Sony
Sony Updates Flagship Phone With New Camera
Sony has announced the Xperia 1 V, a $1,400 flagship phone aimed at professional content creators. The design is a minor iteration of last year's Xperia 1 IV. Specs have been updated, features added, and an all-new main camera sensor promises better photos and videos. The new "Exmor T for mobile" sensor is about 1.7 larger than the sensor in last year's model. Sony promises "approximately double" the low-light performance and "a wider dynamic range that is equivalent to a full-frame camera." The 1 V keeps the adjustable optical zoom tele camera that made the 1 IV so unique. It also keeps the 4K OLED display with 120 Hz refresh. The processor has been updated to the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. New camera features include: high-speed continuous shooting of up to 30 frames per second with AF/AE tracking, a Product Showcase setting that keeps focus on an object instead of a person, and an interactive chat feature for YouTube live-streaming. Most other specs carry over from the previous model, including 5,000 mAh battery, fast charging, wireless charging, IP68 dust/water rating, headset jack, 12 GB of RAM, and the ability to serve as a monitor for certain Sony Alpha cameras. Curiously, the built-in storage is down to 256 GB (from 512 GB last year), although it is expandable by up to 1 TB via memory card. Also, the version announced today does not seem to include mmWave 5G like the previous model. These changes may account for the price that's $200 lower than last year. The phone does have excellent support for almost all other (sub-6) 5G and 4G frequency bands used in the US, including mid-band 5G. The Sony Xperia 1 V ships July 28th and pre-orders start today. It comes unlocked in black from various retailers in the US, or a "khaki green" color (shown) available exclusively from Sony directly. For "a limited time", pre-order customers will be eligible to receive Sony's latest LinkBuds Truly Wireless Earbuds (WFL900/H) with purchase (a $180 value).
Sony's Newest Compact, High-End Phone is the Xperia 5 IV
Sony has a new edition of the Xperia 5, its smaller sibling to the flagship Xperia 1 series. As Sony is known for making its own high-quality camera sensors, Xperia phones focus on photography and video, and this new model is no exception. The Xperia 5 IV sports three high-quality (Exmor RS for mobile), 12-megapixel cameras on the back, including wide-angle and telephoto lenses. All three rear cameras support 4K HDR 120 fps video recording and Sony's advanced AF/AE system. The front camera also sports a 12 megapixel Exmor RS for mobile sensor that supports 4K HDR video. Specs and features are high-end all around, including a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120 Hz refresh, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 8 GB RAM, Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio, 5,000 mAh battery, and two-way wireless charging. The 128 GB of storage is expandable with the memory card slot (up to 1 TB), and it has a 3.5mm headset jack. Advanced connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, USB 3.2, NFC, and wired video out (HDMI and DisplayPort) up to 4K/60fps. However its US network support may be limited. Sony's web site shows that it supports 5G in bands 5, 41, and 77; and 4G in bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, and 66. But it does not support mmWave 5G, nor the full set of 5G nor 4G bands for any major US carrier. The body is IPX5/IPX8 water resistant and protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. It will be available in the US in black or green for $1,000. Pre-orders start today and it ships at the end of October. For a limited time, customers who pre-order the phone will receive Sony's latest WF-1000XM4 earbuds (a $280 value).
Sony's New $1,600 Flagship Sports Seamless True Optical Zoom
Sony has revealed its latest flagship phone, the Xperia 1 IV. It's the world's first phone with a true optical zoom lens that can adjust seamlessly from 85 to 125mm. The phone also has standard (24mm) and wide (16mm) lenses. All three lenses have the same 12 megapixel, 1/1.7" Exmor RS sensor with "Eye AF" 60 fps continuous auto-focus and exposure, and the ability to shoot 4K HDR video at up to 120 fps. The standard and zoom lens also have OIS. There's also a dedicated shutter button. The front camera has been upgraded with a larger 12 megapixel sensor. Several features let you use the phone together with a professional Sony Alpha camera. Every other spec and feature is top-end. The Xperia 1 IV also has an OLED display with 4K resolution, HDR, and 120 Hz refresh. It's powered by Qualcomm's top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor paired with 12 GB of RAM. It has 512 GB storage and a memory card slot. It also has a 5,000 mAh battery and two-way wireless charging. The body features Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, with a frosted finish on the back. It's also rated IP65/68 for water and dust. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, 360 Reality Audio, High-Resolution Audio, and is "ready for" Bluetooth LE Audio. The Xperia 1 IV has excellent support for Verizon and T-Mobile 5G and 4G networks in the US, including mmWave 5G, as well as Wi-Fi 6E. It will come with Android 12. Color options include black and purple (available exclusively from Sony's web site.) It will ship September 1st, 2022 and is priced at $1,600. Pre-orders start today and, for a limited time, include Sony's latest WF-1000XM4 true wireless noise cancelling earbuds (a $280 value.)
