Sony unveils Xperia E1 and T2 Ultra smartphones

On Tuesday Sony has announced the launch of Xperia E1, and Xperia T2 Ultra smartphones.

"In Xperia E1 Sony combines the best of Sony's audio technologies with a premium exquisite design and great hardware to create a smartphone for the people who wants to express themselves out loud," said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia marketing at Sony Mobile Communications.

Now lets talk about  Experia E1 which is an android phone supports a 4 inch WVGA (800 x 480) display. This device is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core processor with 512 MB RAM and 4GB storage.

This device comes with marvellous features such as walkman TM key, shake to shuffle and hardware controls for easy music control, fast data speeds with Cat 14 HSPA+. The new phone is available in white, black and purple colours.

Apart from this, Xperia T2 Ultra has 6 inch HD display (720p). It has 13 megapixel camera. Additionally, the device has 1.1 Mp front facing camera. The Sony Xperia T2 Ultra is built on Snapdragon Quad-core 1.4 GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of on board storage. And a Micro SD slot expandable up to 32GB. This device is powered by a huge 3000 mAh embedded battery. It runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The latest Sony smartphone will come in two variants--the single SIM T2 Ultra and the dual-SIM T2 Ultra dual.

However, the company has not announced the price of the new phones.

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Sony Ericsson Halon MT15a Surface

Apparently, Sony Ericsson Halon or MT15i is the same handset that was spotted on Picasaweb. This handset is deemed to join the X12 Anzu, Xperia Arc, and the Xperia Play at the Mobile World Congress 2011 starting on February 14. Here are some important specs of the Sony Ericsson Halon MT15a:

- Google Android 2.3.1 

- 1 GHz Qualcomm MSM 7630 chip based on ARMv7 microarchitecture

- 512 MB RAM

- 8MP camera with Exmor sensor and 720p video recording

- 480 854 Bravia-quality display

- Front facing VGA camera

- HDMI port

- 1500mAh battery

 

Since the phone would be carrying second generation Qualcomm MSM7x30 chipsets, it won't be able to record 720p HD video. Just like the Xperia Arc, this Android smartphone too will come with Mobile Bravia Engine for upscaling visuals with enhanced clarity and brightness. 

As of now, there's no information about the name of the phone but it will be part of Xperia handsets due for being launched on February 13. Those who are holding their phone purchase for a good feature-rich Android smartphone should wait for this phone's official announcement and availability. 

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Sony New Vaio YB Series Comes In Vibrant Shades

Apart from those heavily loaded performance boosting attributes underneath a portable computing solution, attractive looks are something that climb up the traits’ list while singling out an ideal pick. Bringing such an amalgamation, Sony just dazzled the scene with its brand new Vaio YB Series laptops.

For consumers who prefer a dash of eye-popping shades, the stylish device comes drenched in pink, silver and green. Integrated with the latest Vision Technology from AMD, the laptop now enables users to enjoy smooth and facile high-definition contents playback, faster Internet operation and finer online gaming experience.

Certainty pertaining to astounding graphics doesn’t gulp additional power. Users can experience their favorite videos and multimedia content on YB’s impressive 11.6-inch wide display at the same time. Designed with a sense of style, the device also sports an ergonomic touchpad for precision gestural control.

The integration of its unique ‘Assist’ button further enhances the usability factor. By utilizing this button, users can instantly access Vaio Care, Vaio original software, which simplifies basic maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.

The new Sony Vaio YB Series laptop has been tagged at Rs. 26,990 and will be made available across all Sony Centers and other major electronic outlets in India beginning 2nd February, 2011.

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YouTube videos gets over 200 Million Views Per Day

YouTube applications in Mobile has seen a huge growth in the past couple of years, it is all because of the growth in the number of smartphones and devices that come with the YouTube app pre-installed, and also the popularity of the YouTube mobile site. YouTube has now released the official numbers, which turn out  to be over 200 million video views per day, which is up by 3x from January 2010.

