Thanks to Apple’s iPad, the tablet market has taken the light from the previously popular “netbooks”. When a type of device becomes popular, you can always expect to see the big wig companies close behind. Though Sony does not plan to take the tablet market, they intend on taking the number two spot directly behind the massively popular iPad. According to Engadget, Sony will begin working on the tablet, codenamed “S1”, later this year. Sony has also mentioned that the device will be branded as PlayStation Certified, being the second of Sony’s devices to hold that title, the first being the Sony Ericsson.

Sony’s tablet will run Android 3.0, and will essentially be entirely touchscreen. The only button that is confirmed is a volume control, and there is a possibility of a button exclusively for Qriocity. The tablet’s customization is inspired by previous Sony gadgets, including the Ericsson, PlayStation, Reader, and VAIO; with teams from each helping to create the device. The VAIO team is in charge of the production of the tablet, though the device is not expected to hold the title VAIO upon release. Sony is already very confident in their tablet, and has apparently “created a user experience that rivals and at times improves upon the iPad’s renowned experience.” While that’s some pretty big talk, Sony has shown their intelligence in creating quality products in the past, and certainly has the potential to pull this off. Sony’s Qriocity, essentially an on-demand service that offers music, movies, and so on is intended to play a large role with the device. As one could expect, the tablet will also be big on games, and will come with some PSOne games upon purchase. According to Sony, the tablet will also have “PlayStation integration”.

While speculation originally inferred that the tablet’s integration with the PlayStation would be similar to that of the PlayStation Portable’s Remote Play service, the fact that it holds the title “PlayStation Certified” implies otherwise. The title is, as mentioned previously, also used for Sony’s Ericsson, and is use to indicate that the device brings its own PlayStation experience. With that, we can be almost certain that remote play will not be the best the tablet has to offer in terms of gaming.

Though the design of the tablet could change, the current design is shown below. It is intended to remind the user of something person, almost like an open paperback book. The report explains the benefits of such a design, and is something iPad owners would have appreciated:

“The tablet’s ‘wrap’ design is meant to remind the owner of something personal in the way that it mimics an open paperback stuffed into the back pocket, or a magazine folded backward upon itself such that only a single page is visible to read.” The report continues, saying “A design that also gives the tablet’s display enough angle to comfortably touch-type when placed on a table.” In addition, “It’s also meant to reduce the difficulty in using it with one hand.

In terms of price, the Wi-Fi version will cost around $599, which is $100 more expensive than the cheapest model of the iPad. Though a 3G service of some short will likely be confirmed later on, there is currently no word. The device is currently set to hit store shelves this September, a release date that could easily change granted the number of times it has been delayed up to this point.

The tablet will be the second Sony device to be PlayStation Certified, and sounds quite promising. There is certainly an opportunity for Sony here, given the mistakes of the iPad have been exposed for all to see. If Sony can re-create the iPad, give it a Sony touch, and resolve some of the common issues iPad users face, Sony could very well have a strong place in the tablet market.

More information the tablet will undoubtedly surface in the coming months, so keep your eyes open.