Sony Makes Camera Sensor Breakthrough
Sony has successfully developed a new world-first camera sensor technology that it claims will widen dynamic range and reduce noise. While the company's current sensor chips use a two-layer design, with a pixel layer and a signal processing circuitry layer, the pixel layer contains both photodiodes and transistors side-by-side. The new stacked design gives the photodiodes and pixel transistors a dedicated layer each. This allows the photodiodes — which convert light to electrical signals — to be larger, which approximately doubles the "saturation signal level", improving dynamic range. Additionally, giving the pixel transistors a dedicated layer allows the critical "amp transistor" to be larger, which reduces image noise. That, in turn, improves low-light image quality. Sony says the new technology will be applied to smartphones, but did not give a timeline.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is Qualcomm's New Flagship Chip
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the company's flagship chipset to power 2022's top-end phones. The chip is the successor to the Snapdragon 888, but uses the new single-digit + generation naming scheme the company recently announced. The new chip uses a cutting-edge 4nm manufacturing process that offers 1.7x better power efficiency. Compared to the 888, it offers up to 4x better AI performance and 30% faster graphics rendering. A new Snapdragon Sight brand encompasses the improved triple ISP that powers camera functions. It can process 3.2 gigapixels per second at 18 bits, which means it can process 4,096x more camera data compared to the 888. It supports 18-bit RAW photos, 8K HDR video capture, and a new night mode that collects 5x as much image data. A new low-power ISP enables always-on camera features like touchless face unlock. The new chip also supports Bluetooth LE Audio, including new LE Audio functionality like broadcast audio, wireless stereo recording, and voice back-channel for gaming. The 5G modem supports 3GPP Release 16, including support for downlink speeds up to 10 Gbps, as well as uplink carrier aggregation for faster upload speeds. Qualcomm is also applying AI processing to new areas, from camera auto-focus to boosting the cellular signal. Qualcomm expects the first phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to launch before the end of this year. Motorola, OnePlus, and Sony are among the companies that have already committed to launching phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Read on for additional details.
Sony Pushes Xperia Pro Imaging Farther with the PRO-I
Sony today revealed the Xperia PRO-I, an $1,800 phone with the same 1-inch camera sensor found in Sony’s line of RX100 standalone cameras. The 12-megapixel Exmor RS sensor has dual apertures (f/2.0 and f/4.0) and ZEISS Tessar T optics. The main camera is joined by 12 megapixel wide and telephoto cameras on the back, as well as a "3D iToF" and RGB-IR sensors. The front has an 8 megapixel camera and 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with 120 Hz refresh and HDR, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The PRO-I is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip alongside 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, expandable with memory cards up to 1 TB. The battery is 4,500 mAh and the phone supports USB-PD fast charging. The phone has excellent support for 4G and sub-6 5G networks of Verizon and T-Mobile, including new C-Band networks coming soon to the US. It does not support mmWave 5G like the original Xperia Pro. Other features include IP68 rating for water and dust, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort and HDMI video output, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, fingerprint reader, and a headset jack. For vlogging, Sony will offer an external monitor accessory that lets you see yourself while using the rear cameras. The phone will launch in "some regions" by the end of this year, and elsewhere in 2022.
