Phones

Sony Ends PlayStation Mobile Development on Android and It’s For the Better

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 6, 2014 | 0 comments

In 2011, Sony initiated strategy for PlayStation Mobile, which would have the brand expand beyond core Sony consoles and arrive on Android devices. The move was part of a strategy that allowed Android users to experience PlayStation titles in hopes of bringing them to the PS3 and PS Vita. Unfortunately, the initiative never gained much traction. Hardware partners were limited and software releases were scant with mainly original PlayStation titles. Sony would also use the platform to allow smaller indie publishers to release titles on which would also be compatible on the PS Vita, but the incentive was low for developers as opposed to simply making their game for iOS and Android.

Fortunately, Sony is finally ending PlayStation Mobile development and with it, freeing up resources for the PS Vita.

Sony and Panasonic Form Joint Venture to Create Medium Sized OLED Displays

by Sohrab Osati | Aug 4, 2014 | 0 comments

OLED displays continue to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. While every company including Sony has been able to create small displays and incorporate them on camera viewfinders and more prominently on devices like the PlayStation Vita, mass production on large displays remains a challenge. While Sony and others have been able to create large OLED televisions, due to production woes and astronomical costs, none of these sets have come to the market in a meaningful way due to the large price tag they carry. Still, the industry seems to want to make large OLED displays happen while it’s unclear if consumers truly care or if a proper 4K set is enough.

Sony, for its part, has had a turbulent history with OLED productions. In 2012, the company announced a joint venture with Panasonic to combine R&D which never led anywhere. Sony followed up by showcasing a 56-inch OLED TV at CES 2013, but that was the last we heard of the set. Eventually the company did release 30-inch (4,096 x 2,160) and 56-inch (3,840 x 2160) 4K OLED monitors for professionals but rumors followed in early 2014 that they were poised to exit the OLED business.

If that makes your head spin, you’re not alone but Sony is now coming full circle by announcing a new joint venture with Panasonic to once again create OLED displays.

Sony Xperia T3 Comes to Taiwan

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 28, 2014 | 0 comments

The Sony Xperia T3 was revealed in June and dubbed as the worlds slimmest 5.3-inch smartphone. Featuring a 7mm body with a stainless steel frame, a 5.3-inch HD display with an 8-megapixel front facing camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, the Sony Xperia T3 is shaping to be quite the upper mid-range smartphone. Already available in Hong Kong for purchase, Sony is now adding Taiwan to their list of conquered territories which also makes this the second market the Xperia T3 is available in.

Now lets talk price and color.

Sony Xperia Z2 Now Available for Purchase in United States

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 24, 2014 | 2 comments

Good news for those who are looking for a Android phone that starts with the other S. While the Sony Xperia Z2 has been available throughout the world for nearly 6 months, US fans had been left in the cold. Luckily Sony has began to figure out its US strategy a bit and recently released the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet exclusively on Verizon. Ok maybe not the best idea to go with a sole carrier but at least it’s being sold in the US.

So lets talk Xperia Z2 and the US.

Sony Xperia Z3 Specs Leaked

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 23, 2014 | 2 comments

We already know a fair deal about the Xperia Z3, the next flagship Android smartphone from Sony. Thanks to the FCC, we can even confirm the 802.11ac wireless chipset inside the powerful device but more importantly, we can confidently assume that a reveal is in the near future. While Sony might not be quite ready to talk about the Z3, thanks to more leaks, we can reveal some key Xperia Z3 specs that may or may not put a smile on your face.

After the jump, Sony Xperia Z3 specs await you.

Sony Invests $345 Million to Boost Image Sensor Production Ahead of iPhone 6 Launch

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 23, 2014 | 0 comments

Recent rumors have pegged Sony has the sole supplier of the image sensor that’s to be found in the next iPhone from Apple. In the last three iterations of the iPhone, Sony has provided Apple with an 8-megapixel image sensor. With the launch of the iPhone 6 (mockup pictured above), it’s believed that Sony will once again be the only vendor partner of Apple to provide a 13-megapixel image sensor. Though not directly confirming the deal, Sony has announced that they plan on investing $345 million to boost image sensor production.

I wonder what product is around the corner that would demand such high volumes (hint, it’s the iPhone 6). Let’s talk details.

Firmware Update on the Horizon for Sony Xperia E1 and Xperia M2

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 18, 2014 | 0 comments

Sony has been giving its mobile fleet a booster shot all week long by bringing updates to the Xperia Z2, Xperia SP, Xperia E, and Xperia T2 Ultra among smaller app updates. Now the company has announced the next set of firmware updates and the lucky two smartphones are the Xperia E1 and Xperia M2. The Sony Xperia M2 was initially revealed in February as a mid-range smartphone with a quad-core processor. Thanks to an accidental coding error on Sony’s own site, it seems that an updated Sony Xperia M2 Aqua D2403 is on the way in the near future that will likely bring a water resistant housing to the phone.

