Tag: sony

Sony Brings Out the Xperia C4, a Selfie-Friendly Smartphone

Sony today announced its C3 successor, the Sony Xperia C4. The smartphone has been targeted at selfie lovers and will be released in two variants – the Xperia C4 and the Xperia C4 Dual.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Tony McNulty” author_title=”Vice-President, Value Category Business Management at Sony Mobile Communications”]

Following the success of Xperia C3, we are proud to introduce Sony’s evolved PROselfie smartphone. Xperia C4 caters to consumers that want a smartphone that not only takes great photos, but also packs a punch. Benefiting from Sony’s camera expertise, The 5MP front-facing camera with wide-angle lens lets you capture perfect selfies while its quality display and performance features provide an all-round advanced smartphone experience.

[/quote]

According to Sony, the phone will feature a 5.5-inch full HD IPS display and will be powered by a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor. The primary camera features a 13MP camera with image stabilizer, HDR, 4x digital zoom and 1080p video recording capability. The front camera has a 5MP snapper with Exmor R image sensor, 25mm wide-angle lens and LED flash. It has 16GB of internal memory that is expandable up to 128GB via microSD slot. Connectivity options include LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1, and a GPS. It has a 2,500mAh battery and runs on Android Lollipop OS.

You can refer to the table below for clearer details:

SPECIFICATIONS	Sony Xperia C4
Display	5.5-inch full HD (1920×1080 pixels) IPS display
Processor	1.7GHz MediaTek MTK6752 64-bit octa-core processor
RAM	2GB
Memory	16GB internal storage, microSD card slot up to 128GB
Primary Camera	13MP, Autofocus, Image Stabilizer
Front Camera	5MP, Exmor R image sensor and LED flash
Battery	2,600mAH
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Not Revealed

The device is a minor upgrade above the previous version. Right now, nothing has been revealed about the pricing or availability. We will just have to wait and find it out ourselves.

May 6, 2015

Sony’s Run Continues, Announces High-End Xperia Z4 in Japan

Sony Corp is pushing hard to overcome the unfavorable circumstances and has launched a premium smartphone to signify its presence in the mobile business. Today has marked the debut of Sony’s latest flagship, the Xperia Z4, in the company’s home ground Japan. The smartphone boasts a aluminum frame and features an Omni-Balance design just like the other handsets in Xperia series.

Weighing a mere 144g at 6.9mm thickness, the device holds a full HD screen of 5.2-inch with 1080p pixel density. The device runs on 64-bit 2GHz octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor bundled with 3G RAM and 32GB onboard storage capacity. The phone features a memory card slot that can hold a MicroSD card of 128GB. Software-wise, the Xperia Z4 runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

A robust 20.7MP camera with Exmor RS sensor and BIONZ image processor sits at its back, while the front sports a 5.1MP snapper. The phone gets its juice from the 2930mAh battery, which is quite enough to keep the phone running for a day. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB port along with LDAC, Sony’s new wireless technology to transmit audio wirelessly.

The phone is water and dust resistant and has got IP6X (dust) and IPX5/IPX8 (water) certification. The phone will be out in Japan this summer in white, black, copper and aqua green color options. Meanwhile, there is no word about its price.

Sony has sold one of the founding units of the company (personal computer segment) and according to top executives, it may exit from the mobile business too. One of the major reasons for Sony to find itself in the deteriorating state is the high price of its smartphones in the budget-sensitive market. The Japanese firm needs to follow the footsteps of Chinese and Indian smartphone firms to retrieve its lost esteem.

The company, once neck and neck with Samsung and Apple, is now left behind in the smartphone race. It is battling with the price pressure by the recently established firms like Xiaomi and OnePlus. A while back, Sony announced to focus on camera sensors and video games instead of TV and smartphones. This may be its last attempt to restore the ailing mobile division.

April 20, 2015
Sony’s Augmented Reality Glasses Goes Up for Sale in 10 Countries

Sony dipped its toes in the field of augmented reality two months back with the launch of SmartEyeglass. The electronics maker is now putting the transparent lens eyewear on sale in 10 countries across the globe.

