Category: Sony

Sony Xperia Z Video Stills Show Off Water Resistance And Skeletal Frame Structure

Sony’s upcoming Xperia Z (or Yuga), the company’s entry into the 5-inch smartphone space, will reportedly sport a “skeleton frame structure” and HDR video recording capabilities. Will these be the kind of features that get Sony into the same race as Samsung and Apple?

According to a leaked promotional video, the Xperia Z has a “skeleton frame” and is water/dust resistant. In addition, it has an Exmor RS image sensor and can take images and record video in HDR.

The so-called skeleton frame is composed of individual components, according to Sony, upon which the phone is assembled. In addition, there’s an OptiContrast panel, a 13-megapixel Exmor RS camera, a full HD Reality display, and the ability to both take images and record videos in the HDR mode. Also demonstrated is its water-resistant body, with images showing the handset covered in large droplets of water.

As we previously mentioned, the Xperia Z is expected to launch alongside a slightly smaller Xperia ZL. The Xperia Z will feature a 5-inch 1080p display, 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP camera, and what we hope is a huge battery.

According to leaked images, it is running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. So far, everything we’ve seen points to an exceptional, sleek handset.

Sony today sent out an email to subscribers informing them that something worth noticing was going to be announced in three days.. that’s during CES.. it’s very likely to be this device. We can’t wait!

[Xperia Blog]

January 6, 2013
Sony Xperia Z Press Photo Surfaces Online
Sony is expected to announce their new 2013 flagship device on January 7th at CES. Leaked images of the “Xperia Z” – previously known as the Yuga – have appeared online and it’s rumoured to have an availability date of January 15th. It’s always nice to have confirmation from a manufacturer that a leaked device exists before the official unveiling. Sony has uploaded a press image of the Xperia Z onto their site that shows off its design and name.

From the looks of it, the smartphone has a design similar to the Xperia T and Xperia SL smartphones. However, the transparent band seen in most Xperia phones at the bottom is missing and so is the Xperia branding itself. The Sony logo is seen at the top.

Going by the specifications, the Sony Xperia Z is expected to pack in:
- 5-inch full HD display with OptiContrast Technology
- Display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Powered by a 1.5 GHz Quad-core processor
- 2 GB RAM
- 13 MP Camera on the rear
- Memory expandable via microSD card
- Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP55 and IP57
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box
- LTE, NFC,
- 139 x 71 x 7.9mm
January 1, 2013
Rumour : Sony Yuga Officially Named As Xperia Z, Coming In 2013

We’ve been bringing readers news about an upcoming Sony smartphone called the Yuga since October and just recently heard that it may be called the Sony Xperia Yuga along with some more leaked specs. Today we have rumored news that the Yuga name may be dropped before release and that it will then be called the Sony Xperia Z and we also have some further news on the specs and features of this phone.

According to sources close to XperiaBlog, Sony will title the 5-inch 1080p handset Xperia Z, knocking another letter off the dwindling alphabet of naming conventions. And, if the leaked dimensions are correct, the Xperia Z will be extremely svelte, coming in at 7.9mm at its thinnest point. at 139 x 71 x 7.9mm it will be significantly taller and slightly wider than the Xperia T’s 129.4 x 67.3 x 9.4mm frame.

The ‘Xperia Z’ will apparently have water and dust resistance ratings of IP55 and IP57, same as some earlier high-end offerings from the Japanese manufacturer. And the phone’s 1080p screen is said to include ‘OptiConrast’ tech, of the sort usually found in Sony TVs. Amongst other benefits, OptiContrast reduces on-screen reflections through its use of a special resin coating on top of the display.

We’d also imagine the Sony (Mobile) Bravia Engine, another holdover from Sony’s TV tech, will be included, just as it has been on previous Sony phones.

Other specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, a 12 or 13-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS CMOS sensor, 2GB of RAM, microSD expansion and unibody frame. It’s also likely to have a flat glass back with a shutter key to one side. Frankly we can’t wait to find out more and hope that this is indeed unveiled by Sony at the Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas and then released soon afterwards.

One hell of a device if these rumours are true!

December 22, 2012
Hands On : Sony Vaio Duo 11

We were really excited about Sony’s entrant into the Hybrid Tablet-PC market this year the Vaio Duo 11. An 11.6 inch screen marks the front of the the Hybrid Laptop with a resolution of 1920×1080, the screen is also a Multi-touchscreen. The Display is quite impressive as it is responsive, which is propped up by a hinge mechanism, similar to the one seen on some smartphones.

The Body of the Vaio Duo 11 is made majorly of Plastic and sports a Gunmetal colour. The Vaio Duo 11 is powered by an Third Gen Intel Core i5 chipset and Intel HD 4000 graphics. you have 128 GB of Solid State Hard with roughly under 80 GB available to the end user, after Windows, and Sony’s softwares. The ram is 4 GB non expandable as it is soldered directly onto the board.

The Vaio Duo 11 is fairly lightweight, but may not be as portable as just simply carrying around a tablet.

The Machine seemed responsive at first look and the bundled noise cancelling headphones work great , but the headphones are powered by the earphone jack on the Duo 11 so the noise cancellation will not work with any other device.

The Keyboard is nicely back-lit and has a touch ball just like the ones seen on Blackberry phones, which makes traditional non touch navigation possible. The Vaio Duo 11 also has mouse buttons just under the spacebar for easy click actions.

We did see some software issues and glitches, as Sony told us that the Vaio Duo 11 being shown to us was not the final product but pre production marketing samples. The Vaio Duo 11 also has an inbuilt accelerometer and conveniently placed screen rotation lock button. The release of the Duo 11 marks the entry of convertible tablets in the market, with many other companies already promising similar specs.

