Sony Corp.

Sony Xperia Z3 Series Gains ‘PS4 Remote Play’ App via Google Play

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 17, 2014 | 0 comments

One of the exciting features of the Sony Xperia Z3 line which includes the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is its ability to connect to PlayStation 4. Via the PS4 Remote Play app, users with the Sony’s Xperia Z3 line can stream games from the leading console directly to their mobile device and use a Dualshock 4 controller to play the game as if they were on the PS4. Once linked, gamers will have full control of the game with no dumbed-down experience. That means you can enjoy everything from multiplayer to earning trophies directly on your Xperia Z3 device.

More after the jump.

Sony Airs New ‘Script to Screen’ Ad

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 9, 2014 | 0 comments

During this Sunday’s NFL games (in my case, Broncos vs. Raiders), Sony aired an all new commercial dubbed ‘Script to Screen.’ In the new ad, Sony lays out its case on why you should purchase a Sony product.

Sony Shows Off ‘Share Play’ on PS4 Via a Clever New Ad – Welcome To The Future Of Play

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 7, 2014 | 0 comments

In order to get word out about ‘Share Play’ which I believe to be an innovative and even groundbreaking differentiator between the PS4 and Xbox One, Sony is running a new PlayStation 4 ad in Europe titled ‘Welcome To The Future Of Play’ that highlights the newest feature. Made available with PlayStation 4 System Software Update 2.0, Share Play allows a friend to take over your console and play on your behalf, even if they don’t own the game, thanks to Sony’s cloud network which powers PlayStation Now. Besides showing off Share Play, the ad also highlights other PS4 services like the PlayStation App on smartphones and new YouTube share functionality.

WTF: Sony to Release Underwater ‘Xperia Aquatech’ Store in Dubai

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 6, 2014 | 4 comments

Chalk this purely under the WTF category, but the above header is about as real as it gets. In Dubai, the country with no shortage of money which currently houses some of the world’s most beautiful buildings, is getting something exotic that goes in line with the lifestyle that the wealthy get to enjoy there. Set to debut on December 3rd, 2014, Sony is opening an underwater ‘Xperia Aquatech’ store according to Rüediger Odenbac, Vice President of Sony Mobile Middle East and Africa. The new underwater Sony store will allow select Sony customers. VIPs, and media to view and play with waterproof Sony smartphones and tablets like the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

According to Odenbac, they

promised 2014 would be a year marked by a Bigger, Better, and Bolder Sony approach to both our products and the way we present them

and they believe this is one such way. That is, if it wasn’t the most absurd idea ever. Let me explain.

Sony’s Q2 Performance – Winners and Losers (Updated)

by Jonathan Nolan | Nov 4, 2014 | 6 comments

Sony made a loss of $785 in the past quarter, despite a 7.2% jump in revenue on the same period in 2013. The Mobile division reported a loss of $1.58 billion. From those figures, it’s clear that other divisions paid for Mobile’s loss. One division in particular has come out most profitable, and it wasn’t the PS4-making Game business.

All of Sony’s key businesses performed well, turning a profit in the last quarter, Pictures being an exception, but Mobile was the real black hole where profit should have been. As the rhetoric goes, the PS4’s sales saved Sony in the last quarter.

Other mobile giants have been suffering too, notably Samsung’s quarterly profit dipped 49% in the last quarter. That’s one point the media beating on Sony which isn’t being reported as loudly. Clearly, whatever is going on in Sony’s Mobile division, isn’t exclusive to Sony. Sony’s mobile sales took a plunge – but the culprit wasn’t just the Chinese market, there was a bigger surprise.

How well are the other businesses doing and what’s going on in Sony’s Mobile house?

PlayStation App 2.0.7 Now Available, Brings New UI and Tablet Support

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 28, 2014 | 0 comments

Alongside the PlayStation 4 System Software Update 2.0 that brought on an extensive amount of changes and new features to PS4, Sony has also released PlayStation App 2.0.7. The latest update brings improved robustness to the app, with more fluid UI, features, and native support for iPad. After the jump, the full changelog of PlayStation App 2.0.7 and gallery awaits you.

Sony Releases Video Tutorial to Help You Move from Windows Phone to Their Xperia Line

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 20, 2014 | 1 comment

In addition to launching the free ‘Xperia Transfer Mobile’ app on the Windows Phone Store, Sony has also republished a video tutorial to help you navigate the transfer. Designed to lure Windows Phone users to Android and specifically Sony Xperia smartphones, the Xperia Transfer Mobile app can help transfer contacts, message, calendar, and media with just a few clicks.

Though the video specifically mentions iOS and Android users only, the same steps are in place for those looking to transfer from Windows Phone to Android as this video itself was created some time ago. After the jump, the video tutorial from Sony awaits you.

#TBT: Kaz Hirai Takes the Ice Bucket Challenge

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 16, 2014 | 2 comments

Do you know what day it is? Hump day? Nope. It’s Thursday which means…it’s throw back Thursday where we get to post things that are old. In truth, I’ve been itching to post the video of Sony CEO, Kaz Hirai taking the ice bucket challenge. The problem was that he took it much later where the hype around the wonderful cause (which I partook in) had begun to die down. Now that some time has passed, I find it appropriate to use the video in a #TBT post. After the jump, Kaz Hirai takes a bucket of ice to the head from a Sony employee.

Sony Wants to Make Transferring from Windows Phone Easier via Their ‘Xperia Transfer Mobile’ App

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 15, 2014 | 0 comments

Sure Sony’s mobile division is raking up massive losses for the company but that’s not stopping them from trying new ways to lure customers. After already targeting iOS users with a similar tool, Sony is now turning its attention to Windows Mobile users. Dubbed the Xperia Transfer Mobile app, this latest free download helps those who are looking to depart from the world of Windows to Android land by making the transition smoother.

