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Sony Xperia Z3 Review

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Back in February we presented to you the new Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone and now it’s time for something new! The new Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is here and it is, once again, impressive. We’re offering you our Sony Xperia Z3 review, so read on and enjoy!

The Sony Xperia Z3 is a great phone, but it could have been better. Sony really does go out of their way to amp up the technical specifications and to make Sony Xperia users upgrade to the new Sony Xperia Z3.

Sony Xperia Z3 Review – Tech Specs

So what’s under the hood of the Sony Xperia Z3? A lot! The Android phone boasts the same RAM as the Z2: 3 GB. This left a lot of people scratching their heads, as to why Sony didn’t improve on the RAM. We think Sony left the 3 GB right where they are because there was no need for improvement. Why improve something that’s already ahead of the times. Remember that the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus both only have 1 GB of RAM. It also boasts a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor.

Sony Xperia Z3 Review

The design of the Sony Xperia Z3 is stunning. There is increased curvature along the edges and it has two sheets of Gorilla Glass 3 as the front and back plates and it is very comfortable to grip.

It has 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm, which means that it’s smaller than the previous Z2 model. It’s also lighter, at 152 grams. Any Sony Xperia Z3 review must include the fact that this amazing smartphone is waterproof and dustproof, something that iPhone isn’t. You can actually keep the Z3 under water (1.5 meters) for around 30 minutes and it would be alright.

What we don’t like about the new Sony Xperia Z3 is the fact that it’s only got 32 GB of internal storage. Come on, Sony!

What are your thoughts on this new phone? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Samsung Plans to Launch Its Own VR Headset Before Anybody Else

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samsung VR headsetThis March we were excited to announce you that Facebook closed one of the most important deals in its history: the purchase of the Oculus Rift VR headset. Playing the game of virtual reality is a tough one, not for the gamers themselves, but for the tech giants which feel the need to be one step ahead of their competitors.

Sony invested in its Project Morpheus, soon to be synced with the Play Station 4, while Apple itself did a great job adding the Rescape Game Controller to its portfolio. Facebook followed the crowd and spent quite the money for the Rift and so did the race begin!

But this world also has Samsung, a company which was very well (metaphorically) described by the guys from Cult of Android:

Samsung’s like the spoiled brat you went to school with: they have almost everything, but if another kid comes in with a toy that’s not part of their collection, mummy and daddy will make sure they get it. Rumor has it the South Korean company is now developing its own virtual reality headset that will work alongside Galaxy devices — and it is desperate to get the product to market before Facebook and Sony launch theirs.

Spoiled or not, it seems that Samsung plans to launch its own VR headset in the next two months, according to the rumors and leaks provided by Endgadget. Do not mistake this peripheral with the alleged “Galaxy Glass”, a futuristic gear along the lines of the Google Glass. The Galaxy Glass is said to be showcased this September in Germany, during the IFA tech event and seen as a future competitor to the real Glass.

Samsung’s upcoming VR headset is powered by the Galaxy flagship smartphones and tablets, but a true consumer version is also said to need next – gen Galaxy gadgets, which haven’t been announced yet, of course.

This headset is going to be marketed as a peripheral, as we said, and also advertised as being cheaper than its competitors. As cheap as such device can be, warn us the specialists. So far, it seems that the VR headset is currently under development, but it uses OLED display technology, making it pretty similar to the Rift. Rumors also say that Samsung’s in-house operating system, Tizen, won’t be a part of the future Samsung “Gear Solo”, as the VR was named.

To what purpose Samsung plans to launch its own VR headset?

Samsung fathered a very wide area of wearables and smart devices, so trying to get a bigger slice of the cake is what a good company is supposed to do, especially in an emerging field such as virtual reality headsets. The ultimate goal is to offer Android game players a “mind-blowing” gaming experience and a full immersion in the game. We don’t have other details about this upcoming spectacular device, but stay tuned, as we will find out more!

Sony Xperia Z2 Smartphone – Sony’s Flagship Phone Revealed

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Sony Xperia X2 SmartphoneMany new phones, tablets and gadgets were revealed at the Mobile World Congress that took place in Barcelona, Spain on the 24th and 25th, such as the new Lenovo S860 with an amazing battery or the Asus Fonepad 7, a huge tablet that is also a phone, a phablet, but there are two phones that have managed to steal the show, the Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone and the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Today, we’re going to take a look at Sony’s flagship phone and see what the fuss is all about. To begin with, the design of the phone is stunning. In this department Sony really comes out a definite winner.