November 23, 2012
Sony launches Vaio Duo 11 Hybrid Convertible Ultrabook for Rs. 89,990 (PR)
Sony has just Launched their Vaio Duo 11 Hybrid Convertible Ultrabook in India for a price of Rs. 89,990/-. The Tablet cum PC Hybrid, Vaio Duo 11, features a Core i5 Ivy Bridge Processor with a battery life rated at 4.5 Hours.

The Vaio Duo 11 features a 11.6 inch Full HD capacitive Touchscreen and Slide-Hinge mechanism to prop up the LCD in-one single motion to expose the backlit Keyboard. The Operating system of choice is Windows 8 Consumer ( non – pro) and the weight of the machine is 1.3 KG. The storage is on a 128 GB SSD drive which is swappable for a higher capacity drive, however the RAM is kept at 4GB which is onboard and non-expandable.

The Vaio Duo 11 features 2 x USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI and a LAN port, along with a VGA out and SD Card – Memory Stick Duo Card Slot. The Vaio Duo 11 features 2 Cameras both 2.02 MP Exmor-R with 1080p video capabilities. Sony is bundling noise cancelling headphones with the Duo 11 to make the deal a little sweeter.

The Vaio Duo is Expected to hit shelves in Holiday season in December 2012.

[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]

Touch, write and go with slim new VAIO™ Duo 11

Hybrid Ultrabook from Sony combines fully-featured PC productivity with tablet convenience
- Surf Slider™ design transforms full-function Ultrabook™ PC into tablet operating mode for on-the-go computing
- Slim and light: weighs approximately 1.3kg and 17.85mm thin
- 29.4cm (11.6”) wide view Full HD Touch Screen
- Comfortable and precise hand-writing experience
- Headphone with Digital Noise Cancellation
New Delhi, 22^nd November, 2012: Sony India today unveiled the next generation of Hybrid Ultrabook PC- VAIO^TM Duo 11; the PC from Sony that also turns into a smart, intuitive touchscreen tablet.

With its premium Surf Slider™ design, the powerful VAIO™ Duo 11 PC switches smoothly between Tablet to PC modes to give the best computing experience – wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.

Pick up VAIO™ Duo 11 in one hand and use in tablet mode to browse the web or enjoy music and videos while you’re travelling. In the office, slide out the keyboard and maximise your productivity with a fully-featured PC powered by latest-generation Intel® Core™ processor.

VAIO™ Duo 11 puts touch and handwriting right at the heart of your Windows 8 computing experience. Write and interact with media and applications on the responsive, touch capable, super-bright Full HD OptiContrast™ Panel. It gives the satisfying, expressive feel of handwriting directly on the touchscreen, with the touch of your finger. Make notes, sketch diagrams or ring key points on your presentation with supple responses and imperceptible latency. Smart text recognition even lets you quickly convert handwritten notes to text for easy archiving and searches.

Sharing photos and videos is a pleasure on the super-bright 29.4cm (11.6”) Full HD OptiContrast™ Panel. Friends and family will enjoy detail-packed, high contrast pictures with a wide viewing angle – even if you’re outdoors in bright daylight.

Don’t let your PC slow things down when you’re in a hurry. Quick Boot gets you up and running in seconds. When you need a break, VAIO powers down into a deep energy-saving Sleep mode, keeping your documents safe. With RapidWake + Eco, everything’s ready for instant wake-up, just as you left off.

Optional Sheet-type battery extends battery life.

Despite its slim size, VAIO™ Duo 11 is ready for business with a full complement of ports and interfaces including Bluetooth® Smart Ready, USB 3.0, USB Sleep Charge to charge your USB charging devices like mobiles or music players on the go; even when the PC power is off, HDMI, Ethernet and VGA video ports. You don’t need extra dongles or adapters to hook up a projector or secondary screen: everything’s on board.

VAIO™ Duo 11 gives you life like sound experience, even at noisy places with its unique headphone which comes with Digital noise cancelling feature. Now be in Train, Flight or at office, you can enjoy clear music.

VAIO™ Duo 11 also provides rich networked entertainment experiences.

Expand your entertainment experience even further with three new apps by Sony that are available for free download.

The ‘Music’ application lets you enjoy your music collection with superb quality thanks to xLoud and ClearPhase.

The ‘Album’ application makes viewing, sorting or sharing pictures and videos fun intuitive.

Both applications let you ‘throw’ or stream personal photos, video and music content to enjoy on DLNA compatible large screen TV and audio systems.

Optional accessories include a screen protection cover and carrying case that protects VAIO™ Duo 11 while you’re travelling.

VAIO™ Duo 11 hybrid Ultrabook PC will be available in India across Sony Centers, VAIO flagship stores and other major electronic and IT stores.

Model

Colour

Price

Availability

SVD11213CNB

Gun Metal

Rs. 89,990

End of Dec’12

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd.

Sony India is one of the most recognized consumer electronics brand in the country, with a reputation for new age technology, digital concepts and excellent after sales service. In India, Sony has its footprint across all major towns and cities in the country through a distribution network comprising of over 10,400 dealers and distributors, 270 exclusive Sony outlets and 23 direct branch locations. Sony India also has a strong service presence across the country with 255 service outlets. Manned by customer friendly and informed sales persons, Sony’s exclusive stores ‘Sony Center’ are fast becoming the most visible face of the company in India. A distinctive feature of Sony’s service is their highly motivated and well-trained staff that provides the kind of attentive and sensitive service that is rare today.

