Sony on Wednesday unveiled several new devices at the IFA conference in Berlin, including two tablets, an updated Reader device, and a new addition to its Xperia smartphone lineup.
On the tablet front, Sony debuted the Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P, both of which run Android Honeycomb and are based on an Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset.
The Sony Tablet S (pictured) features a 9.4-inch, 1280-by-800 screen. It has a rounded top edge that narrows to a much flatter bottom, which Sony said makes it feel like you're holding a magazine that's been folded back, facilitating one-handed access. There's an infrared emitter, allowing users to turn the tablet into a programmable remote control for home electronics.
The Wi-Fi-only Sony Tablet S will be available in mid-September at $499 for a 16GB model and $599 for 32GB. A desk cradle will cost $39, and a dedicated Bluetooth keyboard $79. For more, see PCMag's full hands-on with the Tablet S.
The Tablet P is a dual-screen, folding Android tablet that includes two 5.5-inch, 1024-by-480 screens. It feature a 5-megapixel camera on the outside and a VGA camera inside for video chat. It has 4GB of internal memory, but includes a full-size SD Card slot. There's also a MicroUSB input. It will connect to AT&T's network with an HSPA+ modem. For more, see PCMag's full hands-on with the Tablet P and the slideshow below.
Sony also gave its Reader lineup a little attention (below), unveiling an update to its ebook reader that actually combines its three models into one. Gone are the Pocket, Touch, and Dailymodels, leaving only the Reader Wi-Fi. The new device has a 6-inch, touch-screen E Ink Pearl display, weighs 6 ounces, and is only 0.35 inches thick.It has Wi-Fi built in, along with 2GB of internal storage. There are hardware buttons for turning pages, or you can just swipe on the screen. The Sony Reader Wi-Fi will be available in October, in black, red, and white, for $149.
Sony's other ploy with the launch of the new Reader is itspartnership with Pottermore, J.K. Rowling's new site dedicated to the Harry Potter ebooks. Sony will be offering a limited edition Potter-branded Reader Wi-Fi, which will come with a voucher letting buyers download the firstPotter ebook when it becomes available.
Smartphones were not left in the dark at this morning's press conference. Sony Ericsson also unveiled the Xperia Arc S, which Sony said was the fastest and most entertaining smartphone in its Xperia line to date. The Arc S has a 1.4-GHz processor (compared to the 1-GHz in the original Xperia Arc) and runs Android 2.3.
The Xperia Arc S features a 4.2-inch, 854-by-480 touch screen. It has 1GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32GB. It will be available in pure white, gloss black, misty silver, midnight blue, or sakura pink.
Sascha Segan and David Pierce also contributed to this story.
Sony Tablet P
The new Sony Tablet P is an unusual dual-screen Android Honeycomb tablet, with two 5.5-inch, 1024-by-480 screens.
Sony Tablet P Closed
The Tablet P will run on AT&T's HSPA+ 21 network. There's a 5-megapixel camera on the front, and a VGA camera inside for video chatting.
Sony Tablet P Edge
The Tablet P has an unusual oval form when it's closed. On the left side you'll find the volume buttons, headphone jack, and power port.
Sony Tablet P Market
Sony has customized many of the apps on the Tablet P. This custom app market, for instance, shows a gallery of apps on the bottom screen and more details on the top.
Sony Tablet P Media Player
The media player on the Sony Tablet P shows your video on the top screen and the controls on the bottom screen.
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