Sony was one the first ones to come in support of Google’s TV standards and help shape a foundation for Google TV. Now after nearly 8 months of silence from Google, the company is finally giving back to the partnership that was formed over a year which saw Sony release the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Player and the Sony Internet TV. During the I/O conference, Google announced that they will be upgrading the Google TV platform to Android 3.1 (Honycomb) which will give developers access to new features, including the Android Market. Current Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Players and Sony Internet TV owners need not fret as they will receive a free, over the air update from Sony.
What is it that I have here in the mail from PlayStation? You see, nearly 8 moths ago, Sony and their PlayStation devision brought to light a new program called PlayStation Rewards. The aim of the program is to give loyal PlayStation users something in return for all the time they spend playing games, as well as their purchases from Playstation Home, PSN and interactions in the community. Since then, the program has been in a beta phase a select but large number have partaken in the program as Sony tweaks and adjusts the free service. Though there is no immediate roll out of the program, that hasn’t stopped Sony from rewarding those who are in it.
The program works mainly like this. Once you log into your PlayStation account from a web browser, you can see the different goals that you have which range from unlocking trophies, to downloading 5 demos and clicking on 10 different links from PlayStation news letter emails. The more you do, the higher your ranking goes which enables you to get free Avatars to use and show off with, which display your rank. Now months later and to my surprise when I checked my mail, I’ve also received a free gift from PlayStation. Inside the package was both a cool and exclusive t-short, but also a thank you note from PlayStation. The exclusive t-shirt was given to me as thanks for not only being part of the program, but also being part of different beta programs and actually reporting back what I had found and not just playing the game like a demo. Once Sony fully rolls out the program, all those who wish will be able to enter the program and get some cool loot and hopefully help improve the community. The only problem, the shirt they sent me is an adult XL and those who know me will tell you that I can float between a small and medium shirt. I guess next time I wear it, I’ll invite everybody to wear it with me! Hit the jump for some more pictures.
I’ve been eyeing the Sony NEX-5 for a long time now and the more I wait, the more weary I got about purchasing. Nothing hurts more then pulling the trigger on a gadget and new piece of tech gets announced a few weeks later. Now the following could be just a typo or really mean nothing but over on Sony’s UK site, the NEX-5 was referred to as the “previous model.” If this is indeed true, this could play directly into the June 3rd announcement where Sony is looking to announce the NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 and mow, maybe they will also have an NEX-5 (NEX-C5?) in store for us as well. You should note that since then typo or leak, whichever word you like, Sony’s UK site has changed their wording and there is no longer any usage of the word “previous.” I’m not sure if I buy into this as Sony is generally horrible at containing any surprises but if it is true, all I ask for is for a built in GPS chip. My current Cybershot HX5 has a built in GPS for geotagging photos like my iPhone 4 and being able to pull up a map and seeing exactly where you took a photo is a feature I would like to keep, once I upgrade to a larger camera like the NEX series.
How about you guys and gals? What kind of features would you like to see to the next NEX-5 model? Also, is geotagging something that you do or something that interests you?
Over the past several weeks, we’ve been reporting and bringing you leaked photos and specs of up coming devices from Sony. For even longer, we’ve been speculating the release date for the NEX-C3 and Alpha A35. Now, we are pleased to be able to report with confident that besides the NEX-C3 and Alpha A35, Sony will also be announcing their new 30mm Macro lens and flash accessories on June 3rd. With it being a mere few weeks away, we do wonder if there are any more unannounced products and surprise. But whether or not that holds, we can finally know the proper specs and launch date for these much anticipated products. What do you guys think about the new NEX-C3 and A35?
It’s really crazy to think that these days, your television will require firmware update to patch bugs and add new features where just a few years ago, once you left the retailer, that was your TV. But that’s just me being nestologic and I’m only 25 so I think I need to stop. Onto the news! Via Sony’s support site, Sony is releasing a new firmware update (PKG3.121AAA) for their just released Bravia XBR-HX929. The new firmware which comes in at 63mb is designed to add, fix, and enhance the following:
Adds the ability to use the Skype® online calling service
Adds the “What’s New” feature
Media Remote (Software keyboard, Full / Simple Remote and Shake Track ID)
VAIO® Remote Keyboard
Media Remote (text by voice)
Audio Theatre Control Widget
WMV/WMA Codec for DLNA / USB
3D on IPTV and USB for NX and above
Improves performance and stability of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) features. Note: IPTV allows you to enjoy HD (High Definition) programming from the Internet on your BRAVIA television that is connected to a broadband Internet connection.
