There’s a new PlayStation Vita available in the US today: what you need to know
Look, we’re not gonna review the PlayStation Vita again. Promise. Three times is enough, no? We think so too. But we do want to tell you that the second version of the PlayStation Vita is finally available in North America today — it even comes in a bundle with Borderlands 2 for $200 — and we want you to feel safe and secure in your purchase, should you choose to make one. So, is it worth it? In short: yes, yes it is. It’s thinner; it’s got rounded edges; and Sony’s cut a ton of fat from the price as well. Head below for our full video review of the Japanese model, then jump into the Engadget database for specs, reviews from other publications and to discuss which games you’re most excited about. It’s Luftrausers, right? Come on, admit it.
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Sony
Sony hopes Michael Jackson’s legacy can boost its streaming music service
Sony sure knows how to dangle a carrot in front of its customers. In a not-so-subtle use of music industry clout to drive its technology business, the company is offering access to five of Xscape‘s tunes on its Music Unlimited streaming service days before the album’s official debut (May 13th in the US). Meanwhile, iTunes and other services are getting one early song at best.
Sony is milking the release for all it’s worth on other platforms, too. You can head to the PlayStation Store to check out a behind-the-scenes video, and buying an Xperia Z2 in Canada and other regions will get you a full download of MJ’s album as soon as it’s available. Are all these promotional stunts going to help Sony’s less-than-stellar financials? Probably not all that much, but at least a Music Unlimited trial is free — and if signing up is still too much of a hassle, you can always listen to the first Xscape single below.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Sony
Source: PlayStation Blog
Game values your PS3 and five games at £100 in console upgrade promotion
A long bank holiday weekend is the perfect excuse to spend a little bit more time than you would normally in front of your TV, controller in hand. If the impending opportunity to do just that has you mulling an investment in one of Microsoft or Sony’s newest consoles, then retailer Game is happy to nudge you in that direction with a trade-in promotion that takes at least £100 of the console asking prices. From today (May 2nd) until next Thursday (May 8th), bringing a 250GB or 320GB PS3 slim and five games into a Game store will allow you to leave with a PS4 for £250 (£100 off the regular price). Similarly, you can swap a 250GB Xbox 360 slim, five games and £270 for an Xbox One plus Titanfall (a £110 saving).
As attractive as those discounted prices are, however, we’d have trouble letting go of a console and five games for a fraction of their purchase price. It’s a convenient way of stepping up a generation, sure, but it’s Game who’s getting the better end of the deal. We’re not saying you’ll get massively improved offers for the same gear elsewhere, but is nostalgia worth nothing to you monsters?
Filed under: Gaming, Sony, Microsoft
Via: MCV
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare trailer features futuristic action, Kevin Spacey
With Call of Duty being one of the most successful game franchises out there, you know there’s always going to be a next one. Well, the first trailer for that game has dropped, revealing its full title of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Kevin Spacey. The House of Cards actor appears to be cast in the role of a powerful, politically driven antihero (how original), but what we’re more interested in is the little hints of new and changing gameplay elements. Just as CoD 4: Modern Warfare brought the series out of the WWII era, Advanced Warfare will send us further into the future, as the presence of spider tanks, hover bikes, the ‘copters from Avatar and weaponized exoskeletons suggests. The trailer shows super jumping too many times for it not to be one of the new mechanics, which we assume will be joined by cloaking and a perk that lets you see through walls — it looks something like the Active Radar Pulse from Titanfall in the fleeting clip, if you’ve been playing any of that recently. There’s also soldiers shown scaling walls with special gloves and unravelling a section of plantable cover, but as the whole trailer is shot cut-scene style, there’s no telling what gameplay elements you will actually be able to use, and whether they’ll be single-player or multiplayer only.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is being developed by Activision and Sledgehammer Games, a lesser-known studio that had a hand in creating Modern Warfare 3. This trailer footage comes from an Xbox One, but you can bet Advanced Warfare will also come to the PS4 and PCs, at the very least. With the hype train now rolling, you can bet we’ll be hearing a lot more about the game before its release date of November 4th this year. Trailer below the fold.