The smart glass going on sale is the Developer Edition of AR eyewear and comes at a price of $840. The 10 countries where it will be accessible are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, UK, and the USA. It is a Developer version, the general audience will get their hands on the device in a while. Only the business customers of the following countries would be able to get their holds on the AR tool.

For a while now, an influx of augmented reality devices has increased in the technology sector. Earlier Google came up with the Google Glas, which was pulled back from the market recently. Microsoft also stepped in the arena with the introduction of the HoloLens and gathered appreciation for bringing alive a cordless, self-contained Windows computer with holographic capabilities.

The Sony SmartEyeglass is a see-through binocular that superimposes text, symbols and images into the natural field of view. It projects a virtual image through the holographic elements to the user. The wearer can get updates of bus times, directions, and much more in front of their eyes. The device connects to the Android smartphone and mimics the behaviour of the SmartEyeglass.

For in-depth information on its working, check the video below:

https://youtu.be/Bx7O_h09HKA

March 28, 2015

VAIO Unveils its First Smartphone With a 13MP Rear Camera

No longer a part of Sony, VAIO Corporation is aiming at the smartphone market. The Japanese manufacturer of personal computer is geared to launch its series of smartphone and has unveiled its first handset called the VAIO Phone. The new device is Android-based and falls in the mid-range smartphone category.

The device sports a 5-inch IPS display of 720p resolution. It is equipped with a 1.2 GHz quad-core (unknown) processor bundled with 2GB RAM for multi-tasking. The onboard storage space is adequate at 16GB, which can be expanded up to 64 GB via microSD slot. The device gets pepped up through the 2500 mAh battery at the back of the phone.

The camera specifications of VAIO Phone are pretty impressive. A 13MP rear camera along with 5MP front snapper sits on the phone. The device runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

SPECS	VAIO Phone
Display	5-inch IPS display, 720p resolution
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-core processor
RAM	2 GB
Storage	16 GB
Expandable Upto	64 GB
Main Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Battery	2500 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop

The VAIO Phone was announced through Japanese MVNO B-mobile today. It will land in Japan on Friday i.e. on March 13 for $420. The company hasn’t stated if the phone will launch in other countries or not.

March 12, 2015

Hands On | Sony Xperia M4 Aqua

At the Mobile World Congress today in Barcelona, Sony introduced to the world two fresh devices, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia Z4. The former one is a mid-range smartphone, while the Xperia Z4 is a 10-inch robust tablet with top-notch specs. Both the devices run on Google’s Android power and are immune to water till a certain depth.

The newly launched Xperia M4 Aqua is clad in a plastic body and holds an OmniBalance design. Weighing at a mere 136 grams, the smartphone is super light but doesn’t compromise on the build quality. At a thickness of 7.3mm, the M4 Aqua fits comfortably in the hand, making it perfect for single-handed usage.

The smartphone flaunts a 5.2-inch 720p IPS display, which is protected by a tempered glass. The handset runs on the latest Android OS, Lollipop. The Material Design interface is super impressive and makes the phone more quick and fluid. A 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, Adreno 405 GPU and 2GB of RAM is equipped to the M4 Aqua.

Optics of the handset includes a 13MP Exmor RS primary camera and a 5 MP selfie cam in the front. The phone comes in two storage variants – 8GB and 16GB, both of them are expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD support. The smartphone derives juice from the 2,400mAh cell. One of the strong points of the M4 Aqua is its aforementioned waterproof feature. It has got IP65 and IP68 certification, which prevents it from any damage until 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes. Also, it doesn’t feature a rubberized cap for the microUSB port.

