Sony today announced it will finally launch the 5.5in Tablet P in Australia; some six months after it appeared overseas. The company will also release the 3G version of the Sony Tablet S, with the existing Wi-Fi models receiving a price cut.
The Sony Tablet P is a folding dual-screened Android (3.2 Honeycomb) tablet that bares an uncanny resemblance to the Nintendo DS portable console. Measuring 22mm at its thickest point and weighing 368g, it's tailor-made for carrying around in a handbag or jacket pocket.
“The tablet market has evolved over the past 12 months and we know that design and functional ease-of-use are just as important to consumers as the software which drives our tablets,” said Kent Tanigaki, Sony Tablet Marketing Manager, Sony Australia. “...The Sony Tablet P is another example of our innovation in the category.”
Product highlights include two 5.5-inch TruBlack displays (which can be combined to form one screen or used independently of each other), a 1GHz A9 CPU, 4GB of onboard storage space, a MicroSD slot and USB port, inbuilt Bluetooth, 4.6 hours battery life and an incoming OS update for Android 4.0 (AKA Ice Cream Sandwich).
The Sony Tablet P will be available in Australia from mid-February for an RRP of $729.
We think you'll agree that this seems a bit steep; especially for such a small form factor (albeit two screens in one). But if you're looking for a tablet that's portable and completely different, it may be worth checking out. Stay posted for a full review, coming soon.
Sony Tablet S gets 3G
In addition to the Sony Tablet P, Sony will also be releasing the 3G version of its existing Sony Tablet S (currently, only the Wi-Fi version is available in Australia).
The Sony Tablet S is an Android 3.2 tablet whose main claim to fame is arguably the ability to play PlayStation games. It comes with Tegra 2, WiFi, a 9.4in screen, SD card slot, 5MP camera and a purported eight hours battery life. The new version is pretty much identical to the current Wi-Fi model, but adds 3G capability.
The new Sony Tablet S 3G will hit stores in March and will retail for $649. The currently available Wi-Fi version will drop to $499 and $599, for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. (Previously, these models had been sold for $579 and $689.)
You can find out more about the Sony Tablet S by reading our first-look review.