For more details, please visit: www.sony.co.in

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonyIndia

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/sonyindia

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sony_india

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November 23, 2012
Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie Seen In Sony ‘LT30i’ Benchamarks

Now that Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is safely released to the public, it’s time to focus our attention on the next big version, expected to be called Key Lime Pie and likely to be unveiled in February or March of next year. Key Lime Pie, has appeared online in benchmarking results on a yet-to-be-released Sony LT30i.

The hardware it is being tested, Sony LT30i, is a variation of the Sony Xperia T clocked at 1.6Ghz. Because Sony is a close partner of Google, and may be readying its own Nexus phone, it’s entirely possible that the hardware manufacturer has been granted early access to Android 5.0 as part of the Android PDK.

The LT30i features a 1.6GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 chip with modest Adreno 220 graphics. It also has a display of unknown size, but with a 720p resolution.

All this has to be taken with the usual large pinch of salt as the benchmark figures could easily be faked, as you would have thought we are many months away from seeing Android 5.0 revealed. It is doubtful the company will announce the software before Google I/O next summer, but with Google anything may be possible.

November 20, 2012
Sony To Release a Flagship Device To “Compete with Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S III”

Japanese handset vendor Sony Mobile is confident that its future devices will get it to the top of the smartphone market, offering users viable options when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S III or the Apple iPhone.

In fact, the company has already confirmed plans to release a new flagship Xperia model, possibly the rumoured quad-core 5-inch 1080p Jelly Bean “Yuga” that’s leaked online, next year that will help it consolidate its position on the mobile segment.

[quote]“We will create in the near future a flagship model that can compete with Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S III,” Dennis van Schie, CVP Sales & Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications, told Financial Times Deutschland.
In fact, the company has already confirmed plans to release a new flagship Xperia model next year that will help it consolidate its position on the mobile segment. [/quote]

The report goes on to say that this flagship model will be revealed in early 2013 at CES in Las Vegas in January and/or Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in February. Stronger content integration will be a key theme during 2013. By the end of the year, van Schie says that all Sony music and video content will be available with cross-device support.

Sony’s current flagship device is the phone that James Bond uses, the Xperia T. It’s a solid device and comes stacked with a 4.6-inch HD display (1280 x 720), 1.5GHz dual core processor and a 13MP camera that shoots 1080p HD videos.

Moving onto tablets, Dennis van Schie says that it is very difficult to make money on tablets given the fierce competition. However, Sony does plan on releasing more models going forward. “We will bring in addition to the existing Xperia Tablet other Android tablets to the market, but not many,” said Van Schie.

Dennis van Schie also confirmed that they are keeping an eye on Windows Phone, although the main focus is on Android right now. “We have a good relationship with Microsoft and we are watching the development of Windows Phone closely. If it succeeds, we will not be caught off guard”.

November 16, 2012
Sony’s New Cloud Service To Be Called “MyXperia”?

Sony’s $1,47 billion acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in their Sony Ericsson joint venture closed in January of this year. The mobile division is called “Sony Mobile Communications” and they are focussed bringing the latest smartphones to market. The other key areas for Sony – that fall under the “One Sony” umbrella – are laptops, tablets and televisions.

It seems, just like so many other manufacturers, Sony is heading into the cloud and might possibly launch a storage service. According to a recent European trademark filing Sony has coined the term “MyXperia,” hinting at a future, but unconfirmed, cloud service or app. The description says:

“Computer application software and downloadable software in the nature of mobile applications for use in connection with virtual computer systems and virtual computing environments for upload, storage, retrieval, download, transmission and delivery of digital content and media to and from the following: mobile phones; smart phones; digital or electronic tablets for the recording, transmission, processing and reproduction of sound, images or data; personal digital assistants (PDAs); and/or portable and handheld digital electronic devices for the recording, transmission, processing and reproduction of sound, images or data.”

The domain for MyXperia.com has already been secured by Sony and the basic website is already up and running. We’ll see soon enough whether something (big or small) will come out of the “MyXperia” filing.

October 23, 2012
Sony Odin Reportedly Caught On Camera

We did talk about the Sony C650X Odin’s alleged specifications more than a week ago, but had absolutely no inkling of an idea as to just how the smartphone would look like. Well, it does seem as though additional light has been shed into the darkness of rumors, and here we are with what could very well be the first leaked image of the Sony C650X Odin in the flesh. The Sony C650X goes by the codename of Odin and is rumoured to compete with all the other phone/tabets – aka phablets – on the market.

It seems that Sony has translated their TV design over to the C650X Odin, where there is hardly a bezel for your eyes to grab a hold of, as it does look as though the screen itself offers edge-to-edge functionality. Of course, this could be due to the fact that the device itself has been turned off, so one cannot really make a conclusion as to whether this is legit or not.

Rumoured specifications include a 5” display at 1080 x 1920 resolution, a quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB RAM. In addition, the Odin is an Android-powered device and currently runs OS 4.1.1, but by the time it’s released it might have OS 4.2 Key Lime Pie. Perhaps more will be revealed at the CES showfloor next year – or will we see an official announcement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona after?

October 22, 2012
Sony Nexus X Leaked Online?

Let the plethora of upcoming Google Nexus devices continue. Coming up on their 5th anniversary, Google’s Android OS usually has the honour of one manufacturer per year, but this year it could be multiple manufacturers. We’ve already seen the LG “Nexus 4 leak online, now it’s the “Sony Nexus X” that has reportedly leaked.

A couple pictures arrived on Picasa that show an Android device with the “Google” branding on back, along with Sony. In addition, the tags used in the photo are “google, nexus, nexus x, sony, xperia, sony nexus, xperia nexus.”

The Sony Nexus X in the photos takes a few design cues from Sony’s Xperia smartphones. It has a curved back and a flat rectangular front with almost squared-off corners. Like recent Sony smartphones this one uses the software buttons Google introduced with Android 4.0.

