New Xperia coming at IFA

During a Sony presentation last fall, they highlighted new things they were working on, and some they weren't going to talk about. There was a reminder during that that they would present their own innovations "first." 

No guarantees here, but certainly more to watch.

From Stuff.tv

Sony typically unveils new cameras, televisions and mobile gear at IFA each year, and this time we’re fairly certain something particularly noteworthy is coming in the latter category: a new flagship Xperia smartphone.

XperiaBlog unearthed benchmark details of a new Sony handset type codenamed F833X, with specs that sit very close to those of the current Xperia X Performance: Snapdragon 820 processor, 3GB of RAM, 5.1in 1080p screen, 32GB of internal storage, 23MP rear-facing camera and 13MP front-facing camera.

While these are hardly bleeding edge tech specs, there’s likely to be something else, feature-wise, to differentiate this phone from the Xperia X Performance: something special on the build quality or camera front, perhaps? Then again, given that the X Performance never got a full UK launch, perhaps this is just Sony's way of making amends. Could this be an Xperia X2? Or something else? We’ll know more soon…

Read more at http://www.stuff.tv/news/6-things-we-cant-wait-see-ifa-2016#0XKISWCKkVXog4Rg.99

IFA 2016 Reporting

This is a familiar pattern if you've been following tech news for very long. The rumor mills scramble to find information about everything. Then close to the event, there's a lot of reporting, and very little substance -- which is being saved for the show. Below is a sample of IFA 2016 reporting.

• Berlin's Tech Festival
• Surface Phone
• Google / HTC
• ZTE
• Xperia XR

Sony Aims to get "Ultra Smart"

This is a good one. This is insight into what Sony intends to do. 

Looks like MicroVision is right in the middle of that.

More at the source

The key to the new technology, he said, was a new philosophy: “communication with intelligence”.

While the years from 2013 to 2015 were dedicated to the highly-regarded Sony Xperia Z series, the coming three years will see the Xperia X, along with a range of “smart products”, build in more intelligence around a “new communication experience”.

Tajima, who was personally involved in the creation of the Xperia brand, explains that it is a combination of the words “experience” and “ia”, which means  “place” in Latin. In short, Xperia is intended to be “the place where experience is generated”.

The four new smart products launched at MWC under the Xperia brand – Ear, Eye, Projector and Agent – each has a specific context in mind, he said.

“Ear is a very tiny earpiece, for completely hands-free communication without looking down at smartphone. It offers a very intuitive and playful communications style.

“Projector is for family communication at home, and is designed to accelerate family communications.

“Eye is a personal content creation for social networking communications: it captures your life.

“Agent is intended to support a person’s communications life in all its aspects. It has a common voice-based natural user interface, and smart support or assistance.”

The latter is in effect a robot butler that serves up information, communication and entertainment needs rather than the physical. It allows other gadgets and appliances to be controlled from a single point, using natural voice instructions. Some might say it is a glorified voice assistant and remote control, but Sony believes it will keep evolving as more intelligence is built in.

The Agent in particular is likely to be hard sell, as Sony looks for use cases that will persuade households to invest in yet another gadget that is designed to control or access the gadgets that are already around. 

However, even if it doesn’t sell in large numbers, it serves a similar purpose as other brands’ high-end gadgets that are affordable only by the wealthy: it is proof of technology leadership, which creates greater desirability for the more affordable devices from the same brands.

“With the intelligence and connectivity technology we have, we believe we can find a new business field beyond the smartphone,” says Tajima. “The smartphone field is very busy and competitive. We want to find new fields, and the smart products are just the beginning.”

“The smartphone is defined by a graphic user interface (GUI), and the size of the interface is almost defining the size of the phone. If we have a breakthrough in the GUI, for example via the projector, we will have the chance to change the form factor of smartphones. So we will try the projector interface through this product once we have that kind of breakthrough.”

That could well mean a time where your smartphone is only an interface, and an interface can be displayed on or transmitted to any device or surface. Think of it as a phone whithout a handset. If that sounds absurd, you may just need a new kind of Ear to hear the future coming.