Apart from this YouTube is also adding music videos to their library of videos, but only for the Android YouTube app. YouTube has partnership with VEVO, so users can now access music videos from labels such as EMI, Sony and UMG and also get other stuff such as artist bio and other tracks by that artist.

These videos will come at a small cost to the users. They will now have to sit through 15 second pre-roll ads before they can start watching these videos. While this may sound annoying it will ensure you will continue to get premium content on your Android phone in future. The feature is currently limited to Android app users but will soon be available to those on other platforms as well as those who use the mobile website. 

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Patch for PS3 Hacks Promised By Sony

Sony is now aware of the booming  of PlayStation 3 hacking community and the exploits that are being talked about over the web. Just two days ago, a custom firmware creator tool had been released by PlayStation 3 hacker . Before that the PS3 console Root Key was made public by George GeoHot Hotz. Even the Blu-ray and PSP root keys were made public via forums. Sony spokesperson told Edge Magazine that the company is aware of these exploits and will fix them through network updates. 

Getting through the PlayStation 3 OS and breaking the encryption for getting the root key is a tough job. The Fail0verflow team had shown how the PS3 jailbreak would let them gain control of entire system and allow installing open-source programs on it. At the 26th Chaos Communication Conference that took place last month end, fail0verflow demonstrated the exploit that would let them pass through the PS3 security. 

Earlier this year, Hotz claimed to have cracked the console. When Sony discovered the hack the Other OS feature was removed via system update. However, the real objective was always hidden under the blanket of piracy prevention. 

Last month the PS3 hacking scene started heating up. Hotz released the public key after fail0verflow published the method hack through the security. Both parties don't condone piracy and do not want anyone to turn the result of their hard work into a breeding pirated games business. 

Pytey, fail0verflow team member told BBC news that the console has been compromised and there is no recovery from that. The fail0verflow team is working on tools that will let Root Keys to sign only Homebrew software and not the games. 

We don't know what tragic turn this squabble between Sony, Hotz and fail0verflow will take. Hacks and root keys are out in the public and to prevent any sort of reverse engineering on the game console, Sony is planning to patch all the holes at any cost.

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Sony Ericsson to launch Its New Handsets in Feb 2011

Sony Ericsson seems to be working very hard to announce some new handsets in the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) that is going to be held in Barcelona in February 2011. As from the various online reports that have come into picture, we can expect that Sony Ericsson will be going to expand its Xperia handsets category by adding some new models to it.

The models, which are going to be expected to line-up Xperia handsets portfolio, are Xperia Arc, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Neo models. We also came to know that Sony Ericsson would be also going to launch Xperia X12 and PlayStation phone. Sony Ericsson Xperia 12 is a hybrid version of Xperia X10 handset,  X12 will be powered by 1 GHz of processor and will be running on Google’s newest Android Operating System, Gingerbread.

The device is also supposed to have 8.1 Megapixel of camera that is capable of recording HD videos at 720p resolution and it also going to support a HDMI port. The detail of Xperia Arc, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Neo models handsets has not yet been announced but it is going to be released very soon.

Sony Ericsson has already trademarked Xperia Arc, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Neo models and they might be going to announce in MWC event.

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Clear video of PlayStation Phone surfaces online

Last weekend the grainy images of Sony Ericsson's PlayStation Phone surfaced on the web. Then two days ago, we reported about Sony Ericsson's much buzzed about PlayStation Phone was captured in a spy video. And now Engadget's Paul Miller spotted a video showing clear image of the PlayStation phone running Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread update. Apparently, Engadget is lucky in getting early scoops on the PlayStation Phone.

A user with YouTube user name xxmajstor uploaded video of his brief encounter with PlayStation Phone running Gingerbread update. Looks like Sony was working on PlayStation Network integration with the Android just like Microsoft Xbox LIVE is integrated in Windows Phone 7 operating system. PlayStation Phone has PlayStation App with a joystick button just like the one that appears on Sony PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles. From the video I still can't figure out whether its PlayStation Store connecting App or proper PlayStation integration. 

