Tag: sony

Troubled Waters Lay Ahead for Sony as it Registers $1.2 Billion Loss

Billion is an amazing number. It is used to signify the number of stars in the sky, the populations of India and China, and the number of atoms in a human body. But for Sony, the term means time to take drastic measures. The Japanese consumer-electronic giant has been in troubled waters for a while and seems like it’s not going to come to an end anytime soon.

The company has registered a record loss of $1.2 billion. This has led the company to decrease its smartphone sales figures from 43 million to 41 million. This came after the company has decreased its sales projection from 50 million to 43 million in this financial year that runs from April 2014 to March 2015.

There is some silver lining in this bleak news from the once-unanimously valued brand. The company saw an overall sales increase by 7.2% to reach $17.4 billion. Sony’s latest gaming console, the PlayStation 4, is the most visible product that is holding up its fort as of now.

The Japanese company has been in damage control mode for a while. It increased its marketing expenses, and research and development expenses, in order to expand sales. This may pay off in some key markets.

Sony’s latest flagships have been appreciated for their features, but they come at a flagship price range. Hence, the phones haven’t been able to provide the company the revenue they require. Sony has also given the charge of its smartphone business in the hands of a new head, Hiroki Totok. He will replace the current head, Kunimasa Suzuki, on 16th November. Hopefully, the infusion of new head might bring some ideas that will help get Sony back on track. Or else, it may go the way of Nokia, which is, fortunately, not a possibility as of yet.

October 31, 2014
Sony Xperia Z4 Leak Points to a 5.5-Inch QHD Display

After releasing two flagships back to back in the same year, specifications of Sony’s purported next iteration, the Xperia Z4, have been leaked. The Japanese Electronics giant had clearly stated earlier this year that they would be adopting a six month cycle for its smartphones. However, the source that leaked the Z4 specs points to the fact that it will not be followed by a successor later in 2015.

The Japanese manufacturer is reportedly dropping the idea of a six month cycle it adopted lat year with the Xperia Z and Z1. The primary reason could be that flagship devices have reached their threshold and there aren’t any major upgrades possible in a six month period.

According to Android Origin, the next flagship from Sony, dubbed as the Z4, is tipped to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit chipset clocked at 2.8GHz, bundled with the the all-new Adreno 430 GPU. To back it up, is a massive 4GB RAM along with 32GB of internal storage.

In terms of connectivity, it is likely to feature Cat.6 LTE and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. One of the major design changes being attributed for the Sony Xperia Z4 is the inclusion of a dedicated amplifier for better sound output.

Finally, the Xpreia Z3’s successor is likely to feature a a 5.5-inch display with a Quad-HD 2560 x 1440 resolution, which is slightly higher than that of its predecessors.

October 20, 2014
Sony Promises to Update Xperia Z line to Android 5.0 Lollipop Soon

The new upgrade for the Android mobile OS, Android 5.0 Lollipop is finally here. However, it could be a while before Google’s new software becomes available on some of our favorite devices. Sony has confirmed that its entire Xperia Z lineup will make the jump to Lollipop starting next year.

Android 5.0 updates won’t roll out until 2015 for your Xperia device, they only confirmed that Lollipop is coming eventually. Sony notes that the Z Ultra Google Play Edition is first in line followed by the Xperia Z3 and Z2 families, also Z1 and Z devices won’t be left out either.

According to the announcement, “entire premium Z series” means the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will all be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop.

October 17, 2014
Sony Brings Out the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact, We Unbox Them!

Today Sony launched its latest flagship, the Xperia Z3 and its mini version, the Xperia Z3 Compact in India. The handsets were recently unveiled at IFA 2014, held in Berlin. The Sony Xperia z3 is priced for Rs. 51,990, while the smaller variant is available for Rs. 44,990.

This time Sony has focused on design, with the new smartphones being thinner and lighter than its predecessors. The smartphone comes in two stylish colour options. They have a curvier aluminium frame, which makes it easier to hold and use.

Sony Xperia Z3 comes with a 5.2-inch Full HD display which Sony claims is the world’s brightest display of all the leading premium smartphones. Other specs for the devices include a 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and Android 4.4 KitKat.

The main difference between the Xperia Z3 and the Z3 Compact is the size of the display — the Z3 Compact features a 720p 4.6-inch screen. Other than minute differences, it’s nearly identical to the flagship. Both smartphones also have the same 20.7 MP front camera, and the 2.2 MP frontal camera.