Sony to Build first new Smartphone Factory in 20 years

From Xperia Blog

From Nekkei

Sony Mobile will launch a new smartphone factory in Thailand, which will be the first Sony plant dedicated to its mobile business in 20 years. The factory will consists of a start-to-finish production system that will cover all steps through o assembly. Production at the plant is expected to begin in fiscal 2016 with Sony producing several million units of Xperia smartphones per year.

Initial investment is expected to be in the region of several billion yen according to a report from Nikkei, with a production line to be added to an existing site in Pathum Thani Province that was suspended since the 2011 floods in the region. 

The previous plant built 20 years ago was in partnership with three local partners, having full ownership of the Thailand plant will lead to speedier decision making. The news sends a strong message that Sony is committed to the mobile space and that it has no plans to give up just yet.

Xperia _5 "Made for Bond" Phone

It was a couple of months ago. There were some things written about James Bond using a SONY phone in the upcoming James Bond movie.

It would be an amazing way to jump-start the marketing of a new technology. (Spectre release has been featured on the catalysts page since then)

Other than thinking it's what I would do, I have no reason to assume that MicroVision will be found here.

It is fun to think what a splash it would be, and I'll keep watching.

Sony to "supersize" it's screen  Tech Radar

That being said, earlier this year thanks to the leaked Sony emails, it was revealed that Sony had offered the current James Bond actor Daniel Craig a whopping $5 million fee to use a Sony smartphone in the next Bond movie, but at that time it was suggested that both Craig and director Sam Mendes turned the offer down. However if these images are the real deal, maybe they did come to an agreement after all.
Phone Arena
Uber Gizmo
TechTimes
CelebCafe
Softpedia
IrishExaminer

MicroVision's Brilliant Management

MicroVision licenses an imaging technology. While it may be included in devices that exist only to have this imaging technology, it's best use has always been anticipated to be a component in other devices. 

Embedded in smart phones has long been the goal for PicoP technology. Even when the best phones were flip-phones. I don't remember the last time I saw one.

So, given supply chain difficulties where would a brilliant management team take Microvision? Once the supply chain problems were solved, what would be the best partner for MicroVision? 

A company with these qualities?

• makes the best imaging products
• makes its own innovative consumer electronics products
• makes outstanding cellphones
• makes components for all other major OEM's cell phones
• Has huge video content library & distribution

That's where MicroVision's management has taken us - to SONY. MicroVision's management managed to get SONY as a partner.

There could be no better partner. It will be a mutually beneficial association that will benefit all parties: MicroVision, SONY, their customers and their shareholders.

No better possible partner exists than SONY. If for no other reason than they make camera components for every major smartphone on earth. They're so good they're having trouble keeping up with demand.

When PicoP -- SONY's next great component rolls out -- they're already selling components to Apple, Samsung & Xiaomi -- the big three cellphone makers. 

SONY Code Name "Lavendar"

ラベンダー  -- Lavendar -- in Japanese the flower means "Faithful"

This may be nothing or something big -- this is one of those things that goes up on the "alert" screen. I've been watching this for a while, as the leaks appeared and started to gain a little traction. Then this appeared.

You can read it any way you want to, the language could certainly mean that this is just a slightly larger phablet is going to be produced, or something considerably more interesting. Time will tell.

From iSchoolGuide

"The leaked specs also say the Lavender will come with a Full HD display "bigger than [the] Xperia C4." According to specs listed on GSM Arena, the yet-be-released Xperia C4 has a 5.5-inch 1080 x 1920p IPS LCD display."



From Recombu
"According to the leak it will come with a MediaTek MT6752 64Bit 1.7GHz octa-core SoC and 2GB of RAM, which should deliver reasonably chipper performance. While we don’t yet know what size it will be, the leaker claims it will be bigger than the Sony Xperia C4, which boasts a 5.5-inch screen. "


Ecumenical News

From MobileChoice UK

Xperia P2 - Leak

I have scraped this article, because I don't want to lose this and I'm not particularly familiar with the source.

