Sony’s Backup & Restore Android application that comes pre-installed on its Xperia Z3 smartphone appears to have been compromised. A Google Play entry has been added for the app listing “Nirav Patel Kanudo” as its publisher, along with the software’s description claiming that it’s managed by the “HeArT HaCkEr Group.”
Sony announced a new imaging sensor today that the company says will improve smartphones cameras. The Exmor RS IMX230 is a stacked CMOS sensor that packs 21-megapixels into a small 1/2.4-inch design. One of the key talking points of Sony’s new chip is its 192 point phase detection autofocus, which makes it easier to shoot photos or video of a fast moving subject with your smartphone.
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If you own an Xperia Z1, Z2 or Z3 handset and are eagerly awaiting an update to Lollipop, Sony announced on its blog that it currently has the latest ASOP version of Android in testing ahead of a planned rollout next year.
This week Google released the source code for Android 5.0; Lollipop – and to celebrate that we have the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version up and running on Xperia Z1, Xperia Z2 ….and Xperia Z3
There will be a beta-test program for Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact devices, but the bad news is that this will initially be limited to Swedish owners on the 3 network. Developers, however, will be able to get their hands on the binary files “soon.”
We are working to provide you with the necessary binary files as soon as we can. Once you have them, these binaries can be used as a base for compiling your own custom version of Android, together with source code for AOSP device configuration from the Sonyxperiadev GitHub. Device configurations are already available for Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z2, these will be updated, and are coming soon for Xperia Z3.
Sony is one of the main contributors to the Android Open Source Project.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/PzFc5zGMjCk]
After releasing the the new PS4 Remote Play app for Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 tablet, Sony today announced it’s bringing the feature for remotely playing games from a connected PlayStation 4 to its Xperia Z2 lineup. That means following an update for the Xperia z2 and Xperia Z2 tablet, users will now have access to the PS4 Remote Play app and full support for the PS4 DUALSHOCK4 wireless controller.
The update for Xperia Z2 and Z2 tablet also brings hi-res audio, the latest Battery STAMINA Mode feature, Sony’s Smart Social camera apps including Sound Photo, AR fun, Multi camera and Face in, and much more.
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Google’s Chromecast supports screen mirroring for a limited number of mobile devices and it appears that the search giant’s popular media stick has added support for a few new products. Owners of the Sony Xperia Z3v, Z2 and Z2 Tablet can now share their respective device’s screen on their big screen if they wish to do so.
Sony Corporation announced on Thursday that it will appoint senior vice president Hiroki Totoki as the new president of its Sony Mobile division on November 16th. Totoki, who currently serves as corporate planning director at the Japanese company, will replace outgoing Sony executive Kunimasa Suzuki to run the smartphone business.
The corporate mixup is largely unsurprising given that Sony has been faced with declining Xperia smartphone sales due to tough competition from rivals Apple, Samsung, LG and others. The company has been forecasted to once again report slowing smartphone sales when it announces its latest quarterly earnings results on Friday.
As of November 16, 2014
Kunimasa Suzuki
(New)
Group Executive, Sony Corporation
Executive Vice President, Sony Entertainment Inc.
(Current)
Corporate Executive Officer, Executive Vice President,
Officer in charge of Mobile Business, Sony Corporation
President & CEO, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.Hiroki Totoki
(New)
Group Executive, Sony Corporation
President & CEO, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
(Current)
Corporate Executive, Senior Vice President,
In charge of Corporate Planning, Finance and New Business Creation Department, Sony Corporation
After a rebranded run with Verizon, the Xperia Z3 is now officially on sale at T-Mobile. Last week, some of the carrier’s customers received their pre-orders early, but if you weren’t among the lucky few, you can now purchase Sony’s waterproof flagship smartphone directly from the magenta-hued wireless carrier for no money down at a price of $26.25 per month for two years.
The SmartBand Talk—which we leaked and was announced alongside the SmartWatch 3 earlier this year—is about to launch worldwide in the coming weeks, but today, its app has officially launched on the Play Store. Alongside the launch of this main companion app, the company has also launched four extension apps, which bring even more features to the SmartBand Talk.
Verizon’s version of the Sony Xperia Z3 went on sale today and while T-Mobile won’t officially offer the device until next week, some lucky customers are receiving their pre-orders ahead of schedule. A group of Android enthusiasts over at the XDA developers forums have an ongoing thread up where some folks have received the Xperia Z3 already and others are set to get it before its October 29th street date.
Just like Motorola, NVIDIA and HTC, Sony is hopping on the Android 5.0 bandwagon. In a blog post today, the company pledged to bring Lollipop to all of its “premium Z series” devices.
The Xperia Z3 may be coming to Verizon and T-Mobile, but sadly Sony has yet to announce plans to bring the Z3 Compact to any US carriers in the near future. However, if you’ve had your eyes on the company’s pint-size powerhouse, you can now buy it directly from Sony’s online store for $530.
Verizon won’t be the only US carrier offering the Xperia Z3, T-Mobile announced today that it will start selling Sony’s new flagship smartphone on October 29th. The magenta carrier will begin accepting pre-sales for the device on October 15th for no money down, with a monthly payment of $26.25 for two years. While the self-proclaimed Uncarrier didn’t get into shipping details, it disclosed that early bird customers will receive the device before its official release date.