Also, in terms of battery, the Xperia Z3 is packed with a non-removable 3,100 mAh whereas the Xperia Z3 Compact comes with a non-removable 2,600 mAh capacity. Without compromising on specifications, Sony has built two variations of a single smartphone in order capture a wider market base.

Stay tuned for our Full Review out shortly. Watch the Unboxing video below.

September 25, 2014
Google Glass Competitor Sony SmartEyeGlass to Arrive Next March

Even though wearables have caused a lot of excitement in the tech scene, there has been barely any competition matching up to Google Glass. And it has been a year since Google Glass was launched. Now Sony will soon launch a device in the market that would be competing with the Google Glass headset.

Sony’s new SmartEyeGlass was first shown off back in January at CES 2014. The device aims to be as versatile as Glass while bettering it in some respects as well. However, Sony has made quite a few changes in the device.

There’s an accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, ambient light sensor, and a 3-megapixel camera. And what sets it apart from the Google Glass is that it comes with a wire connecting it to an external battery pack equipped with an extra touch sensor and microphone.

Sony has released the software development kit (SDK) for SmartEyeGlass yesterday for developers. The company also promised to have hardware kits available for developers to buy by the end of March. Apart from the battery set up the key difference between this heads-up display and Glass is that Sony uses a green monochrome display to overlay information atop the user’s general view.

The Google Glass rival will work in sync with compatible Android smartphones to provide the users with notifications and other useful information like navigation directions.

September 20, 2014
Sony Launched the Affordable Xperia E3 and E3 Dual in India

The Xperia E3, shown off by the company at IFA Berlin 2014, is a handset with lower specs matching its lower price point. And Sony launched the Xperia E3 and its dual SIM variant in India today.

The Sony Xperia E3 Dual comes in white, black and lime colour variants. It is priced at Rs. 12,990. On the other hand, the Xperia E3 comes in black and white color variants and is priced at Rs. 11,990. Both the single SIM and dual SIM variants sport similar specs which include a 4.5-inch capacitive touch screen display offering a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. Both come powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 (MSM8226) processor with Adreno 305 GPU. The latest handsets are backed by 1GB RAM and run on 4.4 KitKat.

They come with a 5 megapixel camera on the rear with LED flash capable of recording video at 1080p and a 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing snapper. The camera also includes Sony’s innovative auto scene recognition feature and HDR for pictures. The camera apps that come pre-installed with the Xperia E3 include – AR fun, Social live, Timeshift Burst and AR Effect.

The E3 and E3 Dual both come with a 2330mAh battery and Sony’s STAMINA mode for enhanced battery performance which delivers up to 12 hours 20 minutes of talk time, and up to 706 hours of standby time. The network and connectivity options include – 4G LTE, 3G, GPRS/ EDGE, Wi-Fi, A-GPS with Glonass, USB 2.0, FM radio with RDS, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 3.5mm jack.

Since Google has also announced its first lot of Android One handsets in India yesterday, the new Xperia E3 smartphones are here to face a ton of competition in the market.

September 16, 2014
IFA 2014 : New Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is Just a Smaller Version of the Flagship

Sony has presented a decent Xperia line up at today’s pre-IFA event, with the star attraction being the Xperia Z3. It’s a huge device with a 5.2-inch display. But Sony has provided its consumers another option who aren’t ready to make the leap to 5+ inches – new Xperia Z3 Compact with a 4.6-inch display.

The only difference between the Xperia Z3 and the Z3 Compact is the size of the display — the Z3 Compact features a 720p 4.6-inch screen. Other than that, it’s nearly identical to the flagship. Without compromising on specifications, Sony has built two variations of a single smartphone in order capture wider market base.

September 3, 2014
IFA 2014 : Sony Unveils Xperia E3 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Sony has launched a long list of devices at it’s pre-IFA event today. In addition to the Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact flagship smartphones, company has also announced affordable Xperia E3 and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is 8-inch tablet will compete against similarly sized devices from Sony’s rivals including the Google Nexus 9 and the 2014 Retina iPad mini later this year when it hits stores. The Compact Z3 Tablet has an ultra-slim 6.4 millimeter profile, weighs 270 grams, and comes with IP65/68 waterproof and dustproof certification.

When it comes to hardware, this compact tablet will offer users an 8-inch Full HD Triluminos display, a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 8.1-megapixel camera, 2.2-megapixel front-facing camera, up to 16GB memory, microSD support, Android 4.4 KitKat and a 4,500mAh battery capable of delivering up to 13 hours of video playback.

