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Sony's New Android-based Dual Screen Tablets

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-got-double-vision dept.

trawg writes "Sony has officially announced a new line of 'Sony tablets.' There are two models, both offering 3G/4G and Wi-Fi running Android 3.0 — one is a typical tablet with a 9.4-inch screen and the other is an 'unprecedented dual screen' type. Digital content is a big focus: music, books and first generation PlayStation titles will all be available (subject to the usual region restrictions for content)."

129 comments

  1. Dual screen game system? by Even+on+Slashdot+FOE · · Score: 1

    So Sony is marketing the PDS now? (Playstation Dual Screen) I wonder if I will be able to play NDS games on it.

    1. Re:Dual screen game system? by JavaBear · · Score: 1

      Probably not, at least not without a jailbreak, and we have seen that Sony reacts badly to those.

    2. Re:Dual screen game system? by Znork · · Score: 5, Insightful

      One may also wonder what one will be able to do on it in a year. Maybe Sony suddenly realizes that Android uses Linux and decides to disable Android as a bootable option.

      No thanks to Sony products as far as I'm concerned.

    3. Re:Dual screen game system? by Tsingi · · Score: 1

      No thanks to Sony products as far as I'm concerned.

      It's too bad, they make good products. But I'm with you on that, no more Sony for me either.

      Far too often they are asshats to their clientèle.

      :)

    4. Re:Dual screen game system? by somersault · · Score: 1

      What company doesn't "react badly" to people trying to get around their DRM?

      --
      which is totally what she said
    5. Re:Dual screen game system? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Decent ones.

    6. Re:Dual screen game system? by clang_jangle · · Score: 1

      Absolutely. Some of their hardware is aesthetically quite compelling, but the potential for problems with being able to do things my own way are just too great. Sony has joined Apple in the control freak lock-down category. I'm sure it's a fine choice if you just want to use it as it is out-of-the-box, but I'm not an out-of-the-box kind of geek.

      --
      Caveat Utilitor
    7. Re:Dual screen game system? by c0lo · · Score: 2

      Decent ones.

      Wrong, try again. Decent ones don't set a DRM in the first place.

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    8. Re:Dual screen game system? by somersault · · Score: 1

      If they put it in but are happy for people to break it, they're either stupid (for wasting time and money on a feature they don't want), or just pandering to content providers.

      --
      which is totally what she said
    9. Re:Dual screen game system? by ciderbrew · · Score: 4, Informative

      It's only in the west that they enjoy a good rep. My wife, who is Japanese sees them as utter crap. Much better stuff to be had in Akihabara. A few friends think that too. (and I think 5 people sum up a nation, so there)

    10. Re:Dual screen game system? by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      What company doesn't "react badly" to people trying to get around their DRM?

      Is putting on a different version of the Android OS breaking "DRM"?

      Sony seems like the company you'd least buy a device which is supposedly based on an "open" platform like Android and not expect to buy something locked down, proprietary, and that you can only use as they tell you. In fact, it seems like Sony would be bigger asshats than everyone says Apple is.

      I'm sure people will buy it, since not everyone seems to have realized that they're a bunch of evil pricks ... but I can't really see many people who read Slashdot going anywhere near this thing.

      After the rootkit stuff from a few years ago, and everything else I've seen Sony do ... I wouldn't buy an actual device from them unless someone held a gun to my head.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    11. Re:Dual screen game system? by Tsingi · · Score: 1

      It's only in the west that they enjoy a good rep. My wife, who is Japanese sees them as utter crap. Much better stuff to be had in Akihabara. A few friends think that too. (and I think 5 people sum up a nation, so there)

      I've been to Akihabara, and I'd sure like to go there again some day soon. It should be a pilgrimage destination for every hardware geek.

      Awesome the stuff you can get in Japan, even in a hardware store.

      I hope they make it through this crisis OK.

    12. Re:Dual screen game system? by somersault · · Score: 1

      The only reason I'd consider getting one of these is to get the PSX emulation, so I wouldn't want to load on something else. With my Streak I loaded on a custom ROM since Dell/O2 are so lethargic with updates, and I haven't had any reason to want a custom ROM on my Xoom yet. Someone has already posted up a link to a free Android PSX emulator anyway, so I'll probably have a look at that :)

      Never had an issue with putting custom ROMs on my Xperia either btw (and I didn't buy that device, I was given it by work, and was relatively happy with it).

