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Posts tagged ‘Sony’

25
Jul

Sony to release new phone with the next James Bond movie?


james bondA leaked promo picture has surfaced that suggest Sony will release it’s next big smartphone along side the new James Bond movie, SPECTRE, when it’s released on November 2015.

The picture reads “Made for Bond” with “XPERIA 5″ underneath. In front of the “5” there is a blurred out letter or number. We would assume it will say “Z” for the “Z5″, but it could also be a new letter for a new line of Sony phones.

Xperia-Z5-Made-for-BondThe pictures came from Digi-wo who have had many other big Xperia leaks. At the same time the picture could of been made by anyone. All we know is Sony has been trying very hard to get their next Xperia phone into the movie.

Source: Digi-wo
Via: Xperiablog

Come comment on this article: Sony to release new phone with the next James Bond movie?

25
Jul

Sony Xperia Z5 release could coincide with new Bond movie, Spectre






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Unless you watched the last few Bond movies with your eyes closed, you will likely know that Sony has its tendrils deep in the movie – not only financially, but with not-quite-subtle product placement. The latest rumour surrounding Sony and the latest Bond movie, Spectre, is that there is a Sony device that is referred to as “made for Bond”, which is emblazoned on some promo images accompanied by the name “Xperia” and the number “5”. Seeing as Sony’s latest flagship was the Sony Xperia Z4, we can only assume this means the Sony Xperia Z5 release is somehow tied to the release of Spectre.

Sony Xperia Z5 releaseOf course, be sure to take this news with a grain of salt – since the letter next to the “5” is blurred out, we don’t really know if it’s the Xperia Z5 that this promo is referring to, though it would seem a waste to have a lower tier device “made for Bond”. Spectre opens in theatres on November 6th, so presumably we’ll be seeing some movement from Sony in the weeks leading up to that – no doubt we’ll be seeing a few leaks too.


What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z5 being “made for Bond”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Digi-wo via Phone Arena

The post Sony Xperia Z5 release could coincide with new Bond movie, Spectre appeared first on AndroidSPIN.

24
Jul

‘Pixels’ is somehow even worse than I thought it could be


When the first trailer for Pixels hit I was worried that the movie was going to be a “steaming pile of cinematic garbage.” Now that I’ve actually seen the Adam Sandler and Kevin James vehicle, I can say that was still far too generous a prediction; it’s actually much, much worse. Pixels‘ real villains aren’t the admittedly gorgeous renderings of giant-sized Pac-Man and Donkey Kong hell-bent on destroying Earth — they’re the toxic tropes that Hollywood keeps perpetuating.

The number of negative stereotypes Sandler and his cronies fit into the movie’s 105-minute runtime would be impressive if they weren’t so damaging. First up we have Sandler’s character Sam Brenner. He’s a self-described “loser who’s just good at old video games” — who works as an A/V installer after being beaten at the 1982 Worldwide Video Arcade Championships as a kid. Then there’s the grandma’s-basement-dwelling, socially awkward man-child, Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad). Oh, and Peter Dinklage’s Eddie Plant rocks a mullet, talks like the Kool-Aid Man (“Oh yeah!”) and asks for a threesome with Martha Stewart and Serena Williams in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom in exchange for helping save the world.

If none of that sounds bad enough, rest assured that it gets worse. One lazy joke involves the president of the United States (Kevin James) visiting the United Kingdom’s prime minister and not being able to decipher her Britishisms. They’re English words, but they aren’t! Ignorance is funny! Get it?! At almost every turn, women are condescended to or ignored, especially Michelle Monaghan’s DARPA scientist Violet van Patten. What do they know about end-of-the-world scenarios or classic arcade games anyway, am I right, boys?

And despite Brenner treating van Patten like crap for half the movie because she rebuffed him when he tried taking advantage of her vulnerability, she falls for him at the end anyway. See, even if you totally insult a lady repeatedly, it doesn’t matter so long as you’re good at video games. Brenner also twice reminds us that he’s an amazing kisser (as all nerds are) because he appreciates it more. Sure.