Specifications of the Sony Xperia Z2 Smartphone

This gorgeous and sleek smartphone is indeed smart! It weighs only 163 grams and measures 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm and has a 5.2’’ Full HD display with X-Reality for mobile picture engine. It’s large and it’s edging in on phablet territory. It has 16,777,216 colors and 1920×1080 pixels; a quad-core 2.3 GHz Qualcomm processor with 3GB of RAM and it runs Google Android 4.4. The battery is also impressive, making sure you can talk up to 19 hours, have up to 120 hours of music listening time and up to 10 hours of video playback. If up until now, there’s nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to this smartphone, brace yourselves, we’re going to talk camera and durability.

The fantastic 20.7MP camera is something that’s not common among many flagship smartphones; the Samsung Galaxy’s S5 is only 16MP. The Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone is a multimedia phone, clearly – it’s perfect for taking photos, sharing them and capturing that stunning 4k video. The video resolution is so high, that you won’t be able to fully enjoy the experience, unless you’re viewing the footage on an Ultra HD 4k television or display, which aren’t too common these days, but Sony doesn’t worry about this, just yet, as long as they’re making a splash.

The Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone is waterproof and dustproof, just as the Galaxy S5 is, which means that you can run outside while it’s raining and it won’t break. We wonder what Apple has to say about this and what their next move is.

Sony reveals Xperia Z2 tablet as super-slim and waterproof

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The new Sony Xperia Z2 is a 10.1 inch, completely waterproof tablet, replacing the existing Xperia Z, with the new quad-core Snapdragon 801 2.3GHz processor, adding the latest Android KitKat software to it. It’s an impressive 6.4mm thin, 426g and it’s due to go on sale in the UK and the wider Europe beginning with March. It has a similar design as the previous model, with a button-free front, all glass design and back panel made out of matte black plastic. And like its predecessor, the new Z2 tablet is 100% waterproof so you don’t have to worry about spilled drinks or dropping it in the bathtub. It can also be used underwater up to 1 m for about 30 minutes.

The 10.1 inch display allows a Full HD resolution and Sony reveals Xperia Z2 as having some of the same Triluminous technology as their line of TVs, promising brighter, more alive colors.sony xperia z2 tablet

Some of the mentionable features include the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with an impressive 2.3GHz and 3GB of RAM. It also comes with the latest version of Android known as the 4.4.2 KitKat. You will find unlimited music and video streaming services and access to the PlayStation Mobile store.

Sony reveals Xperia Z2 tablet further details as the internal storage which is 16GB but it can be extended with the microSD card slot. The new Xperia Z2 tablet has 2 cameras: a rear 8.1MP updated with the new sensor called Exmor RS and a 2MP front camera. Both cameras can record with a video capacity of 1080p and a HDR capturing.

You can get the new Xperia Z2 tablet in two versions: the Wi-Fi and the LTE –enabled. Other connectivity options include NFC, GPS with GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.0, IR emitter and microUSB 2.0 with MHL 3.0 support. The Z2 tablet comes in classy black and white, with the pricing remaining to be further announced.

Sony Expected to Launch New Flagship Smartphone Sirius During MWC 2014

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Sony has not displayed much of a range in their new products at the CES 2014 event. Their one single launch has been the Xperia Z1 Compact. T-mobile of course launched the Xperia Z1S, but that cannot be termed a new product as it is just the Z1 model which will be available in the American market with a new moniker. Users and readers would remember the big action Sony had launched in the last CES event when they had launched their Xperia Z. Sony is not a company to remain quite for too long and therefore what can be expected is a stirring at the Mobile World Congress 2014 event to be held in Spain.

sony-sirius

Tweets from @evleaks suggest two new models being prepared for the MWC 2014 event of which one would be their flagship model in the phone category and the other would be a tablet. As per @evleaks, the next flagship smartphone device that Sony has up its sleeve is codenamed Sirius and comes with a 1080p 5.2 inch display. For specs the phone would be powered by a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocking 2.3 GHz. Availability of the phone would be via Verizon which means T-Mobile lose out their monopoly on Sony devices. Not mentioned by @evleaks but it can be guessed that the phone would have QHD which means a resolution of 2560 x 1440.