Sony Xperia 1 III Coming to US for $1,300
Sony has started taking pre-orders for its new flagship phone, the Xperia 1 III. It will ship unlocked in the US on August 19th. The $1,300 phone will come with the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling earbuds (a $230.00 value) when ordered by Sept. 26th. It will come in Frosted Black and Frosted Purple. Frosted Purple will be exclusive to Sony's web site. The Xperia 1 III has a 4K HDR 120Hz OLED display. Its triple rear cameras include a variable telephoto for optical zoom. Other key features include a Snapdragon 888 chip, 12 GB RAM, IP68 water resistance, headset jack, and wireless charging
Sony's New Flagships Feature Dual Zoom and 120 Hz Displays
Sony today announced its 2021 phone lineup for consumers: the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. The two phones are both high-end models with similar specs and features, with the 5 III being the smaller of the two. Both phones have OLED displays with 120 Hz refresh and three 12-megapixel rear cameras. While the standard and wide-angle cameras are similar to last year's models, the new periscope-style telephoto camera has its own optical zoom feature, offering both 2.9x and 4.4x zoom. The main and telephoto cameras include OIS (optical image stabilization). The phones are powered by Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 888 chip and offer excellent support for the (sub-6) 5G and 4G networks of T-Mobile and Verizon. Other specs include 4,500 mAh battery with 30W USB-PD fast charging, Android 11, NFC, memory card slot, headset jack, and IP68 water resistance. The stereo speakers are the first in a phone to support 360 Reality Audio. The Xperia 5 III has a 6.1-inch display with FHD+ resolution, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. The larger Xperia 1 III has a 6.5-inch display with 4K resolution, 12 GB RAM, and 256 GB storage. The 1 III also adds a ToF camera, wireless charging, Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, and speakers that are 40% louder than last year's model. The Xperia 1 III design consists of frosted glass and "blasted" metal, available in black or purple. The 5 III has a mirror finish and will be available in black or green. Both phones will be ship in the US "this summer". Pricing is to be announced.
Sony Finally Launches its 5G Phone for Video, Photo Professionals
Sony today launched the Xperia Pro, a $2,500 phone designed specifically for video and photo professionals. The Xperia Pro has four mmWave 5G antennas for reliable connection to Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G network (where available). This enables live broadcast of video and speedy upload of photos. It has unique wired input capabilities — including micro-HDMI — allowing it to connect directly to professional video and still cameras. The phone also comes with an External Monitor app for use with professional cameras. A "Network Visualizer" feature helps users find the strongest 5G signal for solid live video transmissions. The Xperia Pro was first announced last February. Since then, the specs have been boosted from 8 to 12 of RAM. Other specs are as initially announced, including 512 GB storage, memory card slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, 4,000 mAh battery, and a 6.5-inch OLED display with HDR and unique 1644 x 3840 pixel resolution. Its built-in triple rear cameras are all 12 megapixel and include standard, telephotos, and wide lenses, aided by "3D iToF" and RGB-IR color sensors. Additional features include water resistance, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, fast charging, and front-facing stereo speakers. It's available starting today from B&H Photo.
Blu's New $200 Phone is Optimized for Gaming
The Blu G90 Pro is a $200 gaming phone. It's powered by a MediaTek Helio G90T processor, a chip introduced last year specifically to power affordable gaming phones such as the Blu G90 Pro. The phone also has a huge 5,000 mAh battery and supports 18W fast charging. The 6.5-inch display has full-HD resolution. It has 4 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and a memory card slot. It has a 48 megapixel main camera with a Sony sensor, 8 megapixel wide camera, 2 megapixel macro camera, depth camera, and a 32 megapixel selfie camera. It also has USB-C, rear fingerprint reader, and Android 10. It's available in Purple Haze starting today from Amazon.
New Video Compression Standard Uses Half the Data
Fraunhofer HHI, the institute that has created many of the world's most popular audio/video coding and compression standards, has finalized the next standard for video: H.266, AKA Versatile Video Coding (VVC). The new standard is supposedly twice as efficient as its predecessor, H.265/High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). For example, it will be possible to store a 90-minute 4K video in just 5 GB, instead of the 10 GB that would be required with H.265/HEVC, with no loss of visual quality. The new standard can be used for saved as well as streaming video, and supports resolutions from 8K down to SD. It also supports HDR and 360º video. The standard will be licensed by an industry group that includes as its members Apple, Canon, Dolby, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Oppo, Orange, Sony, and Tencent. Companies are already designing chips for hardware-accelerated use of the new standard. Fraunhofer has committed to publishing the first software to support the standard this fall.
Sony Xperia 1 II Comes to US on July 24
Sony will start accepting pre-orders for the $1200 4G flagship smartphone on June 1st. Those who pre-order by June 28th will receive a free set of Sony noise-canceling earbuds.
