Sony Tablet S preview

Even back when it was just a sketch we were suitably intrigued by Sony's Tablet S. Then it was the "S1," a name that, indistinct as it was, still had more character and mystery than the unfortunately generic moniker it will ship with. Still, a dull name can't obscure the most distinctive design we've yet seen in an Android Honeycomb slate, an aerofoil-like shape inspired not by a flying machine, but a rather more pedestrian folded magazine.

But, the result is a tablet that's considerably thicker than the current king of the Android hill, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (not to mention the iPad 2), a chunky design that isn't always as hand-friendly as it looks. Is this the glossy, perfectly-paginated future of tablet design, or is it just a misshapen slate with a broken crease and shattered dreams? Read on to find out.

Note: at this time Sony was able to provide a device with final hardware, not software. So keep in mind this preview covers only the hardware, and that discussions of software and performance are liable to change.

Sony Tablet S preview

Look and feel

So what about that famous folded design? Well, the first time you pick it up, you'll wonder why all tablets aren't shaped like this. It fits comfortably and securely in either hand, with subtle dimples adding extra grip to what would otherwise be a slick, fingerprint-prone plastic back. If you're the sort who likes to hold a tablet in one hand, portrait-style, whilst tapping away with the other, you'll quickly feel right at home.

The Tablet S is also particularly well-suited to sitting on a desk in landscape, like a little keyboard. Sony thoughtfully attached a pair of rubber nubs on the top and, thanks to the gentle incline of the screen when placed on something flat, it makes for a decent typing surface -- much more so than other tablets that are less inclined to your touch.

But, try to use this slate in any other position and the design becomes something of a hindrance. Sitting on a lap in landscape, for example, we found the incline a bit too steep. Meanwhile, in portrait orientation you'll never manage to get the screen flat -- it's always angled one way or another.

Hold it in both hands and you'll also be struggling. We found the 9.4-inch screen to be a little too wide to comfortably type on with our thumbs. Turn it 90 degrees and it's much easier to opposably tap at the thing, but then the somewhat sharp edges on the skinny side start cutting into your palms. Unless we were sitting with this on a desk, we had a hard time getting comfortable typing on the Tablet S, and while that's a problem that can be assigned to any tablet these days, the asymmetrical styling isn't much help.

Again, all this results in a bit of a chunky girl. At its thinnest, Sony claims it's 0.3 inches (7.62mm) thick, but it of course swells out from there, growing to about 0.8-inches (20.23mm). That means it's even plumper than the Motorola Xoom on one side, but even its thinner end is no more slender than the Tab 10.1 -- unless you count the beveled edge, which we don't.

Its footprint on the other two dimensions is almost identical to the 10.1, measuring 9.5 x 6.8-inches (241 x 173mm). That means it's only a fraction of an inch narrower, despite giving up 0.7 inches on the diagonal of the screen size. Sure, you probably won't miss that extra space, but why settle for less?

Look between the black bars of the bezel and you'll be greeted with a 1,280 x 800 display that Sony says uses the company's TruBlack technology -- already a staple in its Bravia televisions. While such trademarked tech is usually fluff, we must say the results here are quite good. You'll get contrast ratios that hold up from any angle and very accurate color reproduction that surpasses the Tab 10.1. And, yes, the blacks are indeed about as good as you're going to get on an LCD these days -- no concerns about light leakage here.

You will, however, have to worry about getting a case. The surface that covers the screen is rather sadly not Gorilla Glass and, while Sony says there's a protective layer here to keep the display scratch-free, after just one trip into a messenger bag unprotected it came out with a few new fine lines. This is a trip the Corning-clad Galaxy Tab 10.1 has made many, many times before, and it's still looking as good as the day it came out of the box.

The rest of the Tablet S is similarly scratch-prone, with a few fine scuffs appearing on the pimply back, and should you make the mistake of tapping on it you're greeted with a sound that can only be described as hollow. Meanwhile, the sides are made of what can only be called plastic, with a fine matte silver paint job that offers a high-end look, but a low-end feel. This is best demonstrated with the flimsy door that covers the tablet's full SD card reader. But, we must make it very clear that this is not the storage augmentation you might be hoping for.

The tablet cannot directly play media from the SD card; it must first be copied to the internal storage. So, if you had dreams of buying the 16GB version then slapping a cheap 16GB SD card in there to make up the difference, let this be your rude awakening.