A “Nexus X” could be a sign of the Xperia branding, which is missing. The “Nexus X” name would fit HTC’s direction (One X and One X+), but this could very well be a prototype of some sorts for the “Xperia Nexus.”

Is the phone in these photos the final Sony Nexus X (or Sony Xperia Nexus), or is it just a prototype? Or, is it an elaborate fake? There are already many who are shouting “Photoshop!” about these photos.

Only time will tell if the photos are legit. We’ll keep you updated!

October 15, 2012
Sony Launches 84-inch Bravia TV, Personal 3D Viewer, A99 Camera Amidst Other Things
At an event here in New Delhi, Sony India launched products cutting across product categories such as Television, Digital Imaging and IT products, during this festive season in the Indian market.

[quote]Extending warm festive greetings, Mr. Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India, said, “Diwali is one of the biggest and most celebrated festivals in India and Sony plans to make this Diwali even bigger and brighter. We are pleased to offer our customers a premium collection of innovative products, that would enrich their experience to a whole new level, and festive offers that will cater to their distinct preferences in a country as diverse as India. This festive season with our revolutionary product portfolio and compelling offers, we are confident of achieving 50% increase over our last year’s festive season sales, taking it to Rs. 2,850 crores (Sep – Nov ’12 period) this year”.[/quote]

The biggest attraction (pun intended) was the BRAVIA KD-84X9000. Sony launched India’s first ever 4K technology enabled 84” 4K BRAVIA LCD TV. This TV is equipped with 4K resolution which gives four times the resolution of Full HD, so customers can see the world reproduced in a way impossible for traditional TVs.

Its “4K X-Reality PRO” Picture Engine is capable of up-scaling any HD content to 4K, so customers can seamlessly enjoy up-scaled 2K content at any time. It has a 10 unit Live Speaker side speaker system built into a rigid aluminium speaker housing, thus delivering powerful, three-dimensional sound from a TV contributing to the ultimate, immersive viewing experience. The TV is priced at Rs 16,99,900 and will be available by the end of November.

Next in line was the Personal 3D Viewer HMZ-T2 which was showcased at IFA earlier this year! The all-new Personal 3D Viewer from Sony is a head-mounted, High Definition 2D and 3D personal display with virtual 5.1 surround sound. It has two OLED screens for each eye, which eliminates crosstalk, making it ideal for both film enthusiasts and solid gamers. The HMZ-T2 is priced at Rs 69,990.

Our favourite product was the ?99 Full-Frame DSLR camera, its flagship model. With Translucent Mirror Technology and newly developed 24.3 effective megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor, customers can enjoy crisp, sharp and perfectly-focused images.

It also features the world’s first Dual AF system and by maximizing the strength of both the sensors, it vastly improves subject tracking performance as well as focussing precision. It also has other benefits such as quick and continuous focus in full HD video shooting and quick shooting while using live view screen in this camera and with its professional sound quality system, users can achieve versatile, high-quality sound expression that is suitable for full-frame movie quality. At around Rs 1,80,000, the Alpha 99 will be among the select full-frame options available in the market along with the Nikon D600.

The VAIO ultrabooks also witnesses an up-gradation to Windows 8 with the launch of touch-screen enabled VAIO models namely, VAIO E14P Series and Ultrabook, VAIO T Series.

Check out the Press Release below :

[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]

Sony introduces new and innovative products this festive season

Sony launches India’s first-ever, the biggest screen size 84” BRAVIA 4K LCD TV, the first ever Personal 3D Viewer – Head Mounted Display HMZ-T2, the first touch-screen VAIO with Windows 8, the new flagship Full-Frame ?99 interchangeable lens camera and Cyber-shot RX100, the professional compact camera with big sensor

New Delhi, October 11^th, 2012: Sony India launches never-seen-before innovative products cutting across product categories such as Television, Digital Imaging and IT products, during this festive season in the Indian market. India, one of the fast growing markets for Sony, currently stands at 6^th position in contribution to global sales and plans to gain the 5^th position by end of Financial Year 2012 (1^st Apr ‘12 – 31^st Mar ‘13). Living up to the brand equity that Sony enjoys in India, it is indeed important for Sony to launch its most innovative products in this market. Hence, Sony is pleased to announce the launch of a very premium product gamut, as below:
- BRAVIA KD-84X9000: Sony launches India’s first ever 4K technology enabled 84” 4K BRAVIA LCD TV. This TV is equipped with 4K resolution which gives four times the resolution of Full HD, so customers can see the world reproduced in a way impossible for traditional TVs. Its “4K X-Reality PRO” Picture Engine is capable of up-scaling any HD content to 4K, so customers can seamlessly enjoy up-scaled 2K content at any time. It has a “10 unit Live Speaker” side speaker system built into a rigid aluminium speaker housing, thus delivering powerful, three-dimensional sound from a TV contributing to the ultimate, immersive viewing experience.
- Personal 3D Viewer HMZ-T2: Empowering the company’s strong lineage of device technology and innovation, the all-new Personal 3D Viewer from Sony is a head-mounted, High Definition 2D and 3D personal display with virtual 5.1 surround sound, now even more light and comfortable. It is indisputably, the best 3D experience in the world with two OLED screens for each eye, which eliminates crosstalk, making it ideal for both film enthusiasts and solid gamers.
- ?99: Sony India introduces the next generation of DSLR camera, Full-Frame ?99, its flagship model. With Translucent Mirror Technology and newly developed 24.3 effective megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor, customers can enjoy crisp, sharp and perfectly-focused images. It also features the world’s first Dual AF system and by maximizing the strength of both the sensors, it vastly improves subject tracking performance as well as focussing precision. It also has other benefits such as quick and continuous focus in full HD video shooting and quick shooting while using live view screen in this camera and with its professional sound quality system, users can achieve versatile, high-quality sound expression that is suitable for full-frame movie quality.
- DSC-RX100: At the heart of the Cyber-shot RX100 is the world’s first 1.0-type Exmor CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 effective megapixels. DSC RX100’s sensor has an area that’s around four times larger than the 1/2.3-type imager in regular point-and-shoot cameras. Capturing far more light than small-sensor cameras, it’s the key to beautiful, detail- packed images and Full HD movie clips with very low noise.
- VAIO with Touch-screen: VAIO witnesses an up-gradation to Windows 8 with the launch of touch-screen enabled VAIO models namely, VAIO E14P Series and Ultrabook, VAIO T Series.
On top of this, Sony India with the integration of Sony Mobile, is now enjoying the success of its recently launched Sony Xperia Smartphone, Tipo. Sony’s first Sub-10k price product in the Indian market, Tipo is available in single-sim and dual-sim version at the price of Rs. 9,999 and Rs. 10,449 respectively.

