Unknown Sony phone pops up in photos, suggests new Z1 variant could land at MWC
Sony is doing a pretty job keeping itself in our line of sight right now. Not only did it out two (or almost two) new handsets at CES (the Z1 Compact, and a T-mo only Z1S), it also released a brace of mid-rangers a few days later. Today is all about the mystery handset you see in the picture above. A user on XDA claims the handset shows the model number Xperia D6503, and is potentially another Z1 variant. All we know from the image is that the mic grille is now three holes (not a mesh), and the lanyard hole is in a different location. Judging by the crash report on screen, there’s some unstable software running, so if it’s not a prototype Z1, then it’s still almost certainly a pre-production model. XDA user iRimas claims the device has the familiar metal body, but that the thinner bezel houses a screen nearer to 5.2-inches. So, MWC is just around the corner, and Sony likely doesn’t want to turn up without something new to show, but whether it’s a Z1 “L”-type deal or the fabled/logical Z2/Sirius (or just a prototype) remains to be seen.
[Thanks, ET]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Source: XDA Developers
[LEAK] Sony D6503 candid photos leak out, show a slightly modified Xperia Z1
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Sony said they were going to try and keep a lid on their future products as a result of what happened to the Xperia Z1. That ordeal could only be described as the worst kept secret in smartphone history and we knew exactly what to expect when it was released. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Sony‘s preventative methods are working terrible well as a set of detailed leaked photos featuring a so-called Sony D6503 have been circulating the internet.
The photos show a prototype that looks eerily like the Z1 except for some key differences including slightly narrower side bezels, suggesting a slightly larger screen, and a 3-hole speaker as opposed to the Z1′s mesh overlay. Some other minor placement changes are present too, but in general, the majority of the Z1′s physical features remain. Whether this Sony D6503 is the Z1 refresh we have been hearing about or the Z2 that Sony is reportedly unveiling at MWC next month remains to be seen, but it seems inevitable that we’ll be finding out more about this phone through leaks in the near future.
Would you be interested in a phone like this Sony D6503? For those who wanted a Z1 but were still on the fence, this might just be what the doctor ordered. Let us know what you think.
Source: XDA via Xperia Blog
Gran Turismo documentary ‘Kaz’ premieres on Hulu January 22nd
If you were wondering exactly when and where you’d be able to watch the Gran Turismo documentary, we have the answer. On January 22nd, Kaz: Pushing the Virtual Divide will make its way into your home via Hulu streaming. PlayStation is hosting a round-table discussion with the filmmakers and Kazunori Yamauchi himself via its Twitch.tv channel that day, too. Need an incentive to tune in? Well, during the broadcast, you’ll have a chance at winning $1,000,000 — in Gran Turismo 6 bucks, of course. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need some time to ponder why Sony didn’t debut the film on its own streaming video service.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: PS Blog
Sony Xperia Z2 (Sirius) to make Mobile World Congress Appearance
As the news from CES 2014 starts to slowly die down, we start looking to what manufacturers will be showing the world at Mobile World Congress. Sony will be among the many OEMs that will be in attendance at the mobile focused conference in February and we all expect another round of announcements from them/ Seem that a reliable source for AndroidSAS has clued them in to something that we can all expect to see and hear about shortly. The new Sony Xperia Z2, codenamed Sirius, is said to be making its way to public viewing next month.
The supposedly confirmed specs land the Xperia Z2 with a 5.2-inch display at a resolution of 2560 x 1440. It will pull in the 20.7 MP camera that is currently found in the stateside Xperia Z1s with T-Mobile. Of course it will feature the same water resistant component that many of us have come to love. It is also said that it will sport a 3700 mAh battery, which is fantastic really, right along with the Mobile Bravia Engine 3 with modified X-Reality. We fully expect it look relatively similar to Xperia Z1, but a bit larger with more power and a much better screen.
While this information is said to be “confirmed” by a “very reliable source”, that source isn’t one of ours. The information does seem to match up with other Xperia Z2 leaks and it may very well be right on point. As with all things of this nature, we won’t get too excited until Sony actually makes the announcement. However, if the small bit of information that is listed is true and it makes its way to T-Mobile, I will be all over it.
Source: AndroidSAS
Image is of the Xperia Z1 Honami
Sony patent filing would let you reshape your PlayStation Move controller
Typically, motion controllers aren’t very good at adapting to different gameplay situations — not unless you’re willing to slap on a cheap plastic shell, anyway. Sony may improve that state of affairs in the future, though, as it recently filed for a patent on a modular PlayStation Move controller. The concept lets gamers attach parts to the Move that change not just how it feels, but how it behaves in-game. A set of “limbs” would turn it into a humanoid, for example, while a rotating part could switch between a gun and a sword. It’s an intriguing idea, although we wouldn’t count on seeing it any time soon. A modular system would likely raise the price of a future Move controller, and Sony has lately focused more on the DualShock 4′s Move-like features than dedicated peripherals.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Sony
Via: Push Square
Source: USPTO
The Engadget Show 49: CES 2014 wrapup
Grab a wearable, switch on the ‘ole curved TV and fire up your favorite 3D printer. We came, we saw, we conquered and now we’re ready to distill it all for you in the form of some high-quality video content. We’re not going to suggest that it’ll replace the seemingly endless stream of posts we’ve churned out over the past week or so, but if you’ve got a cocktail party full of guests you need to impress tonight, it’ll help you drop some serious CES 2014 tech news knowledge on their collective heads.