      --
      which is totally what she said
    13. Re:Dual screen game system? by ian+mills · · Score: 2

      Well they do have a website for it... http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/

    14. Re:Dual screen game system? by johnsnails · · Score: 1

      By definition? Or am I being too optimistic about the current definition of a geek?

    15. Re:Dual screen game system? by clang_jangle · · Score: 0

      I guess I'm old and just don't know anymore. Kids download executables from Anonymous or even just use google and call that "a hack" nowadays. o_0

      --
      Caveat Utilitor
    16. Re:Dual screen game system? by ciderbrew · · Score: 1

      I went 3 years ago and it wasn't as good as it used to be (13years ago). But that long out of Tokyo means it has all changed again anyway. Will they ever finish the place?

    17. Re:Dual screen game system? by smelch · · Score: 2

      It always makes me feel dirty when I say something like "Hey, you can't just take these IDs from the client as good and not check that they have authority for those items, let me show you why with the querystring and Fiddler." and my boss calls me a hacker. I'm not a hacker, your software design is just shitty.

      --
      If I can just reach out with my words and touch a butthole, just one, it will all be worth it.
    18. Re:Dual screen game system? by Kikuchi · · Score: 1
      And how ironic is that the photo in TFA is captionned :

      Design and specifications are subject to change without notice

      --
      There's no scientific consensus that life is important.
    19. Re:Dual screen game system? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So your Japanese wife has access to some special TVs the rest of us don't, huh? I'd love to know what kind of TV she is using that makes Sonys seem like "utter crap."

      Sony makes products all over the price spectrum. They've never been known for making high end audio equipment, but their displays have always been well-regarded, so I suspect this dual-screen tablet will be quite nice.

    20. Re:Dual screen game system? by mlts · · Score: 1

      That is fair. If it allows for a complete unlocking, even with purging the DRM keys, that is just fine with me. Android's Marketplace uses LVL for its DRM, which is not dependent on anything on the device.

      I just hope the production models allow for this method of unlocking.

    21. Re:Dual screen game system? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      So your Japanese wife has access to some special TVs the rest of us don't, huh? I'd love to know what kind of TV she is using that makes Sonys seem like "utter crap."

      Amusingly televisions are pretty much the only thing Sony still does well. I'd put Bravia right up there with Aquos et cetera. I, of course, have an Aquos :D I'm on my second one actually, I had a small one which was fantastic, then we upgraded and I traded the small one for a compressor and some air tools.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    22. Re:Dual screen game system? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, right up until they push a firmware "update" that removes PSX emulation.

      Remember, it only does everything (that they want).

    23. Re:Dual screen game system? by SoTerrified · · Score: 1

      What company doesn't "react badly" to people trying to get around their DRM?

      I would expect most companies would react badly. However most companies would figure out a way to restore their DRM that didn't invalidate features promised at point of sale.

    24. Re:Dual screen game system? by udoschuermann · · Score: 1

      I think Sony's reputation, at least among the knowledgeable, has been slipping for a while now in the west, too: In fact, I've spent several thousand dollars recently on products, specifically avoiding the ones made by Sony because of how Sony treats their customers (examples: the PS3's OtherOS feature, the Sony Root Kit, or the AIBO hack).

      In the market, your money is your vote.

      --
      --Udo.
    25. Re:Dual screen game system? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh BE QUIET. Nobody cares. Consumers have accepted DRM. A minority of dorks reject it. Their market power is evident by DRM's success. Go OggVorbis yourself to obscurity.

    26. Re:Dual screen game system? by Fartypants · · Score: 1

      It's always Sony vs. their customers, unfortunately. a shame because they have some incredible engineering talent. It will probably be beautiful device but will have a proprietary media format, proprietary headphone jack, proprietary charger, proprietary batteries. And media and peripherals will cost double everybody else's. Sony's scammer mentality is to screw their customers at every turn rather than build something beautiful and usable that will then become indispensable. Their Walkman music player products and phones are a tragedy... So much potential, such a waste.

    27. Re:Dual screen game system? by ciderbrew · · Score: 1

      Gave up on TV ages ago. Now the projector we have....

    28. Re:Dual screen game system? by mjwx · · Score: 1

      What company doesn't "react badly" to people trying to get around their DRM?

      Haven't seen Valve sue anyone yet.