@evleaks also mentioned about the Sony Castor, which is the tablet from Sony being worked upon. This also would be powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor as per @evleaks and for connectivity would feature Wi-Fi and be 4G LTE compliant.

Details of the Castor has been restricted to this bit only which places a certain amount of doubt of whether the device would find place at the MWS 2014 event or not. Whatever it be, the Sirius phone would sure be able to make it to the MWC 2014 event in the Sony stall.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition Launched, Priced $649

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The Sony Z Ultra happens to be the most awesome device that the company launched in the smartphone segment till date. Launched in the fall of this year, the Z Ultra can be considered Sony’s answer to the segment leader, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. In what can be considered as another interesting development with the Sony phablet (as the device with larger display screens have come to be known as), the company has come up with the Google Play Store edition of the device. The inherent benefit of such an edition is that the device will offer a pure Android experience which won’t come with any carrier obligations.

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Interested customers can now place orders for the Sony Z ultra at the company’s Play Store site where it has been priced $649. The mentioned time of delivery is 1 to 2 working days from order. This also makes the Z Ultra the first product from Sony that runs a pure form of the Android OS.

So far as hardware specs go, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad core processor clocking at 2.2 GHz. The device also comes with an Adreno 330 graphic processor to handle graphics files. It comes with 2 GB of RAM along with a storage capacity of 16 GB. The device has a display size of 6.4 inch and features Triluminous technology which uses OptiContrast and X-Reality tech. For connectivity it is LTE compliant.

For design the Ultra Z has the same metallic frame and look like that of the Xperia Z from Sony. The glass covering the front and back are tempered and gives it an overall minimalistic look. Compared to the Galaxy Note 2, the Ultra Z boasts of a sturdier build quality. Overall weight of the device is 212 grams in spite of the expansive dimensions while also being easy to hold in hand and operate.

Google Play Store has listed one other product the LG G Pad 8.3 Play Edition in their site this week. To take a better decision there is the Galaxy S4 and HTC also up for sale at the Google Plat site for comparing.

Sony Claims PS4 Launch Issues Within Acceptable Limits

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Sony launched its PlayStation 4 console with a natural rush of gamers going for the console at the very outset. What followed next is almost a routine, what with confusion and hiccups taking center state. Like a retailer giving out the device before the D-day and also a crash of their servers as users logged in to update their console which is mandatory. These issues had been reported by many ardent Sony followers and gamers. Sony though has termed all of these being not a very serious issue and that these are being dealt with accordingly. Sony has also mentioned that the number of consoles which have been affected by such errors is not an alarming number, that it’s quite normal for most products at their first launch to come up with such figures of malfunctioning units.

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Representatives of Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) mentioned this while talking to Endgadget. With the varied issues being reported, they feel that the core problem is not one singular issue. They also have records showing that a total of 1 percent of the number of units shipped has been malfunctioning which they consider not a very high figure with such a high profile product launch.

They have given assurance that Sony and the retailers were working together to address the issues effectively and at the shortest possible time frame, which includes sending the replacement units where necessary.

Barring these few cases, Sony reported the response from the vast majority of the PS4 users to being largely positive. There is however the aspect of the 1 percent turning out to be a big figure in integers, as Sony is supposed to have sold about 1 million units of their PS4. This means there are 10,000 users holding malfunctioning or devices with the “Blue Screen” in their hand.

Some forums are placing possible process by which the user themselves might be able to correct the problem of the console. However, it is upon the individual to decide whether to await official instruction from Sony or opt for unofficial means to get started with the PS4s that have stalled.

Sony Yet to Reveal Android KitKat Update Details

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With Android KitKat already launched, the thoughts that perhaps is uppermost on every Android device user’s mind is when they will be provided with the update, or if at all they qualify for it in the first place. Though Google has also been issuing smaller bits of the total pack via their Google Play store apps by upgrading the individual apps to the Android 4.4 standard, every user wants to experience the complete and real Android 4.4 version better known as KitKat OS.

xperia z ultra

One such group of users would be the Sony Xperia customers who are keen to know about the plans Sony has for their devices, namely the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Z Ultra, the new Xperia Z1. The above also applies to the Xperia Tablet Z which has been released this year. That Sony would be coming for an Android 4.4 KitKat update for all these devices is assured but it is not expected to happen very soon.