With reference to the performance of Sony’s key product categories, BRAVIA, Cyber-shot and VAIO, in the First Quarter of FY12, Sony has achieved quite a significant position in each of them. BRAVIA, with 27.4% market share in Value (as per GFK) and Cyber-shot, with 47% share in Value (as per Import Data) have achieved No. 1 market share in the Flat Panel TV and Compact Camera Market in India. Even VAIO has obtained high market share in the consumer PC segment, with an overwhelmingly strong brand image among customers in India.

Elaborating on the BRAVIA TV line-up; this year, Sony launches BRAVIA TVs powered with new picture settings. It means that BRAVIA TVs are now exclusively designed to cater to versatile demands and preferences of Indian customers for brighter displays and sharper contrast. Last year, Sony engineers personally met a large number of Indian customers to precisely understand their preference in terms of picture quality. As a result, Sony developed new picture settings, which means the brightness and vividness in the BRAVIA TVs is in tune with the taste of the audience in India. This new BRAVIA line-up, which is already available in the market, has been very well accepted in India and Sony is witnessing robust sales since the launch.

In Cyber-shot range, Sony offers the widest variety of compact cameras in the High Zoom range. Sony realized that there has been significant demand for High Zoom in the compact camera segment and now boasts of a very wide product range to cater to this demand. Worth mentioning here, is the launch of Cyber-shot DSC-H100, which again, has been designed as per the taste of Indian customers. Post customer feedback, Sony came up with this product which offers very powerful zoom of 21X in a premium design, with an attractive price point of Rs. 12,990. Not only this, Sony launched Cyber-shot DSC-WX150, which combines high zoom in a compact design, thereby offering a much more value-added product to the customers. Sony expects high sales for this particular model during the festive season.

Moving on to Sony’s marketing initiative for the festive season, Sony has tied-up with Sony Pictures Entertainment for the much awaited James Bond action thriller – Skyfall. The James Bond franchise holds tremendous popularity and power in the Indian market, and with this association, Sony is sure to gain a higher mind share during the festive season. To build on the excitement, Sony introduces an extravagant Lucky Draw for its consumers, namely, ’This Diwali Bond with Sony’. On purchase of Sony products, customers can participate in the lucky draw and stand to win more than 1,800 prizes including 55” BRAVIA TV, the latest personal 3D Viewer, XPERIA™ TABLET and XPERIA™ SMARTPHONE, Tipo.

Extending warm festive greetings, Mr. Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India, said, “Diwali is one of the biggest and most celebrated festivals in India and Sony plans to make this Diwali even bigger and brighter. We are pleased to offer our customers a premium collection of innovative products, that would enrich their experience to a whole new level, and festive offers that will cater to their distinct preferences in a country as diverse as India. This festive season with our revolutionary product portfolio and compelling offers, we are confident of achieving 50% increase over our last year’s festive season sales, taking it to Rs. 2,850 crores (Sep – Nov ’12 period) this year”.

Sony will also have a 360 degree multi-media campaign for BRAVIA, Cyber-shot, Xperia Tipo and Handycam. This will include ATL & BTL activities such as print and television commercial, cinema, outdoor, Web and PR activities. Sony has allocated marketing budget of Rs. 150 crore during October – November period towards the same.

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd.

Sony India is one of the most recognized consumer electronics brand in the country, with a reputation for new-age technology, digital concepts and excellent after sales service. In India, Sony has its footprint across all major towns and cities in the country through a distribution network comprising of over 10,400 dealers and distributors, 270 exclusive Sony outlets and 23 direct branch locations. Sony India also has a strong service presence across the country with 255 service outlets. Manned by customer friendly and informed sales persons, Sony’s exclusive stores ‘Sony Center’ are fast becoming the most visible face of the company in India. A distinctive feature of Sony’s service is its highly motivated and well-trained staff that provides the kind of attentive and sensitive service that is rare today.

For more details, please visit: www.sony.co.in

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October 11, 2012
Xperia S Tablet Sales Put On Hold Due To Water Resistance Defect

Sony Corp said it has halted sales of its Xperia tablet PCs, a month after its launch, after discovering gaps between the screen and the case that make some of the machines susceptible to water damage.

The problem with the tablet, which is supposed to be water resistant, is the result of a manufacturing flaw at the Chinese plant where it is fabricated, said Sony spokeswoman Noriko Shoji. Sony has not yet decided when it will resume sales, she added.