Sony Xperia Pro Uses US 5G for Live Video Broadcast
Sony has created a new lineup of phones designed specifically for professionals rather than consumers. The new Xperia Pro imagines a specific use case for 5G: broadcasting live video in the field. To that end, it has both mmWave 5G and an HDMI input for connecting to professional video cameras. Even though Sony Mobile has "de-emphasized" the US market in its general strategy, the Xperia Pro's specs list 5G frequency band support specific to US 5G networks: bands 2, 5, 66, 260, and 261. Sony has previously worked to have its flagship phones certified by Verizon, and the Xperia Pro fully supports Verizon's 5G and 4G network bands. The Xperia Pro has 5G mmWave antennas on all four sides for maximum mmWave connectivity. The Pro also has high-end video capture built in, including 4K HDR video at up to 60 fps, Optical SteadyShot, and SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilization). Otherwise, the Xperia Pro has specs that are nearly identical to the Xperia 1 II that was also announced today, except for more storage (512 GB) and no wireless charging. Release date and pricing are yet to be announced.
The New Sony Xperia 1 Adds 5G, Wireless Charging, Zeiss Lenses
Sony has updated its Xperia 1 flagship phone with the new Xperia 1 II (mark two). Compared to last year's Xperia 1, the new model for 2020 adds sub-6 5G, wireless charging, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It's also the first Sony phone with Zeiss optics, which were previously exclusive to Nokia-brand phones. The Xperia 1 II has triple rear cameras — standard (f/1.7, 82º), wide (124º), and telephoto (34º) — all of which are 12 megapixel. It also has a unique auto-focus system that focuses up to 60 times per second. Its 6.5-inch OLED display sports 4K resolution (3840 x 1644 pixels) and HDR. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset with 8 GB of RAM. It also has 256 GB of storage, a 4,000 mAh battery, USB-PD fast charging, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, and IP68 water resistance. Currently, Sony has only announced a version with support for European 5G networks, although it has 4G LTE support in most of the bands used by US networks.
PlayStation Remote Play Available for Android
Sony is updating its PS4 software this week for both console and mobile platforms. The new PS4 Remote Play app for Android will work on all phones with Android 5.0 and up; it was previously available only on Sony Android phones. Remote Play is already available for iOS. Sony is also updating its Second Screen app that turns your phone into a companion device while console gaming. Second Screen will now include a voice transcription accessibility feature for group chats, which converts party voice chat to text, and enables you to enter text that is read aloud to other party members. The new software is rolling out this week.
Sony Xperia 5 is the New Compact
Sony today announced the Xperia 5, a new phone that puts the high-end specs of the Xperia 1 into a smaller form factor similar to the Xperia 10, carrying on the tradition of small, high-power phones such as last year's XZ2 Compact. Like Sony's other 2019 phones, it has an unusually tall, narrow display, allowing the phone to fit a 6.1-inch display into a body only 2.6 inches wide. (Many phones today are 3 inches wide.) Although the Xperia 5 is only being announced today for Europe, and Sony recently revealed plans to de-emphasize the US market, the Xperia 5 does support many US LTE bands, including bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 29, 41, 46, and 66. The 5 sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and a memory card slot. It has three 12-megapixel cameras on the back: a main camera with f/1.6 aperture and OIS, a telephoto camera with OIS, and a 130º wide-angle camera. The phone can record 4K video in HDR. The selfie camera has f/2.0 aperture and 8 megapixel resolution. It has a 3,140 mAh battery. The USB-C connector supports PD fast charging, video-out up to 4K at 60 fps, and USB 3.1 data. The 6.1-inch OLED display sports full-HD resolution and HDR. The 5 also features Cat. 19 LTE, NFC, a fingerprint reader, water resistance, and stereo speakers. It comes in Black, Blue, Gray, and Red.
Sony "Defocuses" on Americas Phone Market
In a recent presentation to investors, Sony revealed new plans for its struggling phone business. The company will continue making phones, but focus exclusively on four markets: Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Sony Brings PS4 Remote Play to iOS
The Sony PlayStation 4 Remote Play app is now available for iOS, accompanied by a corresponding update to the software for the PS4 itself. The app allows users to stream games from their PS4 console to an iOS mobile device over Wi-Fi. The graphics for compatible games are streamed in real-time, overlaid with on-screen controls. The app also lets gamers use the mic and keyboard of their mobile device to interact with games. It requires an iPhone 7 or later, and iOS 12.1 or later. An Android version of the app has been available for several years, but is restricted to Sony's Xperia phones.
Hands On with Sony's New Extra-Tall Phones
Sony's new phones for 2019 have an unusual display aspect ratio that makes them unusually tall. The Xperia 1 and 10 Plus are a normal width, but much taller than other phones, thanks to extra-tall displays plus a "forehead". The Xperia 10 is a similar shape but smaller, giving it a normal height but narrow width. That makes my impressions of the 10 much different than the other two. Read on for my full hands-on first impressions.
