SonyRumors

Would You Like Us to do a Podcast?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 26, 2015 | 3 comments

When I’m not writing on SRN, chances are that I’m off driving to a client. For those who know LA, you’re probably aware of the traffic that can hit you at any time. That’s why in LA, we give distance via time and not miles. To that end, podcasts have turned into a bit of a drug for me. If I’m driving, I’m either listening to John Gruber on Daring Fireball or the hilarious gang at Hello Internet. If not them, then it could be Rene Ritche and crew at iMore, Science Friday, or countless other ones. Heck, even when I’m working out, I tend to listen to podcasts though I usually finish that off with a few epic tracks from some Marvel flick.

More about the podcast after the jump.

So What Did You Get for Christmas?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 26, 2015 | 4 comments

First and foremost, I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas or just day off yesterday. Be it a big day or small one, to be able to sit around with friends and family is in itself the best gift you can ask for. Still, there’s something especially wonderful about having a tree that’s filled with gifts underneath it. Even better if they were techie, geek, or gamer gifts.

If you got something fun for Christmas, let me know in the comments section below! My own gifts after the jump.

Sony Mobile to Simplify Xperia Lineup in 2016?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 17, 2015 | 0 comments

Not more than a few days after rumors of two new Xperia smartphones set to arrive in the first half of 2016 and we already have more to report on Sony Mobile. This time around though, instead of what may be coming, it’s about what may not be coming. Specifically, if the rumors pan out, Sony will introduce fewer phones in 2016 compared to previous years.

The company has released 10 or more smartphone models each year since 2012. Sony Mobile only launched four models back in 2010, the year the company first produced an Android smartphone with the launch of the Xperia X10 series. Well, it looks like Sony could be back to a similarly sized portfolio in 2016 judging by a latest report from Digitimes.

I’ve always argued that Sony Mobile has offered far too many devices, making it hard for consumers to choose and even harder for them to convince carriers which models they should carry and promote. Fewer smartphones from them will not only solve both of those issues, but also make inventory management and a whole host of other infrastructural challenges for Sony much easier.

More on this after the jump.

Sony Mobile to Develop its Own Chips for Xperia Devices?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 8, 2015 | 0 comments

Sony at times has some amazing ideas and products that never catch on – look no further than the Xperia Z4 Tablet to understand what a flagship Android tablet should be and yet sales have been nearly nonexistent. But Sony has also had some bad ideas, like the Sony Tablet P. Then there is the rumor that Sony might develop their own chips to power Xperia devices like smartphones and tablets. The rumor goes as such:

Sony Mobile is considering the development of its own application processors for use in mobile devices, according to a report from DigiTimes. The report says that both Sony Mobile and LG plan to develop in-house chips, following on other manufacturers that already do this such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei.

If true, this could eventually mean a move away from Qualcomm and MediaTek as the two main chipset suppliers for Xperia devices to date. The report goes on to say that Global Unichip, the Taiwanese-based dedicated fabless ASIC provider, has won development orders from “Asia-based handset vendors”.

Genius or terrible idea? Let’s talk after the jump.

PlayStation Experience – A Technical Mess

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 5, 2015 | 8 comments

Earlier today, the second annual PlayStation Experience keynote kicked off, designed to headline PlayStation exclusive content and build more excitement around the brand prior the ever important holiday shopping season. While hard to follow up with what many would arguably call the best E3, PlayStation Experience had enough content to hold its own. From Destiny Sparrow Racing League to Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom and a plethora of games for PlayStation VR and PlayStation Vita (remember that thing?), there was plenty to be seen at PSX.

But games aren’t the topic of discussion for this article and instead Sony’s own business is. Despite leading a multi-billion dollar industry, PlayStation Experience perhaps best showed the infrastructure immaturity of PlayStation and its inability to deliver on scale. As games mature and expand beyond what you do in your basement to cutting edge graphics, design, and now virtual reality, the mechanism on how they are presented remains archaic at best and Sony is a huge culprit. Let me explain.

Samsung Begins Withdrawal from Camera & Camcorder Business

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 2, 2015 | 5 comments

Samsung’s mobile division is already in disarray, having lost tremendous momentum and sales to Apple. Between sleazy marketing and me too’ing Apple at every turn, finally their lack of ambition is catching up to them. Smartphone sales have been declining for the past two years with profits down nearly 60% which was finally enough to have the company replace JK Shin, who’s been the head of mobile since 2009.

Now it looks like the company is going to slowly withdraw from the camera and camcorder business.

PlayStation 4 Camera – $24.99

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 26, 2015 | 0 comments

There might not be a ton of games fully putting the PlayStation 4 Camera to use but with plenty of lifespan ahead of PS4 and PlayStation VR on the horizon, snatching up a camera might not be a bad idea. All that aside, the PS4 Camera is great for chatting when you just don’t want to reach for a headset.

I have one myself and I can easily sit across the living room and have the camera pick up my voice crystal clear. Best yet, Amazon is running a deal where the $60 accessory can be had for just $24.99.

Get a Glacier White Dualshock 4 for Under $30

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 24, 2015 | 0 comments

It’s the week of deals and this one’s a pretty good one. Those wanting a Glacier White Dualshock 4 can snatch one up for under $30 and the deal is live as you read this. No waiting for a Lightning Deal to go live. If that’s not your color of choice, you can also get other Dualshock 4 controllers like the Urban Camo and Wave Blue, though they’ll come to be around $40.

