AllThingsD: Sony Designs Tablet That’s Not an iPad Wannabe

kjk · 09-15-2011, 12:06 AM

http://allthingsd.com/20110914/sony-...-ipad-wannabe/

Quote:

I’ve been testing this device, called the Sony Tablet S, and I generally like it, despite some weaknesses and some features that aren’t yet fleshed out because they won’t be fully rolled out at launch. The Tablet S will appeal to buyers who would like a distinctive tablet from a trusted company that doesn’t look like an iPad wannabe.

Quote:

While Sony, like Apple, has long been praised for hardware design, it has never been able to match Apple in software and services, except on its PlayStation game consoles. The company is hoping the Tablet S changes that perception.

Sony's Playstation games on Android could be a nice differentiator.

Hellmark · 09-15-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

http://allthingsd.com/20110914/sony-...-ipad-wannabe/

Sony's Playstation games on Android could be a nice differentiator.

Sony already has some Android based devices that run classic Playstation games. Plus for a while now they've been talking about bringing classic Playstation games to Android for a while, and just today announced about a new SDK for doing so.

emellaich · 09-15-2011, 10:51 AM

The main item they talked about was the physical form factor. One edge is thicker, much like the spine of a magazine that was folded open. This s interesting because we had a discussion about this a year or so ago here on MR.

These ever thinner devices with thinner margins are not that comfortable to hold. A thicker edge would give you a firmer handgrip. The article also notes that it shifts the center of mass into your palm and so makes it feel lighter than it is.

boswd · 09-15-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emellaich

The main item they talked about was the physical form factor. One edge is thicker, much like the spine of a magazine that was folded open. This s interesting because we had a discussion about this a year or so ago here on MR.

These ever thinner devices with thinner margins are not that comfortable to hold. A thicker edge would give you a firmer handgrip. The article also notes that it shifts the center of mass into your palm and so makes it feel lighter than it is.

That and also the thinner they get the more connectivity sacrifices they have to make. I would rather have a tablet that is a half an inch in thickness with SD card slots, hdmi and usb ports as opposed to have one that is much thinner but lacking any ports.

I'm sorry a half an inch is not thick.

I do like the form factor on this Sony, and it gives you full sized ports I do believe.

kjk · 09-15-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Sony already has some Android based devices that run classic Playstation games. Plus for a while now they've been talking about bringing classic Playstation games to Android for a while, and just today announced about a new SDK for doing so.

What will be interesting to see is how locked down Sony keeps those games to their own devices.

Latinandgreek · 09-15-2011, 12:10 PM

I have played with the new Sony S tablet at my local Sony store and I was very impressed with it. I'm tempted to get one for my mom, I've been wanting to get her a tablet as a present. This one feels fantastic in the hand, and has a beautiful, responsive screen. I tried out "Crash Bandicoot" on the in store model, and it was comfortable to play on. Up until now I've found playing games with the on screen controllers on my iPad a bit uncomfortable, but the size of the on screen controller on the Sony S is adjustable.

Dulin's Books · 09-15-2011, 01:03 PM

i played crash the other day on it too. made me want to get out the old game an have a PlayStation day

luqmaninbmore · 09-15-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

That and also the thinner they get the more connectivity sacrifices they have to make. I would rather have a tablet that is a half an inch in thickness with SD card slots, hdmi and usb ports as opposed to have one that is much thinner but lacking any ports.

I'm sorry a half an inch is not thick.
.

Toshiba Thrive FTW!

Hellmark · 09-15-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

What will be interesting to see is how locked down Sony keeps those games to their own devices.

From the looks of things, they're gunning for the entire Android market.

kjk · 09-15-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

From the looks of things, they're gunning for the entire Android market.

Well, the entire Android market that is Playstation Certified:

Quote:

Through PS Suite SDK, content developers can create content for PlayStation™Certified (PS Certified) devices, hardware certified through the PS Suite license program, as well as for PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita).

Which right now consists of only Sony devices. But, they only announced the program 8 months ago, so maybe there are more manufacturers lined up.

Quote:

phones will require the newest "Gingerbread" release of Android, version 2.3.
And third, hardware makers must sign up for the PlayStation Certified license. Through it, device must pass tests "to ensure the delivery of PlayStation quality experience across various devices" before Sony will grant a license to use the appropriate logo.

Wonder if Sony makes money on the licenses as well.

