Consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to tablets these days. There’s the iPad 2, of course, but you’ve also got an assortment of Android tablets, in addition to cheaper alternatives like the Kindle Fire. In the world of Honeycomb tablets, though, it can sometimes be difficult to really differentiate between the different offerings. Sony is certainly giving it a try.

You might remember when we first previewed the Sony Tablet S and now we’ve got our hands on one for a more comprehensive review. How different is it compared to all the other Honeycomb tablets that are already out there? What sets it apart from the pack that would make you choose it over the others? Read on to find out.

Features at a Glance

On paper, the Sony Tablet S is going to sound a lot like the competitors. It gets its power from the standard NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, backed by 1GB of RAM and your choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. They’ve opted for a somewhat nonstandard 9.4-inch touchscreen, but most people will just place this in the same bin as the 10-inchers. One big differentiating feature is the inclusion of a full size SD card slot, whereas many other tablets go with microSD. That’s great for travel when you might take the photos from your camera and plunk the SD card in here for a bigger viewing experience.

Here’s a quick overview video that I put together that better illustrates some of these features.

The 5MP rear camera and VGA front camera do the job that they need to do, but they’re far from being the top of the league. Rounding out the specs are the usual array of WiFi, Bluetooth, microUSB and Flash support. There’s also infrared support, so you can control all of your home theater equipment with the right apps too.

The Folded Magazine Design

Another big way that Sony is trying to separate its Tablet S from the rest of the pack is with the physical design. Instead of going with a regular flat slate, the Tablet S has a unique “folded” design that is meant to mirror what you get when you open a page of a magazine and fold it over. This makes for a wedge-like profile.

In some ways, this works, since it creates a slight angle when you place the tablet on a flat surface. It also creates these indented grooves on the sides, so the buttons are less likely to be pressed accidentally. I’m not saying that it’s necessarily superior to the more conventional flat sides, but it does make the experience just a little different.

Everyday Performance and Benchmarks

Using the Sony Tablet S as an everyday device, I don’t have a lot in terms of deal-breaking complaints. Flipping between the different home screens and quickly scrolling through webpages isn’t quite as snappy as it could be, but it’s not so painfully slow as to render it frustrating. I tried a variety of media streaming apps, games, and so on to see how it stood up and the Tablet S is perfectly suitable.

In running it through the Quadrant Standard benchmark, though, I found that most of the scores ranged from about 1,550 to 1,750 or so. This isn’t so painfully useless, but it is toward the lower end of the spectrum. This is the same range as the Motorola Xoom, but a fair bit behind the 2100 range that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is able to achieve.

It’s possible that the ICS update could help this, but that’s all really conjecture at this point.

It’s a PlayStation Tablet…

Just like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play smartphone, the Tablet S comes with PlayStation certification. In the grand scheme of things, this really won’t make that much of a difference to most tablet users, but it does mean that this tablet is somewhat optimized for the Sony mobile gamer. And yes, I know that Angry Birds Seasons isn’t a PlayStation game.

Conclusion

What makes you special? It’s the question that we ask of just about every tablet that we see, since they’re all so similar. They come with different sized screens, but the processing power is roughly similar, as are battery life and general daily performance. You are stuck with a proprietary charging port, complete with a power supply brick, but most other Android tablets don’t charge over USB either. I do like the full size SD card slot, though, and the “folded” wedge design is growing on me.

The recent price cut might help a little, but just about every other manufacturer of Honeycomb tablets is doing much the same thing. At the end of the day, the Sony Tablet S is perfectly adequate, but it’s also not terribly special either.

It’s raining smartphones at the ongoing CES 2012 and Sony has also jumped in on the action with their latest additions into the company’s popular Xperia line of smartphones. The four new smartphones, two among which will be released overseas in the coming months, have been beautifully designed and appear to be targeted at all the shutterbugs out there.

If you are a fan of the Apple iPhone 4S camera, you should realize that it’s got a Sony Exmor sensor in it. Sony’s new smartphones are also coming with pretty good shooting capabilities.

Sony Xperia S

The Xperia S (pictured above) is the first smartphone in the new Xperia NXT series, Sony’s next generation smartphones. The new device is coming equipped with a dual core 1.5GHz processor along with 1GB of RAM and features a 4.3 inch screen with a resolution of 720×1280, a front 1.3 MP cam and an impressive rear-facing 12MP shooter.

Our guys at CES found the device to be absolutely gorgeous. The device features a new design approach which is being dubbed “Iconic Identity” by Sony. It will be seen across all the upcoming smartphones in the Xperia NXT series.

