Sony Xperia Z3+ aka Z4 launched at $899 (approx Rs. 55,900)

Sony has launched its new flagship smartphone, Xperia Z3+ or Z4 at $899 (approx Rs 55,990). The phone is already on sale via e-commerce sites and retail stores and will be available in black, white, copper and aqua green colors.

The Xperia Z3+ was announced late-May. The model had earlier been launched in Japan as Xperia Z4, but Sony renamed it as Xperia Z3+ for the international release.

Among the major improvements of Xperia Z3+ over its predecessor is the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor . The smartphone also comes with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box. The phone is very thinner (6.9mm vs 7.3mm) and lighter (144 grams vs 152 grams) than the 2014 Sony flagship.

Sony Xperia Z3+ comes with a 25mm wide-angle 5.1MP front camera for better selfies, compared to the 2.2MP front camera of Xperia Z3. The front facing snapper now has superior auto mode for selfies, including soft snap, night portrait, backlight portrait and infant.

While the microUSB port is not covered by a flap in the new model, it still carries the IP68 rating for resistant against water and dust, likely due to a nano coating. Though Sony has reduced the battery capacity of Xperia Z3+ compared to Xperia Z3 (2,930mAh vs 3,100mAh), it claims that the new smartphone offers up to two days of battery life.

Unlike Xperia Z3, which came with 16 and 32GB storage options, the new Sony smartphone comes in only 32GB capacity.

Despite these differences, the new model is considered a minor update over Xperia Z3 as the two share many features. Xperia Z3+ has a 5.2-inch Full HD (1080p) IPS screen and glass-and-metal body; the glass used in the smartphone is shatterproof, according to Sony.

Similarly, both smartphones have 3GB of RAM, support microSD cards of up to 128GB capacities and have 20.7MP rear cameras. Both smartphones also have the same connectivity features: 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and microUSB 2.0.

Sony launches Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4

Sony has launched Xperia M4 Aqua, its mid-range water and dust resistant smartphone at Rs 24,990. The company has also launched Xperia C4 selfie focused smartphone. Xperia M4 Aqua will be available starting today, while Xperia C4 will launch in mid-June. Both the smartphones feature dual-sim support.

Unveiled at MWC 2015 in Barcelona earlier this year, Sony Xperia M4 Aqua has a 5-inch HD (1280x720) IPS LCD scratch resistant display. The phone weighs 136gm and measures 145.5mm x 72.6mm x 7.3mm.

It is powered by a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 octa core processor driven by Adreno 405 graphics backed by 2GB of RAM running Android 5.0 lollipop and 8GB of internal storage with expandable storage upto 32GB.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua sports a 13MP primary camera with autofocus and LED flash, and a wide-angle 5MP secondary camera for improved selfies. The smartphone is water-proof and dust-proof, and also has a cap-less microUSB port.

In terms of connectivity, the phone supports 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band, Bluetooth 4.1,NFC, USB v2.0 and GPS. The smartphone packs non-removable Li-Ion 2400mAh battery that can last two full days after charging once.

Sony Xperia C4 sports a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920p) IPS display. Powered by a 1.7GHz octa-core (Cortex-A53) MediaTek MT6752 processor backed by 2GB RAM running Android 5.0 lollipop. The phone comes with 16GB internal storage expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. It packs 2600mAh battery which delivers up to 12 hours 47 minutes of talk time and up to 682 hours of standby time, as claimed by the company.

The phone sports a 13MP autofocus rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front camera with front flash for selfies. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Wi-Fi Hotspot, 4G LTE, 3G, Bluetooth 4.1, and aGPS.

Sony launches popular music based service Spotify on PlayStations

The largest online music service is now making its way to the Sony's PlayStation by replacing Sony's own music unlimited service as company decided to expand its game console to entrainment hub.

Spotify app has already hits the PlayStation with a new app adapted for large television screens. Sony says partnering with Spotify expands its music service to 41 countries and offers better tools for playlists and music discovery.

Spotify has 60 million active users worldwide, including 15 million paid subscribers. Its music app is available on some Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes, but Spotify says it worked closely with Sony to optimize its service for the PlayStation. Notable features include: the ability to listen to music while playing a game and still listening to sound effects, or automatically pausing the game while changing volume or playlists.

