Sony Mobile

Sony Mobile to Simplify Xperia Lineup in 2016?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 17, 2015 | 0 comments

Not more than a few days after rumors of two new Xperia smartphones set to arrive in the first half of 2016 and we already have more to report on Sony Mobile. This time around though, instead of what may be coming, it’s about what may not be coming. Specifically, if the rumors pan out, Sony will introduce fewer phones in 2016 compared to previous years.

The company has released 10 or more smartphone models each year since 2012. Sony Mobile only launched four models back in 2010, the year the company first produced an Android smartphone with the launch of the Xperia X10 series. Well, it looks like Sony could be back to a similarly sized portfolio in 2016 judging by a latest report from Digitimes.

I’ve always argued that Sony Mobile has offered far too many devices, making it hard for consumers to choose and even harder for them to convince carriers which models they should carry and promote. Fewer smartphones from them will not only solve both of those issues, but also make inventory management and a whole host of other infrastructural challenges for Sony much easier.

More on this after the jump.

Sony Mobile to Continue Testing Marshmallow Concept Trails Into 2016

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 16, 2015 | 0 comments

If you’ve been running the Android Marshmallow Concept trails on your Xperia phone then you’re in for an early Christmas gift from Sony. The company has announced that they plan on extending the trials past New Year and don’t have a specific date for bringing it to a close. Initially the trials were set to conclude by weeks end. Apparently Sony thinks the trials are

going in a good way and think it would be a pity to end it already

Well pity it won’t be now. More after the jump.

Two New Sony Xperia Smartphones to Launch in First Half of 2016?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 14, 2015 | 0 comments

Despite less than stellar sales, Sony Mobile had a busy 2015 during which they launched a handful of phones like the Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M5, and their flagship series, the Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium. With mostly positive reviews for the Z5 series as well as their mid-range devices, we might not have to wait long to see how Sony follows its 2015 phones. Thanks to a slide during a recent T-Mobile Poland press conference, it’s looking like Sony will launch at least two new phones by Q2 2016. This roughly puts the phone sometime in the June and July timeframe which isn’t all that different from when the C5 Ultra & M5 was released.

T-Mobile Poland recently held a press conference and included one very interesting slide. It shows a plan of when new smartphones from Sony, Samsung, LG, Microsoft and HTC will launch during the first half of 2016.

The slide confirms that new Samsung Galaxy and Microsoft Lumia models will launch in the middle of Q1 2016, with a new HTC One model launching at the end of that quarter. LG will then launch new models at the start of Q2 2016, with finally Sony releasing two new Xperia devices at the end of that quarter i.e. not before June 2016.

Let’s talk more after the jump.

Sony Wants a Reboot Option on Android, Google Disagrees

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 9, 2015 | 5 comments

Sony’s software choices haven’t always been the best but the team over there in the past year has been really stepping up their game. One such way is the far more stripped down version of Xperia devices we’re seeing with Sony adding software where they feel that Android is lacking, most notably in the camera department. Now Sony wants to tackle Android’s crash problems by allowing users to reboot their phones, instead of having to turn them on/off.

Virtually every OEM has added a reboot option to the power menu because, big surprise, it’s useful. According to Sony’s bug ticket, a reboot option in the power menu is the most requested feature from testers in its Android concept study. The proposed solution is in two commits to AOSP, and it’s a little different than past attempts. Sony wants to add it as a setting in the developer options. So, you’d have to go in and turn on the power menu reboot option if you wanted it.

But it doesn’t seem like Google wants to play ball.

Sony Mobile to Develop its Own Chips for Xperia Devices?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 8, 2015 | 0 comments

Sony at times has some amazing ideas and products that never catch on – look no further than the Xperia Z4 Tablet to understand what a flagship Android tablet should be and yet sales have been nearly nonexistent. But Sony has also had some bad ideas, like the Sony Tablet P. Then there is the rumor that Sony might develop their own chips to power Xperia devices like smartphones and tablets. The rumor goes as such:

Sony Mobile is considering the development of its own application processors for use in mobile devices, according to a report from DigiTimes. The report says that both Sony Mobile and LG plan to develop in-house chips, following on other manufacturers that already do this such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei.

If true, this could eventually mean a move away from Qualcomm and MediaTek as the two main chipset suppliers for Xperia devices to date. The report goes on to say that Global Unichip, the Taiwanese-based dedicated fabless ASIC provider, has won development orders from “Asia-based handset vendors”.

Genius or terrible idea? Let’s talk after the jump.

Sony SmartWatch 3 vs. World Champion Boxer, Carl Froch

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 7, 2015 | 0 comments

Sony wants you to know that their SmartWatch 3 is more than just a digital watch. Like the Apple Watch, which heavily leans on its fitness tracking capabilities, Sony’s latest video highlights how you can get the most out of the SmartWatch 3.

Using personal fitness tracking apps such as LifeLog from Sony and Endomondo, as well as standalone GPS, Weather and built-in memory for Music, Carl demonstrates how the device encourages ‘smart running’, which allows users to exercise without carrying their smartphones, due to SmartWatch 3’s integrated WiFi and Bluetooth technology.

If that’s your kind of thing, after the jump, you can find out how

Fitness vlogger and personal trainer, Carly Rowena, was given a ringside seat for Carl’s training log; receiving an insight into how the 38-year-old trains, monitors and analyses his fitness over one week.

