Sony releases 3G Tablet P, cuts price on Tablet S

A new tablet is coming from Sony, offering a smaller computing experience that can fit into pretty much any backpack. Called  the Tablet P,  it’s unlike any tablet you’ve seen, echoing a design seen on Nintendo’s DS.

Weighing only 375 grams, the Sony Tablet P is a compact clamshell tablet that folds out to show two 5.5 inch multitouch screens able to show either one combined screen or two separate screens. You could write a document with a virtual keyboard on the bottom screen while the words appear on the top, or hold the tablet like a book and read from left to right.

In a way, it reminds us of Nintendo’s line of DS gaming consoles, with a clamshell design throwing in two-screens. Unlike any of the DS models, both screens in the Tablet P are touchscreens, compared to the one touch-one regular found on the DS gaming console.

From a technology standpoint, the Tablet P is very much like Sony’s debut “Tablet S” model released last year, featuring the same Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, Google Android 3.2 Honeycomb, 1GB RAM, WiFi, front camera, rear 5 megapixel camera, and support for Bluetooth. Only 4GB of storage can be found in the Tablet P, although it can be improved upon with a microSD expansion slot.

While we haven't seen a clamshell tablet before, the Sony Tablet P (left) reminds us a little of Nintendo's DSi (right).

The Tablet P does drop the infrared port found on the Tablet S, meaning it also drops the home theatre remote control application seen on Sony’s debut tablet. However, this pocket tablet gains 3G out of the box, allowing you to surf the web from where ever you go once you thrown in a SIM card.

Sony Australia has given the Tablet P a mid-February release, retailing for $729 RRP.

Sony's Tablet S receives a price drop in February.

Meanwhile, Sony’s Tablet S will receive a slight price drop from February 15, with the 16GB now reaching $499 and a 32GB coming in at $599.

A 3G model will also launch alongside the price cuts, adding mobile Internet access to the 16GB model and bringing the price to $649 RRP.

The compact Sony Tablet P.