Sony Mobile

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G Heads to AT&T for $50

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 8, 2011 | 65 comments

Previously thought of as the PlayStation phone, the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY has now been available for a few months on Verizon for $99 with a two-year contract. The first of its kind, this PlayStation Certified phone is designed to give users all the functionalities of a traditional Android smartphone with the twist of a slide-out keypad that reveals PlayStation-like controls. The device is aimed at those who want to game on the go without carrying multiple devices. PlayStation Certified Android phones will also get exclusive access to PlayStation One games and games which are designed to take advantage of the system’s unique controls.

Now we’ve learned from today’s announcement that there will be a new variation of this phone. The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G is headed to AT&T on September 18th for $49 with a two-year contract. This means that the Xperia PLAY 4G can tap into AT&T’s Edge, 3G, and HSPA+ network throughout the US. Sticking to its commitment, Sony Ericsson is also making sure that its Android phone launched with the latest version of Android, so expect to see Android 2.3.3 when you power on the device. After the jump, we give you the phone’s specs, 7 pre-loaded games, which includes Madden NFL, and the full press release.

Sony Tablet S Release Date Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 6, 2011 | 40 comments

Android fans who’ve been waiting for Sony to get in the tablet game won’t have much longer to wait. Via the Sony and Amazon website, The Sony Tablet S (SGPT111US/S) will be making its US debut on September 16th with the previously announced price of $499 for 16GB and $599 for the 32GB. The Sony Tablet P is also making an appearance on the Sony website but without a release date or pre-order status, we can only assume that the device is still on for a Fall or Holiday 2011 release date. You can be sure though as the launch date of the Sony Tablet S passes, that a lot more will be revealed about the Sony Tablet P.

[Via Sony]

Sony VAIO S Notebooks Get a Speed Bump

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 5, 2011 | 104 comments

If you’re in the market for a 13-inch notebook and are looking at the $1,000 price point, Sony would like you to take another look at their VAIO S lineup. The series, which weighs just under four pounds, is receiving a mild update from Sony that leaves most of the hardware without change with the exception of the processor. So, you should expect the same base 4GB RAM, HD screen, and Blu-ray drive with newer versions of the Intel i3s, i5s and i7s processor that equal a slightly faster computer with slightly better battery lifetime. The Sony VAIO S Notebook refresh will be available on October 2nd. After the jump, the official press release and additional pictures.

Meet the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S. We Have Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 2, 2011 | 16 comments

Announced just under a year ago at CES 2011, Sony Ericsson is now refreshing the Xperia arc. The Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S, as the model will be known, is quite similar in design to its predecessor. Underneath the hood is a different question. The Xperia arc S is now stepping into the 1GHz+ category with a single core 1.4GHz chipset (MSM8255T), 512MB RAM and the Adreno 205 GPU. This new combination is said to result in a 25% faster camera and 20% faster web rendering when compared to the Xperia arc.

Launching this October, the Xperia arc S will also get a improved 8.1 megapixel camera with an Exmor R sensor. 3D sweep panorama mode is also added, though it will be taking 2D pictures and converting them to 3D, instead of native 3D. Coming in the same 4.2-inch multitouch display as the Xperia arc, this Android 2.3.4 phone will be available in Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black, and Sakura Pink. No word yet on pricing or carrier availability. After the jump, a video preview, additional pictures (including the other colors)and a press release awaits you.

Sony Tablet S and the Tablet P Get Officially Unveiled. We Have Specs, Details, and a Preview for You

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 31, 2011 | 1 comment

It’s been no secret that Sony has been working on a pair of Android tablets. The electronics giant has been quite serious about the use of Android and has shifted their entire Sony Ericsson division to utilize the open-sourced software from Google. With the computer industry beginning to enter what Apple calls the “post PC’ era, Sony, like many other computer makers, knew that it had to have some presence in the fast-growing market. In the nearly one and a half years that the iPad has been on the market, Apple has come to sell more than 30 million units while competitors like HP have already dropped out and discontinued their entire tablet strategy and Samsung continues to sell units in the low thousands. As Sony’s CEO Sir Howard Stringer put it, “It’s not about who makes them first, but who makes them better.” This simple line goes a long way to explaining why with the glut of tablets that are available on the market, none have yet to find any real form of success.