This is a very interesting leak, because the battery in this phone would be significantly more powerful than other phone batteries, and the phone it self would be getting thicker instead of thinner, and likely thick enough to contain a standard Sony PicoP module.

If you note the illustration below, and look at the thickness diagrammed on the far right, you'll notice that the phone is quite thick, but also tapered, thicker at the top of the phone -- which would be convenient if a projector was contained in the thick end. 

We can't draw any conclusions, but it does look really interesting. Please check out the article at the source as well.

More on P2 from International Business Times

From TechTimes.com

If insight offered by a Chinese site is to be believed, Sony is revving up the next-gen  Xperia-P series smartphone handset with some pretty impressive hardware in play.

The latest leak regarding Sony and its handset strategy indicates an Xperia P2 is in the works, and the leaked data even offers up a spec sheet that states the Xperia P2 will boast a 5.2-inch full HD Triluminos display and run on a 1.9GHz Snapdragon 810 SoC processor. The smartphone will reportedly include two cameras- a 12.1MP on the back of the handset and a 5.1MP on the front. What may be most interesting to smartphone consumers is the reported 4,240mAh battery.

For those who love to track smartphone specs and vendor development strategies another interesting aspect is that this next Xperia device won't feature Sony's OmniBalance design. From the looks of the images provided, the Xperia 2 will feature narrow bezels and will follow the lead of the Xperia in having a transparent strip on its bottom.

The news comes as Sony is struggling to remain competitive in the uber competitive smartphone market given Apple, Samsung and even Microsoft's advancement in smartphone sales. Reviving the Xperia P series could indicate Sony is a bit desperate to get a new handset in play even if it means picking up a design it first put into play three years ago on its first Xperia P.

The leak also indicates that the Xperia 2 will be a bit heavier and thicker in its form factor, with a width ranging from 8.9 to 10.9mm, and possibly have a curved back aspect. Going thicker in design is certainly a new strategy as most smartphone players have been striving, just like mobile computing PC makers, to be lean and thin as possible, even if it means compromising battery power.

If the leak on this Xperia P2 is correct apparently Sony thinks consumers wants great power features and are willing to carry a slightly heavier handset to attain longer battery use.

James Bond

It took a while for me to decide to make this a post rather than a foot-note on the digging page. The more I think about this, the better I like it and the more sense it makes.

First, PicoP is a Bond-like technology. I chatted with a couple of friends about this, and they immediately launched - as I did, into the potential for this, and how cool it would look in a Bond movie. Conference call on the wall, discussing strategy with a projected map, showing pictures of targets or important people in a group. All would be a perfect application of PicoP technology -- and behold,  James Bond is a movie produced by Sony. 

A marketing home-run would be if a James Bond style science-fiction technology were actually released to the public when the movie is announced?

I have no idea if this is actually what is going on. It would be very exciting if it were -- it would mean that we as stockholders are holding a hot item though. 

NOTE -- Release dates of MAY and November... if you're getting impatient... it might not be long at all.

From PCAdvisorUK

"First, among the chaos of the recent hacked accounts at Sony Pictures, emails between CEO Michael Lynton and executive vice president of consumer marketing George Leon have allegedly been unearthed that leak details about the upcoming Xperia Z4. Not only is it rumoured that it will it be a product placement in the upcoming James Bond movie, but that James Bond actor Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes will have some input on its design.

The emails mention phones rather than a single phone (backing up the theory that we shall also see Music and dual-SIM versions - see below), with release dates of not March, but May and November. It's also alleged that Daniel Craig could net $5m simply for posing with the Sony Xperia Z4. This is backed up by fansite Xperia blog which says Sony is planning a Summer release."

