Sony today announced the market launch of its first two Sony Tablet
devices, the Android-powered Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P. The
company also announced a 6"eReader as well as a new VAIO S Series
laptop with an 15-inch full HD display.
Sony tablets
The Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P are both available for pre-sale
today and on shelves next month.
The Sony Tablet S device is optimized for rich media entertainment
on its 9.4-inch touchscreen display. It is powered by an NVIDIA
Tegra 2 mobile processor, features a high-resolution screen, Wi-Fi
compatibility and its weight is about 1.33 lbs.
Available later this year, the Sony Tablet P device has been
designed for mobile communication and entertainment. With its
folding design, two 5.5-inch displays and weight at about 0.83 lbs.,
it can easily fit into a pocket. It features the same NVIDIA Tegra 2
mobile processor and is both Wi-Fi compatible and 4G capable
exclusively on AT&T's mobile broadband network.
Both devices run on Android, Android 3.1 on Sony Tablet S devices
and Sony Tablet P devices will be equipped with Android 3.2 by the
time they ship. Both models feature front and rear facing cameras
that allow for video recording and capturing still images. The
devices also support micro USB interface and SD card.
Software taking advantage of the design of the Sony Tablet P device
allows its dual screens to be used for different functions
simultaneously such as playing video on one screen while using the
other as a controller or reading email on one screen while using the
other as a virtual keyboard. The displays can also be combined to
form a single large screen for Internet browsing and more. By
holding the device vertically, you can also read eBooks much in the
same manner you would a physical book.
Both Sony Tablet devices are equipped with Sony's TruBlack displays
which reduce reflection and glare from sunlight or fluorescent light
for high-contrast visibility both indoors and out.
A combination of Sony technologies, Quick view and Quick touch,
allow for faster loading of web pages, a responsive touch screen as
well as an intuitive user interface. The large keys of the virtual
keyboard take full advantage of screen real estate while
automatically adjusting to the task at hand. A numeric keypad pops
up when inputting passwords and word suggestions or auto word
complete make email and texting a breeze.
Both Sony Tablet devices come complete with access to a suite of
Sony's network entertainment services.
- Sony Entertainment Network services: Access to the latest Video
releases from every major movie studio to rent or own through Video
Unlimited. A pre-open campaign for the Sony Tablet devices will be
offered at device launch with limited content and more content will
continue to be released over time. Music Unlimited, available in
October, offers instant access to a global catalog of over 10
million songs from every major record label. A six month trial basic
membership from Music Unlimited and a free movie download from Video
Unlimited come with the purchase of each device.
- PlayStation Certified: Sony Tablet devices are the first
PlayStation Certified tablets that provide out-of-the-box gaming
with included favorites "Crash Bandicoot" and "Pinball Heroes."
- Reader Store: Access bestsellers, new releases, classics,
magazines and more from more than 2.5 million titles at Reader Store
by Sony.
- Personal Space by Sony: This free service allows you to share
pictures and videos captured on Sony Tablet devices. You can also
access albums that were previously uploaded from other devices.
With Sony Tablet devices, you can "throw" personal pictures and
video to DLNA compatible televisions with the touch of a button. You
can also throw music to compatible wireless speakers. The Sony
Tablet S device, which is equipped with infrared technology, can act
as a remote control for multiple home entertainment components such
as TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, cable and satellite boxes, and more.
The built-in Universal remote not only controls your Sony products,
but other brands as well. Both Sony Tablet devices are compatible
with the Media Remote app which allows you to control Sony devices,
including BRAVIA televisions, through Wi-Fi technology.
The Sony Tablet S device is available in both a 16 GB and 32 GB
version and will be sold at Sony Stores including online and other
authorized retailers in the U.S. for about $499 and $599,
respectively.
New VAIO S Series Laptop With 15 Inch Full HD Display
Sony also today unveiled an all new VAIO S Series laptop with a
15.5-inch Full HD 1080p display featuring a slim and light design
and optional sheet battery for all day mobility.
At just under 1-inch thin and 4.4 pounds, the 15.5-inch S Series is
easy to handle, while the Full HD display paired with Hybrid
Graphics allows for increased productivity. The new 15.5-inch model
is crafted with magnesium and aluminum materials for lightness. When
coupled with the advanced large-capacity optional sheet battery, you
can stay mobile and unplugged for up to 12 hours while also offering
a thin battery profile. Intelligent charging enables you to charge
the optional sheet battery separately from the PC and attach it to
the system at any time without shutting down.