But the most interesting part about this device is PlayStation 4 support., Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact owners will be able to pair their tablet with the console and play PS4 games on the 8-inch display using the DualShock 4 controller with the new Remote Play feature, whenever the TV is being used for other
purposes.

The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will launch globally in autumn 2014, in both LTE and Wi-Fi versions, although pricing details are not available yet.

The company also launched an affordable Xperia E3, to expand it’s range more budget friendly market. The specs of the Xperia E3 are losses some important specifications in order to accommodate the lower price point, but this is still a perfectly capable device for anyone who aren’t looking for a high-end Android smartphone.

The E3 features a scratch-resistant 4.5-inch display made of durable tempered glass and corners on its body which are designed to stand up to the occasional falls. Other specs include a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, up to 4GB of internal storage and a 5-megapixel camera. The phone is expected to launch this fall alongside the Xperia Z3, but there is no set release date yet.

September 3, 2014
IFA 2014 : Sony’s New Flagship Smartphone, The Xperia Z3 is Finally Here
Sony is now here to add to the long list of phones being launched today. We’ve already seen Samsung starting the event right by introducing a revolutionary curved screen smartphone. Now, we have Sony lining up its contenders to fight this year’s flagship war.

The company introduced its new flagship device, the Xperia Z3. This smartphone, will now go on to fight the highly-anticipated iPhone 6 and the newly released Galaxy Note 4.

As expected, Sony has integrated the new Xperia Z3 with the Playstation 4, by adding a new feature called PS4 Remote Play that will let you use the Xperia Z3 as “a remote screen to connect to and control your games on PS4.”

Sony Xperia Z3 will come with a 5.2-inch Full HD display that Sony claims is “the world’s brightest display of all the leading premium smartphones.” Other specs for the device include a 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 20.7-megapixel camera and Android 4.4 KitKat.

Sony hasn’t yet provided a release date for the phone and will only say that it plans to launch the phone this fall. There are no pricing details revealed either.

Key Specs
- Snapdragon 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Quad-core
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 5.2″ Full HD display (1920×1080 pixels)
- TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile
- 20.7 megapixel camera with auto focus
- 8x digital zoom
- ISO 3200 maximum in manual mode
- Sony Exmor RS for mobile image sensor
- 4K video recording
- Front-facing camera, HD 1080p for video chat and 2.2 MP for camera capture
- Pulsed LED flash
- 3 GB RAM
- Up to 16 GB flash memory
- Up to 128 GB microSD™ (card slot, SDXC supported)
September 3, 2014
Sony’s Promo Teases Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and a Mysterious Smartwatch

Japanese electronic-giant Sony is believed to launch another tablet and a waterproof smartwatch at IFA 2014 in Berlin. Well, a week before the expected launch, both upcoming gadgets have been supposedly spilled by the company.

The picture, posted on a Facebook promo page for the Smartband illustrates a 7 or 8-inch tab and a sweet new smartwatch in the hands of a person enjoying some poolside entertainment. The tab could be, in all likelihood, the expected Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, whose existence was released a week ago in a client’s manual for a Bluetooth speaker charging dock. Now, we’ve got a full look at the mini-tab, which is a the new size in Sony’s tablet lineup.

The photo is captured by a swimming pool, clearly an inference to the brand’s waterproof logic. With all the leaks, it may feel like there’s nothing more to learn about the Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact. The intelligent watch, however, is still a mystery.

The photo is captured by a swimming pool, clearly an inference to the brand’s waterproof logic

The tab shown in the image appears to be an 8-incher, and will come with Sony’s traditional waterproof features. Additionally, an alleged Android Wear smartwatch can be seen on the wrist as well, suggesting that it will have water-resistant qualities too.

The device is expected to use Sony’s custom-built platform based on Android, instead of Android Wear. As usual, the watch will be water proof and dust resistant, though one should expect something new this time around. While we’re not sure if it’s a mistake or if the company wants to tease its upcoming products, it should still come as an exciting news for Sony fans.

Sony is also expected to launch an updated QX len-style camera at the event as well. Stay tuned, we’ll update you as soon as Sony officially reveals its upcoming devices at the IFA 2014 event in Berlin.