Performance and battery life

This is where we need to start the caveats. While the device we were given to review has final hardware -- the same you'll find in the box when this thing starts shipping in mid-September -- the software that's been flashed to it still has some revisions pending. That could certainly have some impacts on the performance and longevity of the thing, so bear that in mind as we say we certainly hope some fixes improve the experience here, because things aren't always seamless.

Like the best of the rest at the moment, the Tablet S runs on NVIDIA's Tegra 2 SoC and so it proves more than adequate at tackling graphics-demanding applications, including HD video and games. Overall, though, we found the tablet to be less than responsive. For example, the screen is a bit sluggish to come on after you've prodded the power button, and the device is often slow to detect rotation. Neither of these things are deal-breakers, but neither do they result in a tablet that feels like a proper screamer. Hopefully a few code tweaks will help here.

In terms of pure performance, though, we have no complaints. On the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark the Tablet S scored a healthy 2,117ms, very close to the 2,200ms our Galaxy Tab 10.1 scores. Meanwhile, we managed an average Quadrant score of 1,608 -- also unsurprisingly on par with the Tab.

	Battery Life
Sony Tablet S	8:35
Apple iPad 2	10:26
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1	9:55
Apple iPad	9:33
HP TouchPad	8:33
Motorola Xoom	8:20
T-Mobile G-Slate	8:18
Archos 101	7:20
RIM BlackBerry PlayBook	7:01
Toshiba Thrive	6:25
Samsung Galaxy Tab	6:09

When it comes to longevity the thing does a reasonably stout job of putting up with our battery torture test, lasting roughly eight and a half hours with a movie looping and WiFi on. That doesn't match the 10-hour mark put up by the Tab 10.1 or the even greater performance of the iPad 2, but it's enough to ensure that you won't have to worry about running for the plug.

And that's a good thing, because the plug here is a big, fiddly thing with two plastic tabs and four metal connectors. Those connectors are obviously meant to make life easy for the upcoming dock, but if you don't pay up for that accessory prepare to ask yourself why Sony didn't opt for something a little more standard here.

Software

Again, Sony was quite clear that the stuff running on here is not final, so we're going to consider this more of an overview than any sort of judgement. We will of course come back with a full review in due time.

For now, the tablet is running Android Honeycomb 3.1, as you'd expect, and doing a reasonably good job of it. Sony being Sony, the Tablet S will offer a number of custom apps, starting with a Chumby emulation that can be run manually or set to go off automatically whenever the wedge is docked. It can also be used as a sort of remote control thanks to the integrated IR emitter and remote control software. There will be easy DLNA sharing, compatibility with the company's newly unified Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services, a pair of custom keyboards with word prediction (one with a number pad) and a bunch of other odds and ends that, by and large, have cool purple icons.

The most exciting addition in the software front, without a doubt, is the inclusion of the PlayStation Suite. PlayStation Certification makes the Tablet S the first tablet capable of playing PlayStation and PSP games via the included emulator (Crash Bandicoot and Pinball Heroes are included), and this is definitely an area where the thing can stand ahead of the competition. However, it's disappointing that the company didn't take advantage of this situation by throwing some real gaming controls on here (that chubby binder edge has plenty of room for L1, L2, R1 and R2 -- if not more), and of course the PlayStation Suite continues to have a hugely disappointing selection of games. But, perhaps that'll change in the weeks between now and the release.

Camera

We're still not ready to give up our cameras and start capturing social events with slate devices such as this one, but should you find yourself at a birthday party with only a Tablet S, rest assured that those annual wishes will look decent. The five megapixel shooter on the back captures bright, clear (if a bit washed out) images that are reasonably presentable. Video, too, looked more than adequate, but came through largely without the accompaniment of audio -- despite recording on a rather noisy Manhattan street. We'll put that one down to software, too.

Sony Tablet S samples

Wrap-up

As this is not final software we simply can't draw a definitive conclusion of the whole package. But, looking at the hardware alone, it's hard to not smile at the Sony Tablet S. In a world of interchangeable rectangular slabs of glass (and patent litigation to match) it's genuinely pleasing to see something so different. The problem is, it's just different -- not necessarily better. Yes, the wedge works in some situations, but it's unhelpful in others. Instead of a confident step forward in tablet design it's more of a hop to the side with a little twist.