SCION · 09-16-2011, 05:33 PM

I need to make the trek and check out one of these. The form factor seems appealing. Being comfortable to hold in portrait mode is key, as I'll primarily use it for reading. Up until now I haven't had a reason to finally sell my NOOKcolor. If it's as light as the iPad 2...hmmm.

pholy · 09-17-2011, 09:19 AM

I found the tablet easy to hold in one hand in portrait mode, and easy for two hands in landscape. It did not feel top heavy in landscape, as some people have predicted. It seemed more comfortable than the iPad-1 which I played with.

But I'm getting the PRS-T1 instead... if I get yet another reader

HarryT · 09-17-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

That and also the thinner they get the more connectivity sacrifices they have to make. I would rather have a tablet that is a half an inch in thickness with SD card slots, hdmi and usb ports as opposed to have one that is much thinner but lacking any ports.

I'm sorry a half an inch is not thick.

I do like the form factor on this Sony, and it gives you full sized ports I do believe.

A significant downside of the Sony is that its SD card slot can only be used for media transfer to and from the device; you can't, for example, play a movie on the device from an SD card. This seems like a peculiar design decision.

Dulin's Books · 09-17-2011, 12:02 PM

i cant imagine why that is- its bugged me since i first heard in reports from the launch.

but it also reminds me that xoom didnt have a working sd for some time and i believe there were others. so now im thinking there must be an android software compatibility problem .

Hellmark · 09-18-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

i cant imagine why that is- its bugged me since i first heard in reports from the launch.

but it also reminds me that xoom didnt have a working sd for some time and i believe there were others. so now im thinking there must be an android software compatibility problem .

None of the Android devices I've used has had a problem with it.

My guess, UI issues. They didn't make stuff to use multiple storage locations.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Video: Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P at IFA 2011	Charbax	News	14	09-11-2011 10:34 AM
Sony Tablet S and Tablet P Android Central	advocate2	Sony Reader	1	09-02-2011 09:04 AM
Oberon Designs leather book covers for Sony PRS	khalleron	Sony Reader	145	01-02-2011 12:32 PM
AllThingsD: Exclusive: HP’s Android Tablet Tabled	kjk	Android Devices	0	07-15-2010 11:44 AM
Possible Waterfield Designs Case for Sony Reader	ojleblanc	Sony Reader	6	06-15-2008 07:09 PM

09-15-2011, 10:51 AM	#3
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	The main item they talked about was the physical form factor. One edge is thicker, much like the spine of a magazine that was folded open. This s interesting because we had a discussion about this a year or so ago here on MR. These ever thinner devices with thinner margins are not that comfortable to hold. A thicker edge would give you a firmer handgrip. The article also notes that it shifts the center of mass into your palm and so makes it feel lighter than it is.

09-15-2011, 12:10 PM	#6
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I have played with the new Sony S tablet at my local Sony store and I was very impressed with it. I'm tempted to get one for my mom, I've been wanting to get her a tablet as a present. This one feels fantastic in the hand, and has a beautiful, responsive screen. I tried out "Crash Bandicoot" on the in store model, and it was comfortable to play on. Up until now I've found playing games with the on screen controllers on my iPad a bit uncomfortable, but the size of the on screen controller on the Sony S is adjustable.

09-15-2011, 01:03 PM	#7
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	i played crash the other day on it too. made me want to get out the old game an have a PlayStation day

09-16-2011, 05:33 PM	#11
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	I need to make the trek and check out one of these. The form factor seems appealing. Being comfortable to hold in portrait mode is key, as I'll primarily use it for reading. Up until now I haven't had a reason to finally sell my NOOKcolor. If it's as light as the iPad 2...hmmm.

09-17-2011, 09:19 AM	#12
pholy Booklegger Posts: 1,801 Karma: 7999816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Device: BeBook(1 & 2010), PEZ, PRS-505, Kobo BT, PRS-T1, Playbook, Kobo Touch	I found the tablet easy to hold in one hand in portrait mode, and easy for two hands in landscape. It did not feel top heavy in landscape, as some people have predicted. It seemed more comfortable than the iPad-1 which I played with. But I'm getting the PRS-T1 instead... if I get yet another reader

09-17-2011, 12:02 PM	#14
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	i cant imagine why that is- its bugged me since i first heard in reports from the launch. but it also reminds me that xoom didnt have a working sd for some time and i believe there were others. so now im thinking there must be an android software compatibility problem .