The handset comes at an introductory price of €299, which roughly translates to Rs. 23,000. For now, take a look at its specifications:

Specs	Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
Display	5.2-inch IPS display (720p)
Processor	64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615Adreno 405 GPU
RAM	2GB
Onboard Memory	8GB/16GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Primary Camera	13MP Exmor RS
Secondary Camera	5MP
Battery	2,400mAh
Price	€299 (approx Rs. 23,000)

Here’s our hands on with the smartphone at launch:

March 2, 2015

Hands on With the New Super Slim Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Today, at the Mobile World Congress 2015, Sony officially announced the successor of its Xperia Z2 tablet, the Xperia Z4. The new iteration stands true to the definition of sleek and gives a tough competition to Apple’s iPad Air 2 with only 6.1mm thickness.

The company has considered business enterprises by adding a keyboard to the device. The Android tablet is attached with a Bluetooth-enabled keypad and comes with built-in Microsoft Office Productivity suite. With the keypad on, the Xperia Z4 gives a laptop-like experience. The tablet weighs a mere 393g, which makes it convenient for people constantly on the go.

The waterproof tablet features a bigger display at 10-inch with 2K resolution. The latest octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, together with 3GB RAM, is embedded onto the tablet to boost its processing speed. The tablet holds onboard storage space of 32GB, which is expandable through a MicroSD slot.

Sony hasn’t compromised on the build quality and the tablet holds a very solid and pleasing construction. The devices comes with a 6,000mAh battery that is just enough to go for a day of heavy usage. Running on Android Lollipop, a 13MP rear shooter is placed at the back of the device, along with a 5MP camera up front.

The device will work with PlayStation 4 Remote Play, allowing users to stream the games straight on the console. The tablet will launch in two variants – LTE and Wi-Fi-only. For now, the Japanese firm hasn’t disclosed the prices of any of the models.

Stay tuned, video hands on coming up shortly.

March 2, 2015
Sony Mistakenly Confirms Xperia Z4 Tablet With 2K Display Ahead of MWC

The approaching Mobile World Conference (MWC) will witness many new smartphones, tablets and other high-end gadgets, and major companies can’t seem to contain their excitement about the event. Samsung and LG have unwrapped some of their devices ahead of the event, and the latest firm join in is Sony.

Recently, Sony gave a glimpse of its next tablet titled Xperia Z4. As per Xperia blog, a brief description along with an image was accidently posted on the Xperia Lounge app of the company. The statement proudly informs of Sony Xperia Z4’s “2K display” and the “latest ultra fast processor”. It also reads that the tablet has “industry leading battery performance.”

The design of the tablet looks sleek and from the picture, it is evident that volume rockers are placed on the right side. There is one circular key below it which looks like a power button. As the information was accidently slipped, details of the device are still under wraps. But one thing is clear that the phone will make an appearance on 3^rd of March in Barcelona.

February 25, 2015
Sony May Quit Smartphone and TV Segment in a Bid to Multiply Profits

The consumer electronics company Sony is not enjoying a good time it used to before. There’s a steep decline in company’s revenue in past few years and resultantly, Sony has decided to compensate the loss by focusing on camera sensors, entertainment and PlayStations entirely. The Japanese firm announced that it could shut down the audio and video business in order to boost 25-fold profit within three years.

Sony CEO and President Kazuo Hirai showcased an isolated picture the company’s future saying that it could exit smartphone and TV sector. He made a remark at the corporate strategy meeting –

The strategy starting from the next business year will be about generating profit and investing for growth.

As per Kazuo, Sony is not at all making money with their high-end smartphones and has been dragged back by Samsung, Apple and some cheaper Asian rivals.

Kazuo put forth the statistics of a profitable tomorrow saying that the spinoffs will raise the profits of the company by 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) by the end of 2018, a massive leap from the 20 billion yen in previous forecasts. It’s yet not clear if Sony will not be dealing in the TV sector any more as the firm recently unveiled an Android-powered TV at CES 2015.

If Hirai is considering to cut out the smartphones and TVs division, Sony will be left out with three main businesses – Sony Pictures Entertainment; a major film studio in Hollywood, PlayStation; which has turned profitable for the company recently with its next-gen consoles; and the last one is the image sensors unit that is completely dependent on Apple for retailing camera sensors for its iPhones. The last one doesn’t seem to have long term dependency as Apple may anytime lose interest in Sony sensors and can move to other firms or decide to manufacture its own sensors. So the focus towards the PlayStation ecosystem is Sony’s best bet towards profitability.