The device features a transparent element at its base which provides illumination effects and integrates the handset’s antenna components. Other features include NFC, 32GB of internal memory, and a microSD card slot that supports cards of up to 32GB. The Xperia S will be available “globally” in yet-to-be-named markets in the coming months.

Sony Xperia Ion

As we reported earlier, the Xperia ion is an AT&T exclusive and is the first LTE smartphone to be announced by Sony. Other than that, the device is quite similar to the Xperia S specs wise. It’s got the same 12MP camera, same 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, and the same NFC chip. But it comes with a slightly bigger screen, at 4.6-inches.

Other features include 16GB of built-in memory, a microSD card slot (cards of up to 32 GB), built-in HDMI-out port, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera capable of recording 720p video, and you will be able to share content via DLNA and Bravia Sync.

And it’s also PlayStation Certified, so you can expect some good entertainment services from Sony. That rear camera captures 1080p video at 30 frames per second. We found the cam especially fast. It was snapping clear photos almost instantaneously.

The big disappointment is that both the Ion and the Xperia S are coming with Android Gingerbread. But the company has promised an update to ICS sometime in the coming months. Both phones are coming with Sony’s own skin on top, which kinda looks unfinished. That might be why we experienced a bit of lag here and there. But the guys from Sony promised that the devices will be launched with the final software, so there won’t be any problems at the time.Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD

The Xperia NX is a variant of the Xperia S for the Japanese market. The Xperia acro HD, which is the follow-up to the company’s Xperia acro, is coming with Japan-specific features such as infrared port data exchange, mobile wallet and mobile TV.

Both the devices are coming with a 4.3inch screen, will sport that 12 MP cam and will be available in Japan from this spring.

Check out the hands-on videos and be sure to place your comments about the new handsets.

Sony Xperia S (via)

Sony Xperia Ion (via)

AT&T is expanding their LTE wireless network and, as expected, has announced the addition of a number of devices into their LTE handset line-up at CES. The devices that will soon be released onto their high-speed network include five new Android handsets, an Android tablet and two Windows Phone smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Note
First up is the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note (pictured above) smartphone/mini tablet which boasts a 5.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with a resolution of 1280×800, dual-core CPU, the S-pen stylus and it runs Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread.

The device will be available “in the coming weeks” and we are expecting the device to come with a price tag of $300 or more on contract. In Europe, the non-LTE unlocked version of the device costs around $700. That’s a bit too expensive considering the Android version its running.

Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket LTE
The Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket LTE appears to be a capable phone with its 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display, and Android Gingerbread. The device also features HPSA+ compatibility which can be utilized when AT&T’s 4G LTE is not available.

It will be available sometime soon and we don’t think that there will be any change to that long model name. You can expect it to cost around $200 on contract.

Samsung Exhilarate
Samsung has taken the eco-conscious path with the Samsung Exhilarate which is made of 80% recycled materials. The device runs Android 2.3 and features a 4-inch AMOLED display. Other specs are not available at the moment which suggests that the device might not be a head turner.

The device will be available “in the coming months”, says AT&T, and we believe that it’ll be rather inexpensive. It might cost around $99 on a contract.

Pantech Element Android Tablet
The LTE-capable 8-inch Pantech Element tablet is now official and it features front and rear facing cameras, 16 GB of storage, Android 3.2 and weighs in at about one pound. The device can also survive under water up to a depth of one meter for 30 minutes.

The device will be launched on January 22 with a price tag of $299.99 with a two-year data contract.

Pantech Burst
And that’s not all from Pantech. The device that you see above is the Pantech Burst handset which will be taking advantage of AT&T’s network from Jan 22. The Android 2.3.5-powered device is coming with a 4-inch screen, 16 GB of memory and dual-core CPU.

Although it does not reach the level of the high end devices on the list, it appears to be a good option for all the budget-conscious customers out there as it will arrive with a price tag of $49.99 with a two-year contract.

Xperia Ion
And Sony is also joining in on the action with their Xperia Ion. Notable specs of the handset include a 4.6-inch HD (1280×720) screen, 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU, 720p front-facing camera, 12MP 1080p rear-facing shooter and Android 2.3.

According to the carrier, the handset will be the “first smartphone to be sold under the Sony brand in the US”. And since it’s a PlayStation-certified phone, you should get access to more than a few good games.

The device will hit the carrier in Q2 2012, with a price tag most probably around $200 on contract.