This is an Adam Sandler movie so of course not even Q-bert is safe from being reduced to the butt of an excrement joke.

Oh, and how do we know that Ludlow really plays video games? He’s a chubby virgin who’s lusting after a pixel vixen, wears a T-shirt with an 8-bit Mario on it, spends time on 4chan and spouts crackpot conspiracy theories at every turn. He also takes a lot of pleasure slapping troops on the ass and calling them “little girl maggots” at one point.

Amid the insipid dialog and boring action sequences — a real-life game of Centipede set unironically to “Workin’ for the Weekend” is an early offender — there’s a lone bright spot. It’s roughly three feet tall, stands on two legs, is orange and has a trumpet’s bell for a mouth. Of course, I’m talking about Q-bert. For every game that the humans beat the aliens at, they get a trophy. One is the dog from Duck Hunt; the other is our orange pal.

Q-bert is adorable. When Brenner takes some downtime between missions and checks out The Last of Us: Remastered, he’s shocked by how violent it is. The camera cuts to Q-bert trembling and distressed watching the Sony TV screen (it’s a Sony movie, hence the free product placement). It’s okay, though, because a few minutes later the creature’s bouncing and laughing on a trampoline. In another scene, it’s wearing a tuxedo and ohmygosh it’s the cutest thing ever.

The humans and Q-bert, moments before the alien soils itself.

But this is an Adam Sandler movie so of course not even Q-bert is safe from being reduced to the butt of an excrement joke. And just when I thought the filmmakers couldn’t degrade the little bugger any further, ‘Bert sacrifices itself to become a trophy of a different kind. When the humans defeat the aliens once and for all (spoiler alert), the pixelated Paperboy, Frogger and other attackers wreaking havoc on the streets of Washington, DC, start disappearing. Even the buxom blonde — the one Ludlow has a multi-decade crush on; who inexplicably turns from pixel to flesh mid-battle and starts fighting alongside the humans — fades away.

A tearful Ludlow asks why Q-bert gets to stay and not Lady Lisa. “Q-bert is a trophy,” van Patten says. “We get to keep trophies.” That’s when the little orange alien turns itself into the platinum-coiffed object of Ludlow’s affection. His dream girl is now a trophy he owns forever. Seriously. The prologue is a shot of a crib full of little Q-berts. I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried.

Pixels is in an abusive relationship with its audience from the word “go.”

And that’s the problem here: Pixels is in an abusive relationship with its audience from the word “go.” There are jokes made at the expense of modern games in an effort to win over the fans who grew up in the arcades. At the same time, classic songs familiar with that same group, like Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” are destroyed so Ludlow’s character can sing a horrific karaoke set that ends with him drunkenly humping the floor and crying. Practically every negative stereotype about video-game fans is repeated ad nauseam for more than 90 minutes.

Unlike Disney’s cute Wreck-It Ralph, Pixels isn’t using nostalgia in an attempt to charm its audience and tell a heartwarming story. No, Pixels is holding a distorted mirror up to the crowd and laughing at them instead of with them. This is what Hollywood thinks geeks are.

Filed under: Misc, Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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24
Jul

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet review


Buy now on Amazon

Editor's Choice Update 2015While there are quite a few good Android tablets around, many of them lean towards the budget-friendly, and therefore, mid-range side of things. As good as some of these devices may be, it’s been some time since we’ve gotten our hands on a truly compelling Android tablet. Sony is attempting to change all that with their latest high-end tablet offering, the Xperia Z4 Tablet. This device certainly seems to check all the right boxes on paper, but does it manage to meet, or even go beyond, our expectations? We find out, in this comprehensive Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet review!

