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Sony forms ForwardWorks corporation to bring its PlayStation games to mobile

It’s 2016, billions of smartphones are in use across the globe, and traditional video game companies are only just coming around to the idea that there’s some money to be made from smartphone gaming. Nintendo only recently launched its first mobile app, and plans to release a more familiar character-based game soon. Sony, likewise is about to make another foray in to the world of smartphone-based gaming with its newly-formed corporation, ForwardWorks.


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SXSW: Sony’s Future Lab shows off its ‘N’ audio-based wearable, other projects

Earlier this month Sony announced a new R&D initiative called the “Future Lab Program” and a mysterious device simply called “N” was concurrently shown off in a YouTube video. Details on this audio-based wearable were light until today, but the Japanese company set out to fix that by heading to the capital of Texas at SXSW Interactive to take the wraps off…


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Like the Galaxy S7, Sony’s Xperia X and X Performance have no Quick-Charge 3.0 support despite compatible processors

A couple of days back, it came to light that Samsung had opted not to include Qualcomm’s latest fast-charging technology in the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. This decision was made despite the fact that US, China and Japan’s models are equipped with the Snapdragon 820 processor, which we know is capable of supporting Quick-Charge 3.0. Sony, likewise it seems, has opted not to include Quick Charge 3.0 support in any of its new Xperia X phones.


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Sony confirms that there won’t be an Xperia Z6, Z series to be replaced by the X series

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After much rumor and speculation floating around over the last couple of days, Sony has now confirmed in a statement that its Z series of flagship smartphones is now dead. The Z line has “reached its culmination,” according to the Japanese company, and it’s now time for a “new chapter and evolution” in its product strategy…


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Sony announces trio of Xperia X smartphones, two with high camera specs incl. predictive focus [Video]

Sony has unveiled three new Xperia phones, known as the X-series. The entry-level device is the XA, with a MediaTek MT6755 processor rather than a Snapdragon chip. With a 720p display and 16GB storage, Sony’s description of it as a “super mid-range” device seems to be pushing it, though you do get 2GB RAM and 13MP/8MP cameras.

The standard X gets much better specs and should make photography fans happy. It boasts a Snapdragon 650 processor with 3GB of RAM plus 32GB of storage. The display is a good if unexceptional 5-inch 1080p one, but the standout element here is the camera combo. The X gets the same 23MP rear camera as in the Z5 (though with improved firmware) and a 13MP front camera Sony says offers 6400ISO for ultra-capable low-light performance – and a new predictive auto-focus that can track a moving object in the frame … 


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Sony ‘Xperia PP10’ and ‘Smart Ear’ accessory leak before Sony event tomorrow

Not more than a couple days after saying that his fans “criticized [themselves] out of any leaks for a while,” (in reference to hateful comments about the LG G5) Evan Blass is on fire once again. Now, he has shared images of a mysterious Sony “Xperia PP10” smartphone (he says that might not be its launch name), as well as Moto Hint-like accessory called the Sony Smart Ear…


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Sony’s new Exmor RS camera sensor will bring 3-axis stabilization and super-fast autofocus to smartphones

Sony has unveiled a new mobile camera sensor which could ensure the smartphones of the near future pack way more punch. If Sony’s claims are true, they’ll produce better images with less motion blur, and way faster and accurate autofocusing. All of this in a ‘stacked’ sensor which is smaller than its current version.


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Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact now available in the States, $599 and $499 respectively for sans fingerprint sensor versions

As previously announced by the manufacturer, Sony has now started selling the unlocked, fingerprint sensor-free versions of the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact in the US for $599 and $499 respectively. They’re available from Amazon, Best Buy and B&H plus a few other popular online retailers from now, although they’re not all selling them at the suggested retail price. Best Buy has already discounted the Compact version by $50.


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Sony posts $1 billion profit in Q4 2015 despite faltering smartphone sales

Sony has published full financial results for its third fiscal quarter (Q4 for everyone else), and things are looking pretty flat for the Japanese tech giant. Overall, the company made just over $1 billion USD in profit in the three months ending on December 31, 2015. Sony saw a significant increase in PS4 software sales, and in its motion picture department. Sadly, a substantial decline in smartphone sales means the company as a whole only increased its revenue by 0.5% on the same quarter a year ago…


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Sony acquires Israeli chip maker Altair Semiconductor for its LTE chip tech

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Sony will be acquiring an Israeli chip maker called Altair Semiconductor for $212 million, the handset maker announced in an official press release this week. Altair Semiconductor is known for its advancements with LTE (Long Term Evolution) modems. They’ve been working on making LTE chips that are faster, with lower power consumption, all while at a lower cost. This possibly means that Sony can deploy LTE technology to markets that may not have it as of yet. The acquisition is slated to be all wrapped up early by February 2016, just a few weeks away.


