Sony Tablet P Coming to AT&T March 4 for $399

Sony's clam shell Android tablet will cost $400 with a two-year data plan at AT&T.

AT&T has announced that Sony's second Android tablet, the wacky clamshell-shaped Sony Tablet P, will be available on its 4G network starting March 4. The dual-screen device will be sold for $399.99 with a two-year service agreement in more than 1,000 AT&T company-owned retail stores, and online at www.att.com.

The tablet consists of two 5.5-inch screens with a maximum resolution of 1024 x 480 each. It also sports a front-facing 0.3MP camera for video conferencing, a 5MP camera mounted on the back, Nvidia's 1 GHz dual-core Tegra 2 SoC, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot for adding up to 32 GB of additional storage -- a 2 GB microSD is already inserted. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and 802.11 b/g/n, and Google's Android 3.2 "Honeycomb" is the OS of choice.

As previously mentioned, what makes this tablet unique is the clamshell design. The two displays can be used for different functions such as checking email with one screen while using the other as a keyboard. On the gaming front, supporting apps could slip all touch-based controls to the bottom screen while leaving to top window free of buttons and D-pads. The Tablet P is currently only one of three that's PlayStation Certified here in the States, granting access to Sony's library of classic titles that are also only available on the Tablet S (Xperia PLAY still only has Crash Bandicoot).

"Like its predecessor, Sony Tablet P is PlayStation Certified and provides access to the full suite of Sony Network Entertainment services," AT&T states. "Sony Tablet devices are distinguished by four key features that set them apart from any other tablets on the market. These include: uniquely designed hardware and software, a "swift and smooth" experience (which includes Sony original features, Quick view and Quick touch), network entertainment services and cross-device connectivity."

For consumers who don't want to be bound by a contract, AT&T is selling the tablet for $549.99. Prepaid plans include 250 MB for $14.99, 3 GB for $30 and 5 GB for $50. Otherwise, postpaid data plans (aka contract) include 3 GB for $35 and 5 GB for $50.