Design

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One of the highlights of the high-end Sony tablet line has always been how sleek and light these devices are, and that is something that continues with the latest addition to the series. With a thickness of just 6.1 mm and weighing 393 grams, the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is an absolute pleasure to hold, and you almost forget that this is actually a rather large device. While featuring a plastic construction, the build quality certainly doesn’t feel cheap, and the textured matte finish of the back panel allows for plenty of grip as well.

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The rectangular shape, silver trim, and somewhat angular design, with signature elements like the large silver power button, are all very true to Sony, but its overall simplicity can understandably be mistaken as being bland, rather than elegant. The bezels up front may also not be the most aesthetically pleasing design element, giving the tablet the look of a picture frame when looking at it head on. It does serve a purpose functionally though, as the large bezels make for great resting points for your thumbs when holding on to the device.

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When holding the device in the landscape orientation, the power button and volume rocker are found on the left side within easy reach. This placement that makes complete sense, given that a large tablet such as this is primary designed for use in this manner, and it is actually quite surprising that not a lot of tablet manufacturers do this when it comes to their large tablet offerings.

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The remaining ports are in their typical positions, with the microUSB port on the right, the headphone jack up top, next to a large plastic flap that covers the microSD card slot and the SIM card slot, of course, with the latter available with the 4G LTE-enabled version of the device. Up front are the usual sensors, a front-facing camera, and a multi-colored notification LED, but of note is the dual front-facing speaker setup, denoted by tiny slits that are very inconspicuous to maintain the simplistic elegance of the Xperia Z4 Tablet.

Display

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The display of the Xperia Z4 Tablet is one of the main attractions of the device, with the 10.1-inch IPS LCD screen (2560 x 1600 and a pixel density of 299 ppi) being an extremely sharp display that provides everything you’d expect from a device of this caliber. The display is bright, vivid, with great viewing angles, and good color saturation, allowing for a fantastic experience regardless of what you are using the display for, be it web browsing, reading, keeping up with social networks, gaming, or watching videos.

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Given that this is a Sony device, you can also take advantage of Sony’s X-Reality engine for clearer, sharper, and more natural images, and there is also a Vivid mode that really increases the saturation for a more vibrant image with photos and video. More granular controls are also available, allowing users to make adjustments to the white balance, but it has to be mentioned that the default white balance and color temperature are already quite accurate, so you likely won’t have to make a lot of changes in this regard.

Performance

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Under the hood, the Xperia Z4 Tablet packs an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, clocked at 2 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. This processing package, despite some well-documented issues, is still one of the best out there, and that is easily seen when it comes to the performance of this tablet. The overall experience has been very fluid, with hardly any instances of lag or stutters. Opening, closing, and switching apps, multi-tasking, and navigating around the various elements of the UI have all been extremely smooth, and gaming on the Xperia Z4 Tablet is of no concern either.

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Of course, the big question that will be on everyone’s mind is with regards to the known overheating issues that come up with the Snapdragon 810, but fortunately, this problem hasn’t come up with this device thus far. Given that tasks that usually generate a lot of heat, such as gaming and watching videos for a while, is what this tablet was primarily used for, the Xperia Z4 Tablet has done surprisingly well with keeping its cool.

Hardware

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The Sony Xperia Z4 comes with 32 GB of on-board storage, which is further expandable via microSD card by up to 128 GB, and comes with a standard suite of connectivity options, including the availability of a 4G LTE-enabled version. Everything is kept protected from the elements as well, courtesy of its IP68 rating from dust and water resistance, which means that the device can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes without a negative impact on performance and usability.

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There is also a big emphasis on audio with the Xperia Z4 Tablet, with device featuring built-in Hi-Res audio support for reduced distortion digital noise cancelling technology, that is capable of reducing exterior noise by up to 98%, when paired with DNC headphones. The Xperia Z4 Tablet can also optimize audio specifically for your ears, no matter what pair of headphones or earbuds you use, and all of this does make for a fantastic audio experience. The audio enhancements are applied automatically, but you do have the option to play around with the manual equalizer controls and surround sound effects to cater the listening experience exactly to your liking.