Sony began selling its latest Android tablet on September 7 in the United States followed by launches in Japan, Europe and elsewhere. So far it has shipped around 100,000 of the devices. The company said it will fix any of the tablets sold and expects the cost of the recall to have no significant impact on earnings.

The tablet joins a crowded market for tablets that is still dominated by Apple Inc’s iPad. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, with its rival Android machine, leads the pack of Apple challengers.

October 5, 2012
Sony Launches Xperia Tipo and Tipo Dual (PR)
Sony today launched their first sub-10,000 rupee Android smartphones, the Xperia Tipo and Xperia Tipo Dual. The smartphones, priced at Rs Rs. 9,999 and Rs. 10,449 respectively are powered by Snapdragon processors and run Android Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box.

Sony highlighted that the phone is targeted at the youth, and is designed for music and multimedia lovers, bringing back memories of their famous Walkman Series phones.

The phones are built on strong battery life and expandable storage of up to 32GB, in addition to a free 50GB cloud offer from Box. On the back there is a 3.2MP, auto-focus camera.

The two new devices be available to Vodafone subscribers with an exclusive offer of 500 GB per month for three months, with the offer being valid till 31st December 2012.

[quote] Launching the new Sony smartphone, Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India said, “We are happy to announce the intergration of Sony Mobile Communications India into Sony India. Mobile has been an integral part of the brand’s growth in India and we are working together to deliver products that are relevant for Indian consumers. With the Xperia^TMbrand, our aim has always been to innovate ahead of consumer demand. After the launch of Xperia^TMNXT series earlier this year, we are now launching the phone that will reach out to entire India. We have expanded our Xperia^TM range with Tipo – Sony’s first entry level price category smartphone under Xperia^TM brand. Committed to the Indian market, these devices have been designed for selective markets; including India.”[/quote]

The Xperia™ tipo comes bundled up with pre-loaded apps such as Bollywood Hungama, Dainik Jagran, and Cricbuzz, on both – single and dual SIM devices. In addition to this, Xperia™ tipo users will enjoy access to appXtra, for exclusive access to music applications.

We’ve already unboxed and reviewed the Xperia Tipo. (click here for the full review).

Check out the Press Release below :

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Sony India unveils the Xperia^™ tipo smartphone – perfect for music lovers – with exclusive Vodafone offer
- Available now, and priced affordably at Rs. 9999, the Xperia™ tipo comes power-packed with Android 4.0 ICS, Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, pre-loaded apps, free music content and accessories
- Available in single and dual SIM versions for consumers looking for a stylish, fun, and easy to use smartphone
- Exclusive offer for Vodafone subscribers – 500MB data free, per month, for 3 months
September 26, 2012, New Delhi – Sony India today announced its latest smartphone – Xperia™ tipo – in the Indian market. The Xperia™ tipo, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, which is now available across the country, is designed for music and multimedia lovers who want to listen to playlists, and watch their favourite music videos, on-the-go. The new smartphone comes with the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system that enhances the user experience, and is built on strong battery life and expandable storage of up to 32GB, in addition to a free 50GB cloud offer from Box.

The entry level Xperia™ tipo, priced affordably at Rs. 9,999, comes in two versions: single SIM and Dual. The single SIM tipo comes bundled with exciting new apps and accessories to let consumers feast their senses, and be immersed in music. The Xperia™ tipo Dual is priced at Rs. 10,449, and is perfect for consumers who do not wish to carry two mobile phones for different SIM cards.

The two new devices be available to Vodafone subscribers with an exclusive offer of 500 GB per month for three months, with the offer being valid till 31st December 2012.

Launching the new Sony smartphone, Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India said, “We are happy to announce the intergration of Sony Mobile Communications India into Sony India. Mobile has been an integral part of the brand’s growth in India and we are working together to deliver products that are relevant for Indian consumers. With the Xperia^TMbrand, our aim has always been to innovate ahead of consumer demand. After the launch of Xperia^TMNXT series earlier this year, we are now launching the phone that will reach out to entire India. We have expanded our Xperia^TM range with Tipo – Sony’s first entry level price category smartphone under Xperia^TM brand. Committed to the Indian market, these devices have been designed for selective markets; including India.”

Sony India also announced its new marketing campaign ‘Feast your senses’ supported by a TV ad campaign. It aims to bring alive the music experience that consumers can expect on Xperia™ tipo, and enhances the company’s existing global campaign – Made of Imagination that highlights the seamless experience that Sony India brings across the multiple screens.

Now retailing in over 3,000 stores across the country, Xperia™ tipo offers a simple and easy-to-use smartphone experience targeting consumers who may be purchasing their first smartphone. With a dedicated set-up guide, and a built-in application enabling users to monitor their data usage – consumers can make the most of their smartphone experience. The Xperia™ tipo comes bundled up with pre-loaded apps such as Bollywood Hungama, Dainik Jagran, and Cricbuzz, on both – single and dual SIM devices. In addition to this, Xperia™ tipo users will enjoy access to appXtra, for exclusive access to music applications.

Learn more about the latest Xperia!

Price| Single SIM – Rs. 9,999, Dual SIM – Rs. 10,449

Colours available in India| Red, white, blue and black

Key features
- 3.2” scratch-resistant mineral glass display
- Launching on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
- 3.2MP camera
- Powerful battery, 1500 mAh, with >24hrs usage time
- Data management solution to identify data usage
- 32 GB expandable storage
- xLOUD & TrackID for better Music experience
- Dedicated set-up guide
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi™ for easy content sharing and web access
- Free 50 GB Box Cloud offer
- Pre-loaded applications like Bollywood Hungama, Dainik Jagran, Cricbuzz
To download high res. pics, click, Sony Mobile| media library

About Sony India Pvt. Ltd

Sony India is one of the most recognized consumer electronics brand in the country, with a reputation for new age technology, digital concepts and excellent after sales service. In India, Sony has its footprint across all major towns and cities in the country through a distribution network comprising of over 10,400 dealers and distributors, 270 exclusive Sony outlets and 23 direct branch locations. Sony India also has a strong service presence across the country with 255 service outlets. Manned by customer friendly and informed sales persons, Sony’s exclusive stores ‘Sony Center’ are fast becoming the most visible face of the company in India. A distinctive feature of Sony’s service is its highly motivated and well-trained staff that provides the kind of attentive and sensitive service that is rare today.

