While the tablet market continues to expand and each week, we seem to hear about a new Android variation, there still remains one true king, Apple. Playing second fiddle to them, Samsung has continued to copy offer new tablets and holds a respectable second place behind the Cupertino based company. Then, there is everyone else. Sony like others has continued to offer one or two tablets a year like the Xperia Tablet S and the soon to be released Xperia Tablet Z. Others like Microsoft are pouring billions into their own tablet initiative with the likes of the Surface and Surface Pro though there is little traction with consumers. While the tablet market is a highly active one, much like the smartphone segment, the game is currently controlled by Apple and Samsung. So how do you win in such an environment and gain marketshare? By offering something totally different and that’s exactly what Sony has announced with their 13.3-inch e-ink tablet.

Today’s tablets, be it on iOS, Android, or Windows must do many different things. They have to entertain us with movies, music, and games while also be a productive device in our everyday workflow with access to emails, calendars and word processing. While many adhere to this, especially the iPad with a full creative suit which includes Pages, Number, and Keynote, it still may not be what students want or so Sony hopes. Announced as a prototype, the Sony 13.3-inch e-ink tablet relies on a decade old technology. Sony who is no strangers to e-readers which use the e-ink screens which allow for phenomenal battery life and usage in sun is once again using the technology in a larger format.

The e-paper based tablet currently features a 13.3-inch screen (1,200 x 1,600) that is meant to replicate the size of a traditional A4 size paper, used throughout the world. Other details of the prototype device include:

• 6.8mm (0.27 inch) thick
• Weighs 358g (12.6 ounces)
• 4GB of on-board storage
• microSD slot to increased storage
• Wi-Fi
  

In fact, according to Sony, with Wi-Fi turned off, the e-paper tablet will offer 3 weeks of battery life. Like todays tablets, the final product will also include touchcreen and scrolling, something more rare in e-ink technology and readers. The said device will include a stylus and annotating PDF’s and that’s where things get interesting. As seen by the size of the unite, Sony wants to target this device to universities and education centers as a true digital replacement of paper which the thin and light weigh profile, in addition to the long battery life should provide. The unit will allow for scrawling notes which are turned to PDF’s that can be sent to other devices thanks to the built in Wi-Fi.

While no price or final form has been announced, it’s safe to assume that this should be priced well below tablets. It’s also worth noting that a device like this has a very specific use and should not be mistaken as a competitor to other iOS and Android tablets. If Sony can deliver this product with an aggressive price, there is little reason for the company to not find success with it, especially in developing worlds. Sony is expecting to deploy the e-ink tablets in three Japanese universities by years end.

Discuss:

Do you see a future in Sony’s e-ink tablet?

[Via Sony]