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Sony sending out invites to February 22nd event at MWC 2016

With the Xperia Z5 having only just been officially confirmed for the US market (albeit without a fingerprint sensor), you could be forgiven for assuming Sony won’t announce anything at MWC in Barcelona this year. Turns out, you’d probably be wrong for doing so.

The Japanese tech giant is reportedly sending out invitations to an event which is due to take place at the main MWC venue, Fira Gran Via on Monday, February 22nd. According to the invitation published by XperiaBlog, the event is set to kick off at 8:30 Central European Time (2:30am Eastern).

We’re not exactly sure what to expect from Sony in Barcelona this year. We’d like to see a new Android Wear smartwatch, perhaps one with a little more style than its current offering. As much as we’re not ready to see the next Xperia Z generation yet, it wouldn’t surprise us at all if Sony unveiled the Z6 (or slightly boosted version of the Z5). They might even announce the recently leaked C-series device.

 

Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact coming unlocked to the US next month

Hot on the heels of announcing the brand new pink version of its flagship smartphone, Sony has announced that it’s bringing the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact to the US market starting next month. Once they land, it’ll mark the first time the company has sold its unlocked smartphones in the States since the Xperia Z3.

Spec-wise, both phones are up there with the best of the phones from 2015…


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Sony Xperia Z5 gets a new pink coat

Sony published a blog post this morning to announce that it’s adding a new color variant to its Xperia Z5 lineup: Pink. The new Z5 Pink has all the same specifications and features as the rest of its family, but is in a fresh hue, which Sony claims took a long time to research and create.

According to the company’s lead designer, Rikke Gersten, it wasn’t just a case of making a pink phone. They wanted to find the right shade of pink to compliment the other frosty, subtle colors in the range.

“Choosing a colour is a detailed process. The material of the phone and the design of the curves and edges play an important role and has a great impact on which colour is best suited. We knew we wanted to add pink to the Z5 series from our very first moodboards and sketches as it seemed to compliment the colour palette to the rest of the range.

But to get the tone right with the frosted glass and aluminium frame did take some time. We researched many places in which the most beautiful shades of pink can be found, from nature and Japan’s own Sakura cherry blossom right through to the colours in the sky during a beautiful sunset. We wanted the colour to appear strong and modern, and here the material is playing an important role. I feel what we have achieved with the light dusky pink is fresh, contemporary and modern in the Z5 materials. ”

Of course, Sony isn’t the only company to release a pink version of its flagship smartphone. After Apple released the Rose Gold iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the number of pink premium phones has seemingly been on the rise. Samsung released a ‘Pink Gold’ Galaxy Note 5, LG has a pink leather G4 rear cover and HTC recently launched a pink version of its One M9 to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Sony’s new rose gold pink Xperia Z5 will be available to buy from next month. The company didn’t mention which specific markets or carriers would be getting the new shade. It’s most likely safe to assume that any retailers or carriers selling the Z5 in its current variants will also sell it in pink, although there’s always a possibility that certain resellers get short-lived exclusives.

Unreleased Sony Xperia smartphone leaks with nearly bezel-free design, likely C6 model

Surprisingly few smartphone makers used CES as a platform to announce, or even tease, new Android products this year. Arguably, only Huawei took the opportunity to show off its new products at the biggest US-based trade show this year. With that said, Mobile World Congress is shaping up to be really busy this year. The conference kicks off at the end of next month, and many manufacturers are expected to unveil their spring/summer portfolios at the Barcelona event. Sony being one of them…


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Review: Sony’s Xperia Z5 Premium packs a 4K display, but is it worth it? [Video]

Meet the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium. Sony’s smartphone lineup is known for a couple of things that make it popular: incredible cameras and waterproof durability. And it’s safe to say that both of those boxes are checked here. But this time around, Sony added a new category: stupidly high resolution. The Z5 Premium packs the first 4K display on a smartphone, but is it all worth the hype?


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Sony’s PlayStation Vue Internet TV service is coming to Google Chromecast

Sony announced today that it’s PlayStation Vue Internet TV service will soon be expanding to support Google’s Chromecast HDMI streaming hardware for the first time. The news comes as Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick streaming devices become the first devices beyond PlayStation consoles to support Vue. While Amazon’s hardware is getting support today, Chromecast support will follow as it’s coming soon.


