Report: Sony 'S1' tablet is PlayStation certified, features Qriocity

Engadget reports on a new Sony tablet that might just be the one Kaz Hirai called "currently in development" at CES, integrating PlayStation branding and content. The device, code-named "S1" will reportedly run a custom version of the Android Honeycomb OS (even though Honeycomb will already have a nice UI courtesy of Matias Duarte) and is said to integrate the Qriocity media platform, currently available on PS3 for music (in Europe) and video streaming.

Like the Xperia Play, according to Engadget's sources, this tablet is "PlayStation Certified" and will come preloaded with PlayStation games. The Tegra 2-equipped tablet will supposedly have an odd design (as seen in Engadget's mock-up above), meant to recall a folded-up paperback, which will allow the tablet to be set down at an angle for easy typing. The device is tentatively scheduled to ship in September, according to the report.

If the S1's buildup is anything like the Xperia Play's, we'll hear a lot more about this thing even before Sony decides to say a word.

Reader Comments (31)

whelp, this is one way to stem rampant emulation- make the games available for cheap on every tech item on the planet

@shabby329

I wonder why they hadn't figured that out earlier.

The purchase of Playstation title should be compatible and interoperable with the XPeria Play device. I can somewhat understand the distinction between XPeria Play & proper Playstation products but in the mobile space everything needs to flow together. I'm looking at the same type of interface between iTunes & your iPod, iPhone & iPad. Otherwise, this is a total bust before it even releases.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

It's still BS. Xperia Play supposedly integrates PSN much as the iPhone integrates iTunes. If you buy a movie on iTunes, you can also watch it on your iPhone. PS1 and minis purchases should carry over to the Xperia if it integrates PSN as it claims to. I was really considering getting the Xperia since I can upgrade in April. With that news, I might be leaning back towards an iPhone now.

The Xperia Play exists to target gamers. There's no other reason for its existence. Having to repurchase content I own on another PSN-enabled device is utter tripe and I think Sony's shooting themselves in the foot. Here's the thing about hardcore gamers: we stay informed. By alienating us from the platform, they're losing their most likely adopters. Sony's gonna have to make a move to win me back.

@Squallgengar

I agree it's total BS.

Is there actually a market for these things beyond Apple enthusiasts? I still don't see a real use for them.

@Hoops My gf shows medical demos/slideshows to doctors on an ipad in the OR. It can be a good sales tool and great for managing supply chain (like a warehouse).

@Jack Kevorkian

I would hope the doctors would know what they're supposed to do without a nurse showing them a demo on an iPad right before surgery...

The medical industry has been using real tablets (Windows-based) for years. It's one of the few industries that really bought into the form.

And generally, the iPad is not considered appropriate for hospital use. While trendy, it just does not have all of the specialized (and legacy) medical applications that have existed for years on Windows (and hospitals tend to use really old and proven stuff). All of the medical centers I've worked at have used tablets from MotionComputing.

If the Xperia Play had the power as this or at least half the power of the NGP, I'd be all over that phone.

Hey Sony, when you make a phone that can play actual retail PSP games, give me a call!

@MLC

you might have to wait a while

I'll be honest I am not sure Sony has a clear cut goal in where they are going right now. I honestly dont know what they are releasing, is in production or anything...

They need to cut out the guerilla marketing horseshit and just tell customers exactly what they are doing and when it is all coming out. this cryptic nonsense is something much smaller and more desperate companies need to resort to. I am not going to plan to make a major purchase on something that may or not be released according to my expectations. I'll go to a company with a clear vision and results.

@Jack Kevorkian

I know, hey lets see how many new devices I can rebuy all my games on, that'd be great!

Sony are fragmenting the PlayStation brand. It's as if they're throwing everything they can against the wall and seeing what sticks.

If they were competing solely against Nintendo, then the PSP2 (NGP) would be all we see. But the Xperia Play and S1 clearly show Sony is aiming at Apple (iPhone and iPad competitors).

Damnit, Sony. Stop releasing such awesome products. I'm not 'that' well off, y'know!

Yeah baby, lay it on thick.

2011...the year of the Data Plan...and repackaged SEGA Genesis games.

@CaptainProtonX

And Mass Effect 3.

Seems odd.

"Qriocity "... Admittedly, I sat a moment trying to figure out where I had seen that before(I had already heard its pronunciation previously too); and it was upon a SONY Bravia 3D HDTV that I got for my parents last Christmas.
At least now I know what the hell it does, haha.

"Qriocity"? Is that like travelocity for non-straight people?

They're still straight... they're just Qrious o_O

I just want it to have the touchpad on the back of it and be under $700 for a wifi only version with 32GBs

Sony is confused... A gaming phone that plays OLD games that most people who are interested would already have (but are probably dense enough to buy again), a new PSP that really should have been their PS phone, but isn't... yet another device to lug and now this? Which is what... another outlet to serve up the same old games again?

@oolz

uhhh

do you know what a computing tablet is? might wanna figure that out first...THEN come back here

I have a feeling that combining the NGP with a cellular radio would make the device cost $1000+ before subsidiaries (and probably too high-risk for any carrier to provide one).

Easy typing doesn't occur on on a fake keyboard whether you have it at an angle or not.

Odd that Sony would create a Linux tablet - their eBook devices only work with Windows (though you can use calibre, 3rd party freeware to access it), and my Sony HiDef camcorder came bundled with Windows-only AVCHD software.
Hopefully Sony will go cross-platform with their software.

Sony Computer Entertainment seems to like Linux, they have provided official Linux distributions for the PS2 and PS3.

Sony Ericsson uses Android now as their mobile OS, though skinned like everyone else does.

Sony's other divisions release Windows-only software because o90% of their userbase likely uses Windows (even Mac users can dual-boot or use VMs like Parallels). That makes sense.

cool another gaming device

No one else finds this hilarious coming from Sony? We are talking about Sony here people, they number 2nd to the King of proprietary equipment compared to Apple. They just sued the hell out of the people who hacked the PS3 and sent the law after them.

Now they want to play nice out of the blue and use a open source OS on there system?

Report: Sony 'S1' tablet is PlayStation certified, features Qriocity

Reader Comments (31)

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:05PM shabby329 said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 6:16PM Peffse said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:06PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:15PM squallgengar said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:35PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:06PM Hoops said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:10PM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:48PM Imikulate said

Posted: Feb 17th 2011 9:17AM Elranzer said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:08PM MLC said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:49PM eat it said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:13PM Jack Kevorkian said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 4:10PM Dizazter said

Posted: Feb 17th 2011 9:20AM Elranzer said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:16PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 4:34PM Fanboy Groupie said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:21PM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:47PM liquidsoap89 said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:25PM Im No Hero said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 3:42PM foxhound said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 4:08PM Dizazter said

Posted: Feb 17th 2011 9:21AM Elranzer said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 4:21PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 5:04PM oolz said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 5:25PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Feb 17th 2011 9:23AM Elranzer said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 5:22PM Jovrick said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 5:29PM NormanCod said

Posted: Feb 17th 2011 9:25AM Elranzer said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 6:00PM buri0819 said

Posted: Feb 16th 2011 9:04PM MrGutts said

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