Sony Mobile

Sony Xperia Eye, a Lifelog Camera, Revealed

Sony_Xperia_Eye

The big thing at Sony these days is concept products that are designed to gauge consumer interest prior to any official commitment. The Sony Xperia Eye is one such product. Daniel Cooper writes the Xperia Eye is:

 a wide-angle lens camera that you can hang from your neck and looks pretty much like Autographer’s life-logging camera. Unlike its rivals, however, the Eye is packing Sony’s fancy image sensors and a 360-degree spherical lens. Sony is promising that it’ll be smart enough to know when to take a shot (from your voice and other people’s facial expressions) so you don’t have to think about using it 

Sony Xperia X Specs Revealed

Sony Xperia X Specs

We’ve already given you a brief glimpse at what the Sony Xperia X has to offer. Set to be released this summer with US availability, it’s unclear at this point if the Xperia X is destined to take over the Z5, and become what many thought would be the Z6, or live side-by-side. Flagship moniker or not, the Xperia X is going to be a powerful and sleek phone with curved glass that’s sure to feel good in your hands. Highlights include

  • 5-inch HD Triluminos Display
  • 23-megapixel Rear-facing Camera
  • 13-megapixel Front-facing Camera
  • Hi-Res Audio
  • Fingerprint Sensor

After the jump, full Sony Xperia X specs await you.

Sony Xperia X Coming to the US

MWC_2016_Sony_Xperia_X_OfficialFear not, US fans. If the Sony Xperia X has you interested, Sony Mobile has some good news for you – Xperia X is headed to the US when it’s released this summer.

Beyond the above tweet, details are nearly nonexistent but it’s encouraging that, right from the start, Sony is confirming a US release.

Sony Xperia X and Xperia XA Revealed at MWC 2016

MWC_2016_Sony_Xperia_X_Reveal

As expected, Sony has revealed the Xperia X and Xperia XA at MWC 2016. Details are currently light on these new mid-range Android smartphones but some specs for the Xperia X include:

  • 5-inch HD Triluminos Display
  • 23-megapixel Rear-facing Camera
  • 13-megapixel Front-facing Camera
  • 2620 mAh Battery
  • 2-day Battery Life
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Video preview after the jump.

Sony Smart Ear Bluetooth Headset Also Leaks Prior to MWC 2016

MWC_2016_Sony_Smart_Hear_BLuetooth_Headset_LeakA big rumor surrounding iPhone 7 (when it will likely debut this fall) is a pair of small, wireless headsets. Not to be outdone, it looks like Sony is launching their own take come tomorrow at MWC 2016. Leaking after the mystery Xperia smartphone and the Xperia PP10, the Sony Smart Ear Bluetooth Headset is exactly what the name suggests. Beyond that, not a lot is known though it’s highly doubtful that Sony will include this with any smartphones and instead, this is more likely to be an additional accessory you can purchase.

With MWC 2016 just hours away, we won’t have to wait long to find out more about this ultra-small headset. On a personal note, really? Three devices just hours away before the big show? Good for us, but terrible for Sony.

Mystery Sony Xperia Smartphone Leaks Ahead of MWC 2016

MWC_2016_Sony_Xperia_Mystery_LeakIf one leak wasn’t enough for you, here is another. Also likely to be launched tomorrow, we don’t know a whole lot about this mystery smartphone though it’s near certain that it’s not as high-end as the Sony Xperia PP10 which in itself is not a flagship phone. The above picture however does reveal a few details about it which can be found after the jump.

Sony Xperia PP10 Leaks Prior to MWC 2016

MWC_2016_Sony_Xperia_PP10_LeakSony has never been good at keeping secrets and even worse 24-48 hours before their unveiling. I give you the Sony Xperia PP10 with the latter part of the name likely a codename and not the retail branding. Likely to be unveiled tomorrow, the Xperia PP10 will

 use the MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755) chipset with a 720p display. The new devices will also run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. 

From what I can gather, the PP10 is a mid-range device though it’s not clear if it’s here to replace something like the M5 or is an addition to the lineup – though it takes a few specs from the Z5. More details after the jump.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow to be Released on March 7th for Xperia Devices? (updated)

CES_2016_Sony_Xperia_Z5_Compact_1

Mum’s been the word on the release date for Android 6.0 Marshmallow but according to Sony Mobile’s UK Twitter account, the release is right around the corner. When asked about when they could expect to get the latest Android build, the response was a no frills ‘March 7th for Xperia Z5 series, Z4 Tablet and Z3+.’ Specifically:

Things just got more interesting and I’ve updated the article to reflect that. More after the jump.

