Category: Sony

Sony may launch the Xperia Z1 in India on 18th Sept

We just got invites for a special Sony Xperia event and we are calling out to the Xperia Z1. Sony’s new 20.7MP shooting flagship the Xperia Z1 was unveiled at the IFA 2013 trade show in Berlin, just over a week ago, and if the company has already set up the launch, it shows that Sony is serious about the Indian market and will show aggresive launches ahead.

The Sony Xperia Z1 will boast modern specs worthy of a flagship smartphone, including a 5-inch full HD 1080p display (441ppi) sporting Sony’s TRILUMINOS screen tech and X-Reality for mobile that debuted on the Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch phablet. There is a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, along with 2GB of RAM. 16GB of storage (expandable via MicroSD) and a 3000mAh battery

The 5-inch Sony Xperia Z1 sports a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor with an unprecedented size of 1/2.3?, along with a G Lens from its higher-end cameras. Its F2.0 aperture and 27mm wide-angle lens means that photos should be sharper, faster and more detailed than most of its rivals, though we will wait until a review unit for a verdict on its efficacy.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also rated at IP55 and IP58 for water and dust resistance, similar to the Xperia Z and will come in black, white and purple variants.

The pricing information remains mum for the time being but it looks like the phone will be available for around Rs. 49,990 to begin with, so if you have your pockets left after the September 17th flagship and wearable announcement from a competitor, the Z1 will get some love.

If Sony does launch the Xperia Z1 on the event, expect an iGyaan Style review asap.

September 13, 2013
Sony Xperia Z1 Showcased Along With The Alleged Xperia Z1 Mini

After the launch of the Sony Xperia Z1 at IFA 2013, its time to get back to the rumors. The mini version of the water resistant smartphone by Sony showed up along with the Z1 itself.

With the leaked images we get to look at some of the specs as well. The Xperia Z1 mini is rumored to come up with a 720p 4.3 inch screen, boast 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, powered by quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, Android Jelly Bean 4.3 and sport the same 20.7 MP camera as on the Xperia Z1. The Z1 mini is rumored to make its official appearance at CES 2014 in Las Vegas this January.

A previous leaked image had shown the front of the phone.

These are leaked configurations, as there is no word from Sony about this device. The above configurations seem a bit too much as it shows that the Z1 mini will be powered with the snapdragon 800 processor and will sport a 20.7 MP camera, but if this rumor comes up true just like the rumors of a plastic iphone 5c which came up to be true, the Z1 mini seems to be a nightmare for its competitors.

However, the Japanese major has not yet revealed its plan for the smaller-sized version of its flagship smartphone. If we look at the previously launched mini versions of the phones like HTC One and the Galaxy S4 it shows that all smartphone minis have opted for lower grade processors than their bigger ones, we believe something like a Snapdragon 600 processor might be the choice of Sony for the Z1 mini.

Will Sony follow what is been the trend for mini phones, or will it completely change the segment of “mini” phones with its rumored Xperia Z1 mini, we will have to wait and see what Sony brings to the table.

September 11, 2013
Sony Announces PS Vita TV, Tiny Gaming Console

Sony has just announced PlayStation Vita TV, a 6 x 10 cm(Dimensions) gaming console that is also a set-top box that connects to a TV. It is based on PS Vita hardware, and plays Vita, PSP, and PS1 games, it also offers access to a range of entertainment services and PlayStation 4 cross-functionality. It will cost around INR 6500, and will be out in Japan on November 14th. A separate bundle, including a DualShock 3 controller and 8GB memory card, will sell for approximately INR 9300.

The PS Vita TV supports Sony’s own Video Unlimited and also includes Vita-style apps such as the LiveTweet Twitter client and Reader ebook software. The tiny console can be used as an extender for PlayStation 4 games, letting you play them on another TV screen if the one connected to the PS4 is occupied. However, not all PS Vita games will be supported.