We’ve pulled together some top editors to offer up an abbreviated view of tech’s biggest show of the year, charting trends in old standby categories like HDTV, mobile, tablets and cars, to emerging spaces set to define the changing face of the show for years to come. Oh, and we’ve also tossed in some fun video of the show’s gadgets, because, well, it wouldn’t be much of an Engadget Show without that sort of thing, now would it? Toss in a bit of video of your long-time host getting a bit welled up the end, and you’ve got yourself a little thing we like to call The Engadget Show 49.
‘Til we meet again, Engadgeteers.
Filed under: Announcements, Cellphones, Desktops, Cameras, Displays, Misc, Gaming, GPS, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Household, Laptops, Meta, Peripherals, Podcasts, Portable Audio/Video, Robots, Tablets, Transportation, Wearables, Wireless, Storage, Networking, Science, Internet, Software, HD, Mobile, Alt, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, ASUS, Google, Amazon, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, LG, AMD, Intel, Blackberry, T-Mobile, HP, Dell, Acer, NVIDIA, Nikon, Canon, Facebook, Nintendo
Microsoft: Xbox One is #1 in the US for December with 908,000 consoles sold
Microsoft and Sony already went head to head with worldwide sales numbers for 2013 and while the PS4 rode is out front there (4.2 million to 3 million), the Xbox One apparently sold more systems in the US last month. December figures from the NPD group arrived today, and Microsoft is touting 908,000 sales for the XB1 that put it atop the next-gen videogame systems, and 643,000 for the Xbox 360. That puts it third overall on the home hardware list and first for its generation of hardware. Per Joystiq, Sony’s response to the data is that the PS4 remains “cumulative leader for next-gen sales” since its launch November 15th, a week ahead of the Xbox One.
Nintendo hasn’t released specific data yet, but the 3DS was the highest selling console overall for both the month of December and all of 2013, and Liam Callahan of the NPD said the Wii U enjoyed its “highest month for unit sales.” The NPD’s release has more details about software, where GTA V took the crown overall for 2013, ahead of Call of Duty Ghosts, Madden NFL 25 and Battlefield 4. Microsoft is also pointing to those numbers, saying the Xbox One took six of the top 10 spots for next-gen game sales, and total software sales of 4.8 million to PS4′s 4.2 million. Now that fans have plenty of sales numbers to represent why their chosen next-gen game system is the best, the rest of us can get to the exciting business of waiting for the first round of major software updates.
NPD: Xbox One and Xbox 360 were the top selling consoles for each generation in the US in December. 908k (Xbox One) and 643k (Xbox 360)
– Larry Hryb (@majornelson) January 16, 2014
Some good #NPD SW facts: #XboxOne YTD 2013: 4.8M retail games vs. 4.2M for PS4. COD & BF4 both sold better on #XboxOne.
– Aaron Greenberg (@aarongreenberg) January 17, 2014
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo
Source: Xbox News Wire, Joystiq
HBO Go is coming… to PS3 and PS4
HBO Go is en route to PlayStation. While there isn’t a release window for the premium service’s streaming app, Sony’s VP of business development assures it’ll be “soon” for the PS3, with the PS4 version to follow. However, we do know that as with other streaming services on the platforms (including Amazon Instant Video and Netflix), the app’s functionality won’t be locked behind a paywall, like it is on Sony’s biggest console rival.
PS3 getting its very own @HBOGO app, with a PS4 app to follow: http://t.co/L82wJr8eyb Time to catch up on Game of Thrones!
– PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 17, 2014
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: PS Blog
Sony hopes to push Android 4.3 to Xperia T, TX, V, SP later this month
Sony is fast at work on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for their Xperia T, TX, V, and SP smartphones. According to a recent tweet, the handset maker plans to have the software push out beginning later this month and into February. Keep in mind that is will be for the unlocked international models and timing will vary depending on carriers and markets. Seeing as how don’t have any of these offered in the U.S. with a wireless provider, the time frame is up in the air for the models you might pick up through channels such as Amazon.
We hear you re: JB 4.3 for #Xperia T, TX, V, SP – we’re making final preps & will start rolling from end Jan / early Feb
— Sony Xperia News (@SonyMobileNews) January 16, 2014
The post Sony hopes to push Android 4.3 to Xperia T, TX, V, SP later this month appeared first on AndroidGuys.
One of gaming’s most-used engines arrives today on PlayStation Vita
With PlayStation Vita getting Unity game engine support in today’s update, one of gaming’s most widely used game engines is heading to Sony’s latest handheld. And that means it’s all the easier for the dozens of great Unity engine games to head to the Vita as well, to say nothing of future developments. It also means that, when games are ported, they’ll have access to the full suite of PlayStation Network features (matchmaking, trophies, etc.); previously, many developers took the PS Mobile publishing route, leaving out rich features many other Vita games enjoyed.
As content is the lifeblood of any game console, we’re thrilled to see what today’s update means for 2014 with PlayStation Vita. Unity’s also promising PlayStation 4 support in the near future, which hopefully means that applicable Unity engine games will also have crossbuy support. We can dream, can’t we?
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Mobile, Sony
Source: Unity
AIVAnet 