Sony Corp.

Sony Announces Two New Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablets, The S1 and S2. We Have Pictures, a Video and Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 5 comments

After much speculation, Sony during a press event in Tokyo announced two new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb, the build that Google actually deems ready for tablets) for a Summer release. Previously under the codename of S1 and S2 which they still hold until an official name is given, both tablets will be rocking the expected Wifi but will also come with a 3G and 4G variant. A front and rear facing camera is also standard on both models. These new media based tablets are going to be primarily powered by Sony’s services such as Qriocity for unlimited music and video streaming, as well as the PlayStation Suit which will bring PSone classics to the tablet and finally, Sony’s Reader platform which currently powers the companies eBook readers.

“‘Sony Tablet’ delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time. We’re aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including ‘Sony Tablet’ with content and network,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, Corporate Executive, SVP, and Deputy President of Consumer Products & Services Group.

As mentioned, Sony will be releasing two units. The S1 which is the more typical tablet design will come with a 9.4-inch screen while the S2, which is the more clamshell design will be sporting two 5.5-inch displays which can be used together as one large screen to “browse websites and more”. This dual screen will also allow users to multitask like never before be using one screen to watch a video, while typing on another or while reading an email while the bottom screen turns into a keyboard. Another interesting feature will be that both tablets will have infered ports, allowing you to control home A/V equipment, like a Sony Bravia television. Through DLNA, Sony’s tablets will allow users to stream music to wireless speakers and video to their television set. There’s currently no mentions of other specs and prices though we can expect that to change very quickly.

“Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. I’m excited about “Sony Tablet” as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for.” said Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile, Google Inc.

Hit the jump for one more picture and a teaser video of the device.

Sony Ericssons new Android Phone, the Walkman W8

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 9 comments

In order to survive in today’s market, you cannot simply target high end smartphone users who need the latest and greatest. Sony Ericsson, traditionally a company who offered a wide range of Symbian based phones has seen its bottom line take a hit as of recent, due to the fact that with their transition towards Android, they haven’t had a phone offering for those who wish for a little less. Now the company is looking to change that by releasing the Walkman W8. If the phone looks surprisingly familiar to you, that’s because the phone was previously released under the name of Xperia X8. Now with the company moving forward with much higher end phones like the Xperia Play and Arc, the company hopes that the fleet of Xperia X8’s that the company once produced can help it capture a different market share. The Walkman W8 which comes in many new fun colors has the following specs:

Android 2.1
3-inch, 320 x 480 touchscreen
600MHz processor
168MB of RAM
3G and Wifi
3.2 Megapixel camera

The new Walkman phone is currently announced on Sony Ericssons German page though we assume that the phone will make its way to the states as well. No price has been announced though you can hit the jump for some additional pictures. What do you guys think though? Great phone for those need something a little simpler, yet still want access to the Android market?

[Via Sony Ericsson]

Sony Loft Experience at Coachella 2011 Preview

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 10 comments

During Coachella 2011, Sony fans had an opportunity to cool down at the Sony Bloggie Loft and borrow a Sony Bloggie Touch camera to record their day with and then later upload to Facebook and other social networking sites. Guests could also check out the Sony 3D Handycam (HDR-TD10) and even get a glimpse of the upcoming Bloggie 3D. We will be bringing you a full wrap up of Sony and PlayStations presence at Coachella 2011 but now, here is a video preview of the Sony Bloggie tent.

Photos from Silent Hill: Revelation 3D

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 28 comments

As the sequel to Silent Hill goes into production, we can expect to not only hear more from this Sony Pictures production, but to see more photos and videos as well. Silent Hill: Revelation 3D which is being directed by Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane) will again star Sean Bean will also get an extra boost of star power from Carrie-Anne Moss (Matrix Trilogy) in this sequal. The following are some long exposure shots from one the set locations of the film which can be found after the jump.

Sony NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 Images Leaked?

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 22, 2011 | 7 comments

For sometime now, we’ve been reporting on the discontinuation of the Sony NEX-3 and when the likely hood of the successor, the NEX-C3 would come. Although we still don’t have a exact release date or specs, we have a pretty good idea on the latter, we now have some pictures to show off. Andrea at SonyAlphaRumors has gotten her hands on what appears to be the NEX-C3, as well as the A33 successor, the A35.