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-15

The great audio features continue with the dual front-facing speakers that the Xperia Z4 Tablet rocks. While you aren’t able to take advantage of any of Sony’s audio enhancements through these speakers, the quality even without it is still quite good, and significantly adds to the media-consumption experience. The speakers get loud, and everything remains crisp and clear throughout, with no signs of distortion even at the highest volume. This is easily one of the best speaker setups you can get a tablet right now, and this is one aspect where Sony, with its Xperia Z4 Tablet, is far ahead of the competition.

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The Xperia Z4 Tablet features a large 6,000 mAh battery that has allowed for some quite impressive battery life. Using the tablet primarily for playing games and watching videos, the tablet still managed up to 6 hours of screen-on time in the 24 or 30 hours since being taken off the charger. The usage is significantly heavy in this case of course, and more casual use will provide a drastic increase in these numbers, so battery life is another area which should be of no concern to users.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet-10

Cameras have historically never been a standout feature of a tablet, and have always sort of felt like an afterthought, especially when compared to the cameras available with smartphones. The Xperia Z4 Tablet doesn’t do much to change the status quo, but does pack a decent camera package, with its 8 MP rear camera, and a 5 MP front-facing shooter.

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The camera software is as you would expect from Sony, with its minimalist and user-friendly interface. Apart from standard modes like Superior Auto and Manual, there is also a bunch of novelty shooting modes included, like face in picture, sweep panorama, multi-camera, and AR effect. The usefulness of some of these modes is questionable, but they can be a lot of fun if you do choose to use them.

The picture quality, however, is exactly what you would expect from a tablet camera. Some decent shots are possible, and this camera should do fine in a pinch, but you’re in for some disappointment if you’re hoping to be able to replace your primary mobile photography device, be it a point and shoot camera or your smartphone. Lighting conditions play a big role in this case, with the best shots possible in well-lit environments, and with the level noise and loss of detail increasing as the lighting situation worsens.

Software

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On the software side of things, the Xperia Z4 Tablet is running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with Sony’s Xperia UI on top, which remains one of the best Android skins out there. While there are some noticeable differences from stock Android, such as the color scheme and the customizable application drawer, a lot of Material Design elements are intact, and together makes for a smooth and snappy software experience.

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Many of Sony’s staple software add-ons are available here as well, such as Small Apps that allows for easier multi-tasking, and is a lot more useful on the large screen of a tablet with the additional real estate available, rather than on a much smaller smartphone. The Lifelog application is also included, which is great not only for tracking your fitness data, but also your general overall lifestyle, to see how much time you’ve dedicated to certain activities, like sleeping or listening to music, throughout your daily routine.

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Like many other Sony mobile product, the Xperia Z4 Tablet also comes with PlayStation integration, allowing users to remotely play PS4 games directly on the tablet. This is definitely a huge selling point for PS4 owners, and is something that is very unique to Sony, which gives this device a huge leg up in the gaming department when compared to other tablets.

Specifications

Display 10.1-inch IPS LCD display
2560 x 1600 resolution, 299 ppi
Processor 2 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Adreno 430 GPU
RAM 3 GB
Storage 32 GB, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB
Camera 8 MP rear camera
5 MP front-facing camera
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
GPS + GLONASS
NFC
FM Radio
microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3.0 TV output)
Battery 6,000 mAh
Software Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
Dimensions 254 x 167 x 6.1 mm
389 grams (Wi-Fi only)
393 grams (LTE)
Colors Black, White

Gallery

Pricing and Final Thoughts

The official availability of the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet in the US is yet to be announced, but the device is available via Amazon, with the price points currently at $699 for the Wi-Fi-only version, $729 for the 4G LTE version, along with another option that comes with an included Bluetooth keyboard, priced at $759, but keep in mind that these prices do tend to fluctuate.