      In fact Valve's Gabe Newell has openly called pirates "unserverd customers".

      Yep, no company likes copyright infringement but not all of them perform the massive dick move of suing their own customers.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    29. Re:Dual screen game system? by ConfusedVorlon · · Score: 1

      HP/Palm for one. (in the context of WebOS)

      They recently donated servers to the 'jailbreak' community with no strings attached. They have invited the main coder of the community to speak at their events, and paid his airfare on at least one occasion.

      The jailbreak (or homebrew) community have released apps that allow you to tether your device (without paying the carrier excess), to access the app store from countries where it is not supported, and a gazillion other things.

      --
      VLC Remote for iPhone and Android
  2. Production schedules? by JavaBear · · Score: 0

    But will they be able to produce these in any significant number, after the Tsunami?

    1. Re:Production schedules? by ciderbrew · · Score: 1

      first define significant. But looking at sales, they'll over produce by a factor of 5.


      no idea what a factor of 5 really means, just say it in meetings to sound wise.

  3. Unprecedented Dual Screen by Sonny+Yatsen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Wow, that is unprecedented, unless you count the Kno:

    http://www.slashgear.com/kno-dual-screen-tablet-hands-on-07124780/

    Or the Acer Iconia 6120:
    http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/29/6367167-acers-dual-screen-tablet-behaves-like-a-laptop

    Or the Toshiba tablet concept:
    http://techtickerblog.com/2006/03/17/dual-screen-tablet-from-toshiba/

    Or the MSI dual screen tablet:
    http://blog.laptopmag.com/msis-dual-screen-tablet-video-hands-on-much-more-than-an-ereader

    Or the Toshiba Libretto
    http://www.gottabemobile.com/2010/08/16/toshiba-libretto-dual-screen-tablet-hitting-the-u-s/

    Or the Asus Dual Screen concept:
    http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/asus-dual-screen-laptop-features-a-touchscreen-keyboard/

    --
    My postings are informational and does not constitute legal advice. Act on it at your risk.
    1. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean marketing people lie!?

    2. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or the Entourage Edge. http://www.entourageedge.com (dual screen with e-paper/android).

    3. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by ItsLenny · · Score: 1

      Or the Entourage Edge which was released over a year ago... it's a little different it's half e Ink but still. http://www.entourageedge.com/

      --
      ----------
      Trying to fix or change something only guarantees and perpetuates it's existence
    4. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by Walt+Sellers · · Score: 1

      Or Apple's "Knowledge Navigator" concept machine.

    5. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by cusco · · Score: 1

      Don't forget the OLPC2.

      --
      "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
    6. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I bet there is indeed something unprecedented in this case. I bet this piece of crap ships with no SD support but with a lame magic-gated memory stick. It's sony, for the love of god!

      Also I can't understand a reason why they don't dare to add a minidisc drive on their laptops. Perhaps because they would then have to, at last, allow *retrieving* digital data from the fucking minidiscs :D xD

    7. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nintendo DS

    8. Re:Unprecedented Dual Screen by w0mprat · · Score: 1

      You forgot:

      Nintendo DSI

      Nintendo 3DS

      Sony is also going for portable gaming with this gadget. The playstation hook is a win over iPad. +1 to Sony for that. I'd put money on Microsoft announcing an xbox flavoured portable soon. (hmm I bet they are looking into ways to shoehorn kinect into a portable? Thats the only way they could crush rivals TBH)

      --
      After logging in slashdot still does not take you back to the page you were on. It's been that way for 20 years.
  4. Oh, it's Sony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wow, those tablets sound interesting.

    Oh, wait. Sony makes them. I'll pass, thanks.

    1. Re:Oh, it's Sony by stonewallred · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Yep. Nice big screen on one, portability and fun stuff on the other.

      But that big SONY name on them means I will never own one.

    2. Re:Oh, it's Sony by berashith · · Score: 2

      totally agree. My first thought was the warranty will never be honored, which is quickly followed by "why should I burn my money on their shitty stuff?"

    3. Re:Oh, it's Sony by Svartalf · · Score: 2

      My first thought was that of "When will they pull an "OtherOS Removal" on it or a "Rootkit" (if it's not already done...), which was quickly followed by your remarks.

      --
      I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
    4. Re:Oh, it's Sony by camperslo · · Score: 1

      Yep. Nice big screen on one, portability and fun stuff on the other.

