More Sony Ericsson news for everybody. If you at all follow the mobile industry, then you know that it’s a mine field out there. There is not a week that goes by where RIM, HTC, Motorola, Apple and Palm aren’t suing each other with 6 different patent infringements. Now add Microsoft’s soon-to-be-released Windows Series 7 phones and you got yourself a good old fashion cluster frak. In middle of all this, you know who’s not suing anybody? Sony. Take a look at the above chart for a World War 2 fashion war map view. When I think about it though, Sony isn’t a company who often sues anybody.
Sony Corp.
I’m not sure how long this deal will last, but the recently updated Xperia X10 is enjoying a new price via AT&T. Now, you can get the normally $499 (previously marked at $149) unlocked phone with a two year contract for only $99. Better yet, you will get a free Micro 8GB card as well. Again, I have to applaud Sony here. Sell them cheap via two-year and make the money back from the carrier like Apple does with the iPhone. It’s not like the iPhone 4 is really a $200 device but not many people are willing to pay $600. Same is true for Sony here. Especially with how attractive this phone is and it finally stepping in 2010 with the Android 2.1 update.
[Via SonyStyle]
Well, that didn’t take long. In Japan, Sony Ericsson is offering the Cybershot S006 cell phone to provider KDDI with a 16.1 megapixel camera we reported a little while back. Other specs include:
- Up to ISO 12800
- 1GHz Snapdragon processor
- 3.3-inch screen
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- GPS
The phone is set to launch in spring with no announced price tag yet. Don’t expect to see this phone in the US or European market as it runs on Sony’s own internal OS and not Android, which has been their primary push. More than likely, this will stay a Japan or Asian exclusive.
[Via KDDI]
Sony and Hulu are teaming up again to aggressively expand the scope and offering of Hulu Plus. Up until now, this service for Playstation users was limited to Playstation Plus members but starting next week, all Playstation owners will be able to download the Hulu app on their PS3. But that’s not all; Hulu Plus is also coming to all Sony Bravia players this year as well or at least those with web capabilities. Other Sony devices Hulu Plus will expanding into will be all Sony Blu-ray players, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems, Network Media Player and even the Sony Dash which currently supports Netflix. Hit the jump for a full press release.
[Via Hulu]
If you are part of the lucky crowd who owns a 3D TV or are looking to take the dive into the 3D realm, Sony has a new starter kit for you on Amazon
- 2 pairs of 3D Active Glasses
- a 3D Sync Transmitter
- High-Speed HDMI cable
- Disney’s Alice in Wonderland 3D Blu-ray Disc
For fans of Alice in Wonderland, the 3D Blu-ray is currently a Sony Starter Kit exclusive but that will change on December 7th when Disney will release the 3D Blu-ray version as a standalone title as well.
[Via Amazon
Today on IGN, they posted nine gaming advertisements that were retro-ized. I found this one for Twisted Metal and it’s too awesome not to share. I’d love if more posters and ads were made to look retro, totally buy them.
By now, you have probably read our story on the leaked Playstation Phone. Sony has always had Android 3.0 in mind in order to give them the flexibility that they want to provide a true phone and gaming device in one. Now, an available job posted in the Playstation division points to more confirmation that this project is indeed gearing up with “experience in mobile development, specifically Android” as one of the requirements for hire.
[Via Sony Jobs]
For those who own the Playstation Move, the might soon realize that they need a better method to charge them, especially if they happen to own more then one pair of controllers. Enter the PS3 Move Quad Charger
[Buy from Amazon
If you are a fan of the NEX lineup like we are, then you’re going to be thrilled that there might be more colors in the pipeline from Sony. Hot on the heels of their Pink NEX-3, Sony has shown off more colors for its NEX cameras. Though to be fair, Sony has yet to announce that they are serious about offering these extra colors. So in the meantime, we have to do with the Black, Silver, Red and Pink NEX cameras. Expect a CES announcement if these colors are to happen.
[Via Engadget]
This weekends box office was all about the scares with the recent release of Saw 3D which is suppose to be the final Saw film, the continued gain of Paranormal Activity 2 and hold over strength from Red. Compared to last years release Michael Jacksons: This Is it, the box office was up three precent.
Saw 3D continued to be another win in the books for Lionsgate Studio with an $22.5 million opening on 3,500 screens. Although still off, compared to some previous Saw titles like Saw V which opened at $32 million, the movie still fared much better then Saw VI with its $14.1 million opening. Saw 3D originally was set to release on October 22nd but when Paramount snuck Paranormal Activity 2 in there, making Lionsgate backed hold off till this weekend.
Paranormal Activity 2 had the typical horror film dip, dropping 59% to gain another $16.5 million on its $3 million budget. This puts the film at a $65.7 million in 10 days and a cool $110.5 million world wide. Expect another release in the series next year.
Dropping another 28%, Red, the action comedy starring Bruce Willis and Morgen Freeman was able to pull in another $10.8 million. With $58 million made so far at the US box office, Red has finally matched its budget, although it has so far only gained $5.3 million from its international release, putting the film at $64.2 million.