Some of these devices require to be updated to Android 4.3 prior to getting the Android 4.4 update. The 4.3 update, as per Sony is going to take place for the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra, and Xperia Z1 as well as the Xperia T, Xperia TX, and Xperia V next month.

Information about the updates would be coming over their social network sites and channels. Users of the device should therefore keep their eyes on these channels for the announcement to come in. Among the prominent Android device makers, HTC has been the first to announce their plans to usher in Android 4.4 KitKat among its front line smartphone devices. Expect a flurry of activities among other manufacturers as more companies join the queue to launch Android KitKat updates for their devices.

Sony Issues New Update For Xperia Z1, Leads to Even Better Performance of the Rear Camera

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When Sony had launched the Xperia Z1 device, it wasn’t just a smartphone that the company had unleashed. Rather, it was one device that had a lot running on it. with the going increasingly getting tough in the digital age, what Sony needed is a blockbuster of a device that could turn its fortunes around. And the Xperia Z1 delivered on that count handsomely. The device has been launched as Sony’s flagship model and while the Z1 never turned out to be the best selling smartphone in the premium segment, it did sell in enough numbers to ensure Sony remained in the smartphone race. It has lot many features that does make it suitable to be termed the flagship model and also if it did not have that suffix, on its own terms the device is quite a blockbuster.

Sony-Xperia-Z1

The device has a special credential to it being a waterproof set. This is not quite there in most other smartphones currently available in the market, something that makes it quite distinct. The camera that the Xperia Z1 sports also boasts of quite a few powerful and advanced features. Yet Sony has gone on to work on the camera and rolled out an update which adds more dazzle to the camera. The update is applicable to the rear facing camera of the device.

The update adds features like Sweep Panorama AR Effect, Burst Mode and Superior Auto to the camera. A photograph or rather two that provides the viewer with a comparison of the final product from the camera before the update and after the update brings to light the distinct differences of the two images. What the user would get after installing the update is a much clearer and sharper image. The color is more vibrant also and the contrast effects are just great.

The update has already started to reach user’s end. Further, users who have downloaded and installed the firmware update have not complained of any misgivings so far. As such, there shouldn’t be anything that should hold back those who own a Sony Xperia Z1 to try out the update on their smartphones. Not to mention the shutterbugs who take photography with their smartphones rather seriously.

New Galaxy S5 Could Come With Sony Camera Sensor of 16 MP Resolution

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Samsung had launched their Galaxy S4 this year and after an initial round of brisk sales when it was believed to out sell even the iPhone 5, sales began to slump. To cater for their market presence, Samsung it appears have decided to come out with their next device the Galaxy S5 earlier than its scheduled deliverance. For this reason the S5 can be expected to be in the market by early 2014.

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ETNews also adds that the S5 is going to come with a camera which would be of 16 MP resolution and based on CMOS technology. The camera could be either an in-house development by Samsung’s own LSI division or could be a Sony make. The LSI division at Samsung does the manufacturing of chip and the camera sensors. This division gives a strong competition to Sony who is otherwise the market leaders when it comes to high resolution CMOS based devices.

In the aspect of sensing devices, LSI is also going to come out with an 8 MP camera that would have the ability to separate the pixels. This would lead to reduction in glare and noise of the final product while also allowing users to take clear pictures even in low light conditions. LSI division has also been showing off it 13 and 16 MP sensors to prospective customers.

Where Sony has an edge over the LSI is that they cater to a larget segment of the market and hence enjoy economies of scale. Naturally their products are cheaper. LSI is therefore also going ahead with mass production processes to be able to match Sony for the pricing aspect. They would be trying out their end product on the Elctro-Mechanics division at Samsung itself which has been developing a 13 MP sensor having OIS technology in it,

Insiders at Samsung have also confirmed that there is a big thing so far as the sensor goes in the next Samsung product of S5. No way they can miss out on this aspect given the huge improvement that its competitors such as Apple, Sony, Nokia an such have affected on their devices.

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