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The PS Vita TV is possibly same to the Apple TV on price while it offers far more gaming. Apple is rumored to be planning significant software enhancements for its set-top box that could possibly come on the 10th of september event, but the Apple TV could not possibly give gaming experience to its users.

September 9, 2013
Sony and Samsung products to get Price Hike upto 20% Across All Categories

Sony India on Thursday said it will soon initiate a price hike on its products across all categories to offset the impact of rupee depreciation.

“With the weakening of the rupee, the company will raise the prices of its products. This will be done shortly,” Sunil Nayyar, Head Sales, Sony India.

The products that Sony India sells, including flat panel TVs (Bravia), digital cameras (Cyber-Shot), laptops (Vaio) and smartphones (Xperia) , are shipped to India from other countires.

Nayyar said the weakening of the rupee was affecting the company and the prices have to be raised. “The rise will be a mild one and not be a burden on the consumers. The company will absorb the most impact,” he said.

As Diwali and other festivals festivals are round the corner, the company plans to earn a revenue of Rs 400 crore during the period of August to November, 30 percent higher than the last year’s figure as last year at the same time, the revenue earned was Rs 310 crore, he said.

Nationally, the company is eyeing a growth of 25 percent. It will also increase the distribution network from 850 to 935 across the country, Nayyar added.

Sources close to iGyaan have also confirmed that Samsung is also contemplating a price hike of 15-20% on all its products, that can majorly affect the prices of the upcoming products like Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear and the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014.

Depreciating Rupee and the deteriorating economy has caused a major stall in the purchase power of the consumer, with prices shooting sky-high, companies are ready to look at major decline in sales across the board (even though most. Companies in all retail segments from cars to mobiles all products have been increasing prices and it should have a negative impact on the commercial growth of India. Hopefully we can recover from this in time.

September 6, 2013
Sony Xperia Z1 Available For Pre-Booking in the UK, Priced At 599 Pounds

Sony recently announced the Xperia Z1, the device has a 5-inch full HD 1080p display (441ppi) sporting Sony’s TRILUMINOS screen tech and X-Reality for mobile that debuted on the Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch phablet. There is a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, along with 2GB of RAM. 16GB of storage (expandable via MicroSD) and a 3000 mAh battery.

The 20.7 MP camera adds up to the prominent features of this device, the device has an aluminium body which is waterproof with an IP58 rating. The new flagship from Sony has gone up for pre-booking in UK, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany priced at 599 Pounds!

If we convert the currency it shows up approximately INR 61,650 (at current Rupee strength), we will have to wait and see what would be the price in Indian market.

September 6, 2013
Sony Launches All New Music Video Recorder ‘HDR-MV1’

Sony has announced a new camcorder concept designed and made specifically for musicians, called the HDR-MV1 Music Video Recorder. The video camera lets any artist to shoot and share every performance with Full HD image quality and dynamic studio quality sound thanx to the Dual mic.

Marrying Sony’s industry-leading audio and digital imaging technology, HDR-MV1 is the perfect video capture solution when audio is key,” said Hidenori Toyoda, director of the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “With the web being a major hub for established and budding music talent, the camcorder’s ability to easily upload high quality content sets it apart from other devices.”

The company claims that this device is ideal for studio like voice recording as well as full HD video, this device also has built-in Wi-Fi that allows users to instantly share their Music Video Recorder content to a smartphone or tablet for easy upload. The Wi-Fi connection also allows control of the camera with any compatible device, for start/stop recording as well as to select movie/audio modes. This camera also has NFC that makes it even better.

The new HDR-MV1 Music Video Recorder will be available in December for a suggested retail price of $299.99.

September 4, 2013
Sony QX100 and QX10 Lens Cameras Unveiled At IFA

The much rumoured Sony lens camera has been launched today at IFA. The QX100 and QX10 are two lens based cameras that attach to the smartphone to bring the best picture quality. Though these add on appear bulky but they are of great use, as the company claims these can change the Xperia Z or Xperia Z1 into compact cameras.

