Sony Splits Contacts App on Android; Updates to 16.1.B.3.2

Sony Android Contacts 16.1.B.3.2

If you’ve been rocking Android 4.4.4 on your Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact which the US is finally getting, or the Z1 Ultra then this news is for you. In a trend that current affects the mentioned phones which will likely expand to all current Xperia smartphones, Sony is separating the Contacts app from all firmware updates and instead is planning on treating as a standalone app. Sony already does this with their media apps like Walkman which was just updated to build 8.4.A.1.4. With that move, the Contacts update 16.1.B.3.2 went live as well.

After the jump, we discuss why this is an important step for Sony and what Contacts 16.1.B.3.2 brings with it.

Historically, Sony has been quite slow with firmware updates with their mobile devices. While competitor smartphones will launch with the latest build of Android, Xperia devices tend to be one or two builds behind. Part of this is due to the extensive variants of Android builds that exist and the numerous handsets with different chipsets, carrier requirements, and regional tweaks which are needed before each version of the firmware is certified and published.

Because of this, excluding media apps, when applications such as Contacts have required an update, Sony would have to include them with a firmware update which tends to take a much longer time. On the other hand, updating apps is a much easier affair and a less policed one from Google. With Sony now taking the Contacts app out from the firmware updates and treating it as a standalone app, they will be able to update the app with increased frequency which is great for Xperia users. Hopefully this is a trend that Sony continues with on other parts their software initiative on Android.

Speaking of updates, the Contacts 16.1.B.3.2 update brings with it:

  • Enhanced user experience
  • Software performance improvements

The update is currently live on the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, and Z1 Ultra running Android 4.4.4. At just 6.2MB and available OTA, it should be a quick one to do.

Discuss:

What other apps should Sony separate from the firmware for faster update times?