How would you change Sony’s NEX-3N?
Sony’s NEX-C3 is the centerpiece of every Engadget kitbag thanks to its light weight and good performance What then of its 2013 replacement, the NEX-3N? We praised the low price, but the lack of a microphone input or accessory mount meant that it wasn’t going to replace its predecessor in our hearts. Thankfully, fantastic image quality saved Sony’s blushes, but what about all of the shooters out there that wound up buying one? $500 for one of these with a 16-50mm power zoom lens made it a bargain, but was it worth it? Head on down to the forum and share your feelings.
Source: Engadget Product Forums
Is this Xperia Z3′s about screen?
About a week ago we shared alleged images of Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact smartphones. Now we have some software leaks when it comes to Sony’s future flagship phone.
Alleged about screen from Xperia Z3 has leaked (image below). Model mentioned on this screenshot is D6653 which should be the model number for Sony’s upcoming flagship device. We can also see that the device is supposedly going to sport a Snapdragon 801 chip which is in high demand lately and will run on Android 4.4.4 KitKat.
We’ll let you decide if you believe this to be true or not and if we get any more information we’ll make sure to share them. The device is expected to launch in September during IFA, so let’s wait and see what we get.
Source: XperiaBlog
Via: PhoneArena
The post Is this Xperia Z3′s about screen? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Qualcomm briefly takes down Android code for CyanogenMod, Sony and itself
The Android community just got a big (if brief) scare. In the space of a few days, Qualcomm has both made and retracted a Digital Millennium Copyright Act request that took down 116 code repositories (many of them Android-focused) that were allegedly using the chip maker’s confidential technology. As it turns out, quite a few of the targets were legitimate users running the company’s open source software. And you’ll definitely recognize some of the names — the move shut down code bases maintained by the CyanogenMod custom ROM team, Sony and even Qualcomm itself. Suffice it to say that the removal would have created a lot of headaches if you wanted to modify Android for the many, many devices with Snapdragon processors.
As for the cause? Qualcomm isn’t commenting on what led to the slip-up, but it tells Android Police that it will be taking a more cautious approach from now on. In addition to closely reviewing code, it will be “reaching out collaboratively” to find a peaceful solution to any disputes before the legal notices start flying. It won’t be shocking if some of the original request recipients still find themselves in hot water, but Android tinkerers can rest easy for at least a little while.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Via: Android Police
Source: Ausdroid
There can’t be only one: Technology’s singular obsession
Last week, Google announced the aptly named Android One, a plan to unite the myriad budget devices running its mobile operating system. But Sundar Pichai and crew aren’t alone in banking on the singular power of one. No, Google’s One is just one of many in the industry’s recent past. It turns out, everyone wants to be the one.
[Image: Getty]
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Laptops, Science, Internet, Software, Sony, Microsoft, HTC, Google, Acer
The forgotten losers of the console wars
History is written by the victors, but for all those generations of console wars we’ve managed to weather through, what about the other guys? Opening this week, a new games museum in southern Japan houses 56 different consoles of varying fame (or infamy). For every NES / Famicom, there’s curiosities like the huge “Pocket Home PC”, failing on the very definition of its name. Remember the Sega Game 1000? We didn’t, but we should probably cut these (mostly) beige consoles some slack. While most of the devices toured here weren’t a commercial success, each helped gently push gaming towards its current state — if only by firmly demonstrating what we didn’t want. And yeah, we wish the Dreamcast was still around too. Here’s to the games consoles we’ve loved and lost over the last 40 years.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Nokia, Nintendo
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact to have Snapdragon 801, Android 4.4.2
Earlier this week, we allegedly got our first look at the Sony Xperia Z3 and its mini partner in crime, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. To further strengthen the case of the Z3 Compact, DooMLoRD has tweeted what would appear to be the specs for Sony‘s next mini flagship, and it looks like the Z3 Compact is going to continue the example of its predecessor, the Z1 Compact, in retaining flagship level performance in a smaller device.
