Sony Corp.

Sony Open SmartWatch Project Allows Access to Watch Firmware

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 17, 2013 | 0 comments
Sohrab Osati

Sony SmartWatch Firmware

For better or worse, developers always want access to more. More API’s, more SDK content, and the holy grail if possible, more control over the devices firmware. Be it an iOS or Android device, firmware is usually one of the areas thats blocked off from developers in order to keep device performance at a certain threshold. Many of the devices we own are capable of more if the firmware is tweaked but such things can equally have a negative consequence like diminished battery life.

Much in the way that PlayStation is betting on indie developer, so is Sony by granting devs access to the SmartWatch firmware with the Open SmartWatch Project.

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PlayStation Marketing Kicks Off; Greatness Awaits

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 14, 2013 | 0 comments
Sohrab Osati

Greatness AwaitsOne of the themes from the PlayStation E3 press conference this year was “greatness awaits.” The new tagline for the gaming division of Sony could be seen outside of the LA Convention Center as a beacon for PlayStation fans. To followup with the theme, Sony has released a new minute and a half trailer that’s all about greatness. Better yet, the ad itself is not PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation Vita centric. Instead, the ad is all about gaming and gamers. After the jump, greatness awaits you.

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eyeIO’s Video Compression Powers Sony’s 4K Server

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 6, 2013 | 0 comments
Sohrab Osati

Sony FMP-X1 4K Media Server

Much like the transition from SD to HD, things are beginning to fall in place. Sony, a big proponent of HD and HD films with Blu-ray is once again on the forefront and pushing 4K, the next evolution of the format. As the name suggest, 4K has four times the resolution of HD which results in televisions delivering video at 3,840 x 2,160. Yes, the statement that bigger is better is usually true. Bigger TV is better than smaller TV. 4K resolution is better than HD resolution. But with bigger, can also come headaches like four times the resolution means four times the size.

This in part is where the issues with 4K begin to surface. In order to show 4K content, cable and satellite providers need more bandwidth and capable pipes to push the media. The same holds true for your ISP and even the Blu-ray format. We live in a world, and maybe more the US that we’re just starting to discover what true high speed internet is and with our current infrastructure, there is no way that we can properly support 4K. That is, unless you’re eyeIO, the company whose video compression powers Sony’s 4K server.

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Sony Laser Light Source Projector with 3LCD Gets Release Date

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2013 | 0 comments
Sohrab Osati

Sony Laser Light Source Projector_04

Two weeks after CES, the Sony Laser Source Projector with 3LCD was announced. Unlike other high end projectors that Sony makes, this units replaces the old bulb based technology with a 3LCD laser; a world first.. This ensures that no bulb replacement is required in the projectors lifetime while offering a consistent 4,000-lumen. The projector also packs a 1900 x 1200 resolution and has up to 20,000 hours maintenance free time, thanks to its lack of bulb. Now, the unit has an official model number and release date.

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Should You Buy ‘Fuse?’

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 3, 2013 | 2 comments
Sohrab Osati

Featured Fuse Review

Fuse is the first multi-platform (PS3, Xbox 360) game from Insomniac Games, the long time PlayStation exclusive developer. Known previously for their more lighthearted Ratchet & Clank franchise and post-WWII sci-fi Resistance trilogy, Fuse is another take on the shooter genre. Previously titled Overstrike, Fuse tells the story of four agents known as Overstrike 9 and their mission is to stop Raven, an evil corporation, from gaining an alien substance called Fuse.

Like previous Insomniac Games, Fuse incorporates fantastical weapons, features local and split-screen online/campaign co-op, and humor that will bring you back for more. But chances are that the reviews you’ve read for Fuse paint a more bland and forgetful experience. While some have complained about yet another shooter, others have collectively predicted that the sky is falling and that Insomniac Games has lost their touch. Is Fuse truly a lackluster experience or is this a misunderstood game that’s worthy of your purchase? I’m here to tell you that it’s most definitely the latter and here is why.

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Sony CEO on Possible Entertainment Sale, Xperia Z, PS4

by Brien Bell | May 31, 2013 | 1 comment
Brien Bell

kaz

Kazuo Hirai, president and CEO of Sony, sat down with Jon Fortt of CNBC’s “Closing Bell” at the AllThingsD Digital Conference yesterday to address rumors that the company was “looking a spinoff 15 to 20%”  of their Entertainment division, including Sony Pictures and Sony Music.

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Sony NEX-FS700 Gains 4K RAW

by Sohrab Osati | May 24, 2013 | 2 comments
Sohrab Osati

Sony_NEX_FS700E_1

The Sony NEX-FS700 has no shortage of features. The sub $10,000 camera which is priced well below a RED camera is able to shoot Super Slow Motion (120-240 fps Full HD or 480 up to 960 fps with reduced resolution) right out of the box. Most desired from the camera however is its capability to shoot 4K. Set for a June release, Sony will begin to ship a new NEX-IFR5 interface unit for the NEX-FS700 which allows the camera to  make full use of the internal big sensor and 3G-SDI output. According to Sony, the NEX-IFR5 interface receives the uncompressed bit-stream carrying RAW sensor data, metadata, timecode and start/stop commands from the NEX-FS700U via 3G-SDI. The FS700 RAW files are recorded to the AXS memory cards in the AXS-R5 RAW recorder, where they can be screened and converted using Sony’s free RAW Viewer software.

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Sony SBH50 Bluetooth Headset Gets Announced, Gains NFC and OLED Display

by Sohrab Osati | May 22, 2013 | 1 comment
Sohrab Osati

Sony SBH50During their CES 2013 keynote, Sony made it clear that NFC will play a big role in their upcoming slate of new products which ranges from tablets, to smartphones, and televisions. The bet is that consumers will be vowed by NFC capabilities like being able to pair devices easily and transfer music from your smartphone to your house stereo with a tap and a click. While big devices will be the hub that support NFC like a 5.1 home theater system, it’s truly on smaller devices where NFC shows its true potential. The Sony SBh50 is the newest premium Bluetooth headset from Sony. A followup to the Smart Wireless Headset Pro, the SBH50 features stereo audio and incorporates a mic and remote with a small OLED display. The headset functionality of the SBH50 is as you would expect though Sony wants to emphasize the premium nature of it, with superior clarity. What makes the SBH50 different than other headsets on the market is the mentioned OLED display.

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