Sony reveals tablet plans

The tablet market is due for a shake up and it's coming in the form of a couple of devices from Sony.

The company has so far resisted the temptations offered up by the tablet market but it has now announced that it is to launch two devices on the world, with UK shores due to welcome them this autumn.

Currently, the devices only come with codenames – S1 and S2 – and little information has been handed out by Sony beyond that. However, we do know that both devices will come armed with the Android 3.0 OS (Honeycomb) and they will also be WiFi and WAN (3G/4G) compatible.

The S1 will have a 9.4-inch display, while the S2 will feature a dual 5.5-inch display that can be folded for increased portability. This is likely to be the tablet grabbing most people's attention, with the dual displays allowing for a combined large screen or for performing different functions, for example video on one and control buttons on the other.

Sony's associated press release notes that the devices are for browsing the web, email and also accessing digital content such as videos, games and books through its premium network services. These include Qriocity, Sony's network platform launched last year, and the PlayStation Suite and Reader store.

At this stage, further details are thin on the ground but the company is right to be excited about the tablets' arrival.

“‘Sony Tablet’ delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time. We’re aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including ‘Sony Tablet’ with content and network,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, corporate executive, SVP, and deputy president of Sony's consumer products & services group.