Titan 2
If Android is not the thing for you, you can choose one (or both, if you are rich) of the latest Windows phones that will be available soon on AT&T. The Titan 2, previously known as the Radiant, is the first LTE-capable Windows Phone from HTC.

The handset features a 4.7-inch 480×800 screen, a 16 megapixel camera to attract all the shutterbugs, a 1.5 GHz single-core CPU and Windows Phone Mango 7.5. You can expect a price tag close to $200 on contract.

Nokia Lumia 900
And last but definitely not the least, the Nokia Lumia 900 will be available in the coming months exclusively from the carrier. The high-speed Windows Phone runs Windows Phone Mango 7.5 and boasts a 4.3-inch 800×480 display, 1.4 GHz single-core processor, and front and rear facing cameras.

The device appears to be similar to the Lumia 800 as both the handsets have the same single injectable polyurethane matte plastic build. The difference is that the Lumia 800 has a smaller 3.7-inch screen, and it comes with a slower 3G chip. We are expecting the Lumia 900 to cost around $200 on contract.

So, which phone are you interested in?

Most devices these days sure use smaller (and slower) SD Card technology, but high-end DSLR cameras from Canon, Nikon, and Sony still keep CompactFlash alive for performance and capacity reasons. The new XQD format as a variation of CompactFlash and follows in the same direction, trying to keep ahead of SD by borrowing the PCI Express (PCIe) high-speed serial communications link interface from computers. Using the PCIe interface, Sony’s XQD memory cards are capable of achieving a stable, continuous, fast shooting and recording of very large RAW images as well as deliver blazing fast data transfer rates of up to 1Gbps. This translates into about 125MB/s, write and read. Sony believes this could support 100 FPS RAW image captures.  Nowhere near the military’s 1.8 Gigapixel imaging system at 10FPS, but hey, we’re not the military are we?

To make sure you are well equipped right from the get go, Sony has also introduced a USB 2.0/3.0 compatible XQD card reader, a $44.99 MRW-E80 card reader model that plugs in with USB 3.0. Then, there’s also a $44.99 QDA-EX1 adapter that plugs into laptops with ExpressCard slot.

Pricing for XQD cards are QDH16 ($129 USD) and QDH32 ($229 USD). XQD will be able to exceed 2 terabytes capacity eventually, according to the the CompactFlash Association, which developed the format.

XQD will also be able to exceed 2 terabytes capacity eventually, according to the the CompactFlash Association, which developed the format. Second and third generation versions of PCIe double and quadruple transfer speeds to 250 MBps and 500 MBps. The initial cards will use the first generation interface, but PCIe provides for backward compatibility so that newer devices will be able to use older XQD cards.

[Sony]

It was never a hit when it was launched in September of last year, but now the Sony Tablet S has had its price slashed by $100, that means the 16GB model can be purchased for $399, and a 32GB tablet costs just $499. In the rare case that someone might be interested in this weird-looking wedge-shaped tablet, here are some specifications that may entice you:

• 625 gram of Tegra 2 250 1 GHz Android 3.2 platform, 1 GB of RAM;
• 9.4″ 1280×800 screen;
• WiFi, cell, GPS radios;
• USB 2.0 Host/OTG client, SD card slot, IR control;
• 5 MPix rear camera and 0.3 MPix front camera.

Here’s a thorough video review of the tablet:

That wedge could easily hide a slider keyboard, if you ask me. But obviously it doesn’t.  Sony, slash another $100, then I may be somewhat interested.

We spotted this on a Toronto subway, the ad shows a young couple at a coffee joint, happily enjoying their Sony Vaio laptop. They stand out from the crowd, because they are the only human characters in the image. The rest of the folks at the coffee joint are blank-faced marionettes using what appear to be aluminum unibody notebooks.

Yes, none of those other laptops have the Apple logo on them, but it looks quite clear that the MacBook-ness is heavily implied. We can safely conclude that Sony is saying the Mac users are just puppets who have no personality of their own. Indeed, the tagline for the ad is “Stand Apart.”

The Sony VAIO line has always pushed its stylishness and this almost coy anti-Apple campaign is no exception.

Sony Tablet is evolving, and we’d like to keep you informed with the latest updates.Today we’re happy to confirm that an update to Android 4.0 will be available for Sony Tablet.Details including timing will be announced in due course, so please stay tuned.

Just recently we released the Software Development Kit for Sony Tablet P.  For more information on this and future updates please visit us at Sony Tablet Evolution.