August 25, 2014
Sony Xperia Z3 Leak Reveals Disappointing Specs

Going by the previous leaks and rumors, Sony Xperia Z3 is not a handset that excites us. Sony has been criticized for being too naive to offer a good handset. Xperia Z3 seems to be no exception to this notion.

The Xperia Z3 have allegedly been listed for certification by TENAA, the Chinese equivalent of the FCC. If a previously leaked invite is real, Sony will be launching the Xperia Z3 at a 3rd September in Berlin, ahead of IFA 2014.

Sony Xperia z2

A handset codenamed ‘L55t’ has been spotted online which was certified by TENAA. It doesn’t actually mention the Z3 anywhere on the listing, but L55t has previously been associated with the Xperia Z3 so they’re likely the same.

Well, the handset specification is neither exciting nor surprising as there is hardly any difference when compared to the previous model, the Sony Xperia Z2.

According to TENAA, the phone keeps the 5.2″ IPS LCD with 1080p resolution, but is marginally smaller in size. The Xperia Z3 measures 146.5 x 72.4 x 7.4 mm while the current Xperia Z2 is 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm. It’s lighter too (158g vs. 163g) even the bezels have barely changed.

The only real difference between that and the Xperia Z3 is a slightly faster processor (the Z2 is clocked at 2.3GHz). The design may get a slight change though, as the Xperia Z3 is slimmer at 146.5 x 72.4 x 7.35mm compared to the 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm Xperia Z2 and slightly lighter at 158.4g, compared to the 163g of the current model.

August 22, 2014
Sony Unveiled Mid-Range Water-Resistant, The Xperia M2 Aqua

Sony, yesterday, introduced the Xperia M2 Aqua, its first mid-range waterproof smartphone. Expected to launch in the weeks ahead, the handset will be offered in select markets including Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

Sony has made water-resistance a sort of trademark for the Xperia line, but that’s a feature usually reserved for the upper class smartphones. However, this device is the only mid-range water resistant smartphone available.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Calum MacDougall” author_title=”Director of Xperia Marketing – Sony Mobile.”]

Xperia M2 Aqua is a significant milestone in our product portfolio as we bring yet another of our signature technologies to a new category of smartphones.The popularity of Xperia M2 showed us that there was a huge demand for premium Sony features at an affordable price-point. Following consumer feedback, we’ve now taken this a step further by bringing our waterproof expertise to a mid-range smartphone for the first time with Xperia M2 Aqua. It is a smartphone that lets customers take the best of Sony technology and entertainment with them wherever they go – come rain or shine – and we are excited to bring it to market.

[/quote]

The main highlight of the M2 Aqua, of course, is its dust-proof and waterproof capabilities. A feature that is quite useful in a country like ours, with its adverse weather conditions. The smartphone can withstand being immersed in 1.5 meters of water for up to a half hour. And, there is a dedicated camera button too, which makes snapping underwater pictures quite possible.

The specifications on Sony Xperia M2 Aqua are same as on the Xperia M2 and Xperia M2 Dual (which was launched at Rs. 21,990 in India), except that Sony has put in its improved waterproof technology. Sony claims is the highest dust-proof and waterproof rating (IP65/68) in a smartphone.

It has a 4.8″ qHD screen and is powered by a Snapdragon 400 chipset (quad Cortex-A7 at 1.2GHz, Adreno 305, 1GB RAM). The battery life is also very promising with a 2,300 mAh battery.

In terms of connectivity, the Xperia M2 Aqua supports 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi Miracast, aGPS and NFC. The Xperia M2 Aqua has an 8MP / 1080p camera with an Exmor RS sensor, HDR and SteadyShot video stabilization. It supports live streaming to Facebook and downloadable in-app features like Vine and Motiongraph. The phone has 8GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot.

Pricing details were not announced for the Xperia M2 Aqua however we should expect more details to surface in the coming weeks. It is available in two colour variants – black and white. It is expected that the Xperia M2 Aqua will start selling in the next two months or so.

August 20, 2014
Sony A5100: A Tiny Mirrorless Camera with Super-Fast Autofocus

Adding to its line of mirrorless cameras, Sony is back again with the new A5100. Six months after introducing the A6000, Sony replaces the NEX-5T and dropping the NEX line, unifying all its mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras with Sony Alpha A5100.

It’s also a very minor upgrade over the existing A5000. It has a similar body design, but adds more advanced image sensors. The Sony A5000 is a small size camera with the smallest APS-C interchangeable-lens camera out there. However, before this upgrade, it didn’t have the hybrid autofocus system. The camera is extremely small-sized (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 inch) to be packed with so many feature.