For more details, please visit: http://www.sony.co.in/xperia

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Deepanshi Chaudhary – ; +91 9953318785

Vasundhara Mudgil – ; +91 9873550181

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September 26, 2012
Sony launches new slimmer PlayStation 3 2012 (PR)
Sony has launched a newer thinner version of the Playstation 3 in both black and white versions, available in 250GB and 500GB models.
- “Charcoal black” option has a September 25th launch date and a $269.99 price tag
- “Classic white” model arrives on November 22
- 500GB, charcoal-only option will be available on October 30th
Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House introduced the new model, calling it 50 percent smaller than the original (rather large) PS3, and 25 percent smaller than the previous slimmed-down version.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 3,300 titles and more than 4,100*7 downloadable PS3 games are available worldwide.

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New Smaller And Lighter PlayStation®3 To Hit The Worldwide Market

TOKYO, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that a new PlayStation®3(PS3®) computer entertainment system (body color: charcoal black / classic white*1), featuring a new design and a downsized form factor, will become available worldwide this holiday season. The new PS3 will come in 3 models including extended built in Hard Disk Drive (HDD) capacity of 500GB model and 250GB model, and a newly added 12GB flash memory model initially for Europe only. Availability of models, prices and launch dates of the new PS3 system in each region are as follows.

Thanks to a complete redesign of the internal architecture, the volume and weight of the new PS3 has been reduced by more than half compared to the very first PS3 model with a 60GB HDD, and by 20% and 25% respectively compared to the current PS3. By adopting a sliding disk cover, the new PS3 continues with the characteristic sleek curved body design, which fits various places in the home and enables users to enjoy an array of entertainment content.

With the extra HDD capacity which has been extended from 320GB and 160GB, users can store and enjoy more and more entertainment content including games, music, photos, and video on the new PS3. In addition, the new PS3 with 12GB flash memory offers opportunities to experience the world of PlayStation® at an affordable price point. Users can also expand the storage capacity of the 12GB flash memory PS3 by connecting a dedicated HDD (250GB) to be released concurrently with the new model5. In addition, a variety of accessories will be introduced by SCE to meet various kinds of needs from users including a vertical stand that offers more flexibility in how the new PS3 can be displayed*6.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 3,300 titles and more than 4,100*7 downloadable PS3 games are available worldwide, thanks to support from a broad range of third party developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from third party developers and publishers as well as SCE Worldwide Studios, including Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Entertainment.), Call of Duty Black Ops 2 (Activision Publishing, Inc.), Madden NFL 13 (Electronic Arts Inc.), PlayStation® All-Stars Battle Royale, LittleBigPlanet Karting, God of War: Ascension (Sony Computer Entertainment), and more.

SCE will further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform which is in the 7th year of its lifecycle, by continually releasing a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles and offering users a choice from a variety of hardware models.

*1 The new PS3 in classic white will become available in Japan from November. Other regions and countries will follow this
*2 Only PS3 system bundled with software title will become available.
*3 Prices will vary by country across Europe.
*4 PS3 with flash memory 12GB will be sold in Europe and Hong Kong
*5 When using dedicated HDD, flash memory cannot be used as inner storage
*6 Users will need to use the separately sold “Vertical Stand” to set the new PS3 in vertical position.
*7 Includes PS one® classics and free of charge content (downloadable demos).

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September 19, 2012
Sony launches RX1 Full Frame compact digital camera, wows the crowd (PR)
Stuffing a full frame sensor in a compact digital camera, Sony is not really targeting its mass users with its new RX1 camera. The camera has the same full frame 24 MP sensor seen in the A99 and the NEX VG900 announced today, but comes with a 35mm Zeiss f/2.0 fixed prime lens.

The camera is missing a viewfinder but has an impressive 3-inch 1,229k dot LCD, featuring VGA resolution with RGB plus white coloring. For those who simply cannot do without a viewfinder a XGA OLED viewfinder ($600)can be added for the extra buck.

Here is a low down of the full specs.
- 24.3MP sensor Full Frame Exmor Sensor
- ISO 100 – 25600 + ISO 102400 using Multi Frame Noise Reduction
- 35mm Zeiss f/2.0 fixed prime lens
- 14-bit RAW format
- 5 fps shooting
- 1080p video at 60p, 60i and 24p frame rates
- Auto HDR and D-Range Optimizer, bracket shooting and Auto HDR shooting modes
- Available NOV for $2800 (Rs. 1,50,000)
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SAN DIEGO, Sept 12, 2012 – For the first time, all the benefits of full-frame digital photography are available in a palm-sized compact camera.

The extraordinary new Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-RX1 digital camera packs an advanced 35mm full-frame 24.3 MP Exmor® CMOS sensor and exceptionally Carl Zeiss T*t 35mm f/2.0 fixed lens into a highly portable, lightweight camera body.  Measuring approximately 4.5 inches wide by 3 inches tall and weighing just over a pound, it’s significantly smaller and lighter than any full-frame DSLR yet sacrifices nothing in terms of image quality, HD video quality or manual control.