More specs and pictures after the jump. Also let us know if these new specs and looks are enough to entice you for a purchase or if the NEX-5 still holds a place in your heart.

Two New OLED Monitors from Sony

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 22, 2011 | 14 comments

Set to be rolled out in the second half of this year, Sony is going to be releasing two new TRIMASTER OLED monitors which come in at 17 and 25-inches. Now before you get sticker shocked, you have to remember that these are professional grade monitors which are targeted and meant for the advertising and film industry, though were sure that Sony will take you up on it if you can pay for it.

The first of the two is the 17-incher (PVM-1741) which comes in at $4,900 and then the 25-inch (PVM-2541) model which goes for $7,400. Another thing to take into consideration is that the first of these which was launched just over a year ago cost $16,000 and $29,000 respectively so in terms of price, these units have come a long way. Both hold the following specs:

full HD resolution, “Super Top Emission” OLED screen with Sony’s 10-bit panel driver
interfaces: 2x 3G-SDI, HDMI, composite, audio, Ethernet
aluminum body
89 degrees viewing angle
a 1W mono speaker

Hit the jump for a shot of the 17-inch model as well.

[Via CrunchGear]

Sony Delays 3D Handycam (HDR-TD10)

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 21, 2011 | 23 comments

Another technology victim of the tragic events that unfolded over a month ago in Japan and that continue to ail the country. Sony Ericsson recently announced that their Xperia Neo would be delayed till Q3 of this year and that the roll out of the Xperia Play and Arc would be slower then the company wanted, due to supply constraints from Japan. Now, the camcorder division of Sony will be taking a hit as well and will have to delay their up coming 3D Handycam, which was originally planned to be released this month.

The HDR-TD10 with its almost owl like design features two lenses and two CMOS sensors which enable the device to produce the 3D images in 1920×1080 Full HD 60p/24p recording with 10x optical zoom, even when filmed in 3D. This $1,500 beast which is set to to be the first consumer 3D camcorder also features a glasses free 3D playback on the camcorders 3.5-inch LCD screen. It should be pointed out like other 3D equipment offered by Sony, you can also film in 2D as well. This 3D Handycam is now looking at a May 13th release window for Japan and shortly after for the United States.

[Via TMCnet]

PSPgo Productions Not Ending for United States

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 21, 2011 | 6 comments

We’ve been meaning to report on the PSPgo for several days now and what better time then now, when we have the full report and picture. Introduced over a year ago, the PSPgo was a new handheld from Sony and the PlayStation which packed the same features as the current PSP-3000 but with one twist, there was no UMD drive to feed it media. Instead, much like the iPod Touch, the device was solely fed from PSN (PlayStation Network) which allowed the device to download games, movies, TV shows and comics. Now, as Sony slowly begins to prepare for their next handheld released, a true second generation handheld, news began to flow that production for the PSPgo had ended. As it turns out, this was partially true.

Sony has said several times that much like how the PS2 continues to have life, long after the PS3 was introduced as a successor, the PSP and NGP relationship will the same. That is that the PSP-3000 will continue to be made and supported, past the NGP launch. However, the PSPgo will not enjoy that same benifit, or atleast now in Europe and Asia. In those regions, Sony has ended the production for the PSPgo. Still, I wonder if this also in part has to do with a huge inventory that might be on their hands as the unit never reached the sales Sony would have liked. However, for North America, the story is different:

“We are continuing production of PSP Go for North America.”

Simple, sweet and to the point. The PSPgo will live on for now.

[Via Joystiq]

Photos from Coachella 2011

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 20, 2011 | 10 comments

By now, I’m sure you’ve noted that we had an opportunity to head down to Coachella this year and cover the event which we did on our Bloggie Touch. So far, you’ve seen our preview of the PlayStation Loft and the Sony Bloggie Loft. Now these are some photos that we took with our Bloggie Touch, during the three day music festival. Very soon, we will be posting a more in depth and longer video, which will look at both lofts offered by Sony.