So finally following are the confirmed details:

- OS: Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread

- Model Name: Zeus

- Gaming: PlayStation Integration

- PSPgo like controls with a touchpad and two shoulder buttons

- PlayStation App has three tabs out of which two are All and Recently Played.

Watch two videos of the PlayStation Phone being checked out briefly. Screen looks glossy and bright but can't figure out if it's Super LCD or AMOLED display.

Now we eagerly wait for the Sony Ericsson France's CEO Pierre Peron's presentation on Dec 9. That will make things clear what exactly the PlayStation App will contain. 

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Sony Intros Ultra-Chic Colorful Walkman E-series

Finally Sony has launched an ultra-stylish range of E-series Walkman media players. They support a 2.0-inch QVGA LCD screen, which allow you to view album artworks and videos. The E-series features 5 of Sony's proprietary sound technologies such as Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) to create more natural tones, closer to the original recording. These support a new and easier user interface so that users would have no problems in navigation and enjoying music and video. Since they appear like mass storage devices, you can conveniently and easily drag and drop files to the Walkman, rather than depend on any software for that purpose.


The Walkman PMPs are packed with unique features such as the Karaoke Mode, which automatically reduces the volume of original performer's vocals, thus letting you fill in his/her place with your vocals. There is even the facility to adjust the key of the song to match their natural pitch without affecting the playback speed. They also suppport the new SenseMe channels, which automatically analyze and categorize the music library with Sony's 12 Tone Analysis technologies to create themed playlists. Users can then pick a music channel to suit his/her mood. Last but not the least, there is FM radio for an element of surprise when you feel that listening to MP3 is too predictable.

They are available in bright and cheerful colors like Gold, Red and Black, these are targeted at the young and the young at heart. The Walkman E-series NWZ-E353 and NWZ-454 are available in 4 GB and 8 GB capacities, and can be bought at all Sony Center and other major electronic outlets across India. The E353 with 4 GB capacity is available in Black and Red for Rs. 4,990, while the E454 with 8 GB is available in Black and Gold for Rs. 6,990.

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Android 2.1 for Xperia X10 family due tomorrow

Finally, Sony Ericsson has announced to release Google Android 2.1 Eclair update for its Xperia X10 family handsets. Tomorrow on Sunday, the Android 2.1 update would start rolling out phase wise for Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. But still there s no guarantee that all Xperia X10 family handset owners will get the update immediately. Only the non-branded Xperia X10 series handsets will get notification for Android 2.1 update.

Last month we reported about Sony Ericsson fixing last minute issues in the Xperia X10 series range through Android 2.1 update. Now since the update is due on Sunday, not all Xperia X10 series handsets owners would receive update notifications.

Richard Skogberg at Sony Ericsson Product blog noted that generic kits for the Nordic countries would be pushed out tomorrow evening European time. More kits would be rolled out on Monday and then the roll out has been spread out for next month - Nov. 
The key changes coming with Android 2.1 update are:

Xperia X10:
- HD video recording with continuous auto-focus for high quality videos
- Upgrade of the Android platform to Android 2.1
- New back up and restore application, with extended content back up
- 5 homescreens for apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders
- Social phonebook which automatically syncs contact pictures from Facebook and shows when your friends are online

Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro:
- Improved Bluetooth functionality with support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more
- New backup and restore application with extended content back up
- Automatic synchronization of your contact pictures between Facebook and your phone book
- Improved ways of handling pictures, audio, text and numbers in your messages

Generic unbranded Xperia X10, X10 Mini or X10 Mini Pro handset owners will get notification of Android 2.1 update which can be downloaded Over-the-Air using Wi-Fi or mobile GPRS. Alternatively, users can also take help of PC Companion software to download and install the Android 2.1 update on their Xperia X10 series phone. We d suggest you to download via PC Companion software to be on safer side. 

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