Sony Mobile

Sony Xperia Z3 Flagship and Z3 Compact Leaked (Update)

by Jonathan Nolan | Jul 1, 2014 | 7 comments

It’s new flagship rumour time! Bored with the Xperia Z2 flagship? Want more from the Xperia Z1 Compact? You’re in luck. Images are making the rounds of what’s rumoured to be the next King of the Xperias, as well as a new Compact too. New Xperia tablets are incoming, not just one, but two are believed to be coming, a flagship tablet and a new compact version!

From the images we can tell a few things are new including a white front face for the first time, not just around the sides and back. Also, take a closer look at the bezel. Sony has started slimming down the bezels now, having resisted doing this for the past few years.

Software update – after Google recently announced the latest Android version ‘L’, available to developers immediately, an Autumn/Fall flagship is very likely to sport the new OS version.

Read on find out more about the new flagship, compact and tablets.

More Sony SmartBand Wrist Strap SWR110 Colors Now Available

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 1, 2014 | 0 comments

Say you’ve got yourself the newly released Sony SmartBand. You know, the one that’s not only able to track your health, but your daily life as well, thanks to the intriguing LifeLog app. But now that you’ve got one, you’re noticing that the default black color just isn’t all that fitting to you. Heck, maybe you’d rather have different colors for different outfits, seeing how these units are as much technology as fashion accessories (and they need to be if they are to succeed). Luckily for you, as of today, if you’re in Europe or the USA, Sony is making available a host of new colors.

After the jump, all the new Sony SmartBand wrist strap colors await you.

Will Sony Produce Cheaper Xperias to Meet Asian Smartphone Boom?

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 26, 2014 | 0 comments

Remember Ericsson? Sony’s old partner in producing mobile phones continues to be an industry champion, though not in a visible way. Having left behind mobile phone production, they continue their long history in the construction of mobile network infrastructure, another multi-billion dollar industry hidden underneath the phones by our ears. Being one of the founding fathers of the telecom industry back in 1876, the Scandinavian company continues to shed light on where the telecom sector is and how it will change with industry-respected research. Did you know that another 3.7 billion new people will be smartphone users within just 5 years?

Total smartphone subscriptions reached 1.9 billion in 2013 and are expected to grow to 5.6 billion by 2019.

The surge in new smartphone users will come from Asia. 933m people in Asia were using smartphones up to the end of 2013, and that is heading towards 4 billion in just a few years. As developing economies generally evolve, the growth won’t be fueled by ultra-expensive-made-of-the-rarest-metal-you-can-only-find-on-Mars-flagships; instead, it will come in at the entry-level range, Ericsson points out.

But this seems to present a challenge for Sony. Sony Xperia product marketing manager Stephen Sneeden was quoted to CNET in January last year as saying that they couldn’t achieve the level of quality that is associated with the Sony brand at the entry-level price point, and that they may leave the entry-level segment alone to concentrate on the premium and mid-range areas. Their 2014 smartphone range seems to reflect this, with probably only the Xperia E1 checking in at the entry-level price point so far this year. So if Sony would like to tap into new sources of market growth, how could this be achieved without reestablishing itself in the entry-level segment to meet future growth?

Read on to hear more about what Ericsson predicts is coming in the next 5 years.

Sony to Use MediaTek Chips Over Qualcomm in 2015?

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 24, 2014 | 5 comments

In the mobile world, Qualcomm is a well-known provider of wireless chipsets that power smartphones and tablets alike. Qualcomm offers an extensive array of chipsets that provide single, dual-core, and quad-core processors alongside built-in graphics. Another company who also provides such chipsets is the lesser known MediaTek. Despite catering to Huawei, Alcatel, Lenovo, Acer, Vivo, Xolo, and Oppo to name a few, the Taiwanese company has never been able to crack mobile makers from the West. When placed in mobile devices, MediaTek chips generally find their way into lower end devices like the Sony Xperia C which utilizes a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and IMG SGX544 graphics.

While the Xperia C is the only Sony smartphone to currently utilize a MediaTek chipset, that might all change come 2015.

