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How would you change Sony's Xperia SP?
You know the deal, we trawl our reviews archive, and then ask you what you think would have improved the product. This week it's Sony's Xperia SP, and in the hands of Jamie Rigg, it was deemed to be imperfect, but charming nevertheless. It was full of bloatware, had terrible WiFi reception and had a bland design, but the capable camera, snappy performance and long battery life more than made up for it. But what about you lot? Would you care to weigh in on what made this phone a delight or otherwise? Head on over to the forum.
PS4 remote play comes to new Xperia Z3 tablets
The Xperia Z3 compact tablet line will feature remote play with the PS4, Sony announced today. The Z3 is the only tablet to have remote play with PS4, though the Vita allows these functions, too (and it comes with a controller already attached). Connect the Z3 to a PS4 over Wi-Fi and users are able to play PS4 games, with a PS4 controller, on the tablet. Players can control the PS4, watch games remotely and interact with PS4 friends on the Z3. Sony also announced a new Game Control Mount that hooks onto the PS4 controller and holds the Z3 in place. [Image: Sony]
Sony's new tablet lets you play PS4 games and call your mother
There's a French phrase, un beau affreux, which means that something is ugly and beautiful at the same time. As soon as we got our hands on Sony's Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, we wished the French had also come up with a phrase that means simultaneously colossal and small. That's the paradox at the heart of the company's tablet, which packs an 8-inch display, but thanks to its 6.4mm thickness and 0.6-pound weight, feels almost insubstantial, as if you'd still try to fit this into a pocket. That's not a criticism, either, because if you found the Galaxy Note to be a bit too small for your needs, this could replace it in your affections.
Sony's Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact stuffs full performance into an 8-inch slate
Sony had a minor hit when it unveiled the Xperia Z1 Compact, which crammed a full-power smartphone into a smaller frame; now, it's hoping to repeat that success with tablets. Its new Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is not only one of the thinnest (6.4mm) and lightest (0.6lbs) waterproof, 8-inch tablet you'll find, but it's also actually more powerful than the full-size Z2 Tablet. It still has a 1080p display, 3GB of RAM, an 8.1-megapixel rear camera and a 2.2-megapixel front shooter, but it runs a speedier 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor. The Compact should also last for a very healthy 13 hours of nonstop video playback.
We're liveblogging Sony's IFA 2014 event today at 10:15AM ET!
In about an hour and a half, Sony representatives will be taking the stage at IFA 2014 to introduce a whole bunch of products that have more or less been leaked or rumored in some way. We still don't know all of the details, and Sony's known to toss out a few surprises at its press conferences. That said, we're fairly confident that we'll get officially introduced to the Xperia Z3, the miniature Compact and the Tablet Compact, as well as a couple wearables. It should be fun regardless, so join us at our liveblog here as we report on everything Sony! [Image Credit: Ausdroid]
Photos show the Xperia Z3 Compact is (another) chip off the old block
To say that Sony's Xperia devices have become a bit... "samey" would be an understatement. If the picture above is anything to go by, don't expect that trend to change any time soon. The snaps (more at the source) show what is claimed to be the Xperia Z3 Compact. It's worth noting that would mean the Z2 Compact got skipped altogether here in the west (we loved the Z1 Compact though, so all forgiven). Other than the fact it's nigh on the same design, all the photos tell us is that there are some new mint and... orangey-pinky-red color schemes coming. Ausdroid (who sourced the pics) claims it was also tipped that the Z3 Compact will have a 4.6-inch screen, 2.5GHz (Snapdragon 801) processor and that now Xperia-standard 20.7-megapixel camera. So, what's more appealing? A gentle bump in spec, or the snazzy new hues? We'll find out for sure once we get hands on at IFA this week.
Sony makes money on movies and games, but not on smartphones
It wasn't long ago that Sony, almost inexplicably for a company of its size and heritage, was losing money everywhere it went. After a few years of pain, however, things have begun to look up, with the company posting a first quarter net profit of around $265 million. The bulk of the good news comes from the PlayStation 4 and Sony Pictures, the company's film and TV arm that benefited from the successes of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and 22 Jump Street. The only sore point on the company's financials is that its mobile division continued to see sales of Xperia handsets drop -- a loss that even managed to offset a favorable bump in the exchange rate. The corporation is still predicting that it'll eat around $487 million in losses across the year, so don't be surprised if someone greenlights 23 Jump Street in the next couple of weeks.
Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact finally comes to the US
When we reviewed Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact, we concluded that it's exactly what a miniature flagship should be: big features in a small package. But despite the handset's many merits, Sony hasn't so far managed to offer it through any carriers in the US. Instead, starting today, it's selling the Z1 Compact direct from its own webiste, for a price of $550. The device is unlocked, of course, so at least you get the choice of whichever GSM carrier takes your fancy -- although its LTE bands don't make it especially friendly with AT&T.
