Will Sony’s New Tablets Have an Edge Against iPad?

By Jillian | September 1, 2011 | 10 comments

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With Sony starting to take orders on their new Sony S tablet, all eyes are focused on how it might compete with the iPad as well as the existing Android tablets on the market.

Certainly Sony has the brand recognition and corporate weight to provide a compelling argument to choose their products, but how do they stack up against Apple’s tablet?

The Sony S tablet, running Android 3.1, features a 9.4″ screen that is similar in size to the most popular choices currently available. It also features a Nvidia Tegra 2 processor much like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Asus Eee Pad Transformer. This, combined with front and rear cameras and a host of other expected features means that on paper this tablet is a reasonable entry into the market.

Sony feels strongly that they can edge out the iPad with their offer of full integration with the music, video, gaming and digital book sides of the company. Certainly they have an edge in the gaming market with their highly successful PlayStation brand, but how that will translate into tablet functionality remains to be seen.

With Samsung tied up in legal battles versus Apple currently, even resulting in a halting of sales in some parts of Europe, Sony may be right on time with the delivery of their device. Especially with HP having withdrawn, those consumers not wanting an iPad might very well be looking for a new option. Not to mention, Sony is a name most of us feel we can trust.

Pre-orders for the Sony S tablet began on August 31, 2011 with expectations that the device will ship in September. Pricing for the devices is directly in line with those of the iPad, with the 16GB model selling for $499 and the 32GB model available at $599.

Sony is also launching a Sony P tablet later this fall that promises to be a bit more innovative, featuring two screens that fold together much like a book.

[via Bloomberg]

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About Jillian: A professional. A geek. Writer. Music fanatic. Creative. Thoughtful. Programmer. Educated. Outgoing. Thrill seeker. Realistic. Optimist. Clever. Sarcastic. Not typical. Contact me on Twitter: @codeGoddess

http://www.tablet2cases.com/ Tablet Cases

if sony allows these tabs to be used as a bridge device between their TVs and desktops, then you could potentially have the ultimate all-in-one experience. image moving content from the tablet straight to your TV screen in one flick. or from computer to tablet. maybe thats the future

Anonymous

Try looking up AirPlay.

http://www.tablet2cases.com/ Tablet Cases

yes, buy an airplay and then buy a mac and everything that only works with it.
or, i can keep all the PC & sony stuff and hope that sony gets their act together?

Anonymous

I have a feeling they’ll do great! =) despite the media backlash

http://twitter.com/pg_roberto PG_Roberto

they certainly have a good chance of eating some market share… The apps ecosystem is not there yet. we will have to monitor how that progresses… sony must build up and cater to developers quickly…

Anonymous

I have a feeling they’ll do great! =) despite the media backlash
Anonymous

There still isn’t an iPod killer, and it’s been 10 years!

Anonymous

10 years?

You do know they speak of the pad, not the pod

Callmericardo

Sorry I should have explained myself a bit better. I remember when the iPod was released and everyone talked about who would release an mp3 player that would rival it, but 10 years later the iPod is still the best seller and the majority of people’s first choice by a long way. I can see the iPad being similarly successful. Hope that makes sense.

http://twitter.com/jillianTBD Jillian Halayka

You make a good point. When I was thinking ‘trust’ I was speaking more to the hardware than software, but I should have considered both. I was also one of the PSN ‘victims’, but I have to say that even so… I -love- my Sony Bravia TV.