Difference Between Sony Tablet S and iPad 2

Sony Tablet S vs iPad 2

Sony Tablet S is the latest Android Tablet by Sony announced at the IFA 2011 in Berlin on 1st September 2011 . iPad 2 was officially released in March 2011 by Apple Inc. Following is a review on the similarities and differences of the 2 devices.

Sony Tablet S

Sony Tablet S is the latest Android Tablet by Sony reportedly running on Android 3.1 at the moment (Wi-Fi +3G model runs Android 3.2). The very recently announced (September 2011) tablet will be available in Europe by the end of September, and all markets worldwide by the end of October. The physical appearance of the device is that of a folded paper back, and remains thicker and different than most other Android tablets. Though the tablet may appear bulky at a glance, it appears that the device is secure in hand and has a firm grip.

The Sony Tablet S is ergonomically designed to be placed on a desktop with a slight angular shape to the screen. The incline of the screen produces a user friendly typing space. However, using the device while seated or while standing (holding by both hands) might be somewhat of a challenge to some users. At its thickest point, the Sony Tablet S is 0.8″ thick. The incline of the screen makes the thinnest point of the device 0.3″. Sony Tablet S is complete with a 9.4″ LCD screen with 1280 X 800 resolution. Sony claims the display uses the proprietary “ TruBlack” technology available in some of the television sets by Sony. The image quality of the display is of a higher quality. The display claims to be available with a protective cover, but it’s not made out of Gorilla glass.

The Sony Tablet S runs on a 1 GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. Sony Tablet S has three variations: Wi-Fi + 16GB internal storage, Wi-Fi + 32GB internal storage, Wi-Fi+3G with 16GB internal storage. The storage in all three models can be extended using a SD card. However, in order to play media users have to copy media files to internal storage. Playing media files from the SD card is not available with Sony Tablet S. While both the Wi-Fi models run Android 3.1, Wi-Fi+3G model runs Android 3.2. With Wi-Fi on and a movie clip playing continuously, the Sony Tablet S reportedly lasts nearly 8.5 hours.

Sony Tablet S comes handy with a 5 mega pixel rear facing HD camera with Sony Exmor for mobile CMOS sensor. The front facing camera is 0.3MP. The camera quality of the rear facing camera can be called satisfactory. It has the standard sensors, such as 3-Axis accelerometer, Gyro sensor, digital compass, and Ambient light sensor. For output devices, it has a microUSB port and a 3.5-mm stereo headphone mini jack.

While running on Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) at the moment, the device comes with many custom applications as well. Since an IR emitter and appropriate software is available the Sony Tablet S can be used a remote control as well. Number of virtual keyboards are also present in the device. The device has the PlayStation certification and allows playing PlayStation and PSP games (via a simulator).

Overall, the device can be considered a good device for entertainment, web browsing and gaming other than corporate use.

Apple iPad 2

iPad 2 is the latest version of the last year’s largely successful iPad by Apple Inc. iPad 2 was officially released in March 2011. A significant change in software is not visible; however hardware modifications can be seen. iPad 2 has definitely become thinner and lighter than its predecessor and has benchmarked the industry standards for tablet PC’s.

iPad 2 is designed ergonomically and users may find it a little smaller than the previous version (iPad). The device remains 0.34″ at its thickest point. At nearly 600g the device cannot be called a light weight device. iPad 2 is available in Black and White versions. iPad 2 is complete with a 9.7″ LED backlit multi touch display with IPS technology. The screen has a finger print resistant oleo phobic coating. In terms of connectivity, the iPad 2 is available as Wi-Fi only as well as a Wi-Fi+3G version.

The new iPad 2 has a 1 GHz dual core CPU called the A5. The graphics performance is reportedly 9 times faster. The device is available in 3 storage options such as 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. The device supports 9 hours of battery life for 3G web surfing, and charging is available via power adapter and USB. The device also includes a three-axis gyroscope, an accelerometer and a light sensor.

iPad 2 comprises a front facing camera as well as a rear facing camera, but in comparison to other camera in the market, the rear facing camera is of less quality. It’s a still camera with 5 x digital Zoom. The front camera can be mainly used for video calling called “FaceTime” in iPad terminology. Both cameras have the capability to capture video as well.

Since the screen is multi touch, inputs can be given by many hand gestures. Additionally a microphone is also available with the iPad 2. As for output devices a 3.5-mm stereo headphone mini jack and a built-in speaker is available.

The new iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3 installed. iPad 2 has the backing of the world’s biggest collecting of mobile applications for a platform. Applications for iPad 2 can be downloaded from Apple App store directly to the device. The device comes complete with multi lingual support as well. “FaceTime” ; the video conferencing application is probably the highlight of the phones capabilities. With the new updates to iOS 4.3 the browser performance is also reportedly upgraded.

As for accessories iPad introduces the new smart cover for iPad 2. The cover is designed seamlessly with iPad 2 that lifting up the cover is capable of waking up iPad. If the cover is closed iPad 2 will immediately go to sleep. A wireless keyboard is also available and it’s sold separately. Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound is also available via an Apple Digital Av adapter sold separately.

The cost of ownership for an iPad is perhaps the highest in the market to own a tablet PC. A Wi-Fi only version can start at 499 $ and go up to 699 $. While a Wi-Fi and 3 G version can start from $629 to $829.

What is the difference between Sony Tablet S and iPad 2?

Sony Tablet S is one of the latest Android Tablets by Sony announced in September 2011 and expected to be available in Europe by the end September and worldwide by end of October 2011. iPad 2 is the successor of the much successful iPad by Apple Inc. and this was officially released in March 2011. Sony Tablet S reportedly runs Android 3.1, and iPad 2 runs iOS 4.3. Sony Tablet S has a slightly angular shape with a slight incline in shape, but iPad 2 has a flat surface as the screen. Sony Tablet S is complete with a 9.4” LCD screen with 1280 X 800 resolution, while iPad 2 display is slightly larger with a 9.7” LED display. The Sony Tablet S runs on a 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, and iPad 2 has a 1 GHz dual core A5 processor. Among the two devices iPad 2 stands out as the more thinner and the lighter device. iPad 2 is available in versions in terms of internal storage; 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. Sony Tablet S will be available with 16 GB and 32 GB internal storage and the storage can be extended using a micro-SD card. Both devices are available in Wi-Fi and 3G versions. Both tablets have both front facing and rear facing cameras, however, Sony Tablet S camera is a 5 mega pixel HD camera. Sony Tablet S has the PlayStation certification and allows playing PlayStation and PSP games, but PlayStation certification is not available in iPad 2. Applications for iPad 2 can be downloaded from Apple App store, while applications for Sony Tablet S can be downloaded primarily from Android Market. With the built in IR emitter and software Sony Tablet S can be used a remote control, while the feature is not available in iPad 2. iPad 2 is a clear market leader in the Tablet PC market, while Sony Tablet S is a new entrant and such details cannot be discussed in terms of the device.