Sony Tablet S Reviews ?

Just wondering if anyone here has bought the Tablet S. IF yes, then please share your opinions on the device, I am sure many would appreciate it.
Me needs to wait some more as Tablet is not yet launched in Asia But so far all reviews have been very positive, with CNET and some others declaring the tablet S the best Android tablet in the market.

 

I got to play around with one from a sony rep. It feels incredible light, i think it's ligher than any 10 in android tablet out there. Built in ps1/ps2 emulator ran flawlessly (playing Crash), and the IR Blaster is pretty cool (remote control TVs/PS3s). It's definitely got some features that separate itself from the rest of the pack

 

Only tablet reviews I'd trust are engadget, even though they are very slightly Apple biased (relatively), they still manage to be objective most of the time (they weren't the same idiots on CNET [iirc, they were the ones] that said the ASUS transformer can only be reviewed *without* it's KB/battery/USB host/2nd SDcard/touchpad clamshell, because the iPad didn't have one.... and it could have an accessory "like a BT KB" Apple fanboys who don't know anything about the world outside the closed garden).

So... that and user reviews. So I'm sorry for basically crapping over your thread with a rant, it's just why I don't take most "professional" reviewers out there seriously.

 

I got to see one in person at Fry's yesterday. Not a bad little machine, but I still don't know what people are supposed to do with tablets.

 

you are supposed to add a real KB to it in order for it to become more...


ok, j/k I only use my iPad2 for video and some web, it seems

 

Does the tablet S beat Samsung's Galaxy Tab?

***

I just bought the Acer Iconia W500. It's the Windows version, not the Android one. I have had the Samsung Q1 for a while, which made me believe that the current tablets are too crippled in terms of apps. For instance, Hulu refuses to stream when it discovers the browser is on an Android machine. What I really want is a device that is more portable than a laptop (i.e. without the keyboard), and which has an interface just like my laptops. Because of these reasons, I decided to go for the Windows tablet.

The W500 is also supposedly upgradeable in terms of its SSD. It has a keyboard dock which is nice. And I'm going to try and see if I multi-boot other OS off of it

I also think that having unlimited data access is necessary for a better tablet experience. When I'm on the bus, I watch streaming video, which I can do so without fear since I have unlimited Verizon LTE access (yes you heard me right, and it's not throttled). I plan to tether my Iconia to my phone when I get the former.

 

^How about you share with the group here how you got unlimited LTE?

 

That's easy, I got it when Verizon still had unlimited data plans. Even after those were phased out, Verizon honored the contract and so I got grandfathered into the same plan.

I posted this before, but people were skeptical about no-throttling and no-grandfathering. People seem much more willing to assume that I'm wrong.

Btw, I also have unlimited AT&T data plan. Same idea: when AT&T first released the iPhone, I got one.

 

I should be able to get mine today if UPS delivers on time.

 

SWEET! I see you have an IPAD. Would love to hear what you think of the Tablet S.

 

Still waiting for that UPS delivery..

in the mean time, for those that didn't know.

B&H Photo (a very reputable shop) ships the Sony tablet worldwide.
sony tablet

 

Just got it delivered.

Excuse me for the poor pictures.

The box isn't that big, I think its smaller than iPad's box.


The Tablet S is even thicker than my first gen iPad with a back cover on, but its much lighter and feels better in the hand.


The colors are about the same at first glance, but the Sony seems to have deeper blacks. And if I remember correctly, iPad 1 has a better screen than iPad 2.


I believe every language is present in this tablet, I like the full sized keyboard with num pad, makes typing much easier than the iPad.


What I didn't like:
The screen doesn't seem to have that Oleophobic layer which is common on most smartphones and tablets these days.
Using it felt weird, its like there is friction, my fingers make a screeching sound on the screen when I swipe too fast.

Honeycomb seems very different to Gingerbread, I still have to get used to it.

My tablet came with 17% power, when I plugged it into my desktop, the drivers were installed automatically, but the Tablet doesn't seem capable of charging via USB.

 

Sony display is *most* likely S-LCD joint venture with Sammy (HTC sources their current crop of screens from the venture, too). It produces *VA panels, which are known for their deep black values and control. Not so well known for anything else.

 

I just found out that the tablet can control other devices with infra red.

It serves well as a home entertainment remote, literally every big brand electronics is supported.

 

The screen is an IPS panel not VA. With TruBlack technology.

