Xperia Tablet S, the device that Sony (NYSE:
SNE
) has promoted as being the only tablet with a
splash-proof enclosure
that "protects it from wet hands and the inevitable kitchen
splash or two," has been recalled due to a water-proofing defect.
According to
Bloomberg Businessweek
, the device is currently available in the United States, Canada,
Europe, Oceania and Taiwan. Sony will offer free repairs to
customers in each of those regions.
Sony has now suspended sales of the device, which range in
price from $449.99 (for the 16GB Wi-Fi 3G model) to $649.99 (for
the 64GB iteration). On its
domestic website
, Sony has placed the words "Notify Me" over its former "Buy"
button, allowing consumers to enter their e-mail address to be
alerted when the tablet goes on sale again.
The Japanese tech giant had hoped to use the Xperia Tablet S
and other high-end devices to compete more effectively against
its Cupertino, California-based competitor, Apple (NASDAQ:
AAPL
). In addition to pricier tablets, Sony recently announced that
it would sell an 84-inch 4K television for $25,000.
Sony followed in the footsteps of another key competitor by
building a keyboard case for its new tablet that is
eerily similar
to the one Microsoft (NASDAQ:
MSFT
) designed for its first tablet, the Surface. Apple has yet to
design a similar add-on for the iPad, but several
enterprising accessory manufacturers
have attempted to fill the void.
The Xperia Tablet S received new competition last month when
Amazon (NASDAQ:
AMZN
) and Barnes & Noble (NYSE:
BKS
) announced a slate of new tablets. Amazon revealed that it was
developing
four new tablets
to replace the first Kindle Fire lineup, which had completely
sold out and helped the company acquire
22 percent of the domestic tablet market
. Meanwhile, Barnes & Nobile announced that it was developing
two new tablets
, in order to cover the seven-inch and nine-inch spectrum.
Apple is expected to unveil
another
version of the iPad next week. But instead of introducing the
world to the fourth-generation model, the company is
believed to be developing
a miniature iPad.
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@LouisBedigianBZ
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