The service is free with ads, or costs $10 a month for a premium ad-free version that offers offline playback. Although free users don't get many choices like choosing specific songs on mobile devices and then play it on the PlayStation, just as they now do on traditional computers. Music Unlimited subscribers won't be automatically switched over; those that subscribe on other devices such as Sony phones, will need to get the Spotify app.

Playstation users have long been able to watch DVDs and stream Netflix, Amazon and YouTube shows with the console. Just two weeks ago, Sony launched an online television service, PlayStation Vue, which offers more than 50 over-the-air and cable channels starting at $50 a month.

Xperia Z4 release date, design, price and specs rumours

In an update to yesterday's teaser we only got look at half of the phone but now we have a good look of Sony's upcoming smartphone Xperia Z4 from every angle. Sony's new flagship device is expected to be arrive in May/Sept 2015. 

DESIGN

So let's first talk about it's design. It has thin bezel omni-balance design. In the pictures we can see that Xperia Z4 has very similar design language as previous year's Z3. According to the @onleaks, the Xperia Z4 will measures 146.3 x 71.9 x 7.2 mm. Sony made some minor changes to the buttons like the Sim slot now changed from right to left and the SD card is also seem to be missing. 

The USB now moved from the top left where it was covered with the flap to the bottom of the device and now it is completely exposed. Xperia Z4 also gets the new wider look speakers placed on the top and bottom edge of the device. Seems like Sony may use Boom Sound speakers for the Z4.

This time we are not sure about the waterproofing of the device as many ports are esxposed but we can say for certain until Sony make it official. 

DISPLAY

The new Z4 will packs a 5.5 inch QHD display. Although Sony says that they don't beleive in QHD displays as they consume more power. The previous Z series flagships packs the FHD display but at that time they were the best displays any smartphone packs. But now time has changed and mostly all the companies are now switching to the Quad displays. 

The recent leak suggested that the Z4 comes in two models. One with Full HD display and other with Quad HD display. 

PERFORMANCE

The new Xperia Z4 will now boasts more powerful 64 bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa core processor which may comes with 4GB or 3GB of ram and 32GB of onboard storage. On the other hand we also have a leak via GeekBench which gives some idea about the specs.

Xperia Z4 received a score of 1196 for single-core performance and 3576 for multi-core which are slightly better. In the terms od connectivity the Z4 will features a Category 6 LTe and Bluetooth 4.1.  

CAMERA

It sports a faster 21MP new Exmor RS IMX230 sensor which stacks CMOS Image sensor which brings high speed AutoFocus, better performance in HDR mode and also higher level of detail in HD videos. It is capable of recording 4K resolution (4096x2160) video and shoot videos much like much like it take a normal photo. 

Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact started getting Android 5.0 lollipop update

In January Sony made announcement for rolling out Android 5.0 lollipop to its Z series of smartphones but nothing has happened to so far until today. Sony Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact started getting lollipop update.

This firmware v23.1.A.0.690 is starting hitting the Nordic and Baltic regions before expanding further on to other markets. Other Z series smartphones users do not need to wait too long will get the update in couple of weeks said by the Sony's Blog.

This new update will brings numerous new features to the users experience including design looks that are based on Google's material design retaining minimalistic approach to Sony's UI design. It also brings new lock screen, new look notifications, multi user support, ability to move apps to SD card, new profiles and guest mode with fully customizable settings. 

Vaio introduces its first smartphone running Android 5.0 out of the box

After making Pcs and laptops Sony's Vaio Corporations now enters the mobile market and introduces their first ever smartphone through Japanese MNVO B-mobile. The smartphone will hit stores on March 20 only in Japan and costs $420 (approx. Rs.23,400) without any contract.

In hardware side phone looks alike Google's Nexus 4 and has a Vaio logo on both sides with the glass panel on the back. The 7.95mm thick smartphone sports a 5.0 inch HD(720x1080) display. It is powered by 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 processor coupled with 2GB of ram with 16GB of onboard storage running Android 5.0 out of the box. The single sim device will have a 13MP of rear and 5MP front facing camera.