Performance is top priority with the available second generation
Intel Core i7 processor. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the
processor increases speed automatically, delivering the performance
needed for multitasking. For quicker boot-ups, faster application
launches and overall maximum performance and ample storage, select
models are equipped with solid state drives and feature Quad RAID 0
technology up to 1TB. Security features include Trusted Platform
Module (TCG ver. 1.2 certified) and enhanced online security by
Symantec VIP Access technology.
AMD Radeon HD 6630 Hybrid Graphics card (select models) with 1GB
VRAM gives a premium visual experience and intense HD performance
without placing huge demands on the CPU. A performance switch lets
you choose between Speed mode for maximum power or Stamina mode for
optimized battery life.
The S Series laptop comes with one-touch VAIO, ASSIST and WEB
buttons, for launching Media Gallery software, VAIO Care support
software and access to the web without full boot-up into Windows,
all with a touch of a button.
The new 15.5 inch S Series also includes a built-in HD web camera
powered by an Exmor sensor as well as a built-in microphone.
The VAIO S Series is also equipped with a Blu-ray Disc drive
(select models). With Intel Wireless Display 2.1, you can sit back
and experience your favorite videos, photos and music on your TV.
Stop crowding around a laptop screen and view and share content from
your hard drive, home network or the Internet wirelessly on your
HDTV (adapter sold separately).
The new VAIO S Series 15.5 inch laptop PC will be available in
October at www.sony.com/sseries starting at about $1,000, and the
optional sheet battery at about $150.
Additionally, Sony is refreshing the existing 13.3 inch S Series
with the latest second generation Intel Core processors and will be
available at www.sony.com/sseries starting October 2, 2011.
New eReader
Sony also today announced the launch of a touch screen 6" eReader,
Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1). The new Reader Wi-Fi builds on the popularity
of last year's line, while reducing size and weight and
incorporating new features. At under 6 ounces and with a 6" E-Ink
Pearl V220 touch screen, Reader Wi-Fi is smaller than an average
paperback book, can easily fit into a bag or pocket and is available
in three color choices: black, red or white.
Reader Wi-Fi will also be the first eReader to offer wireless
connectivity to the public library system in the US and Canada via a
dedicated icon on the device to allow easy borrowing of free
e-books with a valid library card. Readers can access and download
over 2.5 million titles via a Wi-Fi connection from Reader Store or
shop from a wide range of bookstores and other websites that provide
books in digital formats compatible with Reader Wi-Fi, such as EPUB,
PDF and TXT.
Sony's first offer in collaboration with J.K. Rowling's Pottermore
website (www.pottermore.com) is a specially-created Reader Wi-Fi
with a Pottermore promotion (PRS-T1HBC) which includes a voucher
that enables Harry Potter fans to download free the first Harry
Potter eBook title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, from
Pottermore, when it becomes available.
Reader Wi-Fi will feature a glare-free Clear Dual Touch screen.
E-Ink Pearl electronic paper displays a high contrast image that is
easy to read for hours, even in direct sunlight. Book lovers can
touch the screen to choose a book, swipe a finger to turn the page,
zoom in and out by pinching fingers together or apart, tap and hold
a word to find its meaning or translate into one of the 5 supported
languages. On board are 12 dictionaries including 2 English language
(British/American) and 10 translation (to and from French, German,
Spanish, Dutch and Italian). Readers can even 'write' notes on the
page or highlight text with a finger or the supplied stylus - just
like a real book. With a battery life of over one month (3 weeks
with wireless on) and 2 GB of storage capacity (enough to hold about
1,200 eBooks), Reader Wi-Fi makes reading easier, virtually anytime
and anywhere.
Reader Wi-Fi offers users numerous options for customization. Users
can view collections of digital photos on-screen, plug-in headphones
to listen to stored music while reading, or change the image on the
front cover to the current title or to a favorite photo as a
screensaver when your Reader Wi-Fi is in standby mode. Users can
also personalize the reading experience by choosing from eight font
sizes and a choice of six font styles. Screen contrast and
brightness are easily adjusted for comfortable viewing in any
lighting condition.
Reader Wi-Fi (PRS-T1) and Reader Wi-Fi with Pottermore promotion
(PRS-T1HBC) are expected to be available October 2011 for about $149
at Sony Stores, online at http://store.sony.com, and other
authorized retailers.