 

After wiping the screen with microfiber cloth, the screen feels smooth! it feels just like every other tablet and smartphone now.

Maybe there was another layer of something on top of the Oleophobic layer.

 

Just saw the Sunday Best Buy ad, and the S1 is in stock for $499.99.

 

ah, nice to know

 

Thanx for the pics zoobzone!!

 

Very nice!
couple of questions:
1.Any downloadable games available for it yet from the SONY store?
2.Does it recognize a Play Station controller?
I know every HoneyComb tablet should but I can never get it to work on another tablet.
Thanks

 

I have the Table S over the weekend. I cannot say I like it or not.

Frankly, I agree with the long real user review on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Sony SGPT111US/S Wi-Fi Tablet (16GB): Computers & Accessories

Here are a couple of extra points:

1. It looks great on the cradle as for photo display or using the dynamic wallpapers.

2. The UI looks beautiful. But that's an general android thing.

3. Although plastic, but feels solid.

4. Performance: it is faster than most other Android devices. However, it still much slower than iPad and even slower than my HP touchpad

5. Another Android bad, the recent apps tab keeps growing and eventually slow the speed unless you reboot. Very bad.

6. Yes. It does have a real GPS chip

7. The SD port cannot be access through installed program. However, a homebrew file manager can easily see it and work on it. The same about other homebrew music/video player. So use your own media player and the SD card becomes your extra storage. The drawback, the deivce will keep pop up a window asking you import it. And the cover cannot be closed while a SD card in it.

8. As stated in XDA, adb is supported so Homebrew apps are good

9. Even with the building program, I had 4-5 times of "execution" errors

10. Regarding the remote, yes it works. However, it has very limited building support device. Besides, once you selected the brand, for example, "Yamaha", you have to choose "Method" 1 or 2 or 3, not the actual model numbers. It is a guessing game.

11. The throw function. Working on SONY TV only (Right Now), but nothing else in my home, not even PS3.

 

HTC gets panels from Sony Mobile Display , not the "S-LCD" JV.

The panels HTC gets are called "SLCD" by HTC ONLY(not Sony or SMD) and they are actually IPS panels , HTC just gave them a new name so that it seems HTC is using something "New&Super".

 

If they were using IPS, they would call it IPS.

Besides, HTC's own press release called it "Super LCD (SLCD)"...

HTC makes Super LCD screens for Desire and Nexus One official -- Engadget

In addition, the "VSPEC III" that Sony is using for the panel tech implies this is PVA. I still say "Sony," now because Sammy hasn't completely taken over the joint venture, yet (which is likely, cause Sony just joined into the "pan Japan gov't funded display venture").

 

I believe you about the Verizon because I got my broadband in Oct 2004 and am also grandfathered. Verizon on capitulated on the unlimited after a class action lawsuit and attempting to kick people off the contract if they 'abused' the unlimited.

I purchased a Crandlepoint with 2 batteries to make my broadband card a wifi point. It works with any computer and somehow bypasses the need for that stupid manager. I'd like to get one of these tablets and test it out with my other vaio products

 

So, I gave in and went to the local Best Buy and purchased the 16gb version. Here it is in the box.

 

Nice and congrats!.....since its a Playstation Certified tablet, what games if any are availabe for download.
Not a fan of touch controls for gaming can you use a PS3 controllor for the games?

 

yes, according to the rep that visited my micro center.

 

This would be a key feature for me 
I know HoneyComb tablets are gamepad compatible but i can never get it to work even after downloading the latest updates.
This shoud have the same games as the Xperia Play phone???

 

Sony Tablet??????????????? - YouTube

Speed comparison against the Galapagos, iPad 2 and the Sony Tablet P.

The video was shot using a preproduction Tablet S, and as a owner myself I can say that the Android 3.2 update certainly made the tablet much faster than the video above.

 

I was told the answer to this was yes, but I'm not using it for gaming.

a couple of things right off the bat:

The router for my WiFi is two rooms away. My Sony Vaio TT reads it between good to excellent, but the Tablet is really having a hard time connecting at this distance. The touch aspects of it are great, but it shows every single fingerprint (not a problem if you don't care, but it's making me a buggy). It also sleeps at the drop of a hat and there's no intuitive way to wake it up.

On the plus side, the on screen keyboard is really decent and, unless you have large hands, is all you need.

My question: does this need anti-virus?

 

No antivirus needed. Unless if you download a lot of APKs directly from the web, and not the official markets (I know the markets have been broken before... but still generally safe).