Sony Phones Go Extra-Tall
Sony's new phones have unusually tall screens with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The company today announced the Xperia 1, 10, and 10 Plus. The 1 is the new flagship, while the 10 and 10 Plus fill out the mid-range. All three phones ship with Android 9 Pie, support USB-C PD fast charging, and have at least two rear cameras, NFC, Bluetooth 5, memory card slot, and a fingerprint reader.
- Xperia 1: The company's new flagship has a 6.5-inch HDR OLED display with 4K resolution (1644 x 3840). It has three rear cameras: standard, wide, and 2x telephoto, all of which are 12 megapixel. The main camera supports 960 fps slow-motion video. It's powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor and 6 GB of RAM. It has a 3,330 mAh battery, water resistance, LTE Cat. 19, USB 3.1, Miracast, and support for PS4 Remote Play.
- Xperia 10: This mid-range model has a 6-inch full-HD+ display, 13-megapixel main camera, 5-megapixel depth camera, 2,870 mAh battery, Snapdragon 630 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 64 GB storage, and Cat. 13 LTE.
- Xperia 10 Plus: A step up from the 10, it has a larger 6.5-inch display, 3,000 mAh battery, Snapdragon 636 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a better 12-megapixel main camera, and 8-megapixel 2x telephoto camera.
T-Mobile Successfully Tests Multi-Band 5G in the Wild
T-Mobile has successfully tested 5G technology on three different radio frequency bands, including 600 MHz (band 71), in a real setting outside of a lab. The company is working toward offering 5G service nationwide in 2020. T-Mobile worked with Ericsson and Intel to complete the recent test, which involved three users participating in a video call, using 600 MHz, 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands. While the GHz bands offer greater speed and capacity, the 600 MHz band offers better "blanket" coverage. During the tests, the teams generated a 5G signal capable of covering more than a thousand square miles from a single tower.
Sony Cranking Out Advanced Laser 3D Sensors for 2019 Phones
Sony has boosted production of its 3D sensors to meet heavy demand from phone makers going into 2019, according to Bloomberg. The sensors can be used for secure facial recognition, mid-air gesture recognition, object scanning and recognition, and even room mapping. Sony's 3D sensor technology provides greater accuracy and distance (up to 5 meters) than competing technologies that use structured light or stereo vision. Instead, Sony's sensors use a pulse of invisible laser light, paired with a camera-like sensor that measures the precise time that the light takes to reflect off surfaces, instantly providing a detailed 3D map.
Trump May Declare a 'National Emergency' to Block Huawei, ZTE
President Donald Trump is weighing new action against Chinese telecommunications equipment makers Huawei and ZTE, says Reuters. The President might issue an executive order that would bar U.S. companies from buying telecom gear from either. Some in the U.S. government insist Huawei and ZTE have deep ties to the Chinese government. That relationship could give China the power to spy on the U.S., a claim Huawei has denied many times. Trump has been considering the executive order for more than eight months. The order would rely on the Department of Commerce to block equipment purchases from "foreign telecommunications makers that pose significant national security risks," say Reuters' sources. Huawei and ZTE themselves may not actually be named in the order. Such an order would hinge on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the President power to govern commerce directly when a national emergency threatens the U.S. Trump has already barred the U.S. government itself from purchasing equipment from Huawei and ZTE. The four largest carriers mostly rely on equipment from Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, but smaller, rural operators do use gear from Huawei and ZTE. They are worried the Trump administration will force them to rip out existing Chinese-made gear at their own expense. Reuters says Trump may issue the order as soon as January.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium Gets a Taste of Pie
Sony Mobile today said Android 9 Pie is now available to the Xperia XZ2 Premium. Sony debuted the XZ2 Premium earlier this year. In October, Sony said the XZ2 Premium would receive Pie on November 7. Android 9 Pie includes features such as Adaptive Battery, a new Ambient Display, and Digital Wellbeing for controlling phone use. Sony said owners of the XZ2 Premium can check for the update via the settings menu
Netflix HDR Support Reaches More High-End Phones
Netflix has added more smartphones to the list of those capable of supporting HDR10 playback. The newest phones include the LG G7, and the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium and Xperia XZ3. These phones have the high-contrast displays needed to boost colors and improve the visible range between bright and dark regions of each frame. HDR10 playback is already available to a number of flagship-grade devices, including the LG G7 One, V30, and V35; the Samsung Galaxy Note9, Note8, and S9; the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, XZ1, and XZ2; and the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, P20, and Honor 10. In order to view HDR10 content on mobile devices, people need to subscribe to the premium Netflix plan.