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: Sony Xperia M4 (unlocked) $200, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones $119, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua 16GB GSM/LTE unlocked black: $200 shipped (Reg. $250) | Amazon

Audio-Technica’s best selling ATH-M50x headphones in black: $119 shipped (Orig. $170), more

Acer 13-inch Chromebook 2.1GHz/2GB/16GB SSD: $209 shipped (Reg. $249)

USB-C 4-port hubs for Chromebooks by Aukey: $20 Prime shipped (Orig. $30)

Review: How Amazon Echo changed my life + $130 special price ($50 off) for Amazon card holders

Pebble Time Smartwatch for iOS and Android (multiple colors): $150 shipped (Reg. $200)

Sling TV is giving away a 2nd generation Chromecast when you pre-pay for three months ($35 value)

Samsung Galaxy S5 Unlocked: $300 shipped (Reg. $400+) | eBay

LG G Pad V410 AT&T GSM Unlocked 7-Inch 4G LTE 16GB Tablet: $80 shipped (Reg. $150+) | eBay

More new gear from today:

Daily Deals: Vizio 43″ 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV + $100 Dell GC $300, LYTRO Light Field Camera $400, more

Sam’s Club One-Day Sale: iPhone 6s/Plus $100 off, iPad Air 2 64GB/128GB $150 off, PlayStation 4 $300more

eBay calls on Black Friday shoppers to decide which products will get discounted this year

Amazon’s Black Friday Deals store is now open for business

Everything we know so far about this year’s best Black Friday deals and promotions

More deals still alive:

This 802.11n pocket wireless router from TP-LINK is a must-have for avid travelers: $10 shipped (Orig. $40)

Buy a pair of PowerBeats 2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones, get a $50 Target gift card: $144 shipped (Orig. $200)

Beats by Dr. Dre Pill 2.0 Portable Bluetooth Speaker (multiple colors) $120 shipped (Orig. $200)

New products & more:

Mellow Boards makes any skateboard electric and looks good doing it

 

9to5Toys Lunch Break: Sony Bluetooth headphones $135, USB-C accessories for your new Nexus phone, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Over-Ear Headphones: Sony Bluetooth/NFC $135 (Reg. $199), Beyerdynamic from $170 (Reg. up to $270), more

USB-C roundup: Aukey 3-Port USB Hub w/ Gigabit Ethernet $17, Aukey USB Adapter $7more

Moto E & 1-Yr FreedomPop unlimited talk-and-text: $50 shipped (Reg. $70 + plan) | FreedomPop

HTC One (M8) w/ 32 GB flash storage, 4G LTE, GSM (unlocked): $165 shipped (Reg. $300+) | eBay

Amazon Student Days: free $5 credit w/ Gift Card purchase, Kindle Paperwhite $100, Halloween costumes extra 25% off, more

Refurb LG G3 32 GB for Verizon 32 GB: $160 shipped (Reg. $300+) | eBay

Motorola Nexus 6 Unlocked 32GB: $300 shipped (Orig. $650)

Giveaway: Trinity Delta aluminum earbuds feature a unique design and top-notch sound ($135 value), 20% discount

More new gear from today:

Games/Apps: Bloodborne from $25, Kirby Rainbow Curse $32, Shades Puzzle Game free, more iOS freebies

More deals still alive:

Sony announces official PlayStation 4 price drop, bundles now start at just $349

New products & more:

DJI’s new Osmo 4K camera is one expensive selfie stick

The latest littleBits DIY electronics kit turns any kid into an inventor

Sony wants 10,000 Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact owners to test its Android Marshmallow concept software

Early this summer, Sony announced a new Concept for Android software testing scheme in which it invited owners in specific markets, and with specific handsets, to test out new concept software. Seemingly it went well for Sony, as it announced this morning that it’s opening up a similar program for Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Users with the Xperia Z3 or Z3 Compact in a number of countries will be able to apply to join the program. This news comes just a day after the manufacturer released its long list of devices which should receive Marshmallow over the coming months.


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Sony confirms Android 6.0 Marshmallow coming to 14 devices including Xperia Z5, Z3+, Z2, more

Sony has joined the likes of Motorola, HTC and Google in announcing which of its products will (eventually) receive the sought-after update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Sony’s list includes several Xperia devices, old and new, and spans devices back to 2013. So, even if you have a Sony Xperia M5, you’ll be able to get the brand new OS on your device at some point. The Xperia-makers state in their blog post that they’ve “been working hard to bring this major update to as many of our devices as possible, as quickly as we can.”


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Intelligent Active image stabilization on the Xperia Z5 is insanely good [Video]

Intelligent Active mode has been a feature of Sony’s Xperia line for years now, but it looks like the Japanese company is just continually making improvements. Surely benefitting from the rest of the Xperia Z5’s camera enhancements, the below videos demonstrate just how good Sony’s SteadyShot with Intelligent Active mode is…
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Flagship Meizu PRO 5 is official: All-metal design, octa-core Exynos 7240 chip, full HD display, more

Meizu has just taken the wraps off its latest flagship smartphone and — from the spec sheet alone — this could be one device worth paying attention to. Apart from the display resolution, everything about the device is high end. From the build quality to the camera and processor, the Meizu PRO 5 is a beast…


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