      And two screens should be great for people with split personalities?

      Having two screens certainly opens new possibilities. Maybe AT&T can charge for tethering twice?

    5. Re:Oh, it's Sony by JoeCommodore · · Score: 0

      Yeah, they might as well call them the CLIÉ 2 - Sony has a PC track record of great looking stuff that are not as well supported as one would hope.

      --
      "Enjoy what you're doing! If it becomes drudgery, you're doing it wrong!" - Jim Butterfield
    6. Re:Oh, it's Sony by drooski · · Score: 2

      Reminds me of their corporate slogans...

      "make.believe."... that OtherOS removal, CD Rootkits, Geohot lawsuit, etc never happened
      We'll screw all our customers... "like.no.other"
      "It's a Sony"... too bad, I would have bought it otherwise.

    7. Re:Oh, it's Sony by c0lo · · Score: 0

      Yep. Nice big screen on one, portability and fun stuff on the other.

      And two screens should be great for people with split personalities?

      My personality is split in more than 2, you insensitive clods!

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    8. Re:Oh, it's Sony by logru · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I would just like to add a +1 to this, and would have loved to see a poll on the number of people who would just never buy a Sony device. After owning a Sony laptop (why do I want that memoryshtick shit and why is everything on it non-standard?), a minidisc recorder (why can I only upload to it, not even download stuff I recorded myself?), seen the crazy that was the rootkit (thankfully didn't happen to me) I vowed never to buy their crap again. The playstation nonsense proved that it was a good idea and I can't see it ever change. Friends don't let friends buy Sony.

    9. Re:Oh, it's Sony by zach_the_lizard · · Score: 1

      Just split the screen however you need it, just like on consoles. Then all of your personalities can come play!

      --
      SSC
    10. Re:Oh, it's Sony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your loss then....

    11. Re:Oh, it's Sony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not just his loss--everyone loses. Sony loses business. People who give Sony business lose the ability to run Android when Sony decides that it no longer wants to allow it. We all lose freedoms. Sony loses respect. When Sony is involved, everyone loses.

    12. Re:Oh, it's Sony by cusco · · Score: 1

      not as well supported as one would hope.

      And the winner of the 'Understatement Of The Day' award! You should see their security cameras. 10-15 percent dead out of the box, and there is NO advance replacement policy. You send the dead/sick one back, wait two to three weeks, and hope that when it comes back they actually fixed something. We've sent cameras back as many as three times before we finally got a functional unit, each time meaning an installer going to the customer site, installing the camera, and then looking like an idiot because it doesn't work again. Our company will never install Sony equipment again unless the customer specifically insists, and we won't guarantee it (only the installation).

      --
      "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
    13. Re:Oh, it's Sony by Vegan+Cyclist · · Score: 0

      While i agree with most of the sentiment against Sony, i think they nailed it with the Reader e-book, and did that one right. I have a *little* hope for their tablet, but am suspicious.

  5. PSX4Droid kicked from android market by OeLeWaPpErKe · · Score: 1

    So this is why google kicked psx4droid out of the android market

    Of course, that just resulted in the application becoming free.

    1. Re:PSX4Droid kicked from android market by somersault · · Score: 1

      Thanks! Hope it works nicely with Honeycomb :)

      --
      which is totally what she said
    2. Re:PSX4Droid kicked from android market by tepples · · Score: 1

      Thanks! Hope it works nicely with Honeycomb :)

      That depends on to what extent Sony customizes the operating system to detect sideloading of blacklisted applications through "Unknown sources" or ADB installation.

    3. Re:PSX4Droid kicked from android market by somersault · · Score: 1

      I meant on my Xoom. Why would you need a 3rd party emulator on the Sony devices?

      --
      which is totally what she said
    4. Re:PSX4Droid kicked from android market by tepples · · Score: 1

      Why would you need a 3rd party emulator on the Sony devices?

      • To play ISOs of game discs that you own but Sony happened not to release on this service.
      • To play ISOs of game discs that you own but are not willing to re-buy at the prices that Sony is likely to charge for the games.
      • To play ISOs of game discs that you own that have been patched with a language translation or custom missions.
  6. Not a great loss by OeLeWaPpErKe · · Score: 0

    I'm not missing it

  7. Don't forget! by Zaphod-AVA · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sony uses your money for things you hate. Fuck Sony.