Live on YouTube app lets you stream videos straight from the Sony Xperia Z2
So, you want to go on a trip and be able to livestream your epic adventures to friends at home or even to fans, eh? We're sure you'll find a way to do so, but if you live in one of the countries where the Sony Xperia Z2's available (US folks might have to wait a bit more), you can pick it up and download the Live on YouTube app. As the name implies, the app gives you the power to broadcast to an audience via YouTube, whether it's the whole world or just a select few on private mode. To be able to use it, though, you need to enable the feature on YouTube's features page and you need to have an Xperia Z2 -- while it's an app for Xperia devices in general, it's exclusive to this particular model at the moment. Of course, you'll also need a power source to charge often and a steady internet connection, so don't count on it to keep you company during nighttime treks across the wilderness.
Sony reaps benefit of PS4 and Xperia sales, but forecasts further bleeding
There are few surprises in Sony's full-year earnings figures, especially since we've already covered the huge loss it suffered in pulling out of the PC business. However, although overall profit is heavily in the red, the detailed numbers show healthy gains in precisely the two departments where we'd hope to see them: Gaming-related sales shot up 53 percent on the back of the PS4, while Xperia smartphone sales rose by around 20 percent to just shy of 40 million units for the year ended March 31st. Sony doesn't specify phone sales by model, but the year-over-year gain strikes us as a fair and just reward for the manufacturer's excellent Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact (shown above). Unfortunately, none of this success looks likely to fix Sony's deeper ailments any time soon, because the company is still forecasting further heavy losses throughout 2014. It predicts a net loss of 50 billion yen over the coming year, whereas most pundits had expected the ship to be righted and profitable by then.
Sony trolls the US by accidentally showing off an Xperia Z2 for Verizon
Hey, what's this? Sony said that it would only sell the Xperia Z2 in the US as an unlocked model, but the company has briefly teased Google+ followers with a picture of the high-end Android phone sporting a conspicuous Verizon logo. The image has since vanished, but it hints that Sony has at least been considering a reunion with Big Red -- notable when the carrier hasn't offered a Sony smartphone since the Xperia Play in 2011.
Sony's online store will be the only place to buy its best phone in the US
Sony's Xperia Z2 may be a big, powerful slab of a phone, but fans in the United States hoping to snag one in-person or with a contract are out of luck... for now, at least. The company just confirmed that neither it nor its tiny cousin the Z1 Compact will make their way to US store shelves "in the near future." The news comes as sort of bummer considering that Sony's Z2 has received pretty consistent acclaim so far, but hey -- at least Sony isn't completely full of bad news. An unlocked version of the Z2 will be available in the company's online store come the summer, though anyone hoping to nab one a pint-sized Z1 (which is no slouch either) will have to ferret out some alternate sources. At least Xperia fans in need of a fix have at least one option: the Xperia Z2 tablet will be available here soon, and it's easily one of the best 10.1 Android tabs coming to market.
Sony releases an unlocked Xperia Z1 with US-friendly LTE
Frustrated that you've had to sign up to T-Mobile just to pick up an Xperia Z1 variant with completely US-native LTE? That won't be a problem after this week. Sony has released an unlocked version of the Z1 that can take advantage of 4G speeds on AT&T, T-Mobile and their virtual network partners. The flagship Android phone should also support LTE on bigger Canadian carriers, if you're inclined to travel. You won't get anything else special for the $620 you'll spend on the unlocked model, but it may scratch the itch if you're unwilling to wait for stateside releases of newer hardware like the Z2 or Z1 Compact.
Sony's Xperia Z2 is coming to North America in May
Sony's Xperia Z2 is already available in a few corners of the world, but North America has so far been left high and dry. That drought will soon come to an end, though, as Bell says that it's bringing the waterproof Android flagship to Canada this May. While the carrier isn't divulging pricing at this stage, we'd expect the Z2 to cost $200 Canadian or more on a two-year plan, like most high-end smartphones. As for the good ol' US of A? Unfortunately, there's no word on an American launch -- for now, you'll have to make do with the Xperia Z1S if you live stateside.