Promo code and link after the jump.

Get a PS4 and ‘Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection’ for $299

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 23, 2015 | 0 comments

Starting today and extending all the way through Cyber Monday, shoppers will be looking for the best deals they can snatch up. This certainly extends to PlayStation, and Sony themselves are leading the pack with a hell of a bundle. Priced at $299, this limited time pricing will nab you a 500GB PS4 and Uncharted: the Nathan Drake Collection. The deal is specifically valid for Thursday through Monday. For those in Canada, Sony is offering the exact same bundle for $369.99 CAD (MSRP) though you’ll have to wait to Friday to get in on the deal, seeing how you’re still allowed to enjoy Thanksgiving.

Few more tidbits after the jump.

Sam’s Club Could Offer PS4 for $299 Next Week

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 3, 2015 | 0 comments

With leaked images and pricing should always come a huge grain of salt so remember that you’ve been warned! With that out of the way, according to a leaked image from what appears to be an employee, Sam’s Club (think Costco) will be offering the PS4 for $299. In just the past month, the leading console took an official $50 price cut, bringing down the MSRP to $349.

If the rumor holds true, you’ll be able to save another $50 from there but there is a catch alongside an additional goodie. Those details after the jump.

Sony’s Xperia Z5 “Best Camera” Video is “Techfusing”

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 18, 2015 | 2 comments

Sony has released a new video to promote and educate us about the camera and technology that’s built into the Xperia Z5. In the video, Sony goes as far as to claim that the Z5 offers the

best camera in a leading smartphone

That’s a large claim, but who am I to judge? Instead, what I find confusing and borderline stupid is frankly the entire video that’s all tech in a confusing manner, hence “techfusing.” I’m not sure who the video is aimed at but throughout the one minute video, we’re treated to dazzling/unnecessary sound effects, long drawn out visuals, and a lack of narrative on why we should care about what’s happening on screen, other than the reason that these things will make your photos better.

The offending video and my thoughts can be found after the jump.

A Sony Car? Kaz Hirai Says “Never Say Never”

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 4, 2015 | 5 comments

Google hasn’t made it a secret that they have ambitions for the car. While it remains unclear what exactly Google will do with their car projects, the search giant has already shown off their self-driving vehicles on more than one occasion. On the other end of the spectrum, while mum is the word from the Cupertino-based company, a lot of speculation has pointed towards Apple also swarming around the car sector with high profile meetings at BMW and higher from Tesla and Mercedes-Benz. Even if no cars come from the two tech giants, the car market is already set to change thanks to their involvement with improving the in-dash experience via CarPlay and Android Auto.

Now comes word that Sony, another electronic company who’s no stranger to cars, might also be entertaining the idea of building their own vehicle. So meet me after the jump to discuss the possibilities of a Sony car.

Dear Sony: Either Support PlayStation TV or Kill It

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 20, 2015 | 9 comments

Previously called PlayStation Vita TV, the PlayStation TV is one of those products from Sony that could have made a huge impact for PlayStation. Part Apple TV and part an extension, PS TV debuted with a lot of promise. The little box which connected to your TV via HDMI could stream games directly from the PS4, allowing a household to use PS4 on multiple TVs without needing a ton of money. That’s because while PS4 costs $399, PS TV instead costs $99 though you can now probably fins them for around $50.

PS4 streaming aside, you could also play PS Vita games directly on it and in turn adding value to the powerful portable. For developers, this was also a major win as it game them another platform that their titles could be accessed from. Add access to PlayStation Network and other apps and sure you have a hit device on your hand that each gamer should be purchasing with their PS4.

Except things didn’t go that way at all.

Sony Partners with UEFA to Promote Xperia Brand

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 13, 2015 | 1 comment

I’ve discussed to death the lack of marketing from Sony and have always said that “Sony is one good marketing campaign away from success,” something that I still stand by. Though Sony software continues to linger behind its competitors in mobile and electronics, its hardware continues to be one of the best. This is especially apparent in their 2015 fleet of 4K televisions, receivers, and sound bars.

With mobile, Sony is once again dipping its toes in mass marketing by partnering with UEFA through their 2017/2018 season. Depending on the success, Sony can extend their partnership with the mega soccer football league even further. While not popular in the States, the UEFA championship outside of the World Cup is one of the most watched sporting events with millions tuning in and Sony is taking advantage of that by plastering their name and the Xperia brand all over it.

This is a welcome change and a good move for Sony. Popular throughout the world, UEFA is most popular in Europe (where its held) which also happens to be Sony Mobiles strongest territory. This makes for a great match but perhaps Sony is missing the point.

The Lackluster Unboxing Experience of Sony TVs

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 29, 2015 | 4 comments

Earlier this month, we brought you the unboxing video from the Sony X900C. Now, the video itself was from Sony but with such videos, it gave you an overview of what you can find inside the box and how best to take it apart. Only problem is, while the final product is a beautiful piece of technology that anybody would love to display in their home or office, the experience of getting to it is simply underwhelming. Before I get ahead of myself, go ahead and watch the unboxing here and then meet me after the jump for some thoughts.