    1. Re:Don't forget! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sony uses your money for things you hate. Fuck Sony.

      So does the American government.

  8. Clamshells are back! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Hooray.
    I always thought that the clamshell was the best design for a portable device and never understood the appeal of all those slidey keyboard phones. Maybe enough people have had their shiny capacitive screens messed up that we can finally start returning to what we already knew was a superior design for something you carry in your pocket along with your keys.

  9. Too bad... by Goboxer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This looks neat. But there is no way in hell I am buying anything from Sony. They've probably rigged it so that three days after you buy it a circus clown pops out of and tries to stab you in the face.

    1. Re:Too bad... by BiggerIsBetter · · Score: 5, Funny

      This looks neat. But there is no way in hell I am buying anything from Sony. They've probably rigged it so that three days after you buy it a circus clown pops out of and tries to stab you in the face.

      You're right. It would make a lovely gift.

      --
      Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
    2. Re:Too bad... by LordLimecat · · Score: 0

      You didnt read the manual, did you?

    3. Re:Too bad... by ThatMegathronDude · · Score: 1

      Yeah, the clown is the first day. You don't want to know what comes on the second day.

    4. Re:Too bad... by zach_the_lizard · · Score: 2

      I'm thinking some Sony executives could use a Christmas present...

      --
      SSC
    5. Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nerd Rage is so amusing.

    6. Re:Too bad... by MercBoy · · Score: 1

      Best comment I've seen all day. Nearly lost my lunch...

  10. Baaaaaad timing by Dan+East · · Score: 2

    In 2010, Sony launched a network platform called "Qriocity" which connects many of Sony's network-enabled devices, and has been expanding its services into global markets. Also, Sony Computer Entertainment has been providing various contents and services for PlayStation users through PlayStation®Network, which now has over 75 million registered accounts (as of March 20, 2011) worldwide.

    Uh, I don't think I would've mentioned either of those things at this specific moment in time. (And yes, the press release is dated for today, the 26th).

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:Baaaaaad timing by JavaBear · · Score: 1

      I can only agree, considering that PSN have been down for about a week now. So technically PSN have 0 subscribers as of 21 April..

    2. Re:Baaaaaad timing by c0lo · · Score: 1

      I can only agree, considering that PSN have been down for about a week now. So technically PSN have 0 subscribers as of 21 April..

      Technically... it has zillions of subscribers to... nothing.

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    3. Re:Baaaaaad timing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Qriocity"

      I miss good solid company names like "Networking Optimization Incorporated."

      Qriocity? Gah.

  11. Hardly Unprecedented by kai_hiwatari · · Score: 3, Informative

    The S2's dual screen form factor is hardly unprecedented. Sprint released a very similar Android device - Kyocera Echo - back in February. http://gadgetizor.com/kyocera-echo-is-a-dual-screen-android-phone/6820/

  12. Cue the knock-offs! by erroneus · · Score: 1

    So it's android based? Cool. This is more than a little surprising. I expect Sony not to use anything as open as android. (Okay, so they support Windows as an OS...) But where it comes to things like their PS1 games being supported on the device? Really? How do they plan to lock that down? I'm guessing a proprietary controller interface of some sort but maybe that is too simple.

    Anyway, I look forward to the knock-offs and work-alike devices. Not getting a Sony here. I expect anything Sony puts out that is limited or controlled in some way will be worked around, hacked or fixed... and even if not? "...nothing of value was lost..."

    1. Re:Cue the knock-offs! by Scott64 · · Score: 1

      Re: PS1 Support. Maybe they'll have a specific "Game OS" and use Android as an "Other OS". Then when people figure out how the game OS works, they'll remove the Other OS in a mandatory firmware upgrade and claim that they never sold the device as a general purpose computer; they sold it as a game console only.

    2. Re:Cue the knock-offs! by erroneus · · Score: 1

      That would never happen in a million years! If Sony were to pull a stunt like that, everyone would hate them with such intensity that they simply couldn't stay in business long after that.

  13. Me want.... by beaverdownunder · · Score: 1

    I want an S2 for Xmas Santa, kthxbai!

  14. Some big names by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are finding the me too bandwagon is tougher than they thought... jump on at your own peril.

  15. Re:Is this a "first"? by somersault · · Score: 0

    We're far more mature than that here in the gaming section.

