Details of Sony's S1 PlayStation Tablet revealed

Technology blog Engadget has uncovered additional details about one of Sony’s forthcoming tablets, previously announced as the S1 tablet.

"The official name of the S1 is the Sony PlayStation Tablet S," revealed Engadget, adding that Sony is "currently projected to bring its 9.4-inch (1280x768) screen to market in the first two weeks of September."

In April Sony announced that its S1 tablet would run version 3.0 of Google’s Android operating system but Engadget believes the touchscreen device will ship with the newer Android 3.1. Honeycomb OS "with an eye towards upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich once that's available."

The S1 is designed for media consumption with a 9.4-inch display, two cameras and a curved-top, "off-center design" that is conducive to extended viewing sessions.

Sony has previously said that the tablets will be able to "smoothly access digital content including videos, games and books through Sony's premium network services and more, on-the-go at any time."

Engadget provided further details about the S1’s connectivity adding that it will provide seamless access and control of all devices in the home thanks to integrated WiFi, DLNA-compatibility and an IR blaster.

Both tablets will have access to Sony’s existing Qriocity music and video streaming service and readers will be able to download digital titles from Sony’s Reader Store.

Engadget did not provide any details about Sony’s second book-like dual-screen S2 tablet.

"What we don't know yet is [the Sony PlayStation Tablet S’s] final price - we'd heard $599 previously - but there should be more to say about that and the clamshell S2 tablet soon," wrote Engadget.  

It will be interesting to see how Sony fares in the tablet war, considering its tablets are not expected to be launched until mid-September 2011.

HP has already announced its intention to leave the tablet game after its first WebOS-based TouchPad tablet failed to gain traction in the lucrative tablet market against Apple’s second edition iPad and the onslaught of Android-based rivals from LG, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and Archos.

Interestingly, consumers have been clambering to get their hands on one of the discontinued HP TouchPads since the prices dropped from $499.99 to $99.99 in a so-called "fire sale."