Sony shows (and tells) us why 4K on a phone isn't crazy
At Sony Mobile's HQ in Tokyo, Kichiro Kurozumi is itching to go into detail about the new flagship Xperia Z2. The VP says it's "all in the details." We really hope so, because it's getting increasingly hard to tell Sony's recent smartphone iterations apart, especially when it comes to the Xperia Z2 and Z1. Kurozumi emphatically states that it's all the work done behind the scenes (reengineered frame, a 20.7-megapixel camera that records in 4K) that makes the Z2 stand out. "2014 is about premium smartphones, tablets and the smartwear experience but we... Sony has to do it differently." Take the Xperia Z2's 4K-recording camera sensor. Sony's certainly not the only smartphone maker with a device capable of recording video in Ultra HD, but Kurozumi reckons the company's software-based "SteadyShot" stabilization keeps the Xperia Z2 ahead of the pack. Because of the relatively large camera sensor, it can compensate for more movement than its rivals -- up to 21 percent. He offers up a professional-level clip and his own real-world sample from a few weeks earlier in Barcelona, and (courtesy of a 4K Sony TV in the room) the level of detail is noticeably beyond that of 1080p video, but won't the lack of 4K screens (UHD TVs are still pretty rare) limit the usefulness? We asked Kurozumi exactly that.
Garmin's new app turns Sony's SmartWatch 2 into a tiny satnav
We like the idea of hooking our watches into our phones, so when we wander around foreign lands, we don't look like as much of a tourist. Garmin agrees, and has launched a navigation app specifically for Sony's Xperia devices that'll push real-time directions straight to the SmartWatch 2. Acting like a premium satnav, the app offers offline maps, walking directions, real-time traffic and active lane guidance. It'll launch in March, and when you're done with the 30-day trial, it'll cost you $3 a month to get access to the full set of features. Oh, except for the SmartWatch spanning, which'll set you back a further, undisclosed amount, because commerce.
Live from Sony's MWC 2014 press event!
The time has almost come for Sony to pull back the curtains on its next Xperia Z flagships at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. You're just here a little early. But that's okay -- we admire your spunk. Just make sure to check back at 2:30AM EST / 8:30AM CET when you'll have a live, front row look at all the news as Kaz and co. reveal it. Don't worry, we know you like your tech news fresh and up to the minute. And that's exactly how we'll be serving it up! February 24, 2014 2:30:00 AM EST
We'll be live from Sony's MWC 2014 press event tomorrow at 2AM EST!
If history is any indication, then we have a sneaking suspicion Sony could be using this year's Mobile World Congress as a showcase for its next, great Xperia Tablet. More specifically, it could be this fella right here, the Xperia Tablet Z2 -- a minor spec update to its waterproof, "omnibalanced" Android slate. But that might not be the only Xperia flagship waiting in the wings here in Barcelona. Recent leaks have us fairly convinced Sony's planning yet another Zed Part Deux debut, but this time it's for the company's rumored Xperia Z2 smartphone. Lucky you, we'll be live at Sony's MWC press event to report on the news as it unfolds and count how many times Kaz says, "Wow!" So make sure to tune in here tomorrow at 2AM EST / 8AM CET to catch your (Xperia) Zzzs. February 24, 2014 2:30:00 AM EST
Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 leaks hint at KitKat and an even thinner design (update: more shots)
Sony's Xperia Tablet Z may be too old to justify buying for some of you out there, but don't worry -- it looks like a replacement could be just around the corner. Frequent tipster @evleaks has posted both an image and specs of what's reported to be the Xperia Tablet Z2. The 10.1-inch slate would preserve the waterproof design, 6,000mAh battery and cameras of its 2013 ancestor, but with a much faster 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM and an even thinner 6.4mm (0.25in) body. It would also ship with Android 4.4 KitKat, so you may not be pining for an OS upgrade as soon as you open the box. There's no mention of a ship date in the rumors, but Mobile World Congress is just a week away; we wouldn't be shocked if Sony unveils the Z2 in sunny Barcelona. Update: We've since been tipped off to a series of additional leaked images from @gadgetleaks that show a Z2 variant with a white back. We've included one of the pictures below.
Leak looks like the Xperia G, Sony's newest midrange phone
Sony's not really been his bag before, but ViziLeaks appears to have gotten hands on with one of the company's phones before its official debut at Mobile World Congress. Two photos are claimed to show portions of the Xperia G, and were tweeted out along with some nebulous specs: LTE, 8GB of storage, an 8-megapixel camera and a gig of RAM, plus a 4.8-inch screen. Those internals, if accurate (we've asked for screenshots to confirm them) would position the G as a mid-range handset with a slightly smaller size and similar design as the Xperia Z1S laying on top of it. Unfortunately, the pictures themselves are less than helpful in telling us much else about the device, though astute readers will note the different camera and power button placement between the sibling handsets. For those who aren't familiar with ViziLeaks' work, it was proven prophetic in the summer of 2013 on multiple occasions. Those leaks, of course, were all about Nokia's Lumia 1020, but with MWC 2014 set to start in a week, we'll know soon enough if Vizileaks is just as prescient about the Xperia G.