    --
    which is totally what she said
  16. Tags by Jaysyn · · Score: 1, Redundant

    tagged: fucksony

    How appropriate.

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
  17. It could come with perpetual free beer... by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 2

    It could come with perpetual free beer and pizza and I still wouldn't buy it. I will not purchase another Sony product as long as I live. They treat people badly, and I've had quite enough of them.

    --
    Do not mock my vision of impractical footwear
    1. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by c0lo · · Score: 1

      It could come with perpetual free beer and pizza and I still wouldn't buy it. I will not purchase another Sony product as long as I live. They treat people badly, and I've had quite enough of them.

      Not even if they release the source code of that beer?

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    2. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by DCFusor · · Score: 1

      If just once, there was a boycott big enough to make a major firm change its ways, or go broke, wouldn't that be cool? Their power exceeds that of most governments -- we should make them broke and powerless for being evil.

      --
      Why guess when you can know? Measure!
    3. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by thedonger · · Score: 1

      If just once, there was a boycott big enough to make a major firm change its ways, or go broke, wouldn't that be cool? Their power exceeds that of most governments -- we should make them broke and powerless for being evil.

      The fact that you can boycott them means they are less powerful than most governments. Regardless, how is a bunch of Sony haters going to boycott a company they don't patronize in the first place? And why should those Sony haters try to get people who like Sony to turn on them for the sole purpose of making them "go broke?" You are already making your choice by not buying their products. Please don't try to ruin it for the rest of us.

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
    4. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do you boycott them when they are given subsidies on all blank media? What about when they get subsidies on all ISP bills. And what would come next after that?

    5. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by zach_the_lizard · · Score: 1

      Corporations, though powerful, aren't as powerful as governments. The most powerful governments can launch world-destroying nuclear attacks. I don't recall too many Fortune 500 companies with stockpiles of ICBMs and nuclear warheads.

      --
      SSC
    6. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Walmart destroyed the USA economy. That's "world-destroying" enough.

    7. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who is ruining what? I consider it my civic duty to continue telling everyone I know and even some I don't what a piece of shit sony and their products are. I will continue to do so until I'm old and moldy in ground or sony is dead. Sorry, scratch that last part I would still be telling people even after they were dead.

    8. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Some people would say you are missing the part about the companies running the government that gets to order the military around.
      The government is a theatrical performance. They have imaginary power. When the companies threaten, the government caves.

    9. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1

      http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exota-affaire

      A dutch consumer watchdog raised a (false) alarm about exploding soda bottles. Nobody bought them anymore and the company went under. To bad it turned out to be a lie.

      And what would you buy instead? MS (lied so often in court the fanboys don't even bother denying it anymore) or Apple (just what is that location file for)

      --

      MMO Quests are like orgasms:

      You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    10. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll buy an extra Sony product each time I do then, to make up for you. Hell, I've got money to burn.

    11. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by vuffi_raa · · Score: 1

      I will not purchase another Sony product as long as I live. They treat people badly, and I've had quite enough of them

      Every corporation treats people badly, I have never seen Sony do anything any worse than any other corporation.

    12. Re:It could come with perpetual free beer... by thedonger · · Score: 1

      And what would come next after that?

      "Sony" tattoos on all new born children? I'll vote for that!

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
  18. They should have gone with 3+ by OnionFighter · · Score: 1

    Anybody can do two screens.

    1. Re:They should have gone with 3+ by c0lo · · Score: 1

      Anybody can do two screens.

      Except Microsoft?

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    2. Re:They should have gone with 3+ by Sky+Cry · · Score: 2

      Yes, Microsoft was only capable of making a concept:
      http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/microsofts-courier-digital-journal-exclusive-pictures-and-de/
      http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/microsoft-confirms-kills-courier-in-one-fell-swoop/

    3. Re:They should have gone with 3+ by Dr+Max · · Score: 1

      Yeah but two 5.5 inch screens only a really stupid company could do that.

      --
      Rocket Surgeon.
    4. Re:They should have gone with 3+ by zombiechan · · Score: 1

      Actually, I remember seeing an advertisement for a two screen laptop running window 7 (well they called it a tablet)
      http://geekomode.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iconia-3.jpg

    5. Re:They should have gone with 3+ by Haedrian · · Score: 2

      http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades,11056/

  19. That's no innovation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    And, given the way Sony has acted in the past years, F U C K Y O U S O N Y

  20. Still 2 screens.... by __aazsst3756 · · Score: 1

    It still acts like two independent screens, call me when it unfolds to form one large screen. Besides its hardly the first, and I will never buy Sony again.

