We saw the potential of a dual-screen Android smartphone in the Kyocera Echo. Now, Sony is hoping to harness that potential and differentiate itself in the tablet market.

Today, Sony announced two different models of the upcoming "Sony Tablet." The first, codenamed the S1, has a more straightforward form factor. It's an Android 3.0 Honeycomb-based tablet with a 9.4-inch display and an off-center of gravity design that is aimed at increasing stability and lightness. 

The second tablet, the S2, takes an even more novel approach to the traditional tablet form factor. It sports two 5.5-inch displays that can be folded, making it easier to transport. The dual screens can be combined into one larger screen, or used for two different functions -- playing video on the top screen while displaying user controls on the bottom.

"I'm excited about 'Sony Tablet' as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for,” Google Senior VP of Mobile Andy Rubin said in a press release.

Sony Tablet will also heavily employ cloud-based services, such as Qriocity for music and video streaming, PlayStation Suite for gaming, and ReaderStore2 for ebooks.

Both devices also sport DLNA functionality for easy transfer of content to larger screens or stereo systems, and the S1 sports infrared technology that allows the device to act as a remote for many BRAVIA devices.

Sony Tablet is scheduled to hit global markets this fall. No pricing has been announced.