At the beginning of the month, HTML code suggested that the Android N Developer Preview would make its way to non-Nexus devices. Working with Google, today Sony is the first OEM to follow through with a developer preview of Android N for the Xperia Z3.
Early this summer, Sony announced a new Concept for Android software testing scheme in which it invited owners in specific markets, and with specific handsets, to test out new concept software. Seemingly it went well for Sony, as it announced this morning that it’s opening up a similar program for Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Users with the Xperia Z3 or Z3 Compact in a number of countries will be able to apply to join the program. This news comes just a day after the manufacturer released its long list of devices which should receive Marshmallow over the coming months.
Sony has joined the likes of Motorola, HTC and Google in announcing which of its products will (eventually) receive the sought-after update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Sony’s list includes several Xperia devices, old and new, and spans devices back to 2013. So, even if you have a Sony Xperia M5, you’ll be able to get the brand new OS on your device at some point. The Xperia-makers state in their blog post that they’ve “been working hard to bring this major update to as many of our devices as possible, as quickly as we can.”
Sony Mobile has practically made it a tradition to unveil new devices at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and this year should be no different. Sony Xperia Great Britain has tweeted today that eager Sony smartphone fans should get ready for “a smartphone with greater focus,” and that all will become clear on the 2nd of September.
Following a tweet yesterday from Sony Xperia teasing a “new way to capture split-second photos” coming on August 3rd, we have some new images of a purported Android-powered Xperia C5 Ultra and M5 to look at, courtesy of Mail.ru. The original post by Mail.ru was located in the /reviews/ subsection of their site and timestamped for August 3rd, and was taken down shortly after we began reviewing it. It’s possible the posting was under embargo until Sony Xperia’s official announcement.
Since we did manage to see the post before it was pulled, though, we get to look at a couple purported up close images of the devices, including the Xperia C5 Ultra and the Xperia M5. Keep reading for our best attempt at a plain English translation — thanks to the rough Google translate version — of what the article says about the phones…
Sony confirmed in a blog post that its Android 5.1 update for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 device family is rolling out now. Devices including the Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet Compact, Xperia Z2, and Z2 Tablet are part of this current wave of software releases.
As always, if you have a carrier device you may have to wait a few weeks or months for your network operator to give its approval to the software. If you have the unlocked model, however, you could see the update any day now. Be sure to keep checking for updates in your settings menu if you haven’t already received a notification to download the OTA.
Included in the Android 5.1 Lollipop update are the following new features:
Older Xperia products will be getting the update “over the coming weeks”, according to Sony. Devices like the Z1, Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra will be first in line before the T2 Ultra, Xperia C3 and original Xperia Z are updated a little while later.
Sony has invited Xperia Z3 owners in Sweden to test a new Android concept software. The company plans to run the group testing between July 27th and September 13th, but doesn’t reveal any specifics about the particular software, what it’s going to look like or whether or not it’ll eventually become publicly available.
It would seem Sony is working on a fresh, new look for its own bespoke Android UI, and wants to get real-life feedback and usage/crash statistics from real people. Those signing up are warned that the process will require a complete wipe of their phones’ personal settings, data and content. The trial itself is limited. Only Xperia Z3 owners with Windows PCs in Sweden can sign up. No other device will work, and customers from other countries won’t be able to join in either.
“‘Sony’s Android™ concept’ is a new initiative for Sony users that have a passion for innovation and the latest technology. As a Sony user you have the opportunity to trial a new concept Android™ software build for Xperia Z3. The initiative is all about letting you – our users – evaluate the software, so we can acquire feedback to improve the experience based on what you like and what you don’t.”
If you fit all the criteria, you can apply to join the program here.
Update: Burson-Marsteller, the public relations agency of record in North America for Sony’s mobile division, has emailed us to clarify that “the copy displayed on the microsite is not accurate.” They went on to say that no official announcement regarding the launch date has been made, and that they have no information to provide at this time.
The Sony Xperia Z4v, the United States variant of the Xperia Z4, will be launching as an exclusive to Verizon on August 13th. Verizon hasn’t yet made any public announcement but a keen eye at XperiaBlog.net noticed Sony’s Z4v website now has a bold header at the top which says, “Experience the freedom to play August 13.”