Google Updating Your Movies to 4K for Free
Google today said movies people own via the Google Play Store will automatically be upgraded to 4K at no extra cost. When Hollywood studios make their titles available in 4K, Google will upgrade previous purchases, even if those purchases were for originally SD or HD resolution. Google indicated that 4K movies will begin to cost less when purchased in the Play Store. The 4K content should be easier to watch on 4K TVs, according to Google, without additional hardware. It has updated the Play Movies & TV app for the majority of Sony's Bravia 4K TVs and Samsung's 4K Smart TVs, and Google is doing the same for LG. The app allows connected TVs to access the Play Movies service directly for streaming programs. Google will continue to make improvements to the app and bring 4K movies and TV shows to more devices over time.
Sony Lays Out Schedule for Android 9 Pie Updates
Sony today made it clear which phones will receive Android 9 Pie and when they'll receive it. The update has already reached the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact, and Pie ships on the new XZ3. Sony says Android 9 Pie will be available to the XZ Premium, XZ1, and XZ1 Compact starting October 26. The XZ2 Premium should get Pie November 7. These will be followed by the XA2, XA2 Ultra, and XA2 Plus on or about March 4. Android 9 Pie includes features such as Adaptive Battery, a new Ambient Display, and Digital Wellbeing for controlling phone use.
Fortnite for Android No Longer Requires An Invitation
Epic Games today made its popular Fortnite game available without an invitation. The app has been available in beta since August, though an invite was required for access. Epic Games has dropped the need for an invitation and most anyone can download the game. Fortnite is not available in the Google Play Store. Instead, people interested in the game will need to go to Epic's web site to download an installer. The installer then puts the game on the phone. The game started as an exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Note9 and was later discovered to have a major security flaw in the installer (since patched). Fortnite is best played on high-end devices that have Android 8 Oreo installed. Some compatible phones include the Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, and S9 series; all Google Pixel phones; the LG G5, G6, G7, V20, and V30; the Asus ROG Phone and 5Z; the Essential Phone; the Huawei Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro, Honor 10, and Honor Play; the OnePlus 5, 5T, and 6; the HTC 10, U Ultra, U11+, U12+; the Sony Xperia XZ1, XZ2, and XZ3 series; as well as a handful of others from Xiaomi, ZTE, Nokia, and Lenovo.
AT&T Reveals First 19 Cities to get Mobile 5G
AT&T today announced that it plans to roll out mobile 5G service in parts of Houston, Jacksonville, Louisville, New Orleans, and San Antonio by the end of this year. The company previously announced plans to bring 5G to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Raleigh, and Waco this year. Early next year, the company's mobile 5G network will expand to parts of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. The company reached a milestone over this past weekend when it made its first 5G mobile data connection "in the wild" over millimeter wave frequencies, using a Qualcomm smartphone-form-factor test device and Ericsson 5G-NR tower equipment. The test, and AT&T's planned rollout, are compliant with the 3GPP Release 15 global 5G NR standard.
Hands On with the Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony’s latest flagship smartphone packs tons of features into its metal-and-glass body. It offers a 6-inch screen, Snapdragon 845 processor, 19-megapixel camera, and advanced audio capabilities. It boasts new camera software and Android 9 Pie. Here are our first impressions.
Sony XZ3 Boasts Bigger Screen, Bigger Battery, Bigger Speakers
Sony today announced the Xperia XZ3, the company’s latest flagship phone. The device improves upon its predecessor, the XZ2, by amping up just about everything. The XZ3 has a metal-and-glass design with series 7000 aluminum forming the frame and Gorilla Glass 5 covering the rear. The 6-inch OLED screen has quad HD+ resolution with an aspect ratio of 18:9. Like many Sony flagships, the XZ3 is certified IP68 for protection from water and dust, and it features a fingerprint reader on the rear for security. Sony has updated its Motion Eye camera for the phone, with a 19-megapixel main camera with HDR, 4K video capture, super slow motion, and Google Lens. Sony says the camera software has been tweaked for easier use. The selfie camera has a 13-megapixel sensor at f/1.9 with bokeh / portrait capture and beauty mode. Picking up the phone and holding it horizontally will automatically turn on the camera. Sony increased the size of its S-Force Front Surround speakers to improve bass response. The phone supports high-resolution audio and includes Sony’s dynamic vibration system for refined haptic feedback. It is powered by a Snapdragon 845 and includes a fast-charging 3,330mAh battery. A tap of the right edge calls up a drawer with app shortcuts, similar to Samsung’s Edge screen. The Xperia XZ3 will ship with Android 9 Pie. It costs $900 and will be available from Amazon and Best Buy in October.