Beyond that, the flimsy feel of the device just doesn't inspire confidence about the thing's durability, and the few scuffs on our screen -- though small -- are disconcerting given the existence of technology that makes displays seemingly impervious to attack. Especially given the price here: $499 for the 16GB model or $599 for 32GB, both shipping in a few weeks.

So, as with all Honeycomb tablets, it basically comes down to whether this one is clearly better than the identically priced Galaxy Tab 10.1. While we'll withhold our definitive judgement until we get final software, we will say say what we've seen so far is not clearly better -- even if it is clearly different

Samsung's Series 7 Slate PC

And you thought Samsung was finished showing off its Series 7 line of PCs. Joining the gaming rig and its smaller laptop brethren is a brand new Series 7 Slate running Windows 7. It sports a 400 nit, 1366 x 768 11.6-inch capacitive panel, Intel's 1.6GHz Core i5 2467M CPU with integrated graphics and 4GB of RAM. On the front there's a 2 megapixel camera and a light sensor, and around the back sits a 3 megapixel shooter. Connectivity comes courtesy of 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, plus there's a USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI, and a SIM slot for surfing waves of 3G (no word on which carrier will send those swells of data, though). Each slate also comes with a capacitive stylus, but will also have Swype on board plus a custom software layer to make Windows a bit more finger-friendly.

It comes in four versions that differ in storage size and flavor of Windows, but all are .5 inches thin, weigh 2.03 pounds, and are swathed in brushed aluminum. There are 64GB SSD variants packing Home Premium for $1,099 or Pro for $1,199, while the 128GB models come with Home Premium, a dock and keyboard for $1349 or Pro sans the peripherals at the same price. They're all scheduled for a late September release, so it won't be long before you can pick one up. Looking to take the tablet plunge into Windows waters? Read on past the break for our impressions of Sammy's new slate.

Samsung Series 7 Slate PC

We got to spend some time with Samsung's newest slate, and we found it to be an intriguing device. We were impressed by both the display's brightness and its responsiveness to finger swipes and taps. The stylus also worked quite well, as the screen picked up its movements once the tip was half an inch from the surface. Plus, there was a little diamond indicator that popped up and tracked the pen's movements to aid the accuracy of our taps. We didn't get to delve too deeply into the custom software layer Samsung installed, but we can say that the larger icons and swipe-able screens made for an experience familiar to any iOS or Android user.

We also got to see the optional dock and keyboard, and thought both of them to be worthy additions to the tablet experience. The dock, which has HDMI, Ethernet and USB ports, has a solid heft to it, and is coated in the same brushed aluminum as the slate itself. The Bluetooth keyboard is razor thin, and the keys were satisfyingly clicky. Overall, we can see the appeal here -- tablet portability with full Windows functionality. However, at such steep prices, we'll have to wait and see if folks just buy a netbook and a Galaxy Tab 10.1 or an iPad instead.

Sony Ericsson announces Xperia arc S at IFA, coming in October

Sony took to the stage at IFA 2011 to unveil its latest handset, the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S. It appears to be a refresh of the original that was launched earlier this year. The super-slim device just got a few bumps in features, including a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor and an 8.1 megapixel camera with an Exmor R sensor that includes a "3D sweep panorama" mode, which offers the ability to take 2D (read: not stereoscopic) images and convert them into 3D. The new device will offer a similar 4.2-inch Reality Display that we've seen in the original Arc, and will be available in five colors globally this October. Click on past the break for the company's official presser.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

Facebook to launch music service on September 22

The headline's about all we know at the moment, but CNBC is now confidently reporting that Facebook is set to launch a music service of some sort on September 22nd, which conveniently lines up with the company's F8 developer conference. Could that service also include a dash of Spotify? Maybe some Vibes? We'll be there to find out.

Sony VAIO S Series review

It's sad to say, but most of you who are going back to school have probably already returned by now -- though if you're in class right this moment you should probably be paying attention. If you managed to get back to campus without bringing a new laptop along, you might just want to keep reading -- Sony's just released a 15.5-inch addition to its VAIO S Series that not only adds a crucial bit of extra display acreage, but also bumps things up to a full 1080p.