Why the iPhone 6 Could Render the Release of the Sony Xperia Z2 on Verizon Moot

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 19, 2014 | 8 comments

The Sony Xperia Z2 launched globally in March and with it, the advent of 4K video in smartphones. The Sony Xperia Z2 features an impressive 5.2-inch full HD (1080p) Triluminos display that’s powered by a 2.3 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 with 3GB RAM. Thanks to the powerful processor and 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS camera, the Xperia Z2 can capture video in 4K 30fps, which can be played back on any 4K television. Not bad for a smartphone right? The problem? It’s now been 5 months since the rest of the world got their hands on the Xperia Z2 and it’s yet to make a debut in the US.

During the last few months, we’ve seen what I believe are intentional leaks of the Xperia Z2 with a Verizon logo from Sony though the company swears they’re for internal mockups only. Now more and more info is indicating that the deal between Sony and Verizon will likely happen which would see the Xperia Z2 arrive in the US in Q3 2014. That means that the Xperia Z2 will have been released in other territories for nearly 6 months before the flagship smartphone makes its debut in the US and that’s not even the biggest problem facing Sony if the release window actually holds true.

After the jump, we discuss the obstacles that face the Xperia Z2 in the US come this holiday.

Sony “Accidentally” Leaks the Xperia Z2 for Verizon…Again

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 17, 2014 | 2 comments

According to Sony, the Xperia Z2 for Verizon is not happening, because how can a product that a company has yet to announce happen? Despite that stance, the company continues to “accidentally” release pictures of the Xperia Z2 sporting a Verizon logo on different social media outlets, only to take them down and claim something along the lines of them being for “mockup” purposes only. Now, only two things could be happening here. Either Sony has the world’s least competent social media team that somehow has access to unannounced products far before they’re official (unlikely). Or Sony is being extremely smart and is using us (the press/bloggers) to continue spreading the word that the Xperia Z2 will be coming to Verizon in the near future (highly likely).

New Xperia M Update 15.4.A.1.9/15.5.A.1.5 is Rolling out Now (Update)

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 10, 2014 | 30 comments

The Xperia M update (Dual version too) that we seen coming also known as “feature release 2” is now rolling out. The C1904 (Canada, US, India, parts of Australia and more) is already offering the update while the global C1905 version shows that various European and Asian countries are the first to get it including Poland, Italy, Malaysia and Indonesia.

This update has been long anticipated, given that the 4.3 uplift brought a very elegant interface along the lines of the 2014 Xperias but a few bugs too.

Themes are working! We’ve tested a variety of themes including the FIFA 2014 and Spiderman 2 themes, check out the gallery and download them with direct links from Google Play.

Read on for more details.

Sony SmartWatch 2 Gains New Clocks and Widgets, Thanks to New API

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 6, 2014 | 0 comments

Good news for Sony SmartWatch 2 owners. Sony is releasing a set of new API which allows developers to create new clocks and widgets. All of this is possible because of the new SDK Sony released which includes the SmartWatch 2 watch face editor that allows for more easily customizable faces. Once a new face or widget is created, developers will then be able to publish it to Google Play, where it can be downloaded on the SmartWatch 2. From there, owners can browse difference interfaces and widgets for the SmartWatch 2 via its companion app on their Android device.

After the jump, a video tutorial from Sony.

Sony Lifelog App Preview (Video)

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 5, 2014 | 0 comments

Are you still confused by what Lifelog, the companion app to the Sony SmartBand can do? Luckily, Sony has put together a video that explains exactly how what the company calls a “life tracker” is able to store more than your fitness info and incorporate your social life as well. As a refresher, beyond being able to see how long you’ve slept, where you’ve been, and how the weather was during those times, Lifelog is also able to tie into your social life and tell you the number of photos you’ve taken, how much video/music you’ve consumed, and other social metrics. After the jump, the video that better explains it awaits you.

