Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV, Cyber-shot RX10 II Cameras Launched in India

Sony has launched two new Cyber-shot RX series models in India to boost its advanced compact camera portfolio. The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV and Cyber-shot RX10 II have been launched in India at Rs. 69,990 and 94,990 respectively, and claim to have the world's first stacked 1.0 type CMOS sensor with a DRAM memory chip, 40X slow-motion capture and more.
The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV and Cyber-shot RX10 II feature an assortment of new technologies and features meant to enhance the photography experience for users. The new CMOS sensor and DRAM chip work together to increase the readout rate of image data, and also enable the super slow-motion mode, which slows video capture down by 40 times, at 960 frames-per-second. It also allows for high-resolution 4K video capture.
The cameras also have a high-speed anti-distortion shutter, which allows sustained shooting speeds of 16fps on the Cyber-shot RX100 IV and 14fps on the Cyber-shot RX10 II over long periods of time. The cameras are also the first in the Cyber-shot range to record 4K video. This is achieved through the use of the XAVC S codec, which records video at 100Mbps during 4K recording and 50Mbps during full-HD shooting.

The Cyber-shot RX10 II can shoot 4K videos at extended lengths of up to 29 minutes, while the RX100 IV can shoot 4K clips of up to approximately 5 minutes in length. Both cameras also have dual video recording functionality, allowing shooters to capture 16.8-megapixel still images during 4K video by pressing the shutter button.

The Cyber-shot RX100 IV has a 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) F1.8-F2.8 lens, while the RX10 II has the same body design as the original RX10 and 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens. The RX100 IV also has a 180-degree tilting LCD viewfinder and screen. Both cameras come with bundled accessories, including carry-cases, 64GB SDXC memory cards and Micro-HDMI cables. Additionally, the new Cyber-shot RX10 II and Cyber-shot RX100 IV are available now through Sony flagship and brand stores.

Sony also launched the Alpha 7R II full-frame mirrorless camera in India at a price of Rs. 2,39,990, making it Sony's most expensive consumer camera in India.

Read More

Sony India Launches New Bravia Android TV Range Starting Rs. 69,900

Japanese electronics major Sony's India arm on Thursday introduced five new series of smart Bravia TVs and the slimmest LED TV that will run on Google's Android operating system.
The five new series will comprise of new models ranging from 43-inch to 75-inch panels starting at a price of Rs. 69,900. All the TVs run on Android 5.0 Lollipop-based Android TV operating system with Bravia UX user interface on top.
The TV, that Sony claims is the thinnest, will come in the 4K LED format.
"Over 90 percent of Indian consumers use the Android platform for mobile phones and that is why we choose this platform for our new series of TVs," said Sony India's Bravia head Sachin Rai.
All the new TVs will be able to connect to the Google Play store for downloading apps and will also support voice command for searching the Web or within Google Play.
The Japanese firm has also added unique features to the TVs like 'Serial AbTak' for catching up with TV serials. Also, there is Notify Bravia, which is an exclusive app for uninterrupted TV viewing experience by notifying customer about a call, SMS, or email.
Last month, Sony India Managing Director Kenichiro Hibi said the company is "seriously" looking at participating in the government's 'Make in India' initiative and is considering setting up a manufacturing plant in the country. However, he declined to share any information on time frame and investment in the new unit.

Read More

Sony Testing Android Concept UI Based on Android 5.1 Lollipop

Sony will start testing an initiative called 'Android Concept' from July 27 to September 13 with Sony Xperia Z3 users in Sweden. The initiative by the Japanese smartphone maker is aimed at improving "Sony Mobile's overall Android experience first and foremost."
As a part of the initiative, Sony would be letting testers run early builds of a new version of an Android 5.1 Lollipop-based UI, which Sony says has been developed "from the ground up" without additional Google Play apps like YouTube. The interface is close to stock Android and would include the company-made apps like Camera, Music, and Xperia Lounge, and major Google apps such as Google+ and Maps.
In a blog post, Sony described the 'Concept for Android', saying, "It has some significant differences compared to our current commercial releases, with a stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel, with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users."
The purpose of releasing the builds is to study the users' needs and adapting as per feedback provided. "As a participant, you are expected to share your experience - to give us a better understanding of how the software can be improved," states the Sony's Android Concept page. It adds, "This trial will help us assess the potential of running wider Android operating system concept initiatives for more markets, devices and users in the future - as we look to shift towards a model that allows for the creation of experiences with real user input, whilst adopting more transparent and open workflows. We believe this will eventually enable us to respond to your needs quicker and easier."
The new programme will be limited to 500 Xperia Z3 customers. It is not yet clear as to when the firm would start rolling out the new updated UI.
Earlier this month Sony's My Xperia Theft Protection (MXTP) feature, which is present in recently launched handsets, was said to have been bricking bootloader-unlocked smartphones. According to some Xperia users, enabling the MXTP on the device that already has an unlocked bootloader leads to the bricking of the smartphone. This is said to happen due to MXTP's efforts to prevent the bootloader-unlocking on an Xperia handset that already has an unlocked bootloader.
Notably, Sony for now does not allow consumers to unlock the bootloader on new devices including Sony Xperia Z3+, Xperia C4, Xperia Z4 Tablet and Xperia M4 Aqua.