Yes, this is a laptop that can not only be configured with a Blu-ray drive but has enough pixels to do the resulting footage justice, meaning it could make a passable player for movie night. But, does it have the chops to do your workload justice? Is it worth the $1,000 minimum asking price, at least a $100 premium over Sony's 13-inch models? Join us as we find out.

Sony VAIO S-Series (15-inch)

Look and feel

The new 15-inch S Series definitely carries a lot of design DNA from its smaller SA and SB siblings. If it were closed and you were standing far away, or perhaps aren't so very good at judging the size of things, you'd have a hard time telling them apart. It shares the same thickness as the 13.3-inch SB we recently reviewed and shares the same angularish design, same magnesium alloy case, and same gigantic, swoopy VAIO logo in chrome on the back of the lid. Proud of your brand choice? You best be.

Open things up and you start to see some differences, most notably in the keyboard area. The extra footprint meant Sony had room to stuff a full number pad in here. This of course will be a boon for future and current CPAs, but the result is an offset QWERTY portion that some may find is not quite worth the compromise. Indeed, sitting slightly off-center from your laptop's display can leave everything feeling slightly askew.

Build quality in general left us with some misgivings, as with the SB. Sony touts the durability of its magnesium alloy case, but it makes an even bigger deal of its lightness. Indeed the 4.4-pound weight is more than acceptable for a laptop this size, but with this comes a feel that, to us, doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence.

Press on the keyboard and it flexes inward, and when you lift the screen open it bows precariously. Sony indicated this was by design, arguing that flexibility ultimately offers more strength than rigidity when it comes to protecting the hinge, but it's still not a perception that leads to a high-end feeling device. We'd rather Sony just built a better hinge.

The company did see fit to offer a satisfying array of connectivity options that includes a full three USB ports on the right side, one of them offering the unmistakable blue hue that can only mean USB 3.0. You'll also find a full-sized HDMI port for some digital video, a VGA port for those who like to keep it analog, Ethernet, and a pair of card readers: SD and the separate MagicGate. On the left you'll find the optical drive, a BD-ROM in our case, but purchasers will be bale to choose between a selection of readers and writers.

Keyboard and trackpad

As mentioned above, moving up to the 15.5-inch model nabs you a numberpad to the right of a full-sized, backlit Chiclet keyboard. The island-style design is basically unchanged from the SB in terms of key layout and feel, which means matte keys that match the overall design of the device stylistically. They also have the weight and springy feel that we felt on the SB, meaning they do require a bit more force to hit, but not enough to be a bother. The typing experience is simply a bit more alive than on, say, a MacBook Pro.

The trackpad is quite different-feeling than the usual Apple offerings as well, most notably by eschewing the clickpad trend. Indeed the touchpad does not depress, that functionality handled by a pair of buttons below. The buttons have good weight and feel, but we can't find anything positive to say about the trackpad. For normal dragging and moving of the cursor it does just fine, but two-finger scrolling and other gestures were more often ignored than obeyed, no matter how we tweaked settings.

Display and sound

When it comes to displays, more pixels is almost always better than fewer pixels, and if we're all in agreement there we can start by saying the 15.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 display here is better than the 1,366 x 768 unit on the 13.3-incher. That's 1080p, or Full HD as Sony likes to call it, and it'll give you plenty of room whether you're multi-tasking with a few spreadsheets or mono-tasking with Akira on Blu-ray.

Regardless of duty we found the contrast ratio and viewing angles to be very good, only dipping slightly when we went off axis vertically, but delivering good viewing angles from the sides. It's a matte display, for which we're thankful, and this is the single, standard offering on the 15.5-inch S Series models. You won't need to pay extra to step up to 1080p. You can also stream video wirelessly courtesy of the integrated Wireless Display 2.1 tech from Intel, which manages 1080p sans cabling -- though you'll probably need to buy an adapter for your TV.

We do wish you could pay extra to get better sound, though. For a laptop this size we'd have expected a decent audio experience, but like the SB we're left feeling really disappointed. The speakers are loud enough to fill a modest size room, but even though you can hear it you won't necessarily like what's making its way through your ears. Sound is tinny and it simply sounds like the speakers built in here are struggling -- which they are.

Performance and graphics

Our machine came with a standard configuration of an Intel Core i5-2430M processor running at 2.4GHz. That's paired with 6GB of memory and dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics with 1GB of memory sitting along side the integrated Intel stuff.