“The new Cyber-shot RX1 is truly ‘one of a kind’, offering a unique combination of size and performance that’s never before been realized in the world of digital cameras,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot camera business at Sony Electronics. “With its highly advanced sensor and fast 35mm f/2.0 lens packed into a small, portable camera body, professionals, enthusiasts and advanced hobbyists can experience the world of full-frame imaging in new and different ways than they ever thought possible.”

The new camera’s unified lens and body design allows performance that few interchangeable lenses can match.  The Carl Zeiss lens not only delivers spectacular image quality all the way to the edges of each frame, it incorporates a near-silent in-lens shutter and is far more compact than comparable lenses of interchangeable design. The camera also features full manual control options and an intuitive user interface, making it easy for photographers to adjust all settings quickly and easily.

The 35mm full-frame sensor inside the RX1 camera more than doubles the area of APS-C sensors commonly found in much bulkier DSLR cameras, allowing it to take in significantly more light while capturing content.  With an effective resolution of 24.3 megapixels, it’s capable of resolving the finest image details and most subtle textures for rich color reproduction and an impressively broad dynamic range.

The large sensor size also boosts the camera’s sensitivity range to a generous ISO 100 – 25600, with the option to shoot as low as ISO 50 in expanded sensitivity mode.  Similarly, ISO settings as high as 102400 can be achieved using Multi Frame Noise Reduction. This allows the camera to capture natural, low noise handheld images in near-dark conditions without needing flash.

The fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm lens is a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting.  This premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element, which contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical performance.

The lens’ wide F2 maximum, 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects to rival or exceed professional-class DSLR camera lenses. Additionally, it features a macro switching ring on the lens barrel which instantly shortens the minimum focusing distance to approximately 20cm (from image plane), allowing the camera to capture small, close-up subjects with exquisite detail.

The Cyber-shot RX1 camera also features an enhanced BIONZ® processing engine that rapidly handles data from the Exmor® CMOS sensor and also powers full-resolution burst shooting at up to five frames per second.  The powerful processor can output image data in 14-bit RAW format, giving advanced users total freedom to express their creative vision throughout the shooting and post-production processes.

Despite the camera’s extraordinarily compact dimensions, the new Cyber-shot RX1 model offers a full range of manual control modes on par with typical high-end full-frame DSLR cameras. Dedicated lens rings allow for fingertip control of focus and aperture, while a DSLR-style Focus mode dial on the front of the camera enables easy switching between focus modes.  Top-mounted exposure compensation and mode dials are strategically placed for simple access and operation, while custom function and AEL buttons on the back panel are also easily accessible.

The new camera features a Quick Navi mode that allows fast, intuitive adjustment of camera settings.  This is especially useful when using the camera with an optional viewfinder (sold separately).  A memory recall (MR) mode is accessible via the mode dial so photographers can store and instantly recall up to three sets of camera settings.

Other refinements include a MF Assist function that magnifies a portion of the image while framing to simplify fine focus adjustments, as well as a Peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen.

Additionally, the RX1 camera features By Pixel Super Resolution digital zoom technology, which allows for magnification of image size without sacrificing pixel count. This results in far higher quality results than are achievable with conventional digital zoom.

A Smart Teleconverter function crops a central portion of the image sensor, boosting effective magnification by 1.4x or 2x realizing an effective 49mm or 70mm focal length.  With the extremely high pixel count of the full-frame image sensor, even zoomed and cropped images maintain generous amounts of fine detail when blown up for large print sizes.

In addition to beautiful still images, the Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera can capture high-quality, low-noise Full HD movie footage in all lighting conditions at a choice of 60p or 24p (progressive) frame rates.  There’s a full complement of P/A/S/M exposure modes during video shooting for creative flexibility.

The new camera also features 13 different Creative Styles for fine-tuning images, plus a wide range of Picture Effect treatments.  Further, it has Auto HDR and D-Range Optimizer, bracket shooting (Exposure, DRO or White Balance) and Auto HDR shooting modes, and there’s a Digital Level Gauge that indicates camera pitch and camera roll on the LCD screen for straight, even landscape and architectural shots.

New Accessories for Cyber-shot RX1

Shooting possibilities for stills and video are broadened by the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe that accepts a growing range of accessories. Options include a high-quality OLED XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ EVF (model FDA-EV1MK) which allows for even greater manual focusing precision as well as an external optical viewfinder featuring Carl Zeiss optics (model FDA-V1K).

Also available are a thumb grip (model TGA-1) for sure, comfortable handling as well as a lens hood (model LHP-1) and jacket case (model LCJ-RXB).

Sony PlayMemories Services

The Cyber-shot RX1 comes preinstalled with PlayMemories Home™ (Lite Edition) software, allowing easy image transfers to a PC for managing, editing and printing. Available for free download, a full version of PlayMemories Home software adds movie editing and disc burning.

Also available for download, PlayMemories Studio™ allows game-like editing of photos and videos on PlayStation®3 systems. Images can be shared easily via PlayMemories Online™ service, the cloud-based sharing service from Sony that simplifies ‘any time, any place’ viewing on a wide range of connected devices.

Pricing and Availability

The Cyber-shot RX1 compact, fixed lens camera will be available this November for about $2800.

The FDA-EV1K electric viewfinder and FDA-V1K optical viewfinder will each be available at launch for about $600 and $450, respectively.

The thumb grip, lens hood and jacket case will also be available at launch for about $250, $180 and $250, respectively.

The new camera and all compatible accessories will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit blog.sony.com/rx1 for a full video preview of the new Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera and follow #SonyCamera on twitter for the latest camera news.

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September 12, 2012