The Xperia Z3 may be coming to Verizon and T-Mobile, but sadly Sony has yet to announce plans to bring the Z3 Compact to any US carriers in the near future. However, if you’ve had your eyes on the company’s pint-size powerhouse, you can now buy it directly from Sony’s online store for $530.
Verizon won’t be the only US carrier offering the Xperia Z3, T-Mobile announced today that it will start selling Sony’s new flagship smartphone on October 29th. The magenta carrier will begin accepting pre-sales for the device on October 15th for no money down, with a monthly payment of $26.25 for two years. While the self-proclaimed Uncarrier didn’t get into shipping details, it disclosed that early bird customers will receive the device before its official release date.
Verizon and Sony announced today that it will soon begin offering the Sony Xperia Z3v smartphone on its network, as well as the Sony SmartWatch 3. The Xperia Z3v, which is the U.S. version of the Xperia Z3, features all of the specs you would expect a 2014 flagship device to have and will be available on October 23rd for $199.99.
The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are the company’s first handsets to gain screen mirroring support for Google’s Chromecast. A recent update to the search giant’s support page added Sony’s two new top-shelf smartphones as officially compatible with the company’s affordable media dongle.
The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact still aren’t official in some areas, however the devices have already received root and custom recovery for those of you who wish to experiment with your new handset on day one. Thanks to a crafty XDA developer going by the handle “DooMLoRD,” people who purchase Sony’s new smartphones will be able to load custom ROMs and make other tweaks to their device as long as their respective gadget ships with its original firmware.
Google appears to be aiming for tight control over its Android Wear smartwatch platform as it asked crowdfunding site IndieGoGo to take down a campaign for a budget smartwatch, Com1, reports Android Police.
Com1 used stock images of Android Wear and the Android Wear trademark in its campaign page, which was taken down by IGG under the premise of an intellectual property infringement complaint by Google shortly after the campaign launched.
Since Google is known to have a relaxed attitude to use of its imagery, the motivation here appears to be control which companies are able to launch Android Wear devices …
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIf9GdCzY_Y]
Sony’s new Xperia Z3 is coming and while it’ll most likely make its US debut on October 9th, you can see it get unboxed right now. Unlike the usual “hey, look at this phone” approach, European retailer Carphone Warehouse has put a creative spin on an internet pastime by performing an underwater unboxing of Sony’s durable smartphone.
With the exception of its highly successful PlayStation 4, many of Sony’s consumer electronic brands have been struggling lately. So it came as a bit of a surprise when the company revealed development plans for its own smart eyewear. Referred to as SmartEyeglass, it almost looks like a leftover set of 3D glasses from Sony’s Bravia TV division, but instead it’s the company’s answer to Google Glass.
Sony has confirmed in a tweet that it is rolling out the Android 4.4.4 update its older Z-series devices.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SonyMobileNews/status/509297533328584704]
Sony says there are “many improvements” in the upgrade, with better battery performance in background applications and improved email stability & performance singled out for particular note. The company recently unveiled the newest incarnations in the line, the Z3 and Z3 Compact.
SamMobile also notes that Galaxy Note 3 owners on the Sprint network should also receive a 4.4.4 update today.
The Android 4.4.4 update will bring international Wi-Fi calling, version 2.0 of KNOX, and the Kids Mode feature that debuted on the Galaxy S5, along with bug fixes and security patches from Google.
Samsung of course recently launched the Quad HD Galaxy Note 4.
It looks like Sony has given up on its old smartwatch ways. As we confirmed days before its announcement, the Sony SmartWatch 3 is running Android Wear and has been given a slightly different (and simple) design when compared to its predecessors. While Android Wear is a solid wearable platform, for Sony fans the SmartWatch 3 may be a step backwards…
Today we’re taking a closer look at the Sony Xperia Z3. Sony announced the Z3 and a handful of other products (we previously revealed) at a press event during IFA 2014 in Berlin. Now I know what you’re thinking, didn’t Sony just launch the Z2 earlier this year? Yes they did….
The good news is, any Z2 owners won’t need to regret the purchase because there’s nothing special here.The Xperia Z3 is finally launching without a delay in the US, but it’s coming to T-Mobile first. Either way, this is more of an Xperia Z2.5 if anything, but take a look at our hands-on video below…
Alongside new smartphones, tablets, and wearables, Sony has also today announced a refresh for its lineup of lens-style cameras with two new models: QX1 and QX30. The devices are made to be able to work on their own or clip onto the back of a smartphone, and if you go with the latter option, they’re able to connect via NFC or Wi-Fi and have their display via the Sony PlayMemories Mobile app.
Taking stage at IFA 2014, Sony is showing off its latest Xperia gadgets with the new Z3, Z3 Compact, and E3 smartphones. The flagship Z3 is a 5.2-inch “dust-tight and waterproof” aluminum framed device that ships in black, copper, silver green, and white. Included is a feature called PS4 Remote Play allowing you to game on the device with the PS4 controller.
Next up is the Compact Z3, a 4.6-inch device (compact, huh?) that’s also dust-tight and water proof with options in black, green, orange, and white. The Xperia Compacy Z3 also enjoys PS4 Remote Play support (as does the tablet version). Last is the Xperia E3, a 4.5-inch device with a 5 megapixel camera available in black, copper, lime, and white. (Oh, and there were also wearables, of course.) Press releases for each follows…
In addition to announcing new Xperia smartphones and its new Android-Wear powered SmartWatch wearable, Sony today announced a new 8-inch “Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact”. Sony said it’s the world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet (compact meaning its under 7-inches) with the device coming in at 6.4mm and 270g.