For general tasking and work we found this combination to be well more than adequate, multi-tasking with aplomb. Blu-ray plays full-screen without a hitch, as you'd expect, and full-screen HD content from elsewhere is no issue. Bootup times are reasonably fast (50 seconds) and overall it's a machine that won't leave you wanting, though it didn't exactly shine on the general-purpose Vantage test. It earns solid marks in its class on the more gaming-friendly 3DMark06, however.

	PCMarkVantage	3DMark06	Battery Life
15-inch Sony VAIO S series (2.40GHz Core i5-2430M, AMD Radeon HD 6630M)	5,632	6,898	3:59 (stamina mode) / 8:58 (stamina mode, slice battery)
Acer TimelineX AS5830TG-6402 (2.3GHz Core i5-2410M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M)	6,475	5,330	6:25
Dell XPS M15z (2.7GHz Core i7-2620M, NVIDIA GeForce GT525M)	8,023	7,317	3:41 (Optimus disabled) / 4:26 (Optimus enabled)
HP Pavilion dv6t (2.3GHz Core i5-2410M, Intel HD Graphics 3000)	6,563	5,818	2:42
2011 HP Envy 14 (2.3GHz Core i5-2410M, Intel HD Graphics 3000 / AMD Radeon HD 6630M)	6,735	7,214	3:55
Notes: the higher the score the better. For 3DMark06, the first number reflects score with GPU off, the second with it on.

Battery life

As usual, Sony thoughtfully includes a little switch right above the keyboard that lets you toggle instantly between "Stamina" and "Speed" modes, automatically re-configuring Windows to different settings and, as you'd expect, disabling the dedicated graphics card. We did our testing in Stamina mode, as this is probably the state you'll be in when roaming far away from power ports.

In this mode, and during our video rundown test with WiFi on and the display brightness set to 65 percent, the laptop managed one minute short of four hours. Not bad, but not great. With the $150 optional sheet battery slapped on the bottom we more than doubled that. The slice adds a considerable amount of thickness to the device but, it must be said, not a great amount of extra weight, making it a solid accessory choice for anybody whose flights are the type that usually entail more than one connection -- and whose carry-on or personal item is big enough to accomodate this thing.

Handily, that slice can be charged on its own, even when not attached to the laptop, but you'll need to pack a matchbox-sized adapter to do so.

Configuration options

We don't have final pricing on all configuration options yet, but the 15-inch S Series will start at "around $1,000" according to Sony. On the processor front you have an array of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 silicon available to you, but choices from the latter two groups of dual-core offerings will be most common. Your selection there can be paired with dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics with 1GB of VRAM, which again is disabled when flipping that power switch from Speed to Stamina.

Multiple storage options will be available, with up to 1TB of storage and some solid state offerings too. Our machine has 6GB of memory onboard and a Blu-ray reader, but we're told writers will be on offer as well.

Software

The 15.5-inch S Series comes with largely the same configuration as on the earlier SB. The most immediately notable thing is the VAIO Gate software, a swoopy, wave-like application launcher that hides beneath the upper bezel of your display and flows down when you mouse over it. You can put application shortcuts up there and watch them go.

There's a suite of other VAIO-branded apps, including support apps launched via the dedicated "VAIO" button on the keyboard. You'll also find Norton Internet Security, which will be throwing yellow-bannered warnings in your face from the first time you boot into the machine, but it's BYO productivity suite, as the Office 2010 install here prompts you to buy a license the first time you click on it.

Wrap-up

The 15-inch VAIO S Series from Sony is a solid step forward compared to the 13-inch models in many regards, but not enough so that we can say it's the conclusively better buy. Yes, having a bright, clear 1080p screen is a huge advantage, but the increase in footprint is of course not for everybody, nor will the hour you lose in plug-free running.

In terms of cost it's just $100 more to step up to this bigger model, but more of a premium compared to options like the $800 Acer TimelineX AS5830TG-6402, and for that money you're getting decidedly worse battery life (without the slice, at least). Is it worth the extra cost for that plus a better screen and shinier design? Well, how long do you need to go between recharges, exactly?