The PlayStation business is Sony’s best bet towards profitability.

If Sony cuts off smartphone and TV business, it would probably be the end of Sony as a major and prominent electronics company. Meanwhile, the personal computer unit, VAIO, has already been sold out and if Sony Pictures is still reeling from the massive hacking attacks of last year. These are trying times for the Japanese electronics company and might have to take some calls to prevent following the path of Nokia.

February 19, 2015
What to Expect From the Mobile World Congress 2015

Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicks off on March 2nd in Barcelona. One of the most important events of the tech industry, the event is the biggest mobile phone exhibition on the calendar. There is no doubt that some of the biggest manufacturers will choose to announce new devices the event this year.

MWC 2015 is expected to be every bit as big and there are already rumblings of what might be shown. So, what does MWC 2015 have in store for us? Here’s the round up of the rumours.

1. HTC

It is loud and clear that the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer will be unveiling ‘what’s next’ for the company. The event invite shows a bright star in the background with the tagline “Utopia in Progress”. HTC is the first amongst major Android phone makers to set a date and time for its next big launch.

There has been various leaks surrounding the company’s new flagship HTC One M9. The expected HTC One M9, which is also referred to as ‘Hima’ is said to feature a 1440X2560 QHD screen, 3GB of RAM and an Octa-core Snapdragon 810 CPU. A recent leak also suggested that HTC might launch two variants of its flagship. Second one, according to the reports is HTC One M9 Plus.

It has also been reported that HTC might enter the wearable industry this year. We won’t be surprised if HTC decides to debuts the wearable device it’s been reportedly working on for sometime now.

2. Samsung S6

Last year, Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy S5, on the first day of MWC 2014. We’re expecting to hear about the follow-up at MWC 2015 which is likely to be called the Samsung Galaxy S6. Rumours surrounding the new Samsung flagship has been making rounds of the internet for several months now. It is reported that Galaxy S6 is codenamed Project Zero, signifying the development of the device from scratch — putting a lot of thought into its design and materials.

A recent report from Bloomberg suggested that electronic giant, Samsung, will not use Qualcomm processors for the next version of the South Korean technology giant’s flagship Galaxy S smartphone. The report added that the South Korean company will use its own microprocessors in the upcoming flagship.

Another Smartwatch by Samsung?

Samsung is also rumored to be working on a circular smartwatch which is codenamed as Orbis. Recently, there has been leaks which have hinted that Samsung is working on a smartwatch with a rotating bezel ring on the top of the watch.

The functionality of the bezel ring is not clear. Like Apple’s digital crown, features like zooming in and out of pictures and scrolling through lists could be achieved by rotating the ring; it could also allow for functions like selecting the time when setting an alarm.

3. LG

LG enjoyed great success in 2014 with the LG G3. So how do you follow up on the best smartphone of 2014? That’s what LG’s showcase at the MWC 2015 will answer for us, hopefully. The LG G3 is undoubtedly a truly brilliant phone, offering a perfect mixture of usability and cutting edge features, including the first major example of the kind of QHD display that every phone will be sporting in 2015. But there are also rumours that LG will keep up the good work on the look and feel of its flagships, with thinner-than-ever bezels compensating for its larger-than-average screen.

Some other reports have hinted that G4 will come with a Note 4 like stylus. There is also a possibility that the G4 will come with a metallic frame which was one of the few things that was missing in the G3.

Like Samsung and HTC above, MWC 2015 could also see LG announcing a new smartwatch. The key point of interest here is the suggestion that LG’s new watch (dubbed by some as the LG G Watch R2) could come with 4G connectivity.

4. Sony

The Sony Xperia Z2 launched at MWC 2014 so we’re expecting the Sony Xperia Z4 to launch this year. Sony did a great job with the rightly-priced Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. However, recent chatters in the industry has hinted that the company may let the Xperia brand meet the same fate as Vaio.