Read More

Sony E5663 spotted on benchmarking websites

A new, unannounced Sony smartphone - carrying model number E5663 - has been spotted on benchmarking websites GFXBench and Geekbench.

The information revealed suggests that the handset will be powered by a MediaTek MT6795 SoC with 1.9GHz octa-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and PowerVR G6200 GPU, and sport a 4.6-inch (1080 x 1920) display. In terms of camera, the device will feature a 21MP rear unit and a 13MP front shooter. It will come with 3GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and will run Android Lollipop out-of-the-box.
Given the E5663's 4.6-inch 1080p display, it is being said that the smartphone could well be the successor to the Xperia Z3 Compact (shown in the image above), which sports a 4.6-inch 720p display. And it could be released in India at some point in the future given that the device was also recently spotted on Indian import tracking website Zauba.

Via

Read More

Sony Xperia Z3+ With Snapdragon 810 SoC Launched at Rs. 55,990

Sony has brought its latest flagship smartphone to India, the Xperia Z3+, priced at Rs. 55,990. The smartphone will be available to buy from Friday in Aqua Green, Black, Copper, and White colour variants.

The Sony Xperia Z3+ is identical to the Japan-only Sony Xperia Z4 that was launched back in April, and is the global variant of the smartphone with a launch in late-May. The smartphone is a minor upgrade from the Xperia Z3, and apart from being slimmer and lighter, also sports the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC.


The Android 5.0 Lollipop-based Sony Xperia Z3+ features a 5.2-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Triluminos display that is powered by the X-Reality mobile picture engine.

The Xperia Z3+ runs on a 64-bit octa-core (quad-core 1.5GHz + quad-core 2GHz) Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM. The handset is enclosed in an aluminium frame.

The Xperia Z3+ from Sony also retains the 20.7-megapixel autofocus rear camera of its predecessor. The rear camera however now features 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS BSI sensor, Bionz image processor, and a pulsed LED flash. The Sony Xperia Z3+ sports a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with Exmor R BSI sensor, which is an upgrade from Xperia Z3's 2.2-megapixel front camera. It also features a 25mm wide-angle lens, apart from electronic image stabilisation.

The handset sports 32GB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable via microSD card (up to 128GB). The Xperia Z3+ is backed by a 2930mAh battery, and a quick charge feature that provides up to 5.5 hours of usage time in a 10-minute charge, and a full charge in 45 minutes.

Other features on the Xperia Z3+ include an IP65/IP68 equivalent certification, which according to Sony makes the phone waterproof and dust-tight. Another USP of the device is support for high-resolution audio with LDAC compression technology.

The Sony Xperia Z3+ measures 146x72x6.9mm and weighs 144 grams. Connectivity features on the Xperia Z3+ include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi with hotspot, 4G LTE, GPS/ A-GPS, Glonass, Micro-USB, DLNA, and NFC.

Sony had during the May launch unveiled a dual-SIM version of the handset as well, the Sony Xperia Z3+ Dual, and both smartphones feature identical specifications except for support for two SIM cards.

Read More

Sony SmartWatch 3 Price in India, Review, Specifications and Features

To make your life faster, smarter than before Sony has launched its next generation Android wear, Sony SmartWatch 3 along with SmartBand Talk(Rs 12,990). The all new Sony SmartWatch 3 officially launched in Indian market priced at Rs. 19,990 in Silver, Black and Yellow colour option. It will lock horn with Samsung Galaxy Gear S Moto 360 SmartWatch and Apple iWatch.

Read More

Sony predicts a $2.5B operating profit for 2015

Sony has updated its operating profit forecast for the 2015 fiscal year, bringing the number up to JPY 300 billion. That translates to $2.52 billion and is four times as much as previous company estimates.
The information comes courtesy of Japanese newspaper Nikkei, but no official statement from Sony has been released. If the forecast turns into reality, it will be the company's highest profit since 2008.


The reason for the improved figures lies in expectations for higher sales of display sensors for mobile phones, as well as better market performance of the Playstation gaming console. The corporation's smartphone business is not the driving factor though, and persistent reports claim the division may soon be put up for sale.
The ongoing restructuring of the company, however, is finally showing results and Sony will attempt to put behind its back several years in the red, brought about by dwindling smartphone and TV sales.

Read More