Sony Xperia tablet images leaked online

Photos of one of Sony's next-generation Xperia tablets have been leaked online, showing a device that boasts a number of features and accessories including a keyboard cover/stand just like the one for Microsoft's Surface tablet.

A slideshow of the Android tablet was posted by XDA-Developers forum member qsp, who claims to work for Sony. The slideshow was posted on German site Mobiflip.
This new model is reportedly 42 percent thinner than the Sony Tablet S it is replacing, and lighter as well. According to the slides, the upcoming tablet will weigh 570 grams vs. the Sony S's 595 grams. Instead of a bulky wedge-shaped design, the tablet will have a more understated folded-over bump in the back of its aluminum-magnesium alloy body.

The new Xperia tablet is also purported to pack a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, Android 4.0, and a 6,000 mAh battery rated for 10 hours.

The resolution on the 9.4-inch screen is 1280 by 800 pixels, which is similar to competing 10.1-inch tablets. Sony's TruBlack display technology is also expected to help minimise glare and boost color vibrancy. The screen also has anti-fingerprint coating and will supposedly be splash-proof.

The entertainment-oriented tablet also offers a bunch of connectivity options and accessories. HDMI output, Bluetooth 3.0, SD card, and even 3G connectivity are part of the package.

A number of stands and docks, including one with built-in speakers, are showcased in the leaked slides, but it's the slim Microsoft Surface-like one that will turn heads.

One really cool feature for families is the Guest Mode, where each tablet user can have a separate home screen, apps, and wallpaper.

According to the Sony employee who posted the details, the Xperia tablet will launch in September in three models: US$399.99 ($495) for the 16GB model, US$499.99 ($619) for 32GB, and US$599.99 ($742) for 64GB.

However, the slides show suggested retail prices of $50 more for each model (so US$449.99/16GB, US$549.99/32GB, and US$649.99/64GB). Still, these prices are really competitive (especially if 3G is included).