A new firmware update for the Sony Xperia SP has been released, moving the build number from 12.1.A.1.205 to 12.1.A.1.207. Users are not reporting any noticeable changes with this update, so it is likely this is just a bug-fix release. This new firmware is currently rolling to T-Mobile networks across continental Europe and Orange France. We expect it to see a wider rollout over the coming days. If you’ve tried this latest firmware update, let us know your thoughts below. [read more…]
Google has today made the “Google Now Launcher” available for all Android devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above. The launcher was previously only available for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices.
The launcher makes Google Now just one swipe away. From the primary home screen, you can swipe right to access Google Now cards. You can also trigger “Ok Google” whilst you are on the home screen for a search query. It can be downloaded right now through the Google Play Store. [read more…]
The Sony Xperia T3 is now available to buy in the UK, where it is being exclusively sold by Carphone Warehouse, as previously reported. The handset is available in all three colours (black, purple and white) on pay monthly tariffs starting at £22.50 per month for a two-year Vodafone contract. For a full list of contracts, click here.
CPW is not offering the handset on sale SIM free or pay-as-you-go at present, but hopefully this will change soon. The Xperia T3 has 5.3-inch 720p IPS display, 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chipset, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, LTE support, 2500mAh sealed battery and 8MP Exmor RS camera. The handset is the first Xperia to sport a steel frame and measures 7mm in thickness, weighing 148g.
We have been testing the OnePlus One recently and having already showed some side-by-side pictures against the Xperia Z2, we thought you might want to see how both cameras compared. The OnePlus One rocks a 13 megapixel Sony IMX214 CMOS sensor with f/2.0 aperture. This compares to the 20.7MP Exmor RS camera sensor found in the Xperia Z2.
We have a few camera samples from each phone to share below, please click to see the full-sized image. To keep the pictures at a similar resolution, the OnePlus One pictures were taken at 7.7MP, whilst the Xperia Z2 pics were taken at 8MP. Have a look at the samples and let us know which ones you prefer. [read more…]
Sony is still trying to crack the nut that is the US carrier market with its Xperia devices. Whilst Verizon picked up the LTE version of the Xperia Z2 Tablet, it is T-Mobile that has picked up recent Xperia phones such as the Xperia Z1s and the Xperia Z.
Therefore, it may not be that far-fetched to think that the upcoming Xperia Z3 will also hit T-Mobile. This is what TechnoBuffalo has learnt from its trusted sources (“this is a source we trust with 100 percent confidence, so we’re willing to place our bets”). Hopefully, all will become clear shortly after the Xperia Z3 announcement, expected to take place at the IFA press conference on 3 September.
A new company has been formed to focus on the development and commercialisation of medium-sized OLED display panels. JOLED has been created by multiple partners including Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Japan Display Inc (JDI), Sony and Panasonic.
OLED technology enables displays to be lighter, thinner and more flexible. JOLED will focus on medium-sized OLED panels for use in tablets as well as laptops and signage. This means we could see an OLED display in a future Xperia tablet. Sony has not used an OLED display in any Xperia device so far. [read more…]
Sony Canada has announced that the Xperia T3 will be landing in the region during August 2014. Whilst pricing details haven’t been announced, Sony has confirmed that the handset will be landing on Bell, Virgin, SaskTel as well as through its own Sony Stores and online. All three colours of the handset (black, purple and white) will be available at launch.
The Xperia T3 has a steel frame and measures 7mm in thickness, weighing 148g. Other specs include a 5.3-inch 720p IPS display, 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chipset, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, LTE support, 2500mAh sealed battery and 8MP Exmor RS camera.
Sony has this morning released its results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2014. Overall, it is a good set of results with an increase in sales of 6 percent to 1.8 trillion Yen. Operating income was up strongly at 69.8 billion Yen, a year-on-year (yoy) increase of 97 percent. However, all is not well when it comes to the Sony Xperia range.
Sales in the mobile division were up by 2 percent on a constant currency basis, but this hid the fact that unit sales declined by 2 percent yoy to 9.4 million units. Operating income was down at 2.7 billion yen, this was partly related to an increase in marketing/R&D expenses to “expand sales channels and broaden the product portfolio“. [read more…]
Mark your diaries Sony fans, we have received word that Sony’s 2014 IFA press conference will be taking place on Wednesday 3rd September from 16:15 to 17:00 CEST. Expect new smartphones such as the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact to be announced along with hopefully some new wearables such as the SmartWatch 3 and the latest iteration of lens-style cameras. We can’t wait.
The screenshots you see below are believed to be of the Xperia Z3 Compact. However, if this is indeed the case, the handset is different to the previous supposed Xperia Z3 Compact leak that had the front-facing camera towards the edge of the handset. This leak shows a front-facing camera in a different position, so we could be looking at two different handsets here.
Anyway, according to the source, this model is reported to have a 4.6-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 3GB RAM, 20.7MP Exmor RS rear camera and stereo speakers. Take a pinch of salt with these specs as always. [read more…]
Some of the more consistent comments that we see on this site relate to “where is my firmware update?” For any manufacturer, working on Android updates is an economic decision. Newer handsets will always be supported first, sometimes leaving older handsets languishing on older firmware and Android builds.
Look at the Xperia C for example, it has only received two firmware updates since the handset launched. It is likely that most Xperia C owners would have reasonably expected better support, the handset hasn’t moved from its Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean build that it launched from. [read more…]
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