From Xperia Blog

"Then there is the fact that we have not seen any leaks of any kind for the Xperia Z4 so far (apart from the Bond product pitch, which doesn’t really count). We understand the recent model that passed through the FCC is likely to be a mid-range device. Whilst, SONY has tightened up on the leak front, we find it very hard to believe that we would not see anything given that MWC is just over a month away."

new Xperia device.

This may be nothing -- or it might be just what we've been looking for.

I'm finding it curious that a new device -- not clearly a smartphone would have a 720P display (same as PicoP) and some confusion about relatively generous storage.

"Midranger" for a phone would be outstanding performance for a dedicated media player -- and we know that Sony doesn't like to purposely go "midrange."

There is also isn't really clear that this is a phone... it's a "device."

Android Headlines
At "Load the game"

a new Xperia device has shown up in benchmarks online. The appearance suggests that Sony is still going to release a few smartphones this year, although there’s no word on the Xperia Z4 so far. Despite the high expectations of the Xperia Z4 making an appearance at the MWC 2015, it seems like Sony will be showcasing different types of devices this time.

The mysterious Xperia device seems to have a 5.2 inch 720p display, which can already attest to the fact that this phone will definitely be a mid-ranger or an entry-level phone. Hardware-wise, the device gets a Snapdragon 615 CPU, backed by 2 GB RAM and 4 GB internal storage, which is a rather odd combination and there might be an error somewhere. Either there’s only 1 GB RAM available, or at least 16 GB internal storage, because 4 GB ROM paired with 2 GB RAM seems a bit redundant in our eyes.

Then there are these very persistent rumors -- that Sony is exiting the smartphone market. We're watching this closely.

Sony Exit Smartphones - Wallstreet.org

Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) has changed its medium as well as long term plans, and the company has hinted that it will be focusing on segments and products which have generated profits for the company and also have potential to grow further. This is bad news for those Sony customers who have loved their Sony Xperia phones, as this New strategy entails that Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) will be exiting the mobile phone market soon.

This is backed up by a statement from CEO of Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE), Kazuo Hirai, claiming that the company would not focus on few areas including their smartphones. This statement is in line with the previous policy of Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) regarding Xperia, where the company had to cut back on jobs. While it was previously decided that the company would launch a device every six months, Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) launched a device per year, and that too saw decline in profits for the whole Xperia range.

Hence, the company has planned that it is no longer wise to pursue the smartphone market. Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) is going to exit the market in a cost efficient way. Sony Xperia Z4 was to be launched next month at MWC, but this device will not be launched there now. It is true that Sony Corporation (NYSE:SNE) has produced a few very good and efficient smartphones, owing to its brilliant hardware coupled with the Android operating system.

I noticed in the following article that Xperia products and smartphones are separated.... again, I'm not sure how meaningful this is, but circumstantial evidence says something is up.

Sony's Marketing Director - Gulf Business

Q: What is your company focusing on this year?

We will provide our consumers with choices of compelling Xperia products, smartphones, tablets and smartwear. Through these Xperia products, we will showcase unique consumer benefits, as well as, the wider connected world of the Sony ecosystem.

But how could you anticipate a 25X increase in operating profits on devices you already make? Improved photographic devices would be able to pull that off... 

TechTimes, 25X increase on "devices"

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai says his company projects the moves will see Sony's operating profits increase 25-fold by 2018.

Hirai mentioned "devices" along with the company's film and music and games business, but that term can be used to describe a wide range of products Sony offers. Products he confirmed to fall into that devices category include Sony's cameras, storage and sensor products.

Sony Xperia Rumors are Ramping up -- Updated [1-30@9:45 PST]

Of course, we have NO IDEA what will happen with the SONY Xperia until SONY releases something. Some of the language in a couple of articles is getting interesting:

I have been of a mind that PicoP will NOT be in SONY phones (yet), but I could be as wrong this time as I have been in the past.

There have also been rumors both that Sony will end the Xperia line, and one now (more believable) that the Z4 is certified already. (which would interpret to mean the design process is complete.)