Though there isn’t much to go off of here, we know that Sony will eventually be releasing the NEX-C3 and a long side of it, some new NEX (E-mount) lenses. Now, we have a good idea on of those lenses and that is a 30mm macro. Thanks to a leak, we know that this 30mm f/3.5 macro lens is priced at €259, though we don’t have a specific launch date to report. We will have more for you on this as more leaks or official news come.
When you mention football NFL fans have the tendency to cringe at the thought of the lockout continuing for the whole season – when you mention Madden, NFL fans should smile amidst the bountiful improvements implemented in the upcoming 18th installment to the Madden series (not counting the previous John Madden versions). In Madden 12, EA has taken a new approach in development – focusing more on improvements to the games current features, with a new few additions here and there to provide a more realistic experience for users.
Some of the improvements are updated small features that seem so miniscule that it’s safe to say most wont notice a change in a 15 minute game. When users do have a nice hour to sit down and enjoy a game – they’ll notice that they are now unable to zoom in freely as they used to. Cameramen now have a more realistic feel, forcing users to obey rules that cameramen in the NFL have to obey when taping the players and the games.
Speaking of more realistic things, the NFL cameramen were created using motion captured so that users can pick up the smallest of actions; such as how a cameramen tries to limit their breathing to keep still. Along with the many improvements to the camera, EA has also implemented a much updated to team jerseys, making them a whole lot “Sexier”, as well as shrinking the ball size for a more realistic feel.
Last year EA introduced a new feature called “Game Flow” which provided a choice of plays for the user, based on their team, which received a fair amount of criticism due to the lack of customization. Of course EA knew this had to be fixed, so they added a Game Flow enhancement to Madden 12. Users can now rate their plays, allowing Game Flow to recognize the users favorite plays.
EA also made some desperately needed changes to the Tackle Mechanics. In previous versions, users would lose control of their selected players 2-3 yards before the collision, lining up for a hit, and delivering. With the new improvements, users now have full control over their players, with collisions starting when the players are in front of one another, and not 2-3 yards in advance.
Finally, EA has thoroughly worked on their environment mechanics, providing a HUGE realistic boost. For example, if your team is on the West Coast and is going to play an East Coast game, be prepared for the time change, weather change, and different fan enthusiasm.
Keep in mind that this was just the first of many Madden 12 presentations. This time around, EA is going with the “staggered” news approach, the kind that worked well with Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. Users you can be sure that I’ll have more news on the game as the release date (August 30) nears.
Before anybody gets overly excited about this, we have to point that this phone is intended for Japan only and you can probably blame that on the lack of infrastructure offered in your country. The Xperia Acro, not to be confused with the Xperia Arc which will have a global launch, is Sony Ericssons new flagship phone for the Land of the Rising Sun. This Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone will carry a 4.2-inch touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine to offer some of the most crisp and vidid viewing experience to be found on a handheld device. This is partially due to the entertainment value that the Acro will carry, seeing how the phone has built in Mobile TV functionality, enabling live TV viewing on the device, which is different from video streaming off of a 3G network. The Acro will also come equipped with a 8.1-megapixel camera with Exmor R sensor which also allows for 720p video recording. Both recording modes are optimized to offer low-noise and function under low light quality which is a welcome feature for most cellphone owners. For those of you who are looking to share you content, no need to worry as this 1GHz CPU, Adreno 205 GPU will also come with HDMI out. Besides the TV tuner functionality, another reason why we won’t see the Acro make it to the West is due to the built in mobile wallet (NFC) which allows your Xperia Acro to function as a credit card. With no standard and support system in the United States and Europe, these two features would mean a higher priced phone with a locked out functionality which of course does not make sense. Seeing how easy it is to purchase Starbucks with my iPhone app, this is a feature that I cannot wait for to make its way to the West. This would make running into the store and being out, that much more convenient while requiring me to have one less thing on me. No price point has been announced for the Acro at this point but look for the unit in Black and White by the end of Summer.
Hit the jump for the official press release from Sony Ericsson. While you are there, what do you think about the Acro? How about NFC technology? Is that something you would like to see implemented in your country?
Chances are that for those of you who are eager to jump on your PlayStation 3 and play some online games or hang out in PlayStation Home will be able to do sometime this week. As we reported earlier, Sony is in the final stages of testing out the PSN network. Part of this will also be a new firmware that will be issued to all PS3 owners. Still, if the above does happen, it doesn’t mean that all services will be available.
Shigenori Yoshida, a Tokyo-based spokesman said that by May 31st, the company hopes to have full PSN and Qriocity services restored. At this point, it remains unclear as to what services might not be up and running but speculation can lead to such services as Qriocity, Folding@Home and PlayStation Store thought those remain our own personal guesses. Here is to hoping that Sony can indeed restore some PSN functionality this week but I would rather them take their time and do it right, as opposed to a rushed solution which could harm the company and the millions of users down the line again.