Verizon and Sony announced today that it will soon begin offering the Sony Xperia Z3v smartphone on its network, as well as the Sony SmartWatch 3. The Xperia Z3v, which is the U.S. version of the Xperia Z3, features all of the specs you would expect a 2014 flagship device to have and will be available on October 23rd for $199.99.
The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are the company’s first handsets to gain screen mirroring support for Google’s Chromecast. A recent update to the search giant’s support page added Sony’s two new top-shelf smartphones as officially compatible with the company’s affordable media dongle.
The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact still aren’t official in some areas, however the devices have already received root and custom recovery for those of you who wish to experiment with your new handset on day one. Thanks to a crafty XDA developer going by the handle “DooMLoRD,” people who purchase Sony’s new smartphones will be able to load custom ROMs and make other tweaks to their device as long as their respective gadget ships with its original firmware.
Google appears to be aiming for tight control over its Android Wear smartwatch platform as it asked crowdfunding site IndieGoGo to take down a campaign for a budget smartwatch, Com1, reports Android Police.
Com1 used stock images of Android Wear and the Android Wear trademark in its campaign page, which was taken down by IGG under the premise of an intellectual property infringement complaint by Google shortly after the campaign launched.
Since Google is known to have a relaxed attitude to use of its imagery, the motivation here appears to be control which companies are able to launch Android Wear devices …
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIf9GdCzY_Y]
Sony’s new Xperia Z3 is coming and while it’ll most likely make its US debut on October 9th, you can see it get unboxed right now. Unlike the usual “hey, look at this phone” approach, European retailer Carphone Warehouse has put a creative spin on an internet pastime by performing an underwater unboxing of Sony’s durable smartphone.
With the exception of its highly successful PlayStation 4, many of Sony’s consumer electronic brands have been struggling lately. So it came as a bit of a surprise when the company revealed development plans for its own smart eyewear. Referred to as SmartEyeglass, it almost looks like a leftover set of 3D glasses from Sony’s Bravia TV division, but instead it’s the company’s answer to Google Glass.
Sony has confirmed in a tweet that it is rolling out the Android 4.4.4 update its older Z-series devices.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SonyMobileNews/status/509297533328584704]
Sony says there are “many improvements” in the upgrade, with better battery performance in background applications and improved email stability & performance singled out for particular note. The company recently unveiled the newest incarnations in the line, the Z3 and Z3 Compact.
SamMobile also notes that Galaxy Note 3 owners on the Sprint network should also receive a 4.4.4 update today.
The Android 4.4.4 update will bring international Wi-Fi calling, version 2.0 of KNOX, and the Kids Mode feature that debuted on the Galaxy S5, along with bug fixes and security patches from Google.
Samsung of course recently launched the Quad HD Galaxy Note 4.
It looks like Sony has given up on its old smartwatch ways. As we confirmed days before its announcement, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is running Android Wear and has been given a slightly different (and simple) design when compared to its predecessors. While Android Wear is a solid wearable platform, for Sony fans the SmartWatch 3 may be a step backwards…
Today we’re taking a closer look at the Sony Xperia Z3. Sony announced the Z3 and a handful of other products (we previously revealed) at a press event during IFA 2014 in Berlin. Now I know what you’re thinking, didn’t Sony just launch the Z2 earlier this year? Yes they did….
The good news is, any Z2 owners won’t need to regret the purchase because there’s nothing special here.The Xperia Z3 is finally launching without a delay in the US, but it’s coming to T-Mobile first. Either way, this is more of an Xperia Z2.5 if anything, but take a look at our hands-on video below…
Alongside new smartphones, tablets, and wearables, Sony has also today announced a refresh for its lineup of lens-style cameras with two new models: QX1 and QX30. The devices are made to be able to work on their own or clip onto the back of a smartphone, and if you go with the latter option, they’re able to connect via NFC or Wi-Fi and have their display via the Sony PlayMemories Mobile app.
Taking stage at IFA 2014, Sony is showing off its latest Xperia gadgets with the new Z3, Z3 Compact, and E3 smartphones. The flagship Z3 is a 5.2-inch “dust-tight and waterproof” aluminum framed device that ships in black, copper, silver green, and white. Included is a feature called PS4 Remote Play allowing you to game on the device with the PS4 controller.
Next up is the Compact Z3, a 4.6-inch device (compact, huh?) that’s also dust-tight and water proof with options in black, green, orange, and white. The Xperia Compacy Z3 also enjoys PS4 Remote Play support (as does the tablet version). Last is the Xperia E3, a 4.5-inch device with a 5 megapixel camera available in black, copper, lime, and white. (Oh, and there were also wearables, of course.) Press releases for each follows…
In addition to announcing new Xperia smartphones and its new Android-Wear powered SmartWatch wearable, Sony today announced a new 8-inch “Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact”. Sony said it’s the world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet (compact meaning its under 7-inches) with the device coming in at 6.4mm and 270g.
Perhaps the most notable new feature for the device and other smartphones announced by the company today is a new PS4 Remote Play feature that lets the device dock into a PlayStation 4 controller and act as a remote gaming experience for the PS4 console (pictured below with Xperia smartphone):
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