Coachella 2011, a set on Flickr.

3D Blu-ray to Grow by 500% in 2011

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 20, 2011 | 3 comments

In hindsight, it’s always easy to pick out a winning technology and point out the missteps for the unfortunate ones. A history lesson will point us towards when HDTV came out and it was considered a fad. Nobody wanted a wider TV; they still wanted a square tube that was larger. Now, chances are that your smartphone and coffee machine screen are in high definition. Nearly 5 years ago, Sony and others like LG, Pioneer, and Panasonic set out to bring HD via Blu-ray. It is a format that was relevant then and is relevant now with current discs being able to hold up to 50GB and prototypes that can handle over 200GB. Blu-ray has also opened the door to “Blu-ray Disc LIVE” where your movies can get updated content like trailers, behind-the-scenes, and access to interactive elements like IMDB and online chats. And of course, if it wasn’t for Blu-ray, we couldn’t really enjoy 3D content at home but of course, many nay-sayers said that Blu-ray was a fad and would be done in 5 years.

Being a supporter of all things 3D, I feel like as a culture, we have reached the same point. Many started calling 3D a fad and that it would die within a year or more. Of course, just like Blu-ray, it’s many of the so-called established tech sites who are helping with this voice of writing off the technology because they can get a catchy title out of it but the whole cynicism of the industry is another topic for another time. I believe that those same tech sites who were wrong about Blu-ray will be wrong about 3D as well if recent studies have anything to say about it. In fact, IHS Screen Digest has released a new report which sees the 3D Blu-ray market growing by 500% in 2011 to reach a sales status of $214 million. With an expected 65 3D Blu-ray titles to be released in 2011 alone, 3D Blu-ray sales are expected to hit $900 million by 2014.

“Consumers are snapping up Blu-ray 3D titles because of a number of positive occurrences in the home 3D segment,” said Richard Baxter, video research analyst at IHS. “These developments include increasing consumer awareness of 3D technology, rising 3D hardware sales and an expanding catalog of 3D films for the home environment.

“Meanwhile, the arrival of more Blu-ray 3D titles in retail stores will enhance the technology’s profile among consumers and encourage 3D hardware adoption,” he also said “BD3D-enabled households are also likely to buy more Blu-ray 3D titles if they have a larger slate to choose from.”

Sony Holds Second Highest Camera Market Share, Closing In On Canon for the Number One Sport (updated)

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 20, 2011 | 37 comments

With the turn of the century that came to be, there was a shift in the professional and consumer electronic world and a digital one at that. No, I’m not talking about the internet, instead, the focus this time is on the transition from film to digital. In the world of film camera, names like Nikon, Canon and Kodak ran supreme. Many of these giants have been in the camera business for over 50 years and had an established name and user group. All that however changed as companies began to shift over to this new digital revolution. Now whether it that they simply did not want to believe this shift would take place or if they had no idea how to deal with it is not the focus of this article. The fact is, with the digital revolution at hand, the camera market group was in limbo which gave way for companies like Sony who had no presence in the professional and consumer segment to enter and make a name for themselves.

Less then 10 years later, the balance has shifted completely in the DSLR and Point and Shoot market. When we consider the entire camera landscape, long time champion Canon has held a 19% market share for 2009 and 2010, while Sony has gone from 16.9% to 17.9% in the same period. Sony, now with its second place position is well ahead of Nikon which holds the 3rd place spot with 11.1% in 2009 and 12.6% in 2010. With camera sales up 10% in 2010 for a total of 141 million units sold, Sony still has a lot of room for growth, especially in the emerging markets like China and India where there might not be a lot of legacy ownership from other camera brands. With a largely untapped market and introduction of 3D digital cameras that start at just over $200, its easy to see how Sony should and will top Canon in the near future.

Sony Announces Photo Movie Creator App for Android Phones and iOS Devices

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 19, 2011 | 17 comments

Do you have a ton of photos stored up on your Android phone or iOS device? Would you like to do a little more with them then just flick through? If so, Sony has just the app for you, called the Photo Movie Creator. Being released for all Android based phones and not just Sony Ericsson models as well as iOS devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch, this new app allows you to create movies (though I would call them slideshows) with music stored on your phone. Sony will give you a choice of 18 different templates which can then be emailed or published directly to Facebook from the App. Android users can jump in right now snap this app up for $2.49 app (free trial available) but iOS users will have to wait till May. Hit the jump for a video demo.

