The Dixons group of electronics stores has acquired what it’s calling “an exclusive window” on pre-ordering the forthcoming Sony Tablet S Android 3.1 tablet. We can’t quite see what the point is in having an exclusive when it comes to pre-ordering something rather than actually delivering it, but anyway.
This means we get official UK “street” prices for the new Android tablet, which start at £399 for the 16GB wi-fi model. Which is actually rather a decent price for a glam new Sony thing. Here’s the Dixons listing:
16th of September for the 16GB model. You know, we actually might get one of those. We seriously, actually, bloody well might. Here’s the slightly baffling press release about that exclusive pre-order thing:
Currys, PC World and Dixons.co.uk Announce Online Pre-order of the Sony Tablet S exclusively with Sony
Today – 31 August – In yet another market first, Dixons Retail plc, parent company of Currys, PC World and Dixons.co.uk, the UK’s largest electrical retailers, is pleased to announce an exclusive window, with Sony, for customers to pre-order their first ever tablet computer, the much anticipated Sony Tablet S series.
Featuring a unique, ergonomically contoured design, the Sony Tablet S has been developed to feel as comfortable as a folded magazine. Weighing in at just under 600g, the tablet is easy to carry and provides handheld comfort plus the perfect angle for tabletop touch-typing.
Powered by Android Honeycomb 3.1, the Sony Tablet S runs smoothly with web pages and content loading quickly and efficiently as well as looking impressive on the 9.4 inch HD display.
The Sony Tablet S is the world’s first tablet to be PlayStation® Certified, allowing you to enjoy games for PlayStation® Certified devices including original PlayStation games.
The Sony Tablet S lets you control your home entertainment devices and share content wirelessly with friends and family. Personal photos and video content can be ‘thrown’ (streamed) at the touch of a button from the Sony Tablet S to DLNA-compatible TV sets and other devices.
Music can also be streamed to wireless speakers and the Sony Tablet S includes infrared technology, meaning it can be used as a fully customisable remote control for multiple home devices including your television, Blu-ray Disc™ player and home theatre set-up.
Mark Slater, Category Director at Dixons Retail, commented: “Sony’s Tablet S is a real contender in the tablet market and one we expect to be a big success. The two week preorder period for the Sony Tablet S will be a very exciting period for us to see how popular this tablet will be with our customers.”
The Sony Tablet S is available to preorder online now at PCWorld.co.uk, Currys.co.uk and Dixons.co.uk from 31 August at 4.01pm.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
Bristolboy
/ August 31, 2011Not a bad price at all. And I expect that sooner or later one company will discount it! Plus I expect someone will soon point out a 10% discount or something will be possible using a cashback site like quidco.
bij
/ August 31, 2011i don’t see the point of wifi only tablets. Do you really want to be limited to using a tablet at home? A three month data sim on three costs about a tenner. Mind you, the sony is so thick you wouldn’t want to take it outside…. Lol….
Simon
/ September 1, 2011This isn’t an ipad you know. All these have Bluetooth and allow tethering…
I’m guessing whenever you leave the house you have a phone in your pocket?
I wouldn’t bother with a 3G model, I use my Asus Transformer away from home tethered across Bluetooth all the time and it works seamlessly. No messing with double SIM cards on your account and separate data bills.
Gary_C
/ September 1, 2011I have no need for 3G. If I’m going out, I’ll take my phone. If I’m going out somewhere where I’ll need to do work, I’ll bring my laptop and hunt for wi-fi so I can do it properly.
In fact, I moved out of London in 2007 just as the smartphone thing was really exploding – do you see carriages full of people using iPads on the commute nowadays?
bij
/ September 1, 2011@simon – Which data plan do you have that officially allows tethering? The One Plan, which does, costs 25/m. For that I can get GiffGaff with unlimited internet for my phone, plus a data sim for my iPad and a data sim for my Galaxy tab with 1GB data each. Total cost less than 20/m, and no having to tether things, work across bluetooth. No messing about with SIMs, because they are in the phone/tablets. No messing about and no contracts.
@Gary_C – By that logic you could just use your laptop at home too ;) I use my Tab because the mail is more convenient, both at home and out. I can “lug” a Tab around in my pocket and continue to do “work” things which would just be pain to do on a phone, and a hassle to carry a laptop around for. As for London, after being in Asia it’s incredibly backwards. No data on the tube you know. Barely get data in the stations.
bij
/ September 1, 2011….that said, my hp touchpad just arrived and its WIFI only. Would have got the 3G one if there was one tho.