These lenses can directly fit with the Xperia devices, but if you are not a Xperia user and you are completely astonished with these lenses, with the help of an adapter you can connect these with any of your smartphone.

Both these cameras have ‘one touch’ and WiFi, the QX10 has 10x optical zoom and the QX100 has a one-inch sensor and Karl Zeiss lens. Check out the specification sheet:

The new Cyber-shot QX100 and QX10 lens-style cameras will available later this month for about $500 and $250, respectively.

[toggle title=”Press Release “]NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2013 – Merging the creative power of a premium compact camera with the convenience and connectivity of today’s smartphones, Sony today introduced two “lens-style” QX series cameras that bring new levels of fun and creativity to the mobile photography experience.

The innovative Cyber-shot® DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 models utilize Wi-Fi® connectivity to instantly transform a connected smartphone into a versatile, powerful photographic tool, allowing it to shoot high-quality images and HD videos to rival a premium compact camera. It’s an entirely new and different way for consumers to capture and share memories with friends and family.

With a distinct lens-style shape, the new cameras utilize the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application (available for iOS™ and Android™ devices, version 3.1 or higher required) to connect wirelessly to a smartphone, converting the bright, large LCD screen of the phone into a real-time viewfinder with the ability to release the shutter, start/stop movie recordings, and adjust common photographic settings like shooting mode, zoom, Auto Focus area and more.

For added convenience, the app can be activated using NFC one-touch with compatible devices. Once pictures are taken, they are saved directly on both the phone and the camera*, and can be shared instantly via social media or other common mobile applications.

“With the new QX series cameras, we are making it easier for the ever-growing population of ‘mobile photographers’ to capture far superior, higher-quality content without sacrificing the convenience and accessibility of their existing mobile network or the familiar ‘phone-style’ shooting experience that they’ve grown accustomed to,” said Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony. “We feel that these new products represent not only an evolution for the digital camera business, but a revolution in terms of redefining how cameras and smartphones can cooperatively flourish in today’s market.”

The new compact, ultra-portable cameras can be attached to a connected phone with a supplied mechanically adjustable adapter, or can be held separately in hand or even mounted to a tripod while still maintaining all functionality and connectivity with the smartphone. They can also be operated as completely independent cameras if desired, as both the DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 cameras have a shutter release, memory card slot and come with a rechargeable battery.

Premium, Large-Sensor QX100 Camera

The Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 camera features a premium, high-quality 1.0 inch, 20.2 MP Exmor® RCMOS sensor. Identical to the sensor found in the acclaimed Cyber-shot RX100 II camera, it allows for exceptionally detailed, ultra-low noise images in all types of lighting conditions, including dimly lit indoor and night scenes.

The sensor is paired with a fast, wide-aperture Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x optical zoom and a powerful BIONZ® image processor, ensuring beautifully natural, detail-packed still images and HD videos. As an extra refinement, the DSC-QX100 sports a dedicated control ring for camera-like adjustment of manual focus and zoom.

Several different shooting modes can be selected while using the camera including Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto, which automatically recognizes 33 different shooting conditions and adjusts camera settings to suit.

High-Zoom Cyber-shot QX10 model

Boasting a powerful 18.2 effective megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor and versatile 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens, the Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 camera allows mobile photographers to bring distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality or resolution, a common problem in smartphones. It’s also extremely portable and lightweight – weighing less than 4 oz and measuring about 2.5”X2.5”x1.3”, it’s a great tool for travel photography.

Additionally, the camera has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to combat camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free. It has Program Auto, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes to choose from, and will be available in two different colors – black and white.

Pricing and Availability

The new Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 lens-style cameras will available later this month for about $500 and $250, respectively.