HTC Jetstream es el siguiente tablet

AT&T, la operadora que lo sacará en EEUU, ya ha dado suficientes datos para hacernos una idea de cómo es el HTC JetStream que probablemente sea presentado de forma oficial por el fabricante y no por la operadora de turno en el marco de la feria IFA que ya está que arde en Berlín.
Del HTC JetStream se conoce por ejemplo que su pantalla será de 10.1 pulgadas y dispondrá de un potente doble núcleo a 1.5 GHz, además de conectividad LTE o 4G.
El tablet HTC Jetstream no presumirá de poco grosor ni reducido peso, pero no son malos los datos que hablan de poco más de 12 mm de grosor y 708 gramos de peso para esos valores que llaman la atención de un tablet hoy en día.

La batería de 7.300 mAh, la cámara principal de 8 megapíxeles con grabación de vídeo a 1080p y la tecnología HTC Scribe con lápiz óptico opcional son otros datos que ya se conocen de este nuevo tablet de HTC.
Como sistema operativo nos encontraremos Android 3.1 pero con la novedad de que estará personalizado con la nueva interfaz HTC Sense. Deseando estamos poder ver qué ha logrado hacer HTC con su buena interfaz para teléfonos en el formato tablet. Seguramente mañana podamos salir de dudas.

Sony Tablet P

El segundo tablet Android de Sony es más un concepto diferente que un tablet al uso. La doble pantalla del Sony Tablet P dará seguro mucho que hablar y es imposible pasarla por alto.
El Sony Tablet P es una apuesta arriesgada por parte de los japoneses, pues a su formato distinto hay que unir sus menores especificaciones y precio más alto que el Sony Tablet S, que a todos los efectos nos parece una solución mejor lograda y con más futuro en el mercado actual.

Sony Tablet P, doble pantalla para usarlo de forma diferente

Más pequeño y manejable resulta sin duda el Sony Tablet P gracias al uso de pantallas de 5.5 pulgadas que se pueden plegar para llevar este equipo cómodamente en el bolsillo.
A medio camino entre un teléfono y un tablet grande, este Sony Tablet P juega con la doble pantalla táctil de 5.5 pulgadas y resolución de 1024×480 píxeles que le dan todo el sentido.

Lo más atractivo de la idea de Sony es que podemos dar un uso diferente a cada pantalla si así lo deseamos, por ejemplo viendo un vídeo en la de arriba y controlando la reproducción en la de abajo, o no tener que compartir la misma pantalla entre el correo que estoy escribiendo y el teclado virtual. Habrá que comprobar cuando lo probemos si esa funcionalidad puede usarse para gestionar la multitarea, es decir, tener dos aplicaciones diferentes al mismo tiempo.
También la doble pantalla dará la sensación de que estamos leyendo un libro electrónico al poder usar las dos como páginas independientes.
Por cierto, al igual que el modelo Tablet S, este Tablet P mejora el rendimiento de sus dos pantallas con la tecnología truBlack, que controlando la refracción de la luz entre el panel LCD y la pantalla de cristal, proporciona colores más vivos y negros más profundos. Además, dice que reduce los reflejos cuando usamos el tablet en exteriores.

Lo reducida de las pantallas hace que este Sony Tablet P tenga unas dimensiones contenidas pero condicionadas a su formato diferente. Abierto, mide 180×14×158mm, mientras que cerrado se queda en 180×26×79 mm. El peso sí que es un buen dato: 372 gramos.

Con el interior y servicios de los grandes tablets

Entrando ya en materia de especificaciones puras y duras, el interior de este Sony Tablet P no es muy diferente del de otros tablets con Android. En su interior late un Nvidia Tegra 2 a 1 Ghz controlado por Android 3.2, ya que solo hay versión con 3G y WiFi juntos.
La mala noticia viene en la parte de la memoria interna, que es de solo 4 GB ampliable con tarjetas microSD, cuya ranura acompaña al puerto microUSB, la conectividad Bluetooth, y los diferentes sensores, además de la webcam de 0.3 megapíxeles y la principal de 5 millones. En este caso no hay funcionalidad de mando a distancia por infrarrojos.