Anyway, according to the rumors, QHD display and Snapdragon 810 is in the check list for the latest flagship. Also, the smartphone is expected to come with familiar 20.7-megapixel camera. It is also said that we can expect the compact version of Z4.

January 25, 2015
Sony Brings Out High Performance Headphones and an Audio Amplifier in India

Audio has always been Sony’s strong suit. They are, of course, the creators of the legendary Walkmans that changed the way we listened to music. When the mobile phone era came about, then Sony brought that experience in their line of multimedia phones which sold like hot cakes. Lately the company hasn’t had a good time on the business side of things, but it hasn’t stopped them from bringing new products to the market. Now the company has brought two new products to India that it claims will deliver the best possible audio output.

MDR Z7

First of the new launches is the MDR-Z7 headphones. Sony has installed newly developed 70 mm drivers in these headphones. Sony claims that MDR-Z7 has special silver-coated OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) cable that reduces signal transmission loss. It is said to be capable of critical high frequencies that are “faithfully reproduced right up to 100 kHz”. Sony claims it can recreate studio quality sound.

The second device from the company is the PHA-3 high-resolution sound amplifier. This device takes in audio input from any source and enhances its quality. The PHA-3 can be connected to your smartphone, Walkman, or PC with a USB cable, and digital signals are directly sent to the portable headphone amp. It has a dedicated power source that supplies power lavishly without consuming the smartphone’s battery.

PHA-3

When put together, Sony claims that the two products, establish a unique balanced connection circuit in which the left and right channel signals are transmitted separately to MDR-Z7. This results in minimal cross talk and crystal clear sound.

These are professional grade products and are priced accordingly. The MDR-Z7 headphones are priced at Rs. 41,990 while the PHA-3 audio amplifier has a price tag of Rs. 74,990.

January 21, 2015
SmartBand Talk and Sony SmartWatch 3 Get a Price Tag for the Indian Market

After showcasing SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk at the IFA Berlin in September 2014, the Japanese manufacturing company has finally brought both the two devices for Indian consumers. The devices are listed on the official website of Sony India. The SmartWatch 3 is tagged at Rs. 19,990, while the SmartBand comes at a price of Rs. 12,990.

The price listed for the SmartWatch 3 is for the black variant. There is no word on the availability and price for the stylish steel edition. At the given price tag, this Sony smartwatch is one of the most expensive wearables in the country running on Android.

Sony SmartBand Talk

Taking a look at its specifications, the Sony SmartWatch 3 sports a 1.6-inch 320×320 square display. The device runs on a 1.2GHz quad-core processor paired with 512 MB of RAM and has 4 GB of internal storage capacity. The 420mAh battery of the device is enough to last a couple of days. The connectivity options include NFC and Bluetooth 4.0. Along with that, the watch is secure from water and dust.

The company said that the straps of the smartwatch are interchangeable, and users can attach straps of different colours with the main watch unit.

On the other hand, the SmartBand Talk boasts a 1.4-inch 296x128p e-ink curved display. The band allows handsfree calling. Like the smartwatch, it comes with exchangeable wrist straps that give it a trendy look. The device is waterproof and can last for 3 hours on a single charge. The connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 LE and NFC.

January 17, 2015
CES 2015 : Sony Set to Roll Out Lollipop to Xperia Z3

During CES 2015 at Las Vegas, COO of Sony, Michael Fasulo, announced that the company is all set to roll out Android 5.0 Lollipop to its Xperia Z3 lineup starting next month. Sony had earlier revealed that Android 5.0 Lollipop would come to the “core” Xperia Z2 and Z3 lines in early 2015.

The company confirmed the previous rumours in December, but the Japanese electronic giant hasn’t been too specific on exactly when this rollout will happen. However, Fasulo revealed that the update will begin rolling out to the Xperia Z3 next month.

Google released Android Lollipop 5.0.1 to the masses in December 2014 and the wait began as manufacturers optimised the code before pushing it out to their flagship devices. Till now handful of devices like Moto G (Gen 1 and 2), Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2 have got the lollipop update.