Sony SmartBand Now Available in the US for $99

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2014 | 0 comments

The Sony SmartBand was announced 6 months ago at CES 2014, and Sony is finally shipping what it calls a “life tracker” in the US for $99. While the Sony SmartBand does what other devices like Fitbit can do, it has a few tricks up its sleeve, hence why Sony prefers the term “life tracker.” Beyond the basic ability to track your movement in a waterproof design and set alarms, the SmartBand also allows you to play, pause, and skip through your music. Connection is also easy thanks to the built in NFC, while non-NFC devices will rely on Bluetooth. But all of this is the tip of the iceberg since the SmartBand works with Lifelog, its companion app. So let’s talk details.

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet for Verizon Gets Leaked

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2014 | 0 comments

Late last month, we reported how the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is likely headed to Verizon. Sony has been clear that they want to expand their mobile presence and work with carrier partners. With Verizon being one of the top players in the US, bringing their smartphones and tablets on big red’s network seems like a no brainer. Even earlier that month, Sony themselves accidentally leaked a photo of the company’s flagship Xperia Z2 smartphone with a Verizon logo though as expected, the company’s stance was that it was purely a internal mockup. Right.

Now, we have another promotional leak and it’s their flagship Android tablet with the Verizon logo which can be seen above.

Meet the Sony Xperia T3 – The “World’s Slimmest 5.3-inch Smartphone”

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 3, 2014 | 2 comments

Sony just unleashed the Xperia T3, a 7mm, 5.3-inch HD device with 8MP main camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage all wrapped in a stainless steel frame. Sony tells us that it is intended for global release from the end of July. The specs suggest an upper mid-range placement. So what’s different with this one? They teamed up with German photographer Benjamin Kaufmann for the design of this smartphone, taking inspiration from “landscapes and art.” So we can add this to the OmniBalance design langauge that they’ve been using. Xperia just took a new direction.

The unique stainless steel ‘mirror’ that frames the device is represented in the reflective waves of the sea, while the device’s white, black and purple variations are also characterised in the landscapes breath-taking palette.

Come check out the specs and gallery.

Sony Mobile Teases “Next Big Thing this Season” (Updated)

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 3, 2014 | 2 comments

Something is coming. We can expect to be wowed. By season, we’re likely talking about the summer, right? (summer up here, winter down there!) “Next Big Thing” … that’s not ‘king of flagship’ language, is it? Something wearable then? There are only two things in the image that Sony Mobile provided; a smartphone and a lady. Girlfriend with every smartphone?? 😛

Read on and let’s talk Sony surprises.

Sony Preparing New D2403 Smartphone to Rival Moto G?

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 1, 2014 | 2 comments

An intriguing new Sony smartphone appears to be in the pipeline with the model D2403. Details of a 4.4-inch, quad-core Android 4.4.2 device have surfaced and given those specs alone they fit right in with the Motorola G which took the market by storm last November. The Motorola G you may remember is a 4.5-inch, quad-core handset running on 4.4.2 too. What really sold the device was it’s very cheap price for those specs. It reshaped the mid-range market as those specs were previously found closer to a premium price. Motorola (owned by Motorola, then Google, now Lenovo) commented that it was their “most successful, highest-selling smartphone in Motorola history”.

Regarding Sony, we were left wondering how committed they were to the mid-range devices now since they seem to be targeting the premium segment more and considering that the update to the 2013 mid-ranger Xperia M (somewhat merged with the L?) was a much larger, more impressive M2. But this new D2403 that seems to be in development will presumably be below the M2 in specs and price – targeting the Moto G. If you thought you were happy with your current budget or mid-range Sony Xperia smartphone, prepare to be teased!

What’s Sony putting in this handset to take out the Moto G?

More Xperia Updates for: SP, M, M2, Z, ZR, Z1 Compact, Tablets Z, Z2 LTE/Wi-Fi

by Jonathan Nolan | May 29, 2014 | 1 comment

It’s time for a full check up on KitKat and Jellybean updates for the 2013, 2014 lineup.

Various updates are available for the following models: Z1 Compact, SP, Z, ZL, M2 and M.

Some of the models have minor Jellybean updates (e.g. SP, M), some make the jump to KitKat (e.g. Z, ZR) and others have minor KitKat increments (e.g. M2, Z1 Compact). There is also an update for the Tablet Z, Z2 LTE and Wi-Fi versions.

Read on for more details.