The cameras and a range of compatible accessories including a soft carry case and dedicated camera case attachment for Sony Mobile phones like the Xperia™ Z can be purchased at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit www.blog.sony.com for a full video preview of the new Sony Cyber-shot QX Series cameras and follow #SonyCamera on Twitter for the latest camera news.
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September 4, 2013
Sony Xperia Z1 Announced : 5″ Full-HD Display, 20.7MP Camera

As expected, Sony has unveiled the follow-up to its Xperia Z smartphone today, the aptly-named Sony Xperia Z1. The device looks visually similar to its all-glass predecessor, but comes in a bit taller, wider, thicker and heavier. It has a unibody aluminum chassis.

The Sony Xperia Z1 will boast modern specs worthy of a flagship smartphone, including a 5-inch full HD 1080p display (441ppi) sporting Sony’s TRILUMINOS screen tech and X-Reality for mobile that debuted on the Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch phablet. There is a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, along with 2GB of RAM. 16GB of storage (expandable via MicroSD) and a 3000mAh battery.

The 5-inch Sony Xperia Z1 sports a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor with an unprecedented size of 1/2.3″, along with a G Lens from its higher-end cameras. Its F2.0 aperture and 27mm wide-angle lens means that photos should be sharper, faster and more detailed than most of its rivals, though we will wait until a review unit for a verdict on its efficacy.

There’s a new social feature, Social Live to broadcast “precious moments” directly to Facebook. The time Shift Burst takes about 61 images in two seconds, all photos that you take are stored online in a cloud based library.

Running Android 4.2.2 with Sony’s slight but pleasing customizations, the experience should be familiar to anyone running an updated Xpera device.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also rated at IP55 and IP58 for water and dust resistance, similar to the Xperia Z and will come in black, white and purple variants.

Expect an iGyaan style review soon!

September 4, 2013
PS4 Will Support Voice Commands, Facial Recognition Via PlayStation Camera

Sony last night addressed whether the PS4 features voice command capabilities through the PlayStation camera, but the company’s statement may not reveal as much as it initially seems.

The rumour that the PS4 would feature voice command capabilities popped up when video of a presentation made by SCEA’s group manager of retail training and advocacy Sean Coleman at this week’s GameStop Expo in Las Vegas was uploaded to YouTube on Thursday.

At the 5:30 mark a slide is shown for the Eye that says: “From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming.”

Speaking to gaming site Polygon a Sony spokesperson said: “Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that PlayStation Camera allows for voice recognition and we will look forward to sharing more details in the lead up to the launch of PS4 on November 29.”

SCEA’s group manager of retail training and advocacy Sean Coleman outlined some PlayStation Camera features at the GameStop 2013 Expo in Las Vegas this week. “From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming.”

The PS4 PlayStation Camera will have some unique functionality with the new DualShock 4 controllers. It will be able to use facial recognition to detect who is holding which controller, and apply that player’s preferred controller profile.

September 2, 2013
Sony Smartphone-Mount “Lens Cameras” Leak

We’ve previously covered the recent rumours of the 20 Megapixel Sony Wifi ‘smart lens’ which will attach to Android and iOS smartphones and connect to the phone via Wifi. Theoretically, you’ll be able to take much better pictures with the bigger CMOS sensor and Zeiss glass.

A new rumored gold iPhone now has a rumored gold lens attachment from Sony, according to a report from SonyAlphaRumors which has also posted an image. Until now we’d only seen leaks of a black device, and while a white version was perhaps to be expected, how about gold? Would be a perfect match for that rumored gold iPhone 5S.

“For the first time you can shoot top quality images with your smartphone. Forget these iPhone or Android lens kits!” said SonyAlphaRumors.com, which posted images of the new devices.

But the lenses won’t have screens or camera controls, and can be attached magnetically to the smartphone, from which they can be controlled, it added.

The two new ‘lens-camera’ devices will launch as the DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100, the idea being that they mount onto a smartphone and contain a built-in imaging sensor, Bionz processor, Wi-Fi/NFC, SD card slot and battery.