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Editor's Choice Update 2015So there you have it for this in-depth look at the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet! Sony manages to once again tick off all the important boxes, with the device featuring a large beautiful display, thin and light design, fast performance, excellent software experience, Hi-Res audio, and PlayStation integration. Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect product, but Sony does come close with the Xperia Z4 Tablet. As mentioned, it has been a while since we’ve seen a truly compelling Android tablet in the market, but this device manages to go even beyond our expectations, which is very exciting. Granted, the price is towards the higher-end of the spectrum, but the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is certainly worth it.

Buy now on Amazon

23
Jul

Defective Sony stereo is a fire hazard that drives your dog nuts


The Sony CMT-SX7 HiFi was supposed to be a compact, high-end sound system with multi-room capabilities and a full suite of wireless streaming standards (including AirPlay and Google Cast). Instead, it’s a recalled safety hazard that doesn’t play music right, makes your dog bark and threatens to catch on fire. Sony has issued an impassioned plea to stop using the stereo immediately. You probably don’t have one (it’s brand-new, and only available in Japan right now), but if you do, you should listen.

According to the company’s official (and machine translated) statement, the CMT-SX7 has a tendency to put out very loud high-frequency signals while playing music–it’s inaudible to the human ear, but it’ll drive your pets crazy. It’s a possible fire hazard, too: Sony says the setup’s tweeters can become hot enough to smoke and break. The company asks users to stop using the unit and to unplug it from the wall, just to be safe.

Sony is still working out how to handle recalls and repairs, but promises to post an update for owners sometime in the next two weeks. Bookmark the source link below to keep tabs on the situation.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Sony

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Source: Sony

23
Jul

‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ hits PlayStation 4 and PC in 2016


When Square Enix announced Rise of the Tomb Raider at Gamescom last year, it dropped a bomb: The game would be exclusive to Xbox platforms, meaning PlayStation 4 and PC players wouldn’t get to touch it. At least, not for a certain amount of time. Square Enix today confirmed that Rise of the Tomb Raider will indeed hit PC and PS4 after a period of Xbox exclusivity: It will launch on Windows 10 and Steam in early 2016, and PS4 in late 2016. Rise of the Tomb Raider is slated to hit Xbox One and Xbox 360 this year on November 10th.

“The game will be a console exclusive to Xbox One and Xbox 360 for one year after its initial launch, coming to PlayStation 4 (PS4) in Holiday 2016,” Square Enix says. “Renowned developer Crystal Dynamics, a Square Enix studio, is leading development in the latest entry in the iconic series for additional platforms.”

After the announcement of Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s Xbox exclusivity, a vocal set of fans took to the internet to express distaste at the decision. For months after the game’s reveal, Microsoft and Square Enix had to clarify the definition of an “exclusive,” eventually noting that the companies’ partnership had “a duration,” giving a sliver of hope to Sony and PC fans everywhere. Turns out, “a duration” translates to “about a year.”

Filed under: Gaming, HD

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Source: Square Enix

23
Jul

[Deal] Sony’s SmartWatch 3 drops under $150 on Amazon


sony_smartwatch_3_amazon_072315_discount

Smartwatches that launched last year to assist with Android Wear’s debut are starting to drop in price. For example, the Google Store has the Moto 360 for $149 and the ZenWatch for $129, a considerable savings compared to when they launched. And right now, the Sony Smartwatch 3 will only cost you $147. That is, if you want it in white. The smartwatch also comes in black and lime green color options that will command more money. The black model will set you back $170 and lime green costs $159. These prices are down from the original $299.

If you’re looking for an Android Wear smartwatch that has built-in GPS and can be exposed to dust and water, you might want to take advantage of this deal.