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In a blog post this morning, Sony announced that it has partnered with Twitch to let select Xperia smartphones broadcast live gameplay to the popular game broadcasting service. While Twitch has offered Android users the ability to watch live broadcasts for some time, this will be the first time you’ll be able to broadcast your mobile gameplay live to Twitch watchers.
Sony may have already announced the Xperia Z4, but that’s not stopping it from uploading a new video to its YouTube channel showing off last year’s Xperia Z3. I guess technically the Z3 is still the current generation flagship for American buyers (as we have no word yet on an US launch of the Z4), but why does Sony need to tell us about its “premium waterproof design” and its 20.7-megapixel camera at this point?
Almost all of the 2015’s biggest Android flagships have been announced by now, including Samsung’s Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge, the HTC One M9, and most recently, the LG G4. If you’re in the market for a new phone, I would recommend all four of these over Sony’s Xperia Z3. I know it’s just so very tempting to buy the phone after watching the below clip of a man taking pictures of rain falling on him, but I would urge you to resist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUq9-Ln0QwU
Sony has announced that it is now rolling out the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to its 2014 flagship Xperia Z3 smartphone and its Xperia Z3 Compact little brother:
We’re starting our Android 5.0, Lollipop upgrade from today for Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact.
You’ll see the upgrade hit first devices in the Nordics and Baltics, continuing to further markets, for more Xperia Z Series products, starting in around two weeks time* – we’ll share the latest here, as it happens.
After blending Google’s first Lollipop release with our Sony software, some of the goodies include;
- Fresh, streamlined looks – based on Google’s material design, but retaining our minimalistic approach to interface and application design
- New look notifications and lock screen – with fully customizable settings, so you only get the information you really need
- Multi user profiles and guest mode – making it easy for family and friends to use your device, or the creation of dual environments for work and play…
- Android for Work – not only are business-ready Xperia smartphones and tablets unique devices for work – with waterproof form factors, great battery life and productivity features – they will now also be part of the Android for Work ecosystem
- Better storage control and customisation – with the option to easily move applications from internal memory to SD card – giving you more control over your content, particularly useful for devices with slightly less space
More than four months after the initial release of Android Lollipop to Nexus devices, some OEMs are still just now managing to push Lollipop to the masses. It’s no wonder why the Android Lollipop adoption rate is still barely above 3%.
There’s no denying the appeal of the Sony Xperia Z3, however if you’re the type who likes to tinker with your phone, its current lack of root access might be a deal breaker for some folks. If you happen to fall into the aforementioned group of people and you’ve been holding out in hope of a resolution, your ship might soon be coming in thanks to a group of ambitious (and generous) individuals over at the XDA developers forums.
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.”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFxnj2mb2hg]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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.
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…
We’ve previously seen AutoCAD models, but Ausdroid has obtained what it says are two press shots of the Sony Xperia Z3 due to be launched at IFA in Berlin on Thursday. It has also listed specs which tally with those we posted this weekend: a 4.7-inch display 720×1280 display, a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 and 3GB of RAM.
The photos show four colors: black, white, a kind of mint green and a fourth color that looks more like orange in one shot and red in another (below) …
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As we’ve previously reported, Sony will be launching an Android Wear powered SmartWatch 3 and a new SmartBand Talk during IFA 2014 in Berlin. Don’t worry, that’s not all the Japanese company is announcing at the show. We’ve been informed by sources close to the matter that Sony will be launching three new smartphones and a thin waterproof tablet as well. Here’s what you can expect to see at IFA 2014…
A lot changed at Sprint over the past few weeks, a new CEO, new service plans and phones from new hardware partners. It looks like that last item might continue being a trend going forward, as Reuters reports that the SoftBank-owned US wireless carrier is preparing to carry its first smartphone from Sony. The device in question is a “soon-to-be launched Xperia flagship,” which immediately makes us think of the rumored Z3.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kajjMuZx8nY]
It’s no great surprise that Sony is now teasing three new Xperia 3 devices in a short video on its YouTube channel, pointing to their official announcement at the IFA next week …
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