A direct link between Sony and tablet PCs has been lacking until now. This seems to be quickly fading, though for a company as big as Sony it has always been a matter of when and not if as far as tablets are concerned. We seem to be finally approaching the stage that will culminate into a killer tablet and something that would live up to the mighty Sony reputation.
So the rumor mill’s latest fad is all about a tablet code-named S1, which is reportedly getting its final shape under the watchful eyes of Sony engineers for a likely release this September. The tablet will have a 9.4 inch 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution capacitive display and comes in an interesting shape not seen before. One that is quite absurd as there is a pronounced bump along one side that may make the tablet ungainly in appearance but would let one to hold on to the device conveniently. It feels like an open paperback. However, if the form is indeed maintained it could become awkward for those who prefer to hold their device on the opposite side of the bump. That said, there is also an advantage with such a design. When the tablet is placed on table, it holds itself along an incline which will facilitate reading and on-screen typing. If you like the shape of the Notion Ink Adam, this would suit you as well.
Rumors also point out the S1 tablet will run on Android honey, though the default interface is being subjected to change so that there is something on top of the Honeycomb that Sony can identify themselves with more easily. For this, Sony has put together some of the best talents drawn from the VAIO, Reader, PlayStation, and Sony Ericsson team. The VAIO group is on the task right now, though the tablet may not come with a VAIO branding when launched.
The S1 will have within it a Tegra 2 processor and will include familiar components, such as cameras along the front and the back as well as an USB port. Another unique aspect with the S1 tablet is its integration with Sony’s very own Qriocity content store that has on offer almost everything that one might need. These include music, videos, games, and e-books. Of course being a Sony product, their other creation – Playstation – comes into the picture as the tablet will also be compatible with the classic game versions. In fact, the tablet is rumored to be almost one hundred percent Qriocity oriented.
Lastly, coming to the two important aspects – price and availability. While the latter is pegged to be around September 2011, the tablet is likely to be priced at around $599 for the Wi-Fi only version. This would serve as a benchmark as the 3G version will cost more than $600. Also, Sony isn’t officially confirming any of the facts mentioned herein. This is officially a rumor at best. The September release date is also some time away, which means there is a lot of time for more rumors to pop into the scene until the final product is released.
via engadget
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.
