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Sony S1 and S2 tablet photos show off titillating turned-off mode

We've been given a glimpse of Sony's new S1 and S2 Android tablets, although only through protective glass and without the displays turned on. Still, flick through our photos to admire the new hardware.

Luke Westaway
Luke Westaway is a senior editor at CNET and writer/ presenter of Adventures in Tech, a thrilling gadget show produced in our London office. Luke's focus is on keeping you in the loop with a mix of video, features, expert opinion and analysis.
Luke Westaway
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Sony has given us a sneaky peek at its new Android tablets, the S1 and the dual-screened S2 -- but only with the devices turned off, and from behind journalist-proof glass.

We're itching to get our hands on Sony's first stab at an Android tablet, but we'll just have to wait a little longer. In the meantime, though, flick through our photos above to admire the S1 and the S2 in all their glossy black beauty.

S1

The S1 tablet rocks a 9.4-inch display, and will ship running Android 3.0 Honeycomb with Sony's skin on top. There's going to be a Wi-Fi-only version and one that supports 3G. The tablet boasts a striking design that puts us very much in mind of a paperback book with the spine folded over.

We suspect that's the look Sony's going for. It's definitely different. While we weren't able to touch the S1, Sony told us that the thicker part of it is weightier, making it easier to hold in one hand. Perhaps it will prove ideal for reading ebooks.

S2

The S2 is quirkier. It features two 5.5-inch screens joined along a central hinge, so the whole shebang folds up clamshell-style, just like the Nintendo 3DS. Like the S1, it'll ship running a skinned version of Honeycomb.

The S2 will come in only one version, supporting both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity.

What's not clear yet is how the Honeycomb interface will be divided across the two displays. We've been told that certain apps will work with the dual screens, splitting the interface cleverly across the two halves. We'd imagine these will be the Sony-built apps available at launch.

We're hoping the S2 doesn't fall victim to the software woes that plagued the equally unconventional Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. But we'll have to wait and see.

If you're gagging for more visual stimulation, an Italian blog recently posted a slew of photos and videos of the two tablets in action, as we reported yesterday. We've also heard that the S1 will be getting a pre-order date of 1 September.

Are you interested to see what Sony can do with Android? Or are you more excited about the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the iPad 2? Let us know in the comments section below, or on our Facebook wall

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Here's the S1 from the front.
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And from the side.
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The screen looks extremely glossy.
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And from the other side.
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A power switch and volume keys. Natty.
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Here are a headphone jack, and a concealed port that we'd imagine hides a USB port. Note also the rubber nubs for laying the S1 down on a table.
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It's a good-looking machine. But we're desperate to see it switched on...
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The unusual shape could be a winner. Let us know what you think of it.
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Here's the back of the S1.
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And a gorgeous angled shot. We want to get our hands on this tablet.
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This is the dual-screened S2.
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That circular hole is where you'll plug in a power adaptor, which makes us think the S2 might not charge via USB.
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The port selection is hidden away.
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It looks incredibly futuristic, but will the software be as classy?
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We love the little indent in the lip for easy opening, and the way the screen sits flush with the casing.

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