 

Thanks! It seems counter-intuitive, but I guess I need to think of it as a giant phone.

 

I never wanted a tablet until I started reading reviews of the Tablet S. But an eReader that's also a web browser that's also a TV remote that's also a PS/PS2 emulator...that actually sounds really tempting, and not just like a limited-functionality tiny laptop.

Simple simple question...can you get a Kindle app for it? Or do you have to get all your apps through some Sony app store that might not have direct competitors to Sony's own eReader software? I've got a decent collection of books in the Kindle store and wouldn't want to start over with another store.

 

There is a Kindle app in the Android market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.amazon.kindle&hl=en

 

The JV between Sony and Samsung ("S-LCD") is about TV panels only (>32 inch), "Sony Mobile Display" is 100% owned by Sony (manufactures panels <10 inch)and it will be transferred to the new "Japan Display co".

 

"Sony Mobile Display" doesn't make IPS panels, nor do they make any sort of decent panel. IIRC, they were mainly founded to produce displays for useage in cars, not cell phones.

 

I really, really like the idea of the Playstation Suite. Sure, the touchscreen controls aren't good for action games, but think about all the turn-based JRPGs there were for the Playstation 1 and 2. I mean, Final Fantasy VII? Final Fantasy X? Controlling either would be just fine with the on-screen controls. Or Okami, which isn't turn-based but still isn't very reflex-intensive, and you could actually use your finger to control the magic paintbrush?

I mean, how great would it be stuck at an airport, look over at your friend with an iPad playing Angry Birds or Flight Control, and be like, "hey, I'm playing Final Fantasy VII, arguably the greatest console RPG ever. How you like them apples?"

While none of the Final Fantasy games are yet confirmed for the Playstation Suite, the JRPG Wild Arms is, so at least someone at Sony has the right idea. Not so sure why the majority of the Playstation Suite games confirmed so far are platformers. Not a good fit for the input device.

 

Final fantasy is on everything from PC, to the xbox, to iOS. I wouldn't doubt Sony is heavily pressuring the dev studio right now.

 

I also have to rave about what a great idea the universal remote is. It's simple but it adds a ton of utility. I mean, you can mute your TV when it goes to commercial, surf the web or fire off some emails, then turn your TV volume back on...all with one device. The show ended? Flip around for something else using your Tablet S as a remote, decide nothing is on, turn off the TV, and read a book on the Tablet S instead. Perfect for a lazy Saturday lounging-on-the-couch session.

 

Yay someone believed me

I'm actually not at all thinking about it, after all, I'm getting lots of unlimited bandwidth .

I read that AVG released a program that does nothing but sends customer data to their system.People installed it thinking it's an anti virus program.

Final Fantasy on Windows? I'm going to try that on my W500. Plus I'm going to install Windows 8 on it as well.

 

The last FF games in Windows were 7 and 8. Seven doesn't seem to run well on modern Windows systems in my experience (it's so old), and eight isn't worth playing.

 

Well it does....Sony Mobile Display even supplies panels to Apple (1st gen Ipad) and its market share in panels used in smart phones is 21% (2010)

http://china.nikkeibp.com.cn/news/flat/55055-20110131.html
It's in chinese and you need to register to read it. (This is the Chinese edition of the japanese website "nikkeibp" so it should be very reliable)

Here is the japanese editon (you still need to register)... http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20110127/189101/

 

Only two suppliers for iPad 1 IPS panel itself (not counting backlight, touch panel, etc) are Chimei and LG...

btw, that article you sent me? The chinese version does nothing but talk about phone displays, even though the mentioned Sony Mobile Display was mostly parted out to Kyocera around the same time that article was made (Sony supposedly bought most of Epson's display group at the same time). japanese version, really required registration.

Though for those willing to wade through a poor translation, some sites do function as such:

Global and China Small and Medium-sized Display Device Industry Report, 2010-2011 - new market research report

even the Google translate quirks are there, lol.

 

Sony bought Epson's a-si TFT LCD production lines ONLY and that article is about high resolution LTPS TFT LCD which is what Sony Mobile Display has been manufacturing from the start.

http://china.nikkeibp.com.cn/news/flat/52928-20100824.html
I suppose you could read chinese (or at least translate them)? The picture in the article said there are 4 suppliers for ipad1 - Samsung , Sony , LG and Chimei

 

The tablet s uses LG IPS screen. Check out the tablet s teardown for more info.