Sony’s announcement follows the company’s promise last October to eventually deliver Lollipop to its entire Xperia Z range of devices.

January 6, 2015
Sony Opens World’s First Underwater Xperia Aquatech Store

While most companies pay a premium price to get real estate in popular malls to utilise their high foot fall, Sony is taking a very different approach. Recently, Sony opened its first of a kind underwater store called the Xperia Aquatech store. It is a promotional activity carried out by the Japanese company in Dubai, or rather 4 metre under sea level near the city.

The underwater store is only open to some lucky competition winners, a few people from the media and some special Sony VIPs. The three-day long event aims to demo the marine capabilities of some of Sony’s water-proof devices and most of all, build publicity.

Sony provided scuba training and dive instructor guides to help people reach the store, along with a boat. They also provided waterproof cases for people who owned an Xperia Z3 or Z3 Compact phone, because they are only waterproof up to 1.5 metres for fresh water.

Well, what can we say. Of course, the whole point of this marketing exercise is to underline Sony’s innovation and commitment to making waterproof devices. The whole experience looks extremely pricey and also little risky, but it definitely is very out of the box and should bring about a lot of viral heat.

December 8, 2014
PlayStation Marks its 20th Anniversary By Bringing Out a Retro-Themed Limited Edition PS4 Console

This day marks the twentieth anniversary of the PlayStation, and Sony is celebrating this feat with the launch of a retro themed limited edition PS4 console. These limited edition PS4s are decked up in the same greyish attire similar to the original PlayStation. The grey coating PS4 will come bundled with matching controllers and even the same old school power cords.

For those of you who already own a PS4, or don’t fancy yourself to scoop one off the limited run, Sony has released a PSone theme for its current console. It comes with the original retro start up sound, all you need to do is just download the latest firmware update.

Sources indicate that only 12,300 units of these aanniversary edition consoles will go on sale, sometime during Christmas. As the company will be soon sharing information on how you get a dose of nostalgia in the form of these grey little beasts.

December 3, 2014
Sony Working Towards Reviving its Ailing Smartphone Business

Sony was once a name that people trusted when they went for electronics shopping. The company had its roots firm in every sphere of consumer electronics. But now, the Japanese giant is in trouble. The slow adoption of technology has pushed it back in several fields in which it earlier led the game, the most prominent example being its TV business. Sony’s other major electronic products, the smartphone family is in serious trouble.

Once Sony had aspired to become the third biggest smartphone company behind Samsung and Apple. This aim, they now realise, was overambitious. Instead, they are now trying to restore their ailing smartphone business.

The company recently posted a loss of $1.2 billion. The continued losses have forced the company to scale back their sales target from 50 million down to 41 million. Presently, Sony’s electronics fort is held up by the successful sales of the Playstation family.

Sony will be putting its focus on three areas: image sensors, video games, and entertainment studio. Sony is also hoping to make gains from its entertainment studio. But currently, the studio is facing a global hack and the stand-off is still in progress. The hackers are threatening to release sensitive documents if their demands aren’t met. This can be a cause of concern for the company as a whole as Sony Pictures is one of the major names of the industry and one of the Sony’s biggest cash cows.

Flagships smartphones from the company such as the Z3 have been appreciated for their features, but they have also been berated for their high prices. It is expected that the company will reduce the number of flagships it releases in a year and also cut back on the affordable smartphone portfolio.

Presently, the main goal of the company is to bring its business to profitability even if that means losing 25-30% of market share in the smartphone business. The company is facing issues in the markets of US and China, which are important for the industry. Sony commands 3% market share in both those countries and will be scaling back its investment in China soon. Plans for the US market are not clear yet.

Sony devices have been appreciated in the past for their quality and device cameras. The company can make a name for itself in the low-end selfie device market while the fad is still on. It can also take the Motorola path and release limited devices in a year but make sure that the devices are universally appreciated.

November 26, 2014