The QX10 is rumoured to have a 1/2.3 inch 18MP CMOS sensor and f/3.3-5.9 lens. In terms of pricing, the more expensive QX100 is expected to be priced around the $450 mark. The lenses will be able to capture HD video at 1080/30p.

Does this interest you shutterbugs?

August 31, 2013
Sony Launches Two New Cameras: Alpha 3000 And NEX 5T

Camera fans have split into groups. As they choose from point-and-shoot cameras or smaller mirrorless models and alot of u like the bulky, professional look and feel of DSLR cameras.

Sony has launched two new DSLR like cameras today Alpha 3000 and NEX 5T.

Sony Alpha 3000:

The Alpha 3000 has a Sony E-mount interchangeable lens with a Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with an effective picture resolution of 20.1 pixels. It can also capture videos in high-definition resolution at 60 frames per second. This camera has a 3X digital zoom and the focal length is 27 to 82.5 mm. It has a 3-inch display with a “live view” feature. The camera has a rechargeable 1080 mAh Lithium NP-FW50 rechargeable battery. This camera weighs 281 grams and is priced $400 and is up for pre-booking.

NEX 5T:

The NEX-5T is a 16.1-megapixel device with Sony E-mount interchangeable lenses. It has the same Exmor CMOS sensor and can shoot 10 frames per second. It has a 3X optical zoom and a 4X digital zoom. The focal length is 24 to 77 mm. The camera has a 3-inch touchscreen display that can tilt 180 degrees. It also has NFC and built-in WiFi. This is a more compact camera, with approximately half the weight of the Alpha 3000, this camera weighs 116 grams. This camera is priced $700 and is up for pre-booking.

“These target the entry-level user,” said Kenta Hanjo, a product manager at Sony Electronics, in a press briefing. “It’s for someone who owns a smartphone and point and shoot and wants to step up their photography.”

Both of these cameras have the same shipping date which is 8th of September 2013 for US. We will have to see when and for what price will these cameras come to the Indian market.

August 27, 2013
Sony Honami ‘Waterproof’ Smartphone Teased

Following yesterday’s teased Twitter image of the power button on the upcoming Xperia Z1 “Sony Honami” flagship, the latest tweet from Sony highlights the smartphone’s underwater capabilities.

Sharing a picture via Twitter, Sony had yesterday shown off the now-iconic power button from the side of its next device. The wording that Sony has chosen is rather playful too. “It’s the smartphone everyone’s been talking about”, reads the Tweet.

The second image is a bit more revealing because it shows the phone submerged in water alongside the claim that Sony’s new smartphone is “about to make a splash.”

Sony will unveil its newest smartphone in early September, and the device, codenamed Sony Honami, is rumoured to have a 5-inch 1080p display, a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 20MP Exmor RS camera sensor with the company’s new G-Lens technology.

Sony has been a generation behind the competition in screen and camera quality, so it’s nice to see the company facing those issues head-on with this release. Though their smartphone division has grown tremendously in the past year, mainly on the strength of the Xperia Z and mid-range devices like the Xperia U, they are still far behind Samsung and LG in total sales.

Using the “Best of Sony” slogan, the Sony Honami should also provide users with water- and dust-proofing, along with an IR blaster for TV and stereo controls.

It remains to be seen whether the Sony Honami will be able to stand up against the flood of product announcements that are also expected to take place in the same event (IFA), such as the HTC One Max and the Samsung Galaxy Note III.

August 23, 2013
PlayStation 4 Ready For November Launch

Sony on August 20 at Gamescom revealed the dates for the PlayStation 4, which will launch in North America on November 15 and in European regions on November 29.

The European date includes launches in Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, but no dates were given for South East Asia and Japan. The console will be supported by 15 disc-based titles at launch, including vibrant all-ages platformer “Knack” social racing game “DriveClub”, and futuristic shooter “Killzone: Shadow Fall”, as well non-exclusives by way of “Assassin’s Creed IV”, “Battlefield 4”, “Call of Duty: Ghosts”, “Just Dance 2014”, “Lego Marvel Super Heroes”, “Skylanders: Swap Fore” and more.