With the codenamed Sony S1 tablet officially being called the Sony Tablet S and the codenamed S2 tablet being called the Sony Tablet P, Sony is looking to change the fortune of non-iOS-tablet manufacturers and is hoping to make an impact in the tablet market. Between the two devices, the Tablet S is what many would think of when they imagine a tablet. The most obvious thing about the Tablet S is the 9.4-inch, multitouch display that powers it. Utilizing their in-house expertise, Sony tapped into their TV R&D team to provide TruBlack and Bravia technologies, which provides a 1280 x 800 resolution and “contrast ratios that hold up from any angle and very accurate color reproduction that surpasses the Samsung GalaxyTab 10.1,” as Engadget put it. Based on the NVIDIA Terga 2 chipsets, you can expect to find your usual assortment of goodies like:

Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi + 4G (AT&T only)
16GB and 32GB
Headphone jack
MicroUSB
Front VGA webcam
5 megapixel rear camera
SD card reader
IR Port

Sony’s Tablet S2 Gets A Name, More Specs Revealed For the S1 and S2

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 30, 2011 | 27 comments

We’ve recently learned that Sony will be naming their 9.4-inch tablet, code named the S1, to the Sony Tablet S. Following in the same name pattern, the dual 5.5-inch screen tablet (codename S2) will be called the Sony Tablet P. The Sony Tablet P will also be light weight, even when compared to the iPad 2, which comes in at 601 grams, while the Tablet P will weigh in at 370 grams. The Tablet P will also match the iPad 2’s 512MB of RAM, carry an internal 4GB of memory and come with a 2GB SD card which can be swapped for any other SD card size that you prefer. Connectivity will also be getting a big boost on this device, thanks to the built-in 4G and WiFi card. Both machines will also be powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processors, which should come in handy when playing PlayStation Certified games, something that will be unique to Sony’s tablets. After the jump, you can find additional specs about the S1.

Sony Ericsson to Release LiveDock Accessory. Allows Xperia Phones to be Controlled via USB Keyboard/Mouse & PS3 Controller

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 26, 2011 | 20 comments

Sony Ericsson will soon be releasing a new accessory for their Xperia line of phones. Dubbed the LiveDock, this smartphone dock allows you to charge your phone and watch videos in landscape mode. Sony will also be releasing a LiveWare manager application that allows you to launch specific apps like a clock or photo slideshow that will take advantage of the phones horizontal placement. Those who purchase multiple LiveDock units can also set which application they would like to launch automatically when connected to the dock. An example would be to have your slideshows launch when docked at home while a clock appears when docked at work.

The power management and phone attachment will be handled via a microUSB for power, and a USB port for connecting USB devices. Come Android 2.3.4’s release, the LiveDock will get boost of functionality from some unlikely devices. That’s because users who plug a USB keyboard and mouse or a PS3 controller via USB will be able to control their Xperia smartphone from that given input device. Even Xbox 360 controllers will work! The video below from SE-First should give you a good idea how the device will work.

After the jump, you can find a list of compatible phones, as well one additional picture.

Gmail Plugin for Sony Ericsson’s Timescape Now Available

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 23, 2011 | 19 comments

One of the unique features from Sony Ericsson’s Xperia line of Android phones is Timescape. This is a new native app, built from the ground up by Sony, which is designed to bring together Facebook, Twitter, text messages, and missed calls in one window. The app not only lets you view the latest information, but also to respond back, directly from within the app. Thanks to a new Gmail plugin which can be found in the Android Market, users can now also view emails from Gmail right within the Timescape window. However, keep in mind that the Gmail plugin is not developed by Sony and does have some limitations—like the inability to open the specified conversation and the void of contact images.

[Via Xperia Blog]

Sony’s Tablet S1 Gets Named, To Be Released in September

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 23, 2011 | 12 comments

We’ve known for sometime now that Sony’s S1 and S2 tablets were aiming for a fall window but would have never guessed that they meant early fall. Reports peg the Sony S1 tablet to be released during the first two weeks of September which is right around the corner. Till now, we’ve been accustomed to calling the device by its codename and it seems that the actual name isn’t far off. The official name given will be a lackluster Sony Tablet S, demoting it from Sony’s usual catchy and unique names like Bravia, VAIO, Cybershot, PS Vita, and Walkman. No details yet on the name or time table for the S2 but we have to imagine that it will carry a similar name scheme.

With the release date nearly upon on, we can also confirm some further specs. The Tablet S comes with a 9.4-inch (1280×768), a front facing 3.0megapixel camera and 5.0 megapixel back camera. Sony is also planning on releasing a extensive line of accessories to further support their tablet ecosystems. This includes a wireless keyboard, docking station, and a micro USB to USB cable which will allow you to plug compatible USB devices to the Sony Tablet S like USB flash drives and Sony’s Bloggie cameras. Currently, a $599 launch price point is being thrown around though that could change at any time and Sony has yet to hint at their pricing scheme.