En autonomía, pese a lo pequeñas de sus pantallas (eso sí, dos al fin y al cabo), nos ha dejado un poco decepcionado las 6 horas que aguanta el tablet en modo de navegación WiFi (solo 4.6 tirando de 3G). En modo vídeo subimos a 6.5 horas y en música 16.8. Nos parecen datos flojos para un tablet que precisamente busca ser muy viajero.
Y hablando ya de servicios, todos los que hemos incluido en el Sony Tablet S están presentes en este modelo, incluido la certificación Playstation, aunque habrá que ver si los desarrolladores de juegos toman nota de la doble pantalla para sacarle provecho.

Sony Tablet P, precio y disponibilidad

El nuevo Sony Tablet P se hará más de esperar que su hermano menor. El único modelo, con WiFi+3G y 4 GB de memoria interna, saldrá a partir de noviembre con un precio de 599 euros.

Sony Tablet S

El primer tablet con Android de Sony ya es oficial. El Sony Tablet S, que es como se llama, empieza su andadura ya queriendo ser diferente en el diseño. Y lo consigue.
La forma asimétrica del Sony Tablet S tiene su razón de ser en la búsqueda de una comodidad de uso a la hora de leer y consumir contenido multimedia, pues el peso del tablet debería recaer en la mano y dar una sensación menor de peso total, además de que cuando lo colocamos sobre la mesa, se levanta ligeramente para facilitar la visión, como si de un soporte muy pequeño se tratara.

Sony Tablet S, por fin tenemos tablet Android de Sony

Se ha hecho de esperar pero ya está con nosotros el primer tablet Android de Sony. Su pantalla es de 9.4 pulgadas, con resolución de 1280×800 píxeles.
El resultado en medidas del Sony Tablet S es un grosor de 10.1 mm en su parte más delgada (20.6 en la del “soporte” integrado) y un peso de 598 gramos (625 el modelo 3G)

Este tablet de Sony está gobernado por un procesador Nvidia Tegra 2 de 1 Ghz y controlado todo por la versión 3.1 de Android, que es la que viene de serie en los modelos WiFi. La 3G ya integrará la 3.2, aunque desde Sony confirman que los primeros se podrán actualizar a su debido tiempo.
En el apartado de conexiones, este Sony Tablet S viene con WiFi, bluetooth 2.1, ranura para tarjetas de memoria SD, puerto microUSB 2.0, salida de auriculares y doble cámara, una frontal de 0.3 megapíxeles y otra trasera de 5 millones de píxeles de resolución. Además, el tablet es compatible con DLNA.

Si hablamos de autonomía, el tablet de Sony asegura 8 horas en modo general, pero siendo más específico, para reproducción de vídeo aguantaría 6 horas, un poco más en navegación web con WiFi, así como 430 horas en espera y 31 horas escuchando solo música.

Sony Tablet S, el secreto está en los contenidos

No se ha cansado Sony de repetir que la diferencia entre su tablet y los demás, con especial mención al iPad 2 de Apple, hay que buscarla en los contenidos. ellos son especialistas en ello, dicen, y lo han demostrado con la inclusión de diferentes programas creados exclusivamente para sus dos tablets con Android:

• Social Feed Reader, que une en una sola aplicación las actualizaciones de Facebook, Twitter y un cliente RSS.
• Music Player, con creación de listas inteligente o enviar en streaming a otros equipos DLNA.

• Video Player, lo mismo que Music Player pero con vídeo. Destaca el enlace directo con los Bravia TV.

En la parte de contenidos, además de videojuegos Playstation, pues es un tablet certificado para ello, el Sony Tablet S tendrá acceso directo a la tienda de libros electrónicos de Sony, servicio de almacenamiento en la nube Personal Space y los nuevos Video y Music Unlimited.
Su afición por codearse con otros equipos y servicios de Sony se remata con la función de mando a distancia personalizable gracias a su modo infrarrojos.

Sony Tablet S: precio y disponibilidad

El nuevo Sony Tablet S en versión WiFi estará disponible en Europa a finales del mes de septiembre, con fechas diferentes según cada país. Su precio será de 479 y 579 euros para los modelos de 16 y 32 GB respectivamente.
El modelo Sony Tablet S con 3G llegará en noviembre con una sola configuración de 16 GB de memoria interna y un precio de 599 euros.

Como no podía ser menos, también hay gama de accesorios para el Sony Tablet S, compuesto por un adaptador AC, protector de pantalla, varias fundas de transporte y un indispensable: teclado bluetooth.