Sony Tablet S Update Provides PS3 Controller Support

The Sony Tablet S is now receiving a software update that allows users to connect a PlayStation 3 wireless controller. Game on.

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Sony's strangely-shaped Sony Tablet S -- which is the first PlayStation-certified tablet on the market -- has reportedly received an update that allows the end user to connect their existing PlayStation 3 wireless controller to the tablet. To enable the connection, Tablet S owners will initially need to physically plug the controller into the tablet via the USB adapter. After the two are paired, the controller can be unplugged and used wirelessly.

According to reports, the update is just now starting to roll out, so Sony is hitting Japanese Tablet S devices first including the SGPT111JP / S, the SGPT112JP / S, the SGPT113JP / S, and the SGPT211JP / S models. Tablet S owners are also receiving a free download of an Ape Escape-themed mini-game bundle to celebrate the tablet/PS3 union.

Back in October, Sony announced that it threw open the PlayStation Store doors exclusively for the tablet, offering ten PSOne classics for $5.99 each including Destruction Derby, Jumping Flash, MediEvil, Wild Arms and more. "Installing the PS Store is easy," the company said in a blog. "Sony Tablet S owners will receive a notification letting you know that the PS Store has opened and is available for download. From there, simply follow the on-screen directions to download the PS Store App and start downloading games for the Sony Tablet S."

To date, the Sony Tablet S is the only PlayStation-certified device in the United States that can access PSOne games. The Xperia PLAY comes packed with Crash Bandicoot, but as of this writing, the PlayStation Suite is nowhere to be found. What's more, PSOne classics DO appear on the AndroidMarket, but they are available only for European customers. Local Xperia PLAY owners are currently relying on Gameloft and other Android developers to provide solid titles.

For those interested in purchasing a Sony Tablet S device, its list of specs include a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC clocked at 1 GHz, 32 GB or 16 GB of internal storage, an SD card slot for up to 32 GB of additional storage, a rear-facing 5MP camera, a front-facing 0.3MP camera, Bluetooth 2.1, DLNA compatibility and more. The 16 GB version costs $449.99 whereas the 32 GB model costs $549.99.