Skip to main content

Sony poised to take on Apple with release of two tablet computers

Sony TabletsWell, it’s been a long time coming, but on Tuesday in Tokyo, Sony unveiled its first touch tablet computers, scheduled for a worldwide release in the fall of this year. This places the company in an increasingly crowded market, and one which Apple’s iPad continues to dominate.

Two models have been introduced, the S1 and S2. Both will be running the Android 3.0 OS. The S1 tablet has a 9.4-inch display, whereas the S2 features two 5.5-inch displays, which can be folded to make a compact unit. Both models appear to be equipped with cameras, although no mention is made of this on the company’s website.

Recommended Videos

Indeed, a spec list for the new tablets is noticeable by its absence. In a statement on the company’s website, Sony says: “Based on decades of engineering heritage, Sony is developing two tablets with unprecedented design.” These two words could be significant: “is developing.” It’s possible the company is still deciding on what exactly to put under the hood.

Sony S1 tablet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Looking at the images, the S1 has a design quite unlike any of the other tablets currently on the market. From the side, it has a tapered look, but on closer inspection it looks almost as if it’s a longer device that’s been bent double. In its statement, Sony refers to the S1’s unique design: “Its off-center of gravity design realizes stability and ease of grip as well as a sense of stability and lightness, offering comfortable use for hours.”

The S2’s dual screen will give users the option of carrying out multiple tasks, and also enables one half to function as a touch keyboard. Alternatively, the two screens can work together as a single display.

Sony S2 tablet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kunimasa Suzuki, Sony’s deputy president of the consumer products and services group, said, “The Sony Tablet delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time.”

The tablets certainly look stylish enough, but of course it’ll be easier to see where they fit in the market once we know their specifications and how they compare with other tablets already on the market.

Still, it’s good to finally see Sony announcing their intention to join the party. Let’s just hope the gifts they bring are worth playing with.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: the upgrade we’ve been waiting for?
Thre Flip 7 models next to each other

I never really thought that I'd want to go down the route of owning a flip phone, ever since I swore off my Nokia in the early 2000s (you know, the one with the weird felt covering and tiny notification window).

Fast forward two decades, and I'm considering rejoining the race, thanks to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. Coming in at $1,100, it's not cheap, but it's definitely something different compared to the world of black rectangles, and it it feels like Samsung’s Flip family has finally come of age.

Read more
I used the Galaxy Z Fold 7, here’s why I’m completely smitten
The back of the Galaxy Z Fold 7

We’ve waited several years for Samsung to join the party, but it’s finally here: Samsung has followed rivals like Oppo, OnePlus, and Honor in building a thinner, lighter, and sleeker Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s an impressive feat of engineering and a major upgrade over previous years.

It’s easy to consider the Fold 7 nothing more than an update to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but in many ways, it feels like a huge step forward, not just for Samsung but for all folding phones. I spent a few hours with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in an exclusive preview, and here’s why I absolutely love what Samsung has done this year.

Read more
I tried the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series – they’re sleek, but with a lot to prove
Watch 8 on a wrist

Trying out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic is a tough gig - not in terms of it being a hardship to try out two high-end models, but that it's impossible to assess them with only 30 minutes’ use.

I can easily talk about the improved design and the fit of the straps etc, but the real changes are within the health ecosystem, and they'll need sustained testing to really understand if they're any good.

Read more