Samsung Profits Dip Nearly 60% and What Sony Can Learn From It

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 9, 2014 | 5 comments

In its upcoming earnings report, many analysts expect Samsung to report a significant dip in its quarterly profits. For Q3 2014, the electronic giant will likely report a profit of 4.1 trillion won ($3.8 billion) from the $10.6 trillion won operating profit that the company booked in Q3 2013. That means in just one quarter, Samsung profits will have dipped nearly 60%! With continued pressure from Apple in the high-end market and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Lenovo, Samsung is beginning to find itself unable to compete. It’s also worth noting that during Q3 2014, Apple held a 0% market share for smartphones with a screen size larger than 4-inches. Since that time, Apple has introduced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ which command 4.7- and 5.5-inch displays, taking the only advantage Samsung may have had in the high-end market.

Translation? Next quarter will likely be even worse for Samsung. If this all sounds too familiar, we need not look further than Sony to see a company who is plagued by the same issues. Sony just recently revised their FY 2014 estimate and announced a larger than expected $2.1 billion loss. Samsung’s pain, however, might be Sony’s gain if Sony can learn some key lessons from this massive blow to Samsung.

Dear Sony, Please Exit the Smartwatch Market

by Sohrab Osati | Oct 2, 2014 | 13 comments

Soon to be available in select territories like Europe and Asia, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is actually the company’s 5th iteration to take on the growing wearable market. Announced at IFA 2014 in Berlin, the SmartWatch 3 is the first device from Sony to incorporate Android Wear, the OS from Google that’s specifically designed for wearables. As a recap, the SmartWatch 3 offers a sporty, rugged design which incorporates a steel-backed case with interchangeable silicone straps that can last for for two days (four days on standby) and charges via micro-USB. On the functionality end, you can get messages from your friends, appointment notifications, and weather updates among other things like flight information, tips based on your interests, or messages from other apps that support Android Wear. There is also a built-in mic with which you can use your voice for search, though, curiously, cannot be used for answering calls.

Alongside the SmartWatch 3, Sony also announced the SmartBand Talk which features a 1.4-inch e-paper display (like the Pebble). Much like the SmartWatch 3, the SmartBand Talk can track your activities, and displays notifications. As the name suggests, the SmartBand Talk is based around communicating. To that end, Sony incorporated a built-in microphone and speaker which allows for short call functions with HD Voice support. Priced nearly 100 euros under the SmartWatch 3 at 159.99, it makes for a curious choice that this unit offers call functionality while the SmartWatch 3 doesn’t.

Either way, whether Sony had incorporated talk functionality in the higher end model or not does not change the fact that it’s time for Sony to exit the wearable market and specifically smartwatches. Let me explain.

Sony Plans to Cut 1,000 Jobs in Mobile Division

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 18, 2014 | 3 comments

Yesterday it was revealed that due to Sony Mobile’s inability to sell mid-range smartphones in significant quantities, the company will likely be posting a $2.1 billion net loss for FY 2014. Unfortunately for Sony fans, and more so Sony employees, the bad news does not end there. Previously, Sony was forecasting for a ¥50 billion loss but with the forecast now expanding to ¥230 billion for the fiscal year, Sony once again has to look internally to help save money and that means a reduction in its staff to the tune of 15% for the mobile division.

Sony Mobile Drags, FY 2014 Net Loss Forecast Widens to $2.1 Billion

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 17, 2014 | 5 comments

Kaz_Hirai_Xperia_Z1 Poor Sony. I mean this from a emotional standpoint for a company that continues to endure loss year after year, which surely takes a toll on employees and moral. With an expected $2.1 billion net loss for FY 2014, I of course mean this in a financial aspect as well. Despite Sony announcing a surprise $261 million Q1 2014 profit, the company is expecting to lose $2.1 billion for the year, up from $500 million. So how does a company lose an additional $1.7 billion in one year? In short, smartphones. Despite what appeared to be a transitional period for Sony and a gained momentum in mobile, the division Sony has been most bullish about will drag down the company considerably as they struggle to move units, especially in the mid-range market.

Disney, Fox, and Viacom Board Sony’s Internet TV?

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 16, 2014 | 0 comments

Last we heard about Sony’s internet TV plans were in 2012 where Sony Network Entertainment VP Michael Aragon has confirmed that the company has flirted with the idea of offering TV over the internet. At the time, Aragon believed that lack of bandwidth and proper business model was hindering Sony’s ability to full invest in the vision. Now, reports are popping up once again that not only has Sony not forgotten about their internet TV ambitions, but that Disney, Fox, and Viacom might be onboard. If true, between the 4 mega studios (with Sony Pictures automatically being on board), the service could offer a compelling platform for those looking to cut ties with their cable provider.

In the case of content, Viacom from a TV standpoint would be a big gain for the yet to be announced platform with 22 of their channels coming on board. Those include stations like Comedy Central, TV, VH1, BET, CMT, and Nickelodeon. Now lets talk about the service itself.

Sony Completely Revamps ‘Music Unlimited’ on iOS

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 12, 2014 | 3 comments

Music Unlimited, the streaming music service from Sony, has received a major makeover that reimagines how the app should look and function. Via the changelog, with Music Unlimited 2.0 on iOS (iPhone & iPod Touch), you can now expect:

• Fresh visual design
• Super fast queue view and load
• View discography, top songs, related artists + more
• Sort your library by newly added songs and recently modified playlists
• Edit song order in playlists
• New grape flavor

More details after the jump.