Just don’t get too excited by the SmartWatch 3 as it’s highly likely that we’ll see a follow up model at CES 2016.

Unlocked Sony Xperia C5 Ultra Launches in US

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 3, 2015 | 0 comments

Now where have I read this story before? An unlocked Sony phone is launching in the US. Could it be the unlocked Sony Xperia Z3+ that launched in the the US last month at a ridiculous $499 price tag? Well, Sony is at it again, this time releasing an unlocked Xperia C5 Ultra. Unlike the Z3+, the C5 Ultra which is more or less the Z5 Ultra is being offered at a more affordable $349 price tag and is available in black (other countries also got mint and white color options) with a full year warranty from Sony. Thanks?

If unlocked devices are your way, this frankly isn’t a bad deal, especially if you’re looking for a phablet sized device, seeing how the Xperia C5 Ultra has a 6-inch display. Like the Z3+, this likely won’t move many units for Sony as that’s not how Americans shop for phones. Hopefully this is more of a exercise for Sony as they prepare for a more meaningful take on the US market because the C5 Ultra isn’t a bad phone when you consider it’s mid-tier status. In fact, for a non-flagship device, there is a lot to be liked about the C5 Ultra. Better yet, the C5 Ultra on a carrier contract which can help knock down the price even more would be a pretty enticing offer.

After the jump, the Xperia C5 Ultra specs await you.

Firmware (23.4.A.1.264) Brings Stagefright Exploit Fix to Sony Xperia Z3 Series

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 1, 2015 | 1 comment

Another day and another firmware update. This time, the update targets the entire Xperia Z3 series (Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact) and brings with it a full Stagefright exploit fix. If you need to download the new firmware or are wondering what the heck the Stagefright exploit is, then meet me after the jump.

Future Update Will Fix Camera & GPS Issues on Sony Xperia M2

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 30, 2015 | 2 comments

Updates both giveth and taketh away. While designed to bring new features and address some old ones along the way, they tend to have unforeseen complications that can only be realized when released into the world where thousands and thousands of devices are running them.

The Sony Xperia M2 is no stranger to this, having seen its camera quality and GPS reliability take a hit with Android Lolliipop. Luckily Sony is aware of the issue.

Sony Xperia Z5 Receiving New Camera App UI

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 27, 2015 | 0 comments

For the Xperia Z5 series which includes the Z5, Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium, Sony is releasing a new camera app with a refreshed UI. The new Camera 2.0 update

brings a minimalist interface and new features designed to make capturing the best shots and accessing Xperia Camera apps even easier.

More after the jump, including what the new app does and the weird limitations of it.

Purchase the Overpriced Sony Xperia Z3+ or Z4 Tablet & Get a $50 PSN Gift Card

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 25, 2015 | 4 comments

Sony sure knows how to kick off the holiday shopping frenzy. While the team at PlayStation has things covered, having just announced 30.2 million PS4 units sold, Sony Mobile continues to struggle on, well, everything. Last week, it was revealed that for some reason or another, the Sony Xperia Z3+ would be sold as an unlocked device through B&H Photo with a $499 price tag. Nothing says we truly don’t give a damn like releasing a 7-month old device (and not their newest Z5 flagship series) at full price on a site that most people have never heard about. Luckily they’ve since added Amazon but that’s also a hot mess that you’ll see after the jump.

Honestly, will Sony even move a thousand of these? I doubt it. If they could, there would be some carrier support here. At any rate, if you’re interested in the Xperia Z3+ or the much better designed and highly under appreciated Xperia Z4 Tablet, then Sony is looking to sweeten the pot by giving you a $50 PSN gift card. Details after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet Gets New Firmware (28.0.A.8.260) Update

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 23, 2015 | 0 comments

You would have thought that much like the rest of us, Sony would have forgotten about their tablet initiative by now. Fortunately for owners of the Xperia Z4 Tablet, Sony is still looking at new ways to improve the powerful and sleek portable. In this case, it comes in the form of a new firmware update.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Lands in More European Countries

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 20, 2015 | 0 comments

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium was always going to arrive after the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact. With the flagship phone having launched last week in the UK via Carphone Warehouse, more European countries and carriers are now starting to offer the phone.

Offers and availability currently vary with Clove and Unlocked Mobiles carrying the Z5 Premium while 02 has exclusivity (though likely not for a long period of time) on the gold model.

Unlocked Sony Xperia Z3+ Launches in US

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 17, 2015 | 2 comments

I’m not even sure what to make of this. An unlocked Sony Xperia Z3+ has just launched in the United States. Carried by B&H Photo, a big partner of Sony since they exited the US retail space and shut down their online portal, the semi-flagship phone is available in an unlocked variant for $499.99 in black and white with a generous (?) 1-year warranty.

More thoughts after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact & Premium to Launch Exclusively on NTT docomo

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 16, 2015 | 0 comments

As of now, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is available in Japan. According to Sony, NTT docomo will be the exclusive carrier of the Xperia Z5 Compact and the Xperia Z5 Premium. The latter of the two phones, however, won’t be launching till later this year. The Z5 Compact however is now available for purchase.

Info pertaining to Pricing and color options can be found after the jump.