[Via Engadget]

Sony Ericsson Announces ‘Live with Walkman’ Android Smartphone, Targets Music Lovers. We Have Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 22, 2011 | 3 comments

If you’ve been craving an iPod-Touch-like smartphone that runs on Android, instead of Apple’s iOS, then today’s announcement should give you something to look forward to. Sony Ericsson has announced a new Walkman phone, named “Live with Walkman.” Powered by Android 2.3, this 1GHz processor smartphone is aimed at music lovers by enabling features like a dedicated Walkman button that will automatically launch the new Walkman music interface (which is capable of taking music from your PC iTunes library). Continuing that theme, users will also find a handful of unique Facebook integrations, like sharing your current song to Facebook, and discovering new music. Qriocity, Sony’s music streaming service will also play a central role, giving owners the capability to streaming music. After the jump, you can find additional specs, including more details on Facebook integration, photos and an official press release.

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc Challenges the Sun’s Power, Helps Plants Grow

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 18, 2011 | 4 comments

LCD screens today, compared to a few years ago, are drastically brighter and yet more efficient then before. Even without new technology like Sony’s WhiteMagic LCD, new smartphones can be extremely bright and the Xperia arc is no exception. How bright though can be a matter of your definition. However, if your smartphone is powerful enough to do the job of the Sun, I think we can all agree that it’s got one major LCD backing behind it. Sony wanted to prove just that and so it created the following video which attempts to see if the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc is capable of helping flowers bloom in place of the Sun’s rays. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back, and relax while the video unfolds after the jump.

Leaked Screenshots of Sony S1 and S2 Tablet Reveal Android 3.2, Tons More Features

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 10, 2011 | 17 comments

Many of Sony’s upcoming and hotly anticipated devices like the PlayStation 3D Display, ~~PlayStation Vita~~, NEX-5N, Alpha A77 and S1 & S1 Android tablets all hold a vague “Fall” release window. Though mostly through leaks and insider information we’ve gotten to know most of these devices fairly well, Sony’s Android Honeycomb Tablet plans continue to be shrouded in mystery. Sony for its part has done a good job of releasing teaser episodes every few weeks which reveal some of the upcoming Tablets functionalities like video out. Now for the first time, we have more information to share with about the two Tablets, thanks to a handful of screenshots which reveal new information like the presence of Android Honeycomb 3.2, the tablets keyboard, music player and more in the Sony S1 and S2 Tablets. More pictures for your viewing pleasure, after the jump.

Skype Video Chatting Extends to the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY and Others

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 9, 2011 | 2 comments

When Skype made its video chatting debut on Android handsets, Sony Ericsson phones were in line to be some of the first phones to receive this functionality. Now, the list of Sony Ericsson smartphones with Skype video chatting compatibility of gone up again. This latest rounds of update now adds the Xperia PLAY, Xperia ray and Xperia mini pro to the elite list. However, there is still no word on when Sony will drop this silly name capitalization scheme. Head to the Android Market to download the free Skype app.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Gingerbread (2.3) Rollout Finally Begins

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 5, 2011 | 36 comments

The once-prematurely-announced Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Gingerbread (2.3) has taken a cue from the Autobots and begun its rollout. The new software update, which is slowly expanding from country to country, “will update your X10 to Android 2.3.3 (firmware 3.0.1.G.0.75) on Baseband 2.1.71 and Kernel 2.6.29-00054-g5f01537.” The software update, which can only be installed from your PC (again, sorry Mac users) via the PC Companion software, is currently issued to only 10% of the Xperia X10 phones. If you’ve checked via the PC Companion software and have yet to receive the new update, the best you can do is to hang tight and wait during the next week as the update expands to your territory.

[Via XperiaX10]

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc and PLAY Gain Landscape Home Screen, DLNA and More

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 3, 2011 | 3 comments

If you’re all about landscape mode with your Xperia arc or PLAY when it comes to surfing, gaming and texting but have been left empty handed when it comes to your home screen, then this news should brighten up your day. A new Android 2.3.3. Firmware version number 4.0.A.2.368 is now available for both devices which adds support for a landscape home screen, allowing you to rotate your phone while having your icons adjust. Other goodies in the new update include DLNA compatibility with Digital Home devices, allowing for streaming of content back and forth between DLNA certified devices. Last but not least, both phones are also receiving a new xLoud mode which boosts the volume from the speakers with little distortion. Those with a PC (sorry Mac users), a USB cable and the PC Companion software can fire up their machine for this small update.

[Via Xperia Blog]