Sony S1 to be badged Tablet S, ship in first half September
updated 02:05 pm EDT, Tue August 23, 2011
Sony Tablet S details leak out at last minute
Sony's S1 tablet has had some of its launch details spoiled just a week before it's expected to show. Now rechristened the Tablet S, the 9.4-inch slate should now be shipping with Android 3.1. Its support for remote controlling home theaters over IR was known, but Engadget has seen that it will now have a pseudo-AirPlay style "throw" over DLNA and should be groomed for Ice Cream Sandwich when it arrives.
The five-megapixel rear and three-megapixel cameras aren't exceptional, but Sony will step up and supply its own accessories. At least a wireless keyboard and an adapter to bring full-size USB are known to be part of the mix. With an IR blaster, the Tablet S itself will be an accessory that should control TVs, Blu-ray players, and other home theater hardware. Its display may be unique as its TruBlack resin layer may simultaneously reduce reflections while making colors richer.
Sony is known to be making the Tablet S a hub for all its services, including Qriocity music and video streaming and its Reader store. It will be one of the first devices, along with the S2, outside of the Xperia Play to support PlayStation Suite gaming.
The tablet is now not only believed to be unveiled just before the start of the IFA technology show in Berlin at the start of September but might be shipping soon afterwards. Documents have it arriving in the first two weeks of the same month. Pricing is considered the biggest question. Sony is often inclined to charge a premium but, because of the iPad, will have to charge $499 or less if it wants a 16GB Wi-Fi version to stay competitive.