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Sony, Microsoft
Source: YouTube
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 isn’t saying much about the significance of the image at this stage. In a statement (available below), it tells us that the device was a “mock-up” that wasn’t supposed to go online, and that it’s still “excited” about the launch of the unlocked model. We certainly wouldn’t bet on the Z2 hitting Verizon any time soon, even if there’s more to the story than what Sony is saying. As Android Central warns, Verizon is no stranger to backing away from devices (such as the HTC Merge) before they ship. It’s entirely possible that this is just a glimpse at a launch that might have been.
“A mock-up image was mistakenly posted to the Sony Mobile Google+ page. The image has since been removed and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. For our U.S. customers eager to find out more information about the availability of Xperia Z2, we are excited to share that the device will be coming to the U.S. unlocked this summer.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony, Verizon
Via: Pocketnow
Source: Android Central
Sony, Samsung will square off with competing 4K-focused Best Buy store-in-store units
If you’ve been in a Best Buy recently you’ve certainly noticed a shift in approach from the big box shop of old to what’s become a store filled with other stores. Depending on the layout, there’s the Apple section, the Microsoft wing, the Samsung nook and most recently a Google endcap, all of which are about to be joined by Sony. Sony’s getting back into retail in a big way after announcing plans to close two thirds of its remaining US stores just a few months ago, with “Sony Experience at Best Buy.” They’re starting with a relatively small rollout at around 350 locations (Samsung launched with 900 or so, Microsoft with 600) in the middle of this month, and like the other arrangements, will cluster Sony’s latest products with staff specifically trained on how they work.
There’s a benefit for both sides, as Best Buy (now pitching itself as the ultimate showroom) can offer a hands-on experience that online retailers can’t, while Sony has a retail presence with less cost and hassle than running its own shops. And you, the customer? If you couldn’t make it to CES, then vegging out in front of the latest 4K TV or playing with a PS4 demo should be even easier — and if they want to bring an Xperia Z2 along we won’t argue.
Update: As if that wasn’t enough, it turns out Best Buy is also working with Samsung on new in-store placements. While Samsung’s current units focus on mobile devices, the new ones rolling out to some 500 or so locations will be all about the manufacturer’s TVs and home theater equipment, with “the largest selection of award-winning Curved UHD TVs.” Your move, LG.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: Sony Blog, Best Buy, Samsung (Businesswire)
Sony offering $350 in goodies for Z1, Z1S, and Z2
Sony on Thursday announced a limited-time promotion for the Z1, Z1S, and Z2 smartphones. Worth up to $350, the devices will be able to download and install a number of applications, six movies, and access a host of services. What’s more, users can download the forthcoming Michael Jackson album, XSCAPE. The deal runs today through July 31; the Xperia Z2 will ship with the pre-loaded content. The Z1 and Z1S can grab the goodies from the Xperia Lounge app.
- Garmin, Full Suite
- OfficeSuite Pro Full version
- Box 50GB for life
- Evernote premium, 3mths
- Bitcasa 1TB storage, 3mths
- 10 Xperia themes
- Social live premium, 1mth*
- Three additional games and apps
The post Sony offering $350 in goodies for Z1, Z1S, and Z2 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
PlayStation 4 indie devs are already using Project Morpheus
Becoming an independent PlayStation 4 developer is easy, Sony’s Adam Boyes tells us: “You just have to sign up.” The PlayStation VP of publisher and developer relations was explaining what the company has done to woo indie devs. Half the job was just making developer programs more accessible. “Before GDC last year we didn’t even have a website where you could go and find out about it, but now we have a very well thought out process.” Boyes says that anyone who qualifies as an independent developer can get a free (loaner) developer kit, too — a similar deal applies to Project Morpheus, too.
“It’s a very similar process,” he told us. “if we’re working with you closely, then the [VR] dev kits are going to come through a loan program.” Even so, PlayStation has to dole out the headsets carefully. There just aren’t that many to go around. “The only real concern is supply,” he explained. “We have to do what makes sense, as far as when we send it to different developers.”
Short supply hasn’t stopped Project Morpheus from getting attention in the indie world. “A lot of them are trying it out and seeing how it works. Getting to know how it runs,” Boyes told us. When asked about the fruits of their labors, he backpedaled, reminding us that Morpheus is just “sort of a tech project” that PlayStation is working on. It’s not a product yet. Lest you forget, Morpheus is still in the prototype phase, and the only release window for a final version is, “not this year.” We expect Sony will stay reserved when it comes to Morpheus claims for some time, until the hardware is in better shape.