Xperia Z4 certified in Indonesia?
Sony vs Samsung vs HTC at MWC


ReleaseWire -- I'm aware this release is from a different company, I'm not sure what their strategy is -- two strong possibilities - they are trying to use Sony to gain attention for themselves, or perhaps they make components for SONY.

"With fewer devices, slower releases and new design", this is what consumers is yet to anticipate from Sony to shake things up for this year's latest gadget offering. Though the company firmly seals their lips about the upcoming Xperia Z4 and how it would set to dominate the world at the 2nd to 5th of March despite the issues of hack scandal, consumers have something to look forward to other than Sony as major mobile companies that produces android tablet is also set to undergo a lot of significant changes this year.


masterherald.com

"The device is expected to come in the first quarter of 2015, and it’s going to be a considerable step forward for the line."

"In the end, it’s also possible that the phone will have different specifications, as other rumors are pointing at another type of screen – 5.2 and 5.4 inches are getting mentioned quite often – as well as a different camera, although the Snapdragon 810 seems to be quite solid as far as rumors go. RAM size tends to vary from one rumor to another as well, although it’s probably safe to expect at least 2 GB from a device that’s more powerful than the average Android smartphone on the market in 2015, especially one in the Xperia line."

Sony Leaked Xperia Images

No idea if anything is here or not, but they're out there, you may as well look.

A gallery here

Found here...

And Here

Sony Press event -- September 3

From Itechpost

Jul 31, 2014 09:48 AM EDT

Sony IFA 2014 press event set for Sept. 3, Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact expected

By April Taylor

A Sony logo is seen as customers look at Sony's digital cameras at an electronic shop in Tokyo May 10, 2012.

Sony has reportedly scheduled a Sept. 3 press event as part of the IFA 2014 trade show, where the company is expected to introduce exciting new devices.

The IFA trade show is among the most exciting annual events for the tech community, as a slew of companies use the venue to announce their latest devices. Sony is expected to unveil a number of new devices at IFA 2014, including the much-rumored Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact smartphones.

In addition, the company may also introduce a range of other gadgets at the show, which may include some new wearables. As the wearable device market is expanding and more players are joining the race, Sony may choose to stay competitive and unveil a new Sony Smartwatch 3 at IFA in Berlin. New cameras and other devices may also debut at the show.

"Mark your diaries Sony fans, we have received word that Sony's 2014 IFA press conference will be taking place on Wednesday 3^rd September from 16:15 to 17:00 CEST. Expect new smartphones such as the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact to be announced along with hopefully some new wearables such as the SmartWatch 3 and the latest iteration of lens-style cameras," reveals the Xperia Blog.

The Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact have already leaked on several occasions recently, as various reports have tried to paint a picture of what to expect. Based on rumors so far, the Xperia Z3 flagship smartphone will sport a 5.15-inch display and a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, as well as a hefty 3GB of RAM for a fast and smooth performance. Other rumored specs include 32GB of internal storage capacity, microSD card support for additional memory, a high-end 20.7-megapixel rear camera, and a 2-megapixel front shooter. Dust- and waterproof capabilities will most likely be part of the deal as well.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, meanwhile, is rumored to come with a 4.6-inch full HD display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, and the same camera setup as the flagship Z3. As a reminder, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact revolutionized the whole "Mini" trend by delivering high-end specs in a compact form factor, and the company is expected to keep it up with future iterations as well. A Sony Xperia Z2 Compact was rumored, but never materialized, and recent reports suggested that the company will skip this version altogether and launch the Xperia Z3 Compact instead.

No official details are currently available regarding these devices, but there's a good chance that we'll see them at the IFA 2014 trade show in September. We'll keep an eye out for any new information and update you as soon as we learn more, so stay tuned.

Xperia Blog

Mark your diaries Sony fans, we have received word that Sony’s 2014 IFA press conference will be taking place on Wednesday 3rd September from 16:15 to 17:00 CEST. Expect new smartphones such as the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact to be announced along with hopefully some new wearables such as the SmartWatch 3 and the latest iteration of lens-style cameras. We can’t wait.