As Sony continues to wrap up maintenance on PSN and Qriocity services, Sony President and CEO, Sir Howard Stringer has written an open letter to those who have been affected by this outage. Lets just remember that the real bad buys are the hackers and not Sony shall we?
Sony, via the PlayStation Blog has been feeding users updates on the status of the downed PSN (PlayStation Network) and Qriocity nearly from the beginning of this saga. Now, the company has some good news to announce for those eager to start playing online and streaming music. Sony and the PlayStation team have entered the “final stages of internal testing of the new system” which will lead to the restoration of PSN and Qriocity services.
Sony really wasn’t kidding when they said that they wanted to get in on the Android smartphone action and become one of the top Android handset makers. Though that dream might not happen this year, especially due to the delays from Sony Ericsson, because of the tragic events that unfolded in Japan nearly two months ago, the company has a bright future ahead with the slew of phones that they are releasing this year. In addition to the Xperia Play, Arc, Neo, Walkman W8 and rumored Acro, the company today unveiled two new Android 2.3 Gingerbread based smartphones.
The Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro which are slated for a global Q3, 2011 launch are meant to fill in Sony Ericssons gap of lowered end Android phones. Still, don’t automatically think to yourself that lower end means lower quality. Instead, both phones offer some unique features which might just be perfect for a lot of users out there, especially those who might not need a large phone or if media consumption isn’t there thing. You see, both the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro come with a 3-inch, multitouch, scratch-resistant display which powered by Sony’s exclusive Bravia Engine for smartphones. Both units will also give you a 1GHz processor, 720p HD video recording camera and 5 megapixel photo camera and of course, have access to the Android Market, seeing as they run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest from Google.
If you want to know the difference between these two models, there isn’t a whole lot is the simple answer. The obvious one is that the Xperia Mini Pro (pictured above) also features a slide out keyboard while the Xperia Mini relies on touchscreen input. The second and only other difference is that the Xperia Mini Pro also has a front facing camera for taking photos and videos of yourself and for the of course, video chatting usage. So what do you guys think about these two new phones? They are still a few months away but they should fit nicely into Sony Ericsson’s portfolio. Would you get one or know somebody who would?
As always, hit the jump for an official press release and for a shot of the Xperia Mini.
Cloud computing is a pretty catchy word to throw around these days, and you hear companies talk about it all the time. Though the term might still be new to many, the idea is actually a simple one in concept. The evolution of accessibility and the social media revolution demands that we share our life and experience with others. In simple terms, cloud computing allows you to access your files no matter what computer or potential mobile device you are using (though of course, there can and will be limitations. While all of your devices might have access to the pictures, your iPhone obviously won’t be able to open up a Photoshop file).
Currently, most cloud-computing services are based on the cloud-above-all concept. This means that your files don’t reside on your machine and are instead hosted on the company’s server where you can access them. This fairly standard practice also entails monthly costs for the service as well as storage size limitations which, of course, you can purchase more of. Enter Pogoplug, who has a different take on the cloud-computing concept. Instead of making you buy set amounts of space from a company and pay for that hosting service, Pogoplug offers an ethernet-enabled device which allows you to plug in as many hard drives as you want to it and, in turn, gives you web access to them. This simple concept means that you can change and grow your storage solution as you see fit while the Pogoplug, through a web portal, gives you access to them with no monthly fees.
Hit the jump for a video walkthrough of the Pogoplug from SGNL, Sony’s internal video blog staff and to see how Sony plays into this.
Yes and a hell yes. I loved Battle: Los Angeles and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced a June 14th Blu-ray release date for this movie. Viewers will have the choice of a single disc Blu-ray package or the Blu-ray + DVD Combo package. Blu-ray special features which will be available for both packages include:
Acting with Aliens
Behind The Battle
Building the Aliens
Creating L.A. in LA
Preparing for Battle
Shooting the Aliens
Boot Camp
Directing the Battle
The Freeway Battle
Staff Sergeant Nantz
Marines Behind The Scenes
Aliens Ambush The Marines
Battling Unknown Forces
Technical Sargent Santos
Alien Autopsy
Gas Station Explosion
Visual FX on the Freeway
Do You Believe in Aliens?
Alien Command & Control
PS3 Theme
If you’re still looking for another incentive, then look no further then the Resistance 3, single player demo that will be available as well.
Sony, Sony, Sony… It seems as though the worst has yet to come. Today marked the second class-action lawsuit filed against Sony (first Canadian suit). Canadians can thank their spokesperson Natasha Maksimovic, a Humber College student from Ontario who yesterday filed the lawsuit on behalf of about 1 million Canadian Sony users affected by the Sony PlayStation Network and Qriocity’s breach of security mid-April. The suit itself is due to the breach of privacy and negligence.
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