Sony Details Which Phones Will Receive Android 9 Pie
Sony plans to begin updating a number of its mobile phones to Android 9 Pie beginning in November. The devices first on deck for the refreshed operating system from Google are Sony's flagships, the Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Premium, XZ2 Compact, Xperia XZ Premium, XZ1, and XZ1 Compact. Sony says the mid-range XA2, XA2 Ultra, and XA2 Plus devices will receive Android 9 in early 2019. Android 9 Pie introduces machine learning and more predictive behaviors to the OS, as well as a Digital Wellbeing suite meant to help people use their devices less. Pie is already available to the Google Pixel phones. Motorola also recently committed to updating some of its phones to Pie.
YouTube Highlights Phones with the Best Screens for Video
YouTube has begun to recognize what it calls Signature Devices, or phones that deliver the best-in-class experience for YouTube content. YouTube says these phones have the latest technology and provide optimal viewing. In order to qualify as a Signature Device, a phone must include features such as high dynamic range, 4K, 360 video, reliable DRM performance, and a high frame rate. YouTube says it has worked with select manufacturers to verify a handful of Signature Devices. They include the new Samsung Galaxy Note9, as well as the S8, S8+, Note8, S9, and S9+; the LG V30 and G7 ThinQ; the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium, XZ2, and XZ2 Compact; the HTC U12+; the Huawei Mate 10 Pro; the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S and Mi 8; the HMD Global Nokia 8 Sirocco; the OnePlus 6; and the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. People who own these devices don't need to do anything in order to enjoy a good YouTube experience. YouTube will add devices to the list over time.
Android 9 P Stands for Pie, Rolling Out to Pixels Now
Google today revealed that Android 9 will be called Pie and made the refreshed operating system available to its Pixel-branded phones. Android Pie makes use of artificial intelligence to anticipate user actions. For example, it includes adaptive battery and adaptive brightness. Toghether, these tweak the settings throughout the day to reduce power drain while making sure the user always has access to the phone’s full power. App Actions predict what users are likely to do next based on their context and displays that action on the phone. Android Pie introduces new navigational gestures that rely on swiping and flicking a small pill that appears at the bottom of the screen. The smart text selection tool now transports text more easily between apps, while the tweaked Quick Settings bar offers a better way to take and edit screenshots. The new dashboard is meant to help you use the phone less. It includes an app timer, wind down, and an improved do not disturb mode to make sure people spend time away from their phone without interruptions. These well-being tools are only available in beta. The new OS also includes a number of security improvements, such as a more secure way to handle biometrics. Google is distributing Android 9 Pie to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL via over-the-air download. The OS will also reach select phones from Sony, Xiaomi, HMD Global, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Essential, as well as all qualifying Android One devices, later this fall. It is up to individual phone makers to provide the latest platform their their hardware.
Sony Debuts 48-Megapixel Camera Sensor for Phones
Sony today announced the IMX586, a CMOS camera sensor for phones that packs 48 megapixels into a unit that measures 8mm. The pixels of this sensor have been shrunk to 0.8 μm, which is what allows so many of them to fit onto a single sensor. Typically, packing together such a large number of small pixels would generate noise and cause low-light performance to suffer. Sony says it is using a Quad Bayer color filter array, which means adjacent 2x2 pixels all capture the same color. This raises sensitivity in order to create brighter images with less noise. The IMX586 includes Sony's exposure control and signal processing to improve dynamic range by a factor of four. Sony says scenes that include bright and dark areas can be captured with minimal blowout or loss of detail. Moreover, the high pixel count allows for cleaner photos when using digital zoom. As for video, the IMX586 can capture 4K video at 90fps, 1080p video at 240fps, and 720p video at 480fps. The suggested price of the module is $27. Sony is sampling the IMX586 now and expects to commence production later this year.
Sony Brings 2:1 Display to its Midrange with Xperia XA2 Plus
Sony this week announced the Xperia XA2 Plus, a new mid-range phone with a tall 2:1 ratio display, hi-res audio, and 23-megapixel Sony Exmor RS for mobile camera with 4K video capture. The 6-inch display has Full HD+ resolution and is protected by Gorilla Glass 5. It also has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, large 3,580 mAh battery, rear fingerprint reader, fast charging, and an 8-megapixel wide-angle front camera. It will be available in Silver, Black, Gold and Green in late August.