The camera does not have an electronic viewfinder, but it does have a NEX-5T-like touchscreen. The ability to tap and focus is quite convenient. It pairs 179 phase-detection AF points with 25 contrast-detection AF points. Sony says it can lock on in as little as 0.07 seconds. Continuous shooting mode supports up to 6fps.

The Sony A5100’s 921k-dot display flips forward 180 degrees for self-portraits. There’s also built-in WiFi, XAVC S video capture and a top sensitivity of ISO 25,600.

If you are a video shooter, then Sony A5100 also stores cool innards for you. There is an option of recording in XAVC S, which allows users to capture footage in 1080p at a bit rate of 50Mbps. Sony says the camera can optionally make two versions of clips: one in AVCHD for easier sharing, and the other in XAVC S with a greater focus on quality. Although, they haven’t provided a mic jack which is disappointing.

But overall, the Sony A5100 seems like a great value. It’ll start shipping in early September, but you can pre-order now. It is available in two color options – white and black.

August 18, 2014
Sony Launches Affordable Headphones and Earphones in India

Sony India announced the launch of three new products in its audio range, including two new headphones and an earphone, priced Rs 790 onwards. The latest range claims to deliver the best quality sound, providing acoustic characteristics needed to reproduce music.

These products include MDR-AS200, an earphone that is best suitable for people who engage in sports, and two new headphones in the bass-rich range of MDR-XB headphones.

1. MDR – AS200

If you want to incorporate music in your sporting routine, this is the friend you need. MDR-AS200 has a 13.5mm highly sensitive driver which provides premium sound. Most importantly, it commits to be a water resistant and sweat proof product. This set comes at a very competitive price as well. An adjustable ear loop that fits an assortment of ear sizes makes it a product that would suit your comfort. Further, MDR-AS200 has a flat serrated cord allowing a tangle free experience. This model is available in orange and blue color options and is priced at Rs. 790.

2. MDR – XB250

This is an ideal headphone for people with an affinity towards music with rich bass. The 30mm dynamic driver not only delivers a powerful sound, but it also succeeds at keeping the bass level high. The slim, swivel folding style of the headphones make it convenient for the user to stash it in their handbag. The flat serrated cord and pressure relieving ear pads provide a tangle free and an extended comfort experience respectively. This model is available in black and white color options and is priced at Rs. 1,490.

3. MDR – XB450

In the same bass-rich range of MDR-XB headphones, MDR-XB450 has a unique style with a frequency response of 5Hz-22000Hz. The high quality, powerful sound is provided by the 30mm dynamic driver which keeps the bass component high. Convenient to store because of its slim, swivel folding style, this range is perfect for a comfortable experience while commuting long distances. The flat serrated cord allows a tangle free experience. This model is available in black, white, red, blue and yellow color options and is priced at Rs. 2,190.

August 14, 2014
Images of the Upcoming Sony Xperia Z3 Leaked Online
As per the company traditions, Sony is expected to launch Z3 at the IFA in Berlin this September. The new handset in the Xperia Z series is supposed to be a mere upgrade of its predecessor. Sony is known for releasing one high-end flagship phone every half-yearly instead of annually like most smartphone companies.

One benefit of releasing a new phone every six months is that Sony can stay ahead of the technological curve. Two new images have leaked showing the alleged Sony Xperia Z3. While the images don’t reveal much about the phone’s innards, they show the exterior, and it looks the same, if referred to earlier leaks.

The similarities run through the design and show the rounded edges – unlike the Xperia Z2, which has flatter, sharper edges. Other than a slightly larger screen, a faster processor, and what seems like a less powerful front camera, the Xperia Z3 hardly differs from the Xperia Z2.

The Sony Xperia Z3 is expected to retain the Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM of the Xperia Z2, as well as its 20.7MP camera and probably the 1080p 5.2″ display. The water resistance is also a sure thing and perhaps only the design will be different.

If in fact these are the Xperia Z3’s real specs, they’re very similar to the hardware offered by Sony’s current flagship phone, however it wouldn’t be the first time that a company released a follow up device with minimal improvements.

Rumored Specs
- 5.15-inch 1080p
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core 2.4Ghz
- Adreno 330
- 3GB RAM
- Storage: 16GB
- 20.7-megapixel rear camera; 2.1-megapixel front camera
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat
July 25, 2014