Still, Boyes is focused on giving independent developers the tools they need to build new and interesting gaming experiences — VR or otherwise. “Being able to facilitate those great ideas that are kind of… crazy and nuts, that’s what gamers want, right?” Boyes said. “We need to be agile, and allow them to get on the platform so those crazy ideas can come bear.”
Boyes demonstrated that agility in the announcement last evening of another gaggle of indie games headed to PlayStation platforms, many embodying those “crazy ideas” he spoke of during our interview. Joystiq‘s got a rundown of all those titles, including indie hits like Nidhogg and Escape Goat 2, right here.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Wearables, Software, HD, Sony
Sony expects huge loss after bailing on PC business
Here’s a euphemism to start your morning: Sony just issued a news alert, giving investors a heads-up that it’s “revising” its earnings forecast for the 2014 fiscal year, which actually ended back on March 31st. Revising! Here’s what that really means: Sony previously said it would generate 80 billion yen in income for the year. The company is now dialing that estimate down to 26 billion yen — a decrease of 67.5 percent. All told, the company expects to book a net loss of 130 billion yen (final numbers to be announced later this month). Previously, it said it would lose 110 billion. Ouch, Sony.
So what happened? How could Sony’s prediction have been so far off? What happened was a major restructuring in which Sony sold off its PC business. So, not only did Sony have to pay 30 billion yen in fees as it wound down its VAIO division; it also has loads of unsold computers that no one wants (can you blame people?). Here’s how the company put it:
Since Sony’s announcement on February 6, 2014 that it will exit the PC business, PC sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and expected PC sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 are underperforming the February expectation. Consequently, Sony expects to record write-downs for excess components in inventory and accrual of expenses to compensate suppliers for unused components ordered for Sony’s spring PC lineup.
Adding injury to injury, the company also expects to book a roughly 25-billion-yen charge related to its disc business, which apparently isn’t doing as well as expected, especially in Europe. No surprise there: Who buys Blu-ray discs anymore? (Not Europeans, apparently.)
Sony bets on speed with the second edition of its Alpha A77 DSLR
The Alpha portfolio from Sony is pretty well stacked, what with cameras like the newly minted, 4K-ready A7s. To add to that, the Japanese electronics giant today’s announcing the A77 II, a successor to the 24.3-megapixel shooter it revealed back in 2011. Similar to its predecessor, Sony’s A77 II features the same amount of megapixels and Exmor APS-C sensor, but this is now coupled with the Bionz X image chip that’s found on the Alpha A7 and A7R cameras. There’s also an OLED electronic viewfinder, which lets you see the total frame; a 3-inch LCD that can be tilted in three different positions; and NFC, so you can share pictures wirelessly to a smartphone, tablet or VAIO PC.
But the aforementioned specs don’t tell the entire story. Sony wanted the most important improvements over the original Alpha A77 to be all about speed, both in terms of shooting and processing. The A77 II has a brand new focusing system, lead by 79 AF points (compared to 19 on the previous version) with 15 crossing sensors, which allow it to handle a continuous burst of up to 60 full-res photos at a maximum of 12fps — Sony hopes this is more than enough to lure in those of you who like to take a lot of action shots. What’s more, the A77 II brings improvements in the ISO department, going from 16,000 to 25,600 at its highest level, or 52,000 when expanded — if you’re a night owl (or just have a thing for the dark), you’ll no doubt appreciate this.
For Sony, it’s not only about stills, though: the company wants videographers to really consider the A77 II a solid alternative to, say, something like Canon’s Mark III. While there’s nothing surprising about the fact it can shoot 1080p movies at 60 and 24p (AVCHD 2.0), Sony believes the improved AF system inside its A77 II, which offers things like continuous face-detection, is an attribute that makes it standout from the rest of the pack. And, because we know you’re going to ask, there’s no 4K output to be found here.
While Sony may not have taken the biggest leap with the A77 II, there’s no doubt it is still a nice upgrade. But is that plenty for you? It’ll be available in June for $1,200, body-only; a kit with a 16-50mm f/2.8 lens will be sold for $1,800.
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