Live from Sony’s IFA 2014 Xperia event!
If you don’t see this message, that’s probably a good sign — it means that the liveblog is going strong and we’re telling you about the latest Sony products as they’re introduced on stage at IFA 2014. If you do see this message, however, it just means that we haven’t been able to get settled into our seats quite yet, but are busily working toward achieving that goal. Keep refreshing this page (or at least hang onto it as a bookmark if you need to come back to it later) and soon you’ll see exactly what we’re seeing: New phones, tablets, smartwatches and who knows what else.
[Image credit: Ausdroid]
Hey everyone, after a few technical difficulties we’re live at Sony’s IFA press conference.
We expect mobiles, and perhaps more mobiles.
Kaz Hirai is on stage currently, talking about how awesome Sony is.
“We see ourselves as creators.”
He’s saying Sony wants to make your life better with the products they create.
He’s now talking about Sony’s cameras, such as the newish RX100 III.
“These image capture devices offer Sony’s imaging expertise.”
Kaz is now talking about Sony’s broadcast cameras and how they are enabling broadcasters worldwide.
We’re now talking about the Xperia Z2 and Z2 tablet, Sony’s flagship devices.
Oooohhh, he’s teasing the next phone, but more about that later.
He’s now talking about the PlayStation 4′s success.
He wants to bring the PS4 to more gamers, and increase profits of course.
53 miilion people are signed up to the PlayStation Network.
Hirai’s now talking about Sony’s focus on content and experiences.
Looks like we’re done with the business side of things, and might be looking at some new products! Yippee!
Masaru Tamagawa, President of Sony Europe is now on stage.
We spoke too soon, he’s talking growth figures.
Everyone’s making 4K TVs, but Sony’s stand out from the crowd due to their quality.
Sony’s launching a couple of new 4K TVs in Europe.
The S90B-65 and -75. You can probably guess their sizes.
Sony Europe will be launching a campaign later this year to tell you why its 4K TVs are the best.
We’re now listening to a minimalist cover of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and looking at inspiring imagery.
Bubbles bursting in super high-definition.
As much as people like watching things, they like recording things, too (says Tamagawa).
Could we be seeing some new cameras? He’s praising the alpha-7 series now.
The alpha-7 R and S variants are great cameras, we’re told.
The alpha-6000 was a hit as soon after it launched, which Sony followed-up with the alpha-5100.
Sony now has the highest market share in Europe when cameras are concerned.
He’s now talking about the lens cameras you snap onto smartphones.
Two new models!
The QX1 and QX30!
“With the QX1, you can choose your lens.”
The QX30 has a whopping 30x zoom.
Sony’s got a new action cam too, the ActionCam Mini!
He’s talking about our creative possibilities and the opportunity to share using Sony’s camera kit.
Moving swiftly on, we’re onto hi-res audo.
He’s talking about how much more you “feel” through hi-res audio.
Like someone is sining right in front of you. Normal mp3s just aren’t the same.
Sony talking about albums it’s remastered with hi-res audio, and all the artists it’s working with now.
He’s talking about how hi-res audio is becoming more and more accessible.
And Sony hardware that’s compatible.
And it has a new one, the NWZ-A15.
An affordable hi-res walkman, and he’s saying you should probably pair it with some of Sony’s fancy headphones.
Sony has a bunch of hi-res compatible hardware, from the walkman to the headphones to home audio setups.
Now we’re onto smartphones, and a new exec.
Kunimasa Suzuki is now on stage.
He’s talking about how Sony’s smartphones are helping you to express yourself, share, better understand yourself — you get the idea.
“This is our goal at Sony Mobile.”
He’s teasing us with a new smartphone, but leaving us hanging.
“Life is a journey, and the best journeys are filled with stories and memories.”
We’re now talking about smartwear, and Sony’s unique take in lifelogging.
Keeping track of everything. The music you listen to, the places you’ve visited.
Lifelog allows you see your past and inspire your future.
New features and third-party services will increase the utility of lifelog when the API opens up later this year.
And he’s just annouced the SmartBand talk.
Up to three days of battery life, an e-ink display, and embedded microphone and loudspeaker.
Wow, with barely a breath, we’re now seeing the SmartWatch 3.
It’s the first smartwatch designed specifically for Android Wear, apparently.
“Developed in close collaboration with Google.”
He’s now talking about everything you can do with it.
GPS, lifeblog, music on the go.
Two days of battery life, and just like the SmartBand talk, it’s waterproof and responds to voice commands.
Both are arriving this fall. No price to report, unfortunately.
Barbour, Ted Baker and Roxy are making special editions of the original SmartBand.
Coming later this year.
Other wearables will be coming out as we progress through the year.
Smartphones people! Back to smartphones.
“This is… our new flagship, the Z3.”
(We assume that means the Xperia Z3.)
“7.3mm thin, and very light.”
Less than 2mm bezel.
It’ll be available in white, black, and two new colors. A bronzey color, and “silver green.”
“Poor battery life stops you doing what you want to do.”
You can expect up to two days of battery life, apparently.
It’s waterproof, of course.
It has the highest level of waterproofing of any smartphone, we’re told.
He’s now talking about a new display technology.
Smart contrast adjustment for great outdoor viewing.
Now we’re talking about the Z3′s 20.7 MP camera.
25mm wide-angle lens, and 12800 ISO level.
The first time that ISO has been possible in a smartphone.
Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Tablets, Wearables, HD, Mobile, Sony
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