Sony has unleashed its challenge to Apple’s iPad with a world-first ‘clamshell’ folding computer tablet. The Sony Tablet P was one of two new products unveiled by the global tech giant today ahead of a Christmas sales war. The ?479 tablet with two 5.5in touchscreens, 16GB of memory, wi-fi and 3G, can be folded in half, which makes it significantly more portable than the iPad and copycat tablets. Sony believes the size, relatively light weight at 367g, and folding design, means it will easily fit inside a handbag or jacket pocket. The two sides of the tablet can be combined and used as one large screen – albeit with a potentially irritating hinge running through the middle。

　　苹果前CEO乔布斯的离去让我们对苹果电脑的未来产生迷茫的情绪，就还在人们沉浸在苹果将何去何从、以及苹果将引领什么道路时，苹果的虎视眈眈的“劲敌们”早已经迫不及待地“下刀”切分平板电脑市场这块大蛋糕了。据悉。这款由Android 3.1系统的的翻盖式(书状双开)平板届时将以Sony Tablet P命名发布，代替以前的VAIO P系列电脑，而且该平板将支持HSPA+伪4G网络和Wi-FI。同时，Sony Tablet P还将内置512MB RAM和4GB存储空间，送机附赠2GB microSD卡。与Ipad2的优势相似，索尼的这款平板电脑机身设计非常轻薄，尽管配备两块5.5英寸的触摸屏，整体重量依然控制到了0.82磅(367g)，相当于Sony Tablet S(S1)和Apple iPad2一半的重量。而且Tablet P将搭载和Tablet S一样的Tegra 2双核处理器，并配备有30万像素的前置摄像头。

　　Alternatively they can operate independently, for example, playing video or games on one while showing control buttons or a keyboard on the other. Like other tablets it can surf the web, check email, download music and videos. More significantly, it can also be used in line with Sony’s PlayStation gaming technology and its popular eReader digital book downloads. Details of the new device were revealed at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, where a host of manufacturers were revealing their own new or upgraded tablets。

　　此外，Sony Tablet P将内置Sony所有主要的服务，例如：PlayStation Suite游戏服务、Reader Store电子书服务、Sony Qriocity云影音服务等。不过 Tablet P并不具备Tablet S的红外发射器，缺乏与家庭影院的联动性。Sony Tablet P 和Tablet S两块平板电脑将在9月份正式发布及上市。有消息透露，这款平板电脑的具体发布日可能为9月上旬，如果不意外，很可能于9月2日-7日在德国柏林举行的 IFA 2011展会上公布。有传闻称Sony平板电脑的定价将比苹果平板电脑更加便宜。