[Amazon]

Come comment on this article: [Deal] Sony’s SmartWatch 3 drops under $150 on Amazon

23
Jul

Sky UK and major US movie studios hit by EU antitrust probe


There’s nothing the European Commission likes more than a good ol’ antitrust case, and today it’s set its sights on Sky UK and six of the broadcaster’s US film studio partners: Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. In a “Statement of Objections” sent to the parties, the commission has formally accused Sky and the studios of engaging in anti-competitive behavior, by drawing up contracts that prevent Europeans from accessing Sky’s pay-TV services outside of the UK and Ireland. While it’s implied Sky is partly to blame, the commission’s main issue with the agreements is they stop Sky from coming to its own decision on whether to offer pay-TV access in other EU countries.

The commission argues certain contact clauses give Sky “absolute territorial exclusivity” to the studios’ content, which stifles cross-border competition. Sky UK isn’t the only European broadcaster implicated in anti-competitive behavior, though. The commission first started investigating studio agreements at the beginning of last year, and preliminary assessments of Canal Plus in France, DTS in Spain, Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland are ongoing. You’d think regional licensing agreements are just the way content deals get done. But, in the commission’s eyes, any contract that facilitates this level of territorial exclusivity is tantamount to geo-blocking. The commission wants to put an end these kind of regional restrictions by 2017 under its “Digital Single Market” strategy, which in part aims to “modernise EU copyright rules” so European broadcasters can compete on a continent-wide scale.

Taking this into account, the antitrust investigation may be a little pre-emptive, with the commission itself even noting that should Sky be free to offers its pay-TV services elsewhere, it would have to do so while abiding with “relevant national copyright laws.” While the Statement of Objections issued today is a formal accusation, it’s merely preamble. Sky and the studios now have the opportunity to defend themselves, and the outcome of that dialogue will determine whether the commission launches full-on antitrust case.

[Image Credit: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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Via: The Verge

Source: European Commission

23
Jul

Hollywood’s making at least one emoji movie


Dear parents who can’t wait for their kids to be over the Minion craze: Hollywood’s already planning for the green critters’ replacement in your children’s lives. And, if you’re unlucky, these new characters might even be more obnoxious than Gru’s banana-loving henchmen*. Sony Pictures Animation has won an auction for a story pitch starring those yellow ideograms or smileys we all know as “emojis.” Yep, there’s going to be an emoji movie, according to Deadline, which also reported that two other studios competed against Sony at the auction for the right to turn the story into a full-fledged film.

Studios are probably keen on the idea of making an emoji movie, considering there are no royalties to pay, and they can be easily turned into toys and other money-making merchandise. Deadline unfortunately doesn’t have any deets about the film itself, other than it was pitched by Anthony Leondis who directed Lilo & Stitch 2 and will be co-written by TV producer Eric Siegel. The publication also said that another emoji story will soon be shopped around, so there might be more than one smiley movie in the works for the next couple of years. At least one of ’em is bound to be good, right?!

*Disclosure: This editor personally loves Minions, but she knows they drive some people crazy.

[Image credit: Michelle Lai Lai/Flickr]

Filed under: Misc, Sony

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Source: Deadline

23
Jul

Sony’s Concept for Android could mean stock Android UI for Xperia devices soon






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Avid Android fans are always clamouring for devices to use more stock Android-oriented user interfaces, and on this occasion, it appears Sony is listening. Sony, like many other manufacturers, theme the UI on their mobile devices to add to their branding, much at the behest of Android’s most loyal. However, with Sony’s Concept for Android program, the manufacturer is looking at a new UI with a “stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel”, presumably one day destined for its Xperia devices – and we have to say, we like what we see. Check it out in greater detail below:

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Sony's Concept for Android

Xperia device owners: don’t get too excited just yet. Sony has only just started testing the new UI, asking for the help of 500 Xperia Z3 users in Sweden to not only test the UI itself, but also as a way for Sony to gauge how useful this kind of initiative is for future developments. If you are an Xperia Z3 owner in Sweden, there’s still time to sign up to try this out – all you have to do is sign up through this site. We like this direction that Sony is taking and we hope more manufacturers start to take this more proactive approach of engaging with their customers on contentious issues.


What do you think about Sony’s Concept for Android? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Sony Mobile via XperiaBlog

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