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.

Embedded Projectors on Sony Camcorders will be a LOT better with PicoP

Headed to the local Best Buy with assistance to compare the ShowWx with the DLP projector embedded in a Sony Camcorder.

Apologies for the lack of exactly comparable content, and the non-pure screen. We were trying to be discreet with our informal test. 

The ShowWx is five years old -- compared to last years DLP. The PicoP demo available shown at the Microvision stockholder meeting this year is MUCH better than the projector demonstrated here.

• The ShowWx is rated at 10 lumens
• The DLP claims 25 lumens

Clarity of the DLP is pretty good, but it seems kind of "washed out" 

The focus requirement on the DLP is very touchy.

The throw-ratio of the ShowWx is MUCH better. The first picture shows the projectors at the same distance from the viewing surface. The picture of the ShowWx is much larger at the same distance.

Comparing brightness. ("10 lumen" ShowWx on the left "25 lumen" DLP on the right.)

This is the tag for the Sony model tested.

* Thanks Omer!

MVIS at ten VS Texas Instruments DLP at 25 -- MVIS wins, no contest.

Sony is now connected with Microvision. They are employing Microvision's PicoP  and they're using Microvision for a good reason.

I went to look at the embedded projector they are using in one of their camcorder models that is for sale now.

The TI DLP included claims 25 Lumens. I will try and get a video comparison of this with my MVIS ShowWX rated at 10 lumens. The ShowWx is MUCH better than the DLP projector in this camera. I look forward to Sony using PicoP (much better than ShowWx) in many of its products.

HDR-PJ540/B

Full HD 60p/24p Camcorder w/ Balanced Optical SteadyShot™

Projector

• Throw Distance : Approx. 0.5m (1.6feet) or over
• Endurance (Battery Life) : Approx. 95min(Supplied Battery)
• Resolution Output : 640 x 360
• Screen Coverage : Up to 100" (diag)
• Projector Input : Yes (HDMI micro) 
• Contrast Ratio : 1500:1
• Light Output : Up to 25 lumens
• ShowWx specs

brightness:	10 Lumens
Color Light Output:	**
Eco-Mode(Lumens):	10 ANSI
Contrast(Full On/Off):	**
Auto Iris:	No
Native Resolution:	848x480
Aspect Ratio:	16:9 (WVGA)

Institutional Investing and What are the shorts thinking?

Active institutional position are getting much larger.

But there are still a lot of short positions in the stock.

Active Positions

	HOLDERS	SHARES
Increased Positions	20	1,462,762
Decreased Positions	6	117,202
Held Positions	18	2,889,542
Total Institutional Shares	44	4,469,506

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/mvis/institutional-holdings#ixzz38gglPVdm

New and Sold Out Positions

	HOLDERS	SHARES
New Positions	9	369,466
Sold Out Positions	1	50,500

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/mvis/institutional-holdings#ixzz38ggoPhub


What are the shorts thinking?

There are only a few options for them right now that make any sense to me. I'd like to know what other people think is possible. 

1) They might think the MVIS tech will be a fail and will be shown to be a complete failure soon. (Even a short-term pop in the stock could force them to cover.) 

We know this isn't the case. We've seen the product in action, and for durability, we know that it has successfully performed while bouncing around in Japanese cars - in extreme heat and cold and humidity. It works, It won’t fail. 

2) They think that a product release will be disappointing. That instead of a huge release of a product, it will dribble out of Sony as an add-on to a video camera and little else. 

I must admit this is a concern, but not a significant one. It is possible that management at Sony will dribble the technology out instead of doing a massive release. I doubt it though. Even a fearful management team would not want to dilute their thunder. 

3) They don’t believe in the technology at all. Maybe they’ve seen the Texas Instruments DLP projector for which they claim 80 lumens, and thought that a Microvision PicoP projector rated at 35 lumens has to lose in comparison. 

I actually think this is high likelihood in the short camp. Gigantic Mistake. I have seen the DLP projector on the current Sony video projector — there are several, the one I saw in action is horrible. The throw ratio is poor, the picture is dim, and the focus is touchy. The ShowWx absolutely blows it away it is superior in every respect. And the current demo model shown at the ASM is very superior to the ShowWx. 

If they believe the comparisons — I could understand shorting the stock.



I would be absolutely astonished if ANYONE who has actually seen the technology in action could possibly be short the stock. 

4) They are trying to manipulate the stock lower, to make it cheaper. I’d say this is possible, but probably by trying to sucker other people into shorting the stock.

"New products and services around the corner"

We aren't hearing much of anything from Sony. (that doesn't mean they aren't working with PicoP, we know they are!)

The theory that MVIS and Apple are engaged right now seems like a stretch to some; but my efforts to disprove it have failed.

I do not think that PicoP will be embedded in iPhones this year.

My favorite theory for what Apple could release is an iPod/Apple TV combo device with an incorporated PicoP & a fantastic video content service on iTunes. 

Some recent about the Apple pipeline of "new category of product."




"Mr Cook told investors that he was “incredibly excited” about the new products and services around the corner, “that we can’t wait to introduce”. The notoriously secretive company did not go into specific details, but it is widely expected to unveil a so-called “smart” watch and is also rumoured to be close to launching a sophisticated Apple TV."

