Phones

Sony “Accidentally” Leaks the Xperia Z2 for Verizon…Again

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 17, 2014 | 2 comments

According to Sony, the Xperia Z2 for Verizon is not happening, because how can a product that a company has yet to announce happen? Despite that stance, the company continues to “accidentally” release pictures of the Xperia Z2 sporting a Verizon logo on different social media outlets, only to take them down and claim something along the lines of them being for “mockup” purposes only. Now, only two things could be happening here. Either Sony has the world’s least competent social media team that somehow has access to unannounced products far before they’re official (unlikely). Or Sony is being extremely smart and is using us (the press/bloggers) to continue spreading the word that the Xperia Z2 will be coming to Verizon in the near future (highly likely).

New Xperia M Update 15.4.A.1.9/15.5.A.1.5 is Rolling out Now (Update)

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 10, 2014 | 30 comments

The Xperia M update (Dual version too) that we seen coming also known as “feature release 2” is now rolling out. The C1904 (Canada, US, India, parts of Australia and more) is already offering the update while the global C1905 version shows that various European and Asian countries are the first to get it including Poland, Italy, Malaysia and Indonesia.

This update has been long anticipated, given that the 4.3 uplift brought a very elegant interface along the lines of the 2014 Xperias but a few bugs too.

Themes are working! We’ve tested a variety of themes including the FIFA 2014 and Spiderman 2 themes, check out the gallery and download them with direct links from Google Play.

Read on for more details.

Sony SmartWatch 2 Gains New Clocks and Widgets, Thanks to New API

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 6, 2014 | 0 comments

Good news for Sony SmartWatch 2 owners. Sony is releasing a set of new API which allows developers to create new clocks and widgets. All of this is possible because of the new SDK Sony released which includes the SmartWatch 2 watch face editor that allows for more easily customizable faces. Once a new face or widget is created, developers will then be able to publish it to Google Play, where it can be downloaded on the SmartWatch 2. From there, owners can browse difference interfaces and widgets for the SmartWatch 2 via its companion app on their Android device.

After the jump, a video tutorial from Sony.

Sony Lifelog App Preview (Video)

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 5, 2014 | 0 comments

Are you still confused by what Lifelog, the companion app to the Sony SmartBand can do? Luckily, Sony has put together a video that explains exactly how what the company calls a “life tracker” is able to store more than your fitness info and incorporate your social life as well. As a refresher, beyond being able to see how long you’ve slept, where you’ve been, and how the weather was during those times, Lifelog is also able to tie into your social life and tell you the number of photos you’ve taken, how much video/music you’ve consumed, and other social metrics. After the jump, the video that better explains it awaits you.

Sony SmartBand Now Available in the US for $99

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2014 | 0 comments

The Sony SmartBand was announced 6 months ago at CES 2014, and Sony is finally shipping what it calls a “life tracker” in the US for $99. While the Sony SmartBand does what other devices like Fitbit can do, it has a few tricks up its sleeve, hence why Sony prefers the term “life tracker.” Beyond the basic ability to track your movement in a waterproof design and set alarms, the SmartBand also allows you to play, pause, and skip through your music. Connection is also easy thanks to the built in NFC, while non-NFC devices will rely on Bluetooth. But all of this is the tip of the iceberg since the SmartBand works with Lifelog, its companion app. So let’s talk details.

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet for Verizon Gets Leaked

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 4, 2014 | 0 comments

Late last month, we reported how the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is likely headed to Verizon. Sony has been clear that they want to expand their mobile presence and work with carrier partners. With Verizon being one of the top players in the US, bringing their smartphones and tablets on big red’s network seems like a no brainer. Even earlier that month, Sony themselves accidentally leaked a photo of the company’s flagship Xperia Z2 smartphone with a Verizon logo though as expected, the company’s stance was that it was purely a internal mockup. Right.

Now, we have another promotional leak and it’s their flagship Android tablet with the Verizon logo which can be seen above.

Meet the Sony Xperia T3 – The “World’s Slimmest 5.3-inch Smartphone”

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 3, 2014 | 2 comments

Sony just unleashed the Xperia T3, a 7mm, 5.3-inch HD device with 8MP main camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage all wrapped in a stainless steel frame. Sony tells us that it is intended for global release from the end of July. The specs suggest an upper mid-range placement. So what’s different with this one? They teamed up with German photographer Benjamin Kaufmann for the design of this smartphone, taking inspiration from “landscapes and art.” So we can add this to the OmniBalance design langauge that they’ve been using. Xperia just took a new direction.

The unique stainless steel ‘mirror’ that frames the device is represented in the reflective waves of the sea, while the device’s white, black and purple variations are also characterised in the landscapes breath-taking palette.

Come check out the specs and gallery.

Sony Mobile Teases “Next Big Thing this Season” (Updated)

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 3, 2014 | 2 comments

Something is coming. We can expect to be wowed. By season, we’re likely talking about the summer, right? (summer up here, winter down there!) “Next Big Thing” … that’s not ‘king of flagship’ language, is it? Something wearable then? There are only two things in the image that Sony Mobile provided; a smartphone and a lady. Girlfriend with every smartphone?? 😛

Read on and let’s talk Sony surprises.