Perhaps the most notable new feature for the device and other smartphones announced by the company today is a new PS4 Remote Play feature that lets the device dock into a PlayStation 4 controller and act as a remote gaming experience for the PS4 console (pictured below with Xperia smartphone):
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Following Samsung’s event earlier today, it’s now Sony’s turn to take the stage at IFA in Berlin and to kick things off the company just announced its brand new Android Wear-powered SmartWatch 3 and a new “SmartBand Talk” with a “curved, always-on- e paper display”:
With GPS and 4GB storage memory built in, SmartWatch 3 supports Android Wear by Google to not only deliver useful information and services based on the user’s latest activities, but also enable communication and entertainment including music to be enjoyed remotely, even when the user is away from their smartphone. Meanwhile, SmartBand Talk is equipped with a curved, always-on e-paper display, to enable hands free calls and voice commands. Its intuitive voice controls enable users to instantly check their Lifelog status with just a glance of their wrist.
This will be Sony’s first Android Wear device following Google’s introduction of the platform earlier this year, and the hardware also gets a bit of an upgrade with a new 1.6-inch 320×320 transflective display. The SmartBand Talk, on the other hand, is more of a life/fitness tracker than a full-fledged smart watch, but also includes a mic and speaker for voice commands and calling. The new wearables will also work with a new Lifelog app:
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Sony is about to announce a new product in its QX camera accessory lineup that will make your smartphone compatible with any of its E-Mount lenses usually reserved for its line of NEX camcorders and mirrorless shooters. The report comes from the often reliable SonyAlphaRumors blog, which also shared the image above and below:
These are the first pictures of the ILCE-QX1 E-mount camera. The third QX camera after the QX10 and QX100 (here one Bay). But unlike the other two this hasn’t a fixed lens but is an E-mount module. It has an APS-C sensor (not sure yet but should have the same great A6000 24MP sensor with fast af), built-in flash
When Sony introduced its QX accessory for smartphones last year, there were mixed reviews on whether or not the lens-style camera attachment would catch on with consumers, but many praised the product despite not loving its original $300-$500 price point (which has since come down). More than just a lens attachment for your Android device or iPhone, the lens built in NFC, WiFi, battery, memory and a back-illuminated 18MP 1/2.3” Exmor R® CMOS sensor. This time around Sony is going ditch the fixed lens and let the accessory play nice with any of its E-Mount lenses, which could be a big draw for users that are already invested in the ecosystem.
Sony is expected to unveil the device during its IFA event in Berlin tomorrow on September 3. The new QX accessory will reportedly sell for 300 Euro for the body only and 450 Euro with a 16-50mm lens. The two current models are now selling for around $135 and $335 for the higher end model on Amazon. Update: Current model is now on sale for $84 shipped.
We’ve previously seen AutoCAD models, but Ausdroid has obtained what it says are two press shots of the Sony Xperia Z3 due to be launched at IFA in Berlin on Thursday. It has also listed specs which tally with those we posted this weekend: a 4.7-inch display 720×1280 display, a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 and 3GB of RAM.
The photos show four colors: black, white, a kind of mint green and a fourth color that looks more like orange in one shot and red in another (below) …
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As we’ve previously reported, Sony will be launching an Android Wear powered SmartWatch 3 and a new SmartBand Talk during IFA 2014 in Berlin. Don’t worry, that’s not all the Japanese company is announcing at the show. We’ve been informed by sources close to the matter that Sony will be launching three new smartphones and a thin waterproof tablet as well. Here’s what you can expect to see at IFA 2014…
Renderings of Sony’s new SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk
IFA 2014 is right around the corner and we’re expecting to see quite a bit of tech launched during the show. Sony is in attendance this year and their official press event is scheduled to happen on on Sept. 4th, 2014. Sources familiar with Sony’s plans have informed us that we can expect two new wearables to launch next week at IFA 2014…
IFA 2014 is almost here and we’ll be out in Berlin bringing you full coverage of the show. If you’ve never heard of IFA, it’s a Berlin based trade show that’s similar to CES. IFA is up there as one of the largest trade shows of the year which normally brings a handful of exciting announcements in all areas of technology. While September may be a fruit company’s only time to shine, the rest of the major tech giants are busy finishing out the year with a bang…
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kajjMuZx8nY]
It’s no great surprise that Sony is now teasing three new Xperia 3 devices in a short video on its YouTube channel, pointing to their official announcement at the IFA next week …
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Sony has yet to officially announce an Xperia Z3 smartphone, however that hasn’t stopped the leaks from coming. Expected to debut next week during IFA, alleged teardown pictures of the device have surfaced, giving a closer look at what we might be seeing in a few short days. Rumor has it that Sony’s next premium smartphone will feature a 5.3-inch 1080p HD display, a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Whether or not it was truly an accident is up for debate, but it appears that Sony has just shown off a couple of new devices in some promotional materials posted to the company’s Facebook page. As you might expect, the photo has of course already been pulled (which means there’s almost surely something here we shouldn’t know about yet).
The Sony Xperia Z3 passed through TENAA today, and as a result, we’ve finally got our hands on some high-resolution press photos and specs that can tell us more about the device. This isn’t the devices first leak, but with its expected reveal next month, it seems like it’s getting more difficult for Sony to keep the device under wraps.
According to the report, the device is expected to feature a 5.3″ display at full 1080P resolution, a 20.7MP rear shooter, a Snapdragon 801, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. While the press photos of the device look awfully similar to the Z2, previous reports point to the phone being thiner and lighter than its predecessor.
Sony is expected to reveal the Z3 at IFA in Berlin during their scheduled press event.
You can view the full gallery of the device in both black and white below.