Sony Mobile Teases MWC 2016 – The Prediction

Sony_Mobile_MWC_2016_Prediction

Sony Mobile is at it again, teasing MWC 2016 with an all new video dubbed prediction. Obviously lacking any product reveals, Sony uses an old math trick to announce the date of their press conference. Also, can you say leather? Prediction, Sony will unveil a new phone with a leatherback.

Video after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z3+ Certified for Android 6.0 Marshmallow (32.1.A.0.434)

Sony_Xperia_Z3+_Copper_Hero

The Sony Xperia Z3+ has just been given a go for Marshmallow.

 New firmware has been certified by the PTCRB for the Xperia Z3+ with build number 32.1.A.0.434. Yes, this is the Android 6.0 Marshmallow release and compares to current firmware version 28.0.A.8.272 (Android 5.0.2 Lollipop). 

If this firmware update is slated for official release,

  expect the same build number to appear on the Xperia Z5 series as well as the Xperia Z4 Tablet 

Shot of the firmware listing after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z5 Price Cut Only One Week After US Launch

CES_2016_Sony_Xperia_Z5_Glass

This news is simply shocking. Release a product in the US with no marketing or carrier support and cut out a feature like the fingerprint sensor that your loyal hardcore users would have liked and a week later, you’re forced to cut its price because they’re not moving. Having launched with the absurd unlocked price of $599 for the Z5 and $499 for the Z5 Compact, Sony is slashing prices by $60 and $50 respectively.

Frankly, I’m not convinced the Z5 price cut will help drum up any sales, seeing how even if the phones were priced at $99 each, it wouldn’t make much difference, as most people have no idea they exist. But for those of you who are interested in what is otherwise a pair of fantastic Android smartphones, you can now enjoy them at a lower price than before. I guess even at CES 2016, Sony anticipated their Z5 line collecting dust on US shelves.

Sony Mobile Lifelog App Redesigned With New UI (3.0.A.0.12)

Sony Mobile Lifelog (3.0.A.0.12)It looks like Sony Mobile is giving their Lifelong app, which powers their SmartWatch and SmartBand wearables, a new UI. According to Sony Mobile, with the Lifelog (3.0.A.0.12) update, you’ll be getting:

  • Completely new look and feel of Timeline view and dashboard.
  •  Completely new Locations view that connects activities to your location
  •  Accuracy improvements

Sony Mobile Wants Your Help to Test Android 6.0 Marshmallow with ‘Xperia Beta Program’

Sony Mobile - Xperia Beta Program app

On the heels of Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo revealing which Sony Mobile devices would receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Sony is launching an official Xperia Beta Program to help stomp out any last minute bugs.

Use this app to sign-up for the Xperia Beta Program for Z3 (D6603), Z3 Compact (D5803) and Z2 (D6503). By signing up, you will be able to try a pre-release beta version of the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). Most importantly, you will also have an open channel with Sony Mobile’s developers. Your feedback will enable us to release even better software for your Xperia device. The amount of users for this activity is limited, so hurry up and sign-up!

With an official beta program from Sony, Android Marshmallow can’t be far off. Two screenshots from the Xperia Beta Program after the jump.

Sony Xperia Devices Receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow Revealed

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet - Android 6.0 Marshmallow

According to mega Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, the following devices are set to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow:

  • Xperia Z3 SO-01G
  • Xperia Z3 Compact SO-02G
  • Xperia Z4 SO-03G
  • Xperia A4 SO-04G
  • Xperia Z4 Tablet SO-05G
  • Xperia Z5 SO-01H
  • Xperia Z5 Compact SO-02H
  • Xperia Z5 Premium SO-03H

And yes, the sleek Xperia Z4 Tablet is on that list as well. Of course, this isn’t indicative of every territory and no specific timeframe was given. However, with NTT DoCoMo officially announcing such a list, it means that Marshmallow can’t be far off.

Fred, an Engineer at Sony Mobile, Wants You to Buy an Xperia Z5 – He’s Willing to Dance & Yell For It

Sony_Mobile_Fred_Engineer

Sony Mobile wants you to buy an Xperia Z5 or Xperia Z5 Compact in the US. Sure it has no fingerprint sensor or carrier support but that’s ok and Fred is here to tell you why. I see what Sony is going for in their nearly two minute video, a low budget marketing piece with ‘cool guy’ Fred who is smart, but yells at random things like YouTubers do, but man, if this is what Sony’s marketing has in mind for the US, expect their nonexistent marketshare to further disappear.

The video is after the jump, but consider yourself warned.