The specs indicate a very impressive 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801, 2GB RAM, with a 4.5-inch display, a tad bigger than last year’s offering. Sony appears to also be keeping the 20.7MP rear camera on the Z3 Compact, which will be paired with a 2.1MP front camera. DooMLoRD is a name that seems to come up a lot in regards to Sony rumours, and he often tends to be right, so we’d err on the side of being genuinely excited. And if these specs are indeed true, then the Z3 Compact will again be the undisputed king of mini devices. No word on when we would actually see the Z3 Compact, but we would suspect it would be in and around the time that the Xperia Z3 will be announced, which is expected to be around September.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact? Will you consider one if these specs are true? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Source: Twitter via Phone Arena
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Sony recruits sheep to film the Tour de France
When watching a gang cyclists chase someone in a yellow jersey (aka, the Tour de France) we’re used to seeing the action from bike- or car-mounted cameras. But we’ve all come away disappointed, never truly knowing the tournament from the ovine point of view (some say, the only point of view for cycling). To tackle this, Sony has kitted out a flock of five from Harewell Hall, Harrogate with Action Cams so they can grab grass-roots scenes of the race. The publicity stunt might not result in world-class footage, but it does mean we get to tick “gallery of camera-wearing sheep” off the Engadget bucket list.
Filed under: Wearables
The PS4’s gamepad now works wirelessly with your PS3
If you’ve wanted to use the PlayStation 4′s (arguably superior) DualShock 4 controller with a PS3, you’ve so far had to plug it in; that’s not easy if your couch and TV are at opposite ends of the living room. It’s a good thing, then, that Sony has quietly enabled wireless support for the newer DualShock through its latest PS3 firmware update. It’s still treated as a generic controller without motion or vibration, and game compatibility is somewhat spotty, but it’s now relatively safe to ditch the USB cable while playing. You can check out Reddit’s instructions for pairing the gamepad with your PS3 at the source link, and here’s hoping that it eventually gets first-class treatment.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Sony
Source: Reddit
First alleged sighting of the Sony Xperia Z3 and its mini counterpart show more of the Same
Earlier this year, Kurozumi Yoshiro, Creative Director at Sony Mobile, confirmed that Sony would be bringing out a second flagship in the second half 2014. So far, we have heard neither hide nor hair of the alleged device except for a rumour that allegedly says that the device will be released in September, likely at IFA 2014. That is, until today, where a pair of pictures have leaked out allegedly showing that follow-up flagship, presumably called the Sony Xperia Z3 and a smaller phone next to it, said to be the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.
Previous rumours have said that the Sony Xperia Z3 would have a different design to previous Xperia models, however if this is truly the Xperia Z3, the designs of old definitely still seem to be here. The device next to the Xperia Z3 is also of interest seeing as we are yet to get an Xperia Z2 Compact, however with each passing week, it seems increasingly likely that Sony is simply skipping the Z2 Compact in favour of the Z3 Compact. Whatever is eventually released, we hope Sony continues to break the standard ‘mini’ trend by releasing a small phone with flagship performance.
What do you think about this Sony Xperia Z3 leak? Are you thinking of getting Sony’s next flagship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Source: Digi-wo via Xperia Blog
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VAIO launches its first laptops without Sony and they’re very, very familiar
VAIO’s back. It’s no longer Sony’s PC business, but it’s own independent beast. Teasing its relaunch online, the company says that it’s free and that things are going to change. The Japanese blurb says that’s largely due to the fact that it’s now a “small” PC maker — and it’s the same message the new company is trying to deliver at its launch event today in Tokyo. Unfortunately, its debut range are more than a little familiar, being identical to the Pro and Fit models its parent company launched almost exactly one year ago.
We’re not going to complain too much about either (both were strong laptops from Sony, and the 11-inch VAIO Pro was downright good-looking) but we’re still hoping VAIO will pull something else out of the bag as this press event progresses. To the new CEO’s credit, Takayuki Sekitori admitted that the two initial models were very well received — and that was part of the point. The company says that its work will center “choices” and “focus” — it’s only making PCs now and it vows to maintain that VAIO DNA and attention to detail to whatever it’s got planned next. Minus that old Sony branding, both ranges go on sale today in Japan. Once we here more on its overseas plans, we’ll update this post.
AIVAnet 