Tablet'. “‘Sony Tablet’ delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time." said Kunimasa Suzuki, deputy president of Sony's consumer products & services group. "We’re aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including ‘Sony Tablet’ with content and network." Regarding the Android 3.0 platform, Andy Rubin, senior vice president of mobile at Google, said, "Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets." "I'm excited about the 'Sony Tablet' as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for.”