Up close with Sony's S1/S2 tablets (photos)
We break down the features on the newly announced Sony Tablet S1 and S2, both of which are powered by Android 3.0 and have dual cameras and other compelling features.
S1 and S2
At long last, Sony has thrown its hat into the tablet ring, announcing two models on Tuesday code-named S1 and S2. The S1 is aimed at media consumption, while the dual-screen S2 is suited for communication (but can still play media).
Both tablets will feature responsive touch screens, Android 3.0, Wi-Fi, WAN (3G/4G), and a variety of Internet services. A "swift" Web browser promises faster loading times for Web sites on slower wireless connections (most likely borrowed technology from Opera, which has collaborated with Sony's Web browsers before). They will also be fully compatible with Adobe Flash (like other Honeycomb tablets).
The devices will become available worldwide starting in the fall.
S1 display
'Favorites' area
While the S1 runs Android 3.0, there's little doubt Sony will offer customized plug-ins for the operating system. Here, we can clearly see a "Favorites" area that aggregates several social feeds, such as Facebook and Twitter, into a magazine-style layout. To the right, there is easy access to recently added/bookmarked music, books, games, movies, pictures, and so on.
There's also a front-facing camera for video calls, presumably through Skype (which is already available on several 2011 Sony products). It's also compatible with PlayStation Suite, a newly launched service that allows consumers to play PlayStation 1 games.
S1 buttons
Side view of S1
Textured surface
Dual screens
S2 screens
The screens on the S2 can be used together or independently. They can also rotate to a portrait mode of sorts, allowing users to view e-books like real books.
During its official announcement, the Japanese company showed a user playing the game Crash Bandicoot with the controls on the bottom screen and the top screen displaying the game. Sony also used both screens to display a Web page.