Sony Xperia T2 Ultra Gains Android 4.4.2 KitKat

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 18, 2014 | 0 comments

As if Sony has woken up to the fact that they command an extensive fleet of Android devices, the company is checking another device off of its list of smartphones to upgrade. Earlier in the week, the Sony Xperia Z2, Xperia E, and Xperia SP were just two of the phones Sony rolled out new firmware for. Now, the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra is receiving the red carpet treatment from Sony with a new firmware upgrade that brings the 6-inch phablet to Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

What can we expect from the newest firmware update? Quite a bit, it seems like.

Sony Xperia Z2 Update 17.1.2.A.0.314 Now Live (Updated)

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 17, 2014 | 7 comments

If you have in your position a Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone then you’ll notice something is awaiting you in the cloud. Starting today, the Sony Xperia Z2 update 17.1.2.A.0.314 is live though what changes it brings with it are currently elusive. Those who’ve initiated the update are reporting no changes in their Android build indicating that Sony is not yet ready to move beyond Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Many had hoped that the firmware update would bring with it Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

As is with the way Sony handles firmware updates, the Sony Xperia Z2 build 17.1.2.A.0.314 is not available in all countries. After the jump, we get into more detail.

Sony Xperia Z3 to Offer 802.11ac Wireless?

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 17, 2014 | 3 comments

Thanks to our friends at the FCC, we already know that the Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603) has been approved for the United States. This means that Sony is legally able to sell their next flagship Android smartphone if they so wish, though I wouldn’t expect it to arrive in the US for many months after its international launch. Now thanks to the FCC, we may have uncovered another detail about the Xperia Z3 which would truly make it a next generation smartphone.

iPhone 6 to Feature Sony 13-Megapixel Exmor IMX220 Camera Sensor?

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 17, 2014 | 0 comments

When the iPhone 6 launches later this year, it’s expected to do large numbers with its rumored 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes. Beyond offering a larger display, it’s believed that Apple will be upping the megapixel count on their front facing camera which is already the world’s most popular way to take photos. For the last three iterations of the iPhone, Apple has tapped Sony to provide the image sensor and has opted to keep the same Sony’s IMX145 8-megapixel 1/3.2” sensor. In order to improve photo quality with each model, Apple has instead tweaked the iPhone lens to better use available light and other similar tweaks to the camera. With a complete shift in design and size, it’s now believed that Apple will be once again tapping Sony for the iPhone 6 sensor but this time, with a higher megapixel count. So what can we expect Sony to provide Apple? Let’s talk details.

Sony Splits Contacts App on Android; Updates to 16.1.B.3.2

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 16, 2014 | 0 comments

If you’ve been rocking Android 4.4.4 on your Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact which the US is finally getting, or the Z1 Ultra then this news is for you. In a trend that current affects the mentioned phones which will likely expand to all current Xperia smartphones, Sony is separating the Contacts app from all firmware updates and instead is planning on treating as a standalone app. Sony already does this with their media apps like Walkman which was just updated to build 8.4.A.1.4. With that move, the Contacts update 16.1.B.3.2 went live as well.

After the jump, we discuss why this is an important step for Sony and what Contacts 16.1.B.3.2 brings with it.

Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603) is Approved by the FCC

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 16, 2014 | 2 comments

In the past, the FCC has been our best friend at revealing Sony’s hand for upcoming devices, particularly smartphones. For those not familiar, the FCC, or Federal Communications Commission, must approve all electronic products with wireless capabilities in the United States. This can range from simple Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity to more advanced wireless features like LTE. The latest device to make its rounds through the FCC appears to be the Sony Xperia Z3, the company’s next flagship Android smartphone.

Sony Xperia SP Update 12.1.A.1.207 Certified

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 16, 2014 | 0 comments

Seemingly out of nowhere, Sony has been quietly updating older Xperia smartphones. Just the other day, the Sony Xperia E update 11.3.A.2.33 went live which brought minor changes. Now, the Sony Xperia SP update 12.1.A.1.207 has been certified, so let’s talk details.

Sony Xperia E Update 11.3.A.2.33 Now Live

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 14, 2014 | 0 comments

Released in early 2013, the Sony Xperia E was always designed as an entry level smartphone. Powered by a Qualcomm 1 GHz Cortex-A5 processor with only 3G connectivity, 320 x 480 pixels display, and 3.1-megapixel camera meant the Xperia E also carried an appropriate price of ₹9,290 when released in India. Now, seemingly out of nowhere, Sony has released a new update, taking the Xperia E build from 11.3.A.2.23 to 11.3.A.2.33.

After the jump, let’s talk about the Sony Xperia E update 11.3.A.2.33.