Sony Preparing New D2403 Smartphone to Rival Moto G?

by Jonathan Nolan | Jun 1, 2014 | 2 comments

An intriguing new Sony smartphone appears to be in the pipeline with the model D2403. Details of a 4.4-inch, quad-core Android 4.4.2 device have surfaced and given those specs alone they fit right in with the Motorola G which took the market by storm last November. The Motorola G you may remember is a 4.5-inch, quad-core handset running on 4.4.2 too. What really sold the device was it’s very cheap price for those specs. It reshaped the mid-range market as those specs were previously found closer to a premium price. Motorola (owned by Motorola, then Google, now Lenovo) commented that it was their “most successful, highest-selling smartphone in Motorola history”.

Regarding Sony, we were left wondering how committed they were to the mid-range devices now since they seem to be targeting the premium segment more and considering that the update to the 2013 mid-ranger Xperia M (somewhat merged with the L?) was a much larger, more impressive M2. But this new D2403 that seems to be in development will presumably be below the M2 in specs and price – targeting the Moto G. If you thought you were happy with your current budget or mid-range Sony Xperia smartphone, prepare to be teased!

What’s Sony putting in this handset to take out the Moto G?

More Xperia Updates for: SP, M, M2, Z, ZR, Z1 Compact, Tablets Z, Z2 LTE/Wi-Fi

by Jonathan Nolan | May 29, 2014 | 1 comment

It’s time for a full check up on KitKat and Jellybean updates for the 2013, 2014 lineup.

Various updates are available for the following models: Z1 Compact, SP, Z, ZL, M2 and M.

Some of the models have minor Jellybean updates (e.g. SP, M), some make the jump to KitKat (e.g. Z, ZR) and others have minor KitKat increments (e.g. M2, Z1 Compact). There is also an update for the Tablet Z, Z2 LTE and Wi-Fi versions.

Read on for more details.

Sony Xperia M Update 15.4.A.1.9 Coming Globally in June (Update)

by Jonathan Nolan | May 29, 2014 | 1 comment

Exciting times for Sony smartphone owners, updates sure are getting faster. Xperia M users watch out for a pop-up in PC Companion / Bridge for Mac in the coming weeks with the label of update 15.4.A.1.9.

This update has just appeared over at the American firmware registration authority and there is reasonable jump in the build number – new features are coming! This has come up for both the C1904/C1905 models which covers all Xperia M users globally. This is the “4.3 feature release 2” that we’ve been following and waiting for.

Let’s take a closer look…

New Xperia ZL2 Spotted in the Wild, Expected for India

by Jonathan Nolan | May 28, 2014 | 0 comments

An elegantly-designed Xperia device seems to be coming as a successor to 2013s Xperia ZL. The updated model sports a 5-inch 1080p screen with 3GB of RAM, a 20.7MP powered by a 3000 mAh battery. It’s seen in white, black, and cyan. It may not be a new flagship, but it still packs some meaty specs nonetheless.

This model is not expected to be released internationally, but instead in “select markets”. The original ZL was released in India, and likely the updated ZL2 will follow suit. No release date is known yet but a summer launch seems likely.

Read on to see the full specs that we know so far and a large gallery of images.

Is the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Coming to Verizon?

by Sohrab Osati | May 28, 2014 | 0 comments

According to the popular evleaks group, Sony is looking to bring their flagship Android tablet to Verizon. As you may recall, Sony last month accidentally published a photo of the Xperia Z2, the company’s newest Android smartphone, sporting a Verizon logo. While the mega cellphone carrier had no comments on the matter, Sony was quick to point out that the photo was purely for internal marketing purposes and was not indicative of a deal between the two companies. With that as a backdrop, is news about the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet running on Verizon a coincidence?

Let’s talk after the jump.

Sony Sold 39m Smartphones in 2013, Aims for 50m in 2014

by Jonathan Nolan | May 15, 2014 | 3 comments

The detailed results for 2013 show that the Japanese corporation sold 39m Xperia smartphones in the past year. That is a 6m jump on 2012. The popularity of devices such as the Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact stirred consumer appetite and helped the brand achieve a broader reach globally, particularly in North America where Sony has renewed its interest. Bigger is better for Sony as they have now set their sights on 50m units in 2014. What delicious smartphones will they release next to make that happen?

What else can we tell from Sony’s results from 2013?

Lifelog App Expands Support for SmartBand Beyond Sony Smartphones

by Sohrab Osati | May 12, 2014 | 8 comments

The Lifelog app from Sony, in conjunction with the SmartBand SWR10, helps bring your daily activity to life. With an interface that Sony calls “colorful, intuitive, graphic and animated,” the Lifelog app, much like similar offerings from Fitibit helps you set goals to stay active and track your progress. Beyond activity, Lifelog also ties into your social life and displays photos and music, making it stand apart from traditional fitness devices and apps. Now, Sony is prepared to expand that experience beyond their own Smartphones.

Now let’s talk expanded devices.