On its 17th day at the theaters, Jackass 3D has crossed the $100 million mark, putting the $20 million film at a $106.1 million. This puts the film already far ahead of previous Jackass releases with the fist film nabbing in $79.4 million and the second film $84.6 at the world wide box office. Sony release, The Social Network continues its small declines, losing 35% of its friends to gain another $4.7 million. This puts the $50 million drama at a world wide gain of $111.8 million, making it David Finchers second highest grossing movie, behind oscar winner, The Curious Case of Benjamin button with $333.9 million.
Box Office Results:
- Saw 3D – $22.5 million ($35.7 million total)
- Paranormal Activity 2 – $16.5 million ($110.5 million total)
- Red – $10.8 million ($64.2 million total)
- Jackass 3D – $8.4 million ($106.1 million total)
- Hereafter – $6.3 million ($22.1 million total)
Sony has unveiled the poster for their January 14th action film, The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou. Hit the jump for the official plot synopsis.
After several delays, Sony Ericsson is finally bringing its Xperia X10 to the year 2010 (just in time for 2011) by giving its users Android OS 2.1. Starting on Sunday, October 31st, Sony is going to roll out the over the air software in small segments to its users and gradually increase the adoption rate throughout November. So don’t be surprised if your Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro does not notify you for an update as this will be a month long transition.
Hit the jump for a list of changes Xperia 10 owners will get from Android 1.6 to 2.1.
Sony is rolling out a new program for its loyal Playstation users dubbed Playstation Rewards. The aim of the program is to give those loyal users something in return for all the time they spend playing games, as well as their purchases from Playstation Home and PSN.
PlayStation Rewards is designed to give you the opportunity to gain exclusive status, recognition, and rewards as a thank you for your continued interest in PlayStation. And, the best part is that you don’t have to do anything different. Keep playing new games, buying content purchased from PlayStation Network in the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home, download movies and TV shows, or just communicate with us by taking one of our surveys, for example, and you’ll now be recognized for it.
The more you play and participate, the more progress you’ll make through our three reward tiers — “Select,” “Pro,” and “Legendary.” As your status increases, so do the rewards. And if you want to check out your current status level, simply go to your private profile page and look at the reward progress meter.
Currently, the program is available to select Playstation Plus and GAP members as they iron out the features and setups. Once Sony is happy with the beta phase and feel the program is working properly, all Playstation members will be eligible for it. The program is also not limited to just the Playstation 3, but will cover PSP purchases and other Sony activities. Other rewards include:
- Exclusive PSN avatars that display member status in the program
- Exclusive dynamic themes and PlayStation Home content
- Opportunities throughout the program year to participate in members-only sweepstakes and giveaways for experiences and merchandise you won’t find elsewhere (The first of which is an all expenses paid trip to the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, as PlayStation’s guest)
Currently, I’ve been selected for this program and have enrolled into it. I’ll report back to everybody once I find out more about it and Sony rolls out some more features.
For the third quarter in a row, Sony Ericsson has posted a profit $69 million on a $2.26 billion income. Though that might not be a high profit level compared to other handset makers like HTC and Nokia, this is a big turn around for a company who was losing money quarter after quarter. During this time, Sony has released the Xperia X10 and Xperia X8 and shifted their strategy to smartphones with Android. Even though the numbers shipped from Sony have dipped, compared to prior quarters, Chief Executive Bert Nordberg thinks that the company is on the right track.
“Our strategy to focus on the smartphone segment is succeeding and smartphones now comprise more than 50% of our total sales. During the quarter, we launched our Android-based Xperia models in new markets, such as China and the U.S.”
Still, this isn’t all that bad for Sony. Remember, Apple only makes one or two iPhones, depending on how you look at it (the iPhone 4 and 3GS) and they rake in the cash. Of course, Sony and Apple are not in the same position so it’s a very rough comparison, but the point is that Sony does not need to make 20 different handsets like before to be profitable. Instead, Sony needs to steadily increase their presence in the Android community with newer phones and target all different consumers. That means making both lower end $100 handsets, as well as the $300 handsets. Another must for Sony Ericsson will be to amp up their brand awareness. Although still known in Europe and Japan, Sony Ericsson has all but no name. Till now, their strategy had mostly been to sell unlocked phones through their website and select retail stores that come at a much higher price point. But in today’s world where an iPhone 3GS starts at $99 with a two year contract, a $500 unlocked phone is not an attractive offer. Instead, Sony needs to continue to partner with carriers and offer subsidized pricing on its phones to draw in the consumer. A commercial once in a blue moon wouldn’t hurt either. Also Sony, please stop shipping smartphones with Android 1.6. That OS is over a year old.
[Via Sony Ericsson]
Sony of Japan is releasing a new CD Walkman, the D-NE241, which can not only play your normal CD, but can also read CDs with MP3 files on them. I’m honestly not sure what else is new here because I used to have a white Sony Walkman unit with Anti Skip G+ protection that could play MP3s as well and that was in 2002. But there you go Japan, a new Walkman for you.
[Via Akihabara]
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