  21. Groceries and Rickrolls by tepples · · Score: 1

    The fact that you can boycott them

    How do I boycott Sony when all the local grocery stores buy Sony Music to play over the speaker systems? And how do I boycott Sony when someone induces me to follow a link to a video of a song performed by Rick Astley and released on a Sony label?

    1. Re:Groceries and Rickrolls by thedonger · · Score: 1

      Shit. In that case you better make sure you don't ever e-mail someone who may look at your message on a Sony computer. In fact, someone may have read your post on a Sony computer. I just typed "Sony" twice - no, three times including that one. Better not read this response.

      --
      Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
  22. Recorded vs. wrote by tepples · · Score: 1

    a minidisc recorder (why can I only upload to it, not even download stuff I recorded myself?)

    Just because you recorded the song yourself doesn't mean you wrote the song yourself. Can you prove that your song isn't substantially similar to any of the songs controlled by Sony/ATV, a joint partnership between Sony and the estate of Michael Jackson?

    1. Re:Recorded vs. wrote by UnknowingFool · · Score: 1

      See that's the crux of the decline of Sony. By your logic, can you prove what you recorded on Betamax doesn't fall under Fair Use? Today's Sony would have never taken the case to the Supreme Court and consumers would never have had VCRs. The Sony of old only had to worry about making good electronics. The new Sony has to protect content sales as well.

      --
      Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
  23. So... by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

    How much do they cost? This being Sony, I'm guessing 4 figures.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  24. No thanks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What proprietary nonsense or anti-consumer behavior will THIS Sony product come with?

    No Thanks.

  25. Doesn't matter... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's from Sony. I want nothing to do with it!

    Why yes. I do have freedom of choice.

    1. Re:Doesn't matter... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why yes. I do have freedom of choice.

      Thank god! I was afraid we were all going to be forced to buy one. I can relax now

  26. Two lessons I've learned in life... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    1. Never stick your dick in crazy.
    2. Never buy a Sony product.

  27. Fuck it, we're going to 5 by Brannon · · Score: 1

    top that.

  28. I'm in the market for a tablet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One that doesn't suck and isn't made by Sony, Apple, or Samsung. Needless to say I'll be passing on this one without even looking at the specs.

  29. i'd love one of these, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I refuse to buy anything from sony until they bring back OtherOS to my PS3 and stop treating me like a criminal.

  30. Naw by iplayfast · · Score: 1

    I've decided that Sony is crap. I own a PS3 (the console that does everything) and am constantly being plagued by incompatiblity problems. Not to mention the rootkits and otheros removal.

    I'm boycotting Sony.

    1. Re:Naw by brantondaveperson · · Score: 1

      Really? Gonna biff your PS3? Can I have it?

  31. More things to boycott! by Sene · · Score: 1

    Another thing I can tell anyone I know not to buy...

  32. I love the caption under the photo: by Slutticus · · Score: 1

    Design and specifications are subject to change without notice"
    boy ain't that the truth!

  33. Agreed! by shani · · Score: 1

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niJWmdnxEFc

  34. History is littered with examples by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Corps get governments to do their dirty work.

    For instance, the U.S. overthrow of the democratically elected government in Guatemala (installed a bloody right-wing dictatorship).

    This was at the request of United Fruit Company.

    Many many thousands, murdered and disappeared over the next decades. Purely on the orders of a corporation.

  35. That's just a by Asaf.Zamir · · Score: 1

    Poorly designed device, seriously. Would anyone take S2 as something real? as a competition to iPad?

  36. Messaging by symbolset · · Score: 1

    It appears from this thread that Sony's messaging people have some work to do.

    --
    Help stamp out iliturcy.
  37. Dual screen tablet just for women? by erice · · Score: 1

    Because, even folded, it is too big for a pocket and the only compartment that it will fit in that won't also hold a non-folding tablet is a purse.

  38. network by drb226 · · Score: 1

    [The Sony tablets] can also smoothly access digital content including videos, games and books through Sony's premium network services and more, on-the-go at any time.

    The recent PSN issues are not inspiring my confidence in these new tablets...