Sony, Discovery and IMAX to Film World’s First Native 3D War Documentary Series

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 19, 2011 | 5 comments

Sony has made it very apparent that they are here to stick with 3D and that they are in it for the long haul. During CES 2011, the electronic giant unveiled a massive new lineup of high definition televisions, with 16 out of the 27 new Bravia models for 2011 being 3D and costing just over a $1,000. That’s not all though, as the company which owns Sony Pictures and PlayStation understands that without content, any format is doomed. In edition to their new 3D lineup of televisions, Sony also announced many new Cybershot camera’s that are able to capture 3D still images for a little over $200 and will introduce in May a Bloggie 3D for $250 which is able to film in 3D.

Still, the company knows that home made 3D content which is very important to the adoption of the standard is only part of the puzzle. That’s why besides releasing 3D movies in theaters such as the Green Hornet, Sony, in partnership with IMAX and Discovery has launched their own 3D channel called 3net for DirecTV subscribers which offers 3D content around the clock. With this partnership in full swing, the trio now want to film the worlds first native 3D war documentary series and have already begun principal photography. The documentary which is titled The Civil War 3D will transport viewers back in time, retelling the war’s most pivotal moments both on and off the battlefields from the unique perspective of both sides in the historic conflict. Sony hopes to release the mini series in Fall of 2011.

“Shooting in native 3D gives us the unique ability to bring an entirely new level of depth and emotion to this epic time in history with groundbreaking storytelling that simply hasn’t been possible until now,” said Cosgrove. “As well, THE CIVIL WAR 3Dseries further reflects our ongoing mission to provide the kind of immersive in-home 3D experience available nowhere else on television.”

[via PR Newswire]

Sony Ericsson Posts Small First Quarter Profit

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 19, 2011 | 7 comments

Of all the different handset makers out there, Sony Ericsson seems to be one the most interesting ones to follow when it comes to the companies financial side. The company which has previously seen huge losses was able to post a €21 million net income during the prior quarter, mainly thanks to tax benefits. With no tax benifits to aid the companies bottom line, the joint venture between Japan’s Sony Electronic and Sweeden’s Ericsson was able to bring in €
11 million ($15.7 million) for their first 2011 quarter which ended on March 31st. The companies operating income was €19 million which faired much better then a forecasted operating loss of €15 million.

With the number of handsets shipped dropping to 8.1 million from 10.5 million of prior quarter, sales fell 19% year-on-year to €1.15 billion. Still, Sony Ericsson was able to pull out a 33% gross margin profit on each unit, versus the 31% from the year prior. With Sony Ericsson fully embracing the Android platform and releasing muliple smartphones, the average selling price of handsets sold rose to €141, up 5% year-on-year.

“On profitability, the results are better than we expected, but that’s because they sold fewer of the more basic feature phones. That explains the volume drop and the ASP increase,” said Hakan Wranne, an analyst at Swedbank.

Coachella 2011 PlayStation Loft Trailer

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 18, 2011 | 64 comments

Coachella is the Woodstock festival of the 21st century. This three day out door concert which began in 1999 is a festival where music fans can find oldies like Duran Duran, get their rap on with Kanye, explore a tranced feeling with Paul Van Dyk and rock out with Arcade Fire. With 75,000 attendees last year and an expected 100,000 this year, it’s no surprise to see a company like Sony be attracted to a venue where the exact demograph they hope to capture will be there in abundance. During our three day visit, we had a chance to visit the Sony and PlayStation loft and experience why Sony was there and what they had to offer to the crowds, besides a tent with air. The following which was all filmed on a Sony Bloggie Touch, is a small sample trailer for you to see what the PlayStation loft experience was. Over the next several days, we will be putting together a more comprehensive video of both the PlayStation and Sony loft, which were at different locations with different offerings.