Sony Prices Xperia XZ2 Premium at $999
Sony Mobile today said that its high-end flagship phone, the XZ2 Premium, will go on sale in July for $999. The phone will be available for preorder from Amazon and Best Buy starting July 9, with retail availability expected July 30. The XZ2 Premium has a 5.8-inch 4K HDR display (16:9 aspect ratio) that Sony says is 30% brighter than its previous mobile 4K screen. The XZ2 Premium includes a new Motion Eye Dual camera that is capable of capturing ISO 51,200 for photos and ISO 12,800 during video — which means the XZ2 Premium delivers more detail in nighttime pictures. The camera supports selectable bokeh, 4K HDR video capture, and 960fps super slow motion in 1080p HD. The user-facing camera has a 13-megapixel sensor with display-based flash. The XZ2 Premium includes S-Force Front Surround speakers and a Dynamic Vibration System so owners can "feel the action" in their hands. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 6 GB of RAM. The phone relies on a 3,540mAh battery with Qi wireless charging. Other features include NFC, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, 64 GB of storage, and support for memory cards up to 400 GB. The XZ2 Premium has a glass-and-metal design with Gorilla Glass 5 on front and back. It boasts IP68 for protection against splashes and spills. The phone will be bundled with Sony's Xperia Ear Duo headphones.
3GPP Approves Spec for Standalone 5G New Radio
The 3GPP today ratified another piece of the 5G specification, termed the Standalone 5G New Radio, or SA 5G NR. This spec is for 5G networks that are developed on their own, apart from legacy or pre-existing networks. The Non-Standalone portion of the 5G spec was ratified late last year and covers 5G that hooks into existing LTE 4G systems. "The freeze of Standalone 5G NR radio specifications represents a major milestone in the quest of the wireless industry towards realizing the holistic 5G vision," said Balázs Bertényi, chairman of 3GPP RAN. "5G NR Standalone systems not only dramatically increase the mobile broadband speeds and capacity, but also open the door for new industries beyond telecommunications that are looking to revolutionize their ecosystem through 5G." The SA 5G NR and the NSA 5G NR standards will together include the technology used by commercial entities, the air interface, and end users. The spec was approved by more than 600 delegates from the world's leading carrier, handset, and silicon vendors. Some participants included AT&T, DISH, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Kyocera, LG, MediaTek, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, SoftBank/Sprint, Sony, Verizon, Xiaomi, and ZTE. The 3GPP said the technical specifications for the ratified SA 5G NR will be published in the days ahead.
Google Expands Enterprise Recommendation Program to More Phones
Google today said more phone makers now part of its Android Enterprise Recommended program. The Android Enterprise Recommended program, which was launched in February of this year, "establishes best practices and common requirements for devices and services, backed by a thorough testing process conducted by Google." In order to qualify, devices have to meet a number of specifications concerning their hardware, deployment, security updates, and user help programs. For example, devices approved must run at least Android 7 Nougat, and receive security updates no later than 90 days from their release from Google. A handful of new phones makers and devices are now recommended by Google, making for a total of 39 devices from nine device makers. New entries include the Sonim XP8; Sharp Aquos SH 10-K; Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact; Motorola Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Z3 Play; Huawei P20 and P20 Pro; BlackBerry KEY2; and HMD Global Nokia 3.1, 5.1, 6, 7 Plus, and 8 Sirocco. Several tablets have been certified for Android Enterprise Recommended, too, including the Huawei M5 8.4 and 10.8. Google says it will continue to update the list of devices recommended for business users as more phone makers commit to the requirements of the Android Enterprise Recommended program.
Sony Stops Development of Its Xperia Home Launcher
Sony this week said it putting its Xperia Home launcher, used on its mobile phones, into maintenance phase. The company said this means it won't add any new features to the launcher, though it will offer minor bug and security updates as warranted. The company is also closing the Xperia Home beta community, which will shut down in a few weeks. Along with the news, Sony released Xperia Home version 11.3.A.0.17, which focuses on resolving problems. For example, it corrects an issue that prevented widgets from updating, corrects wallpaper blurring, and improves search card visibility. The update also fixes a crash in photo search, and now better handles display size changes with respect to shortcut icons. Owners of Xperia-branded phones should expect to see the update hit their phones in the next few weeks, depending on device, carrier, and region.