Best regards

Lee

For UK Sony customers, it means that Sony Tablet P and Sony Tablet S will get the Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade very soon. These slates are not exactly most popular tablets at the US market, so, here’s what  Sony Tablet S looks like:

It’s a Tegra 2 1 GHz tablet with 9.4″ (1280×800) screen, 1 GB RAM, 32 GB ROM, GPS, IR, optional 3G, dual cameras 5 MP/0.3 MP rear/front. Pretty hefty at 1.3 pounds and wedged shape.

Sony tablet P, while based on pretty similar hardware, is a different device altogether:

Split screens are  5.5″, 1024×480 each, so it’s quite a pocketable tablet when folded.

Both Sony tablets currently run Honeycomb, so upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich is not only welcomed by their customers, it looks quite natural. Hopefully, this upgrade will step up the demand for Sony tablets.

The folks in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other select markets in Asia already have their hands on Sony’s newest handheld gaming machine, but us here in North America still have to wait until February 22 of next year. Even so, Sony has at least been kind enough to provide us with all the launch details for the upcoming PlayStation Vita, including a list of launch titles.

Pricing, as you know, is going to be $249 and $299, depending if you want to make do with just Wi-Fi or if you want the 3G capable version. Pricing for the games will range considerably from as low as $9.99 to as high as $49.99. You can imagine smaller, “app-like” games (like Plants vs. Zombies) to sell at the lower end, while the bigger marquee games (like Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3) to sell at the higher end.

So, what titles should you expect on launch day? There will be 25 games in all: Escape Plan (PSN Only), Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational, Hustle Kings (PSN Only), Little Deviants, ModNation Racers: Road Trip, Super StarDust Delta (PSN Only), UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss, wipEout 2048, Army Corps of Hell, Asphalt Injection, BEN10 GALACTIC RACING, Blazblue: Continuum Shift EXTEND, Dungeon Hunter Alliance, Dynasty Warriors Next, F1 2011, EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer, Lumines Electronic Symphony, Michael Jackson The Experience, Plants vs. Zombies (PSN Only), Rayman Origins, Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen, Tales of Space: Mutant Blobs (PSN Only), Touch My Katamari, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, and Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition.

While they won’t be available on launch day, 10 more titles are being expected for release with the launch window: Gravity Rush, MLB 12 The Show, Reality Fighters, Unit 13, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention, NINJA GAIDEN ∑ PLUS, Ridge Racer, Silent Hill Book of Memories, and Supremacy MMA: Unrestricted.

Naturally, there are all kinds of accessories to go along with the new system too, like memory cards ranging from 4GB ($19.99) to 32GB ($99.99), headsets ($19.99), travel pouches ($19.99), and car adapters ($14.99).

Do think the PlayStation Vita launch titles are worthy? Any games stick out in your mind as the “must have” that’ll help solidify Vita’s place in your gaming life? Or is it still missing that killer game for you?

Mobile phones are getting thinner and thinner, but can only be made as thin as the internal parts that are required to build them. Sharp has unveiled their latest product, a tiny 12.1 megapixel camera sensor, which appears to be paving the way for thinner smartphones.

The Sharp RJ63YC100 camera sensor is being claimed by the company to be the thinnest in the industry. The sensor measures in at a mere 5.47 millimeters high and is less than half an inch deep.

The new sensor is also capable of shooting full HD (1080p) video and features built-in image stabilization which will allow you to take good pictures in shaky situations.

The sensor is expected to end up in future smartphones, especially a new iPhone model. As you might know, rumors are already flying around that Sharp will be the touchscreen supplier for upcoming iDevices.

Although Sony is providing iPhone’s current camera, it certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea for Apple if they sign deals with a single manufacturer for touchscreen and camera sensor shipments. Of course more phone manufacturers may also jump in on the action as well.

Samples of the sensor have been shipped to phone makers around the world. We are expecting that it won’t take too long for interested companies to make an announcement that the new sensor will be used in an upcoming handset.

The sensor is expected to come with a price tag of 12,000 yen, around $154. That increases the possibility of a slightly expensive smartphone. What do you think?

Sony this week officially announced that the next generation of their portable console, the PlayStation Vita, will only hit stores in the US, Canada, Latin America and Europe on February 22nd of next year, remaining a Japan exclusive gadget until then.

Sony promises the PlayStation Vita will have a “vast library of titles that deliver unique gameplay experiences that go beyond any handheld or mobile device on the market.”

I guess if you’re desperate you can import the thing from Japan, there a good chance you’ll get it before the end of February. But where are you going to get the games for it then? Have you looked at all the awesome games on Android? Perhaps the Xperia Play will appeal to you if the Vita is too far away.