The Sony PlayStation 4 has many new and useful features. The new controller seems very different from the old one it has a built in speaker, and a headphone jack that helps to interact with friends who are online, the controller has a ‘share’ button which will allow you to share your game play videos on social networking sites and the new controller also has a touchpad, which allows the use of touch gestures in some of the games.

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Sony has also created a PlayStation app by which an user can chat with friends and share the gameplay or some tips for playing the games this app will be available for both mobiles and tablets as per Sony. The new PlayRoom, that gives reality experiences on PS4 claims the company.

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With all these new features, Sony is ready to launch the new PlayStation soon. What is your take on it ?

August 23, 2013
Manual Leaks For Sony QX10 and QX100 lens cameras

A few days ago some images leaked out for the rumored upcoming Sony QX10 and QX100 lens cameras, and now manual of these lens cameras seems to have leaked out.

As per sonyalpharumors the image above is the manual and can be linked with the points below:

1) Power Button
2) Microphone
3) Display Panel
: Indicates that the card is not inserted
: Indicates the remaining battery charge
4) Hook for belt
5) Tripod
6) Ring Control (DSC-QX100)
7) The power / charge / movie
Green: Power on
Orange: Running Charging
Red: running video
8) Zoom lever
9) Shutter Button
10) Multifunctional Jack
11) RESET Button

Dimensions (standard CIPA):
DSC-QX100: 62,5 mm × 62,5 mm × 55,5 mm (W / H / D)
DSC-QX10: 62,4 mm × 61,8 mm × 33,3 mm (W / H / D)
Weight (standard CIPA) (including battery pack NP-BN, “Memory Stick Micro”):
DSC-QX100: approx. 179 g
DSC-QX10: approx. 105 g
Power Supply: Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BN
Power consumption (during shooting): 1.1 W

IFA is just few days away, and Sony is all set for a event. These are some leaked specifications for sony QX10 and QX100. If any of this information is correct, Sony may have what it needs to create a new market segment.

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August 17, 2013
Upcoming Sony Honami Spotted Alongside iPhone 5

The Sony Honami is said to be the upcoming flagship device from Sony Mobile, and while we have heard our fair share of rumours concerning the Sony Honami, including a “masked” version that was caught in the wild, disguised so that we cannot really tell what the real deal looks like, in addition to an alleged photo snapped with the Sony Honami’s rumored 20-megapixel camera, here we are with yet another alleged Sony Honami device hanging out with the iPhone 5, sporting a shade of white and a minion as its wallpaper.

Though Sony only announced the Xperia Z in January Sony is readying a follow-up device to ensure it isn’t left behind in the constant hardware refresh cycle from Android OEMs.

Expected hardware include a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 5-inch 1080p Triluminous display, which has hugely improved colour saturation and viewing angles over Sony’s former LCDs, and a massive 20MP Exmor RS camera sensor that can shoot 4K video. We’re also hearing a 3000mAh battery will be included.

It’s difficult to discern if the back panel is still made from glass. The rectangular shape remains, though this time the corners are a little softer and there is a metallic surround visually separating the front and rear of the phone while featuring similar ‘panelled’ detailing that we’ve seen on the last few Sony handsets. It is expectedly huge next to the 4-inch iPhone 5, but so are most Android flagships these days.

It’s not clear whether the 20MP camera will produce brilliantly detailed shots, but the sensor size is notably larger, at 1/2.3?, than on regular smartphones. According to purported shots of the camera software, the ISO (light sensitivity) can be raised to 12800, which should allow for some amazing low light shots (albeit with a fair amount of grain).

Sony is expected to launch Honami on September 4th at the IFA conference in Berlin, shortly before Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 3.

August 15, 2013