Article from The Telegraph

---

Apple R&D Spending Spikes + 36%
"...Apple's $1.6 billion quarterly investment represents 4 percent of sales, the highest percentage of spending in R&D since 2006, the year before Apple released the first iPhone." 

"This huge increase supports rumors the company is investing significantly in more than just new iPhones, iPads, and Macs for its upcoming product pipeline. Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly confirmed the company is preparing to enter new product categories, with Cook saying Apple is working "really great stuff." Apple's Internet Software and Services chief Eddy Cue also enthusiastically noted that Apple's planned products for 2014 are "the best product pipeline that I've seen in my 25 years at Apple." 

From MacRumors

---

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Apple right now, but if you believe Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, we’re just getting started.

Based on Apple’s quarterly SEC filing, Huberty believes Apple’s revenue is set to explode over the coming quarters, since she claims Cupertino’s off-balance sheet commitments “confirm major product ramps later this year.”

Read more at http://www.cultofmac.com/288831/numbers-dont-lie-new-insight-apples-killer-pipeline/#X7ud9gfFiVVi5PIR.99

An off-balance sheet commitment refers to third-party manufacturers, component purchases, commitments for product tooling/manufacturing process equipment, advertising, research and development, and Internet and telecommunications services.

Cult of Mac

OSMO -- unique camera attachment for iPad

OSMO Included just because it's totally new kind of gadget. Creative use of PicoProjectors will give us something awesome. (Using PicoP with this would be very interesting.)

Market is Gigantic - and Growing

1.25 Billion Smartphones to ship in 2014

2 Billion Smartphones to ship in 2018

The market is Gigantic. Even if Microvision manages to sell to only a small portion of it, the income potential for Microvision is staggering. I'll have to adjust estimates here upward.

London, United Kingdom - 09 Jul 2014    Link

ABI Research expects 1.25 billion smartphones to ship in 2014 and forecasts smartphone shipments to pass the 2 billion mark in 2018. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the forecast period from 2014 to 2019 is 12%.

“While smartphone growth is beginning to fall, plenty of growth remains, with smartphone penetration of mobile subscribers under 30% worldwide,” commented Nick Spencer, senior practice director, ABI Research. “Most advanced and affluent markets already have 60%+ penetration, so the growth is driven by developing markets and the reduction in smartphone ASPs.”

Smartphones will consolidate their lead as the largest computing category, more than doubling that of its nearest rival in 2017. Growth is being driven by Chinese and Indian smartphone manufacturers, creating low-cost Android or AOSP devices for markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Smartphones and Handsets Market Research, which includes Research Analyses, Market Data, Insights, and Competitive Assessments.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

Tidbits from the Apple Conference Call - Updated

What I'm taking away from this is that CONTENT is of prime importance for Apple and mobile device sellers. 

New gadgets are cool, but the reason they want them (and the reason mobile network companies want them, is to sell content.) 

When the fastest growing part of their business is the iTunes software and services, that's content. If it's a prime consideration for Apple, then it's going to be a prime consideration for other tech and mobile companies as well.

Video has the benefit of being the kind of content that people buy and watch maybe once or twice, not over and over again like music.

PicoP would give them an awesome way to sell more content.



Quotes pulled from the Apple conference call below:

All Courier Type [ courier ] is quoted from Seeking Alpha's Conference Call Transcript (Thank you Seeking Alpha.)

We’re putting a huge effort into delivering the best experience to our customers wherever they use iOS. That includes a safe and intuitive user interface for driving, called CarPlay, which is being integrated by 29 major car brands including Audi, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Toyota and Volvo; and after-market systems like Pioneer and Alpine.

iOS 8 provides developers with amazing new frameworks, enables wide use of Touch ID to securely authenticate users within apps and lets developers further customize the user experience with major extensibility features such as third-party keyboards.

In fact for the first nine months of this fiscal year, the line item that we call iTunes software and services has been the fastest growing part of our business. iTunes billings grew 25% year-over-year in the June quarter and reached an all-time quarterly high, thanks to the very strong results from the App Store.

But what’s most important to us is that customers are enjoying their iPads and using them heavily. 

Another recent study by Custora found that iPad accounts for 80% of all U.S. tablet based e-commerce purchases.

Growth in Mobile Video = Growth in Demand for PicoP

If what is in this report is true, my estimates for the potential of PicoP are grotesquely LOW.

Earnings Math
Market Cap Comparisons

• 6.8 BILLION mobile subscriptions globally in the first Quarter of 2014 (I find this difficult to believe. It must mean that there are a lot of people with multiple subscriptions.)
• More than 2 billion mobile broadband subscriptions globally in 2013.
• 9.2 Billion mobile subscriptions by the end of 2019. (That's more than the current human population of the world by two billion.) World Population
• Data usage has been growing at 65% annually
• 40% of mobile data traffic is from VIDEO. (That's a LOT of traffic. I need no other reason to invest in Microvision. We don't have to own the whole market to do amazingly well.)
• 
  

Ericsson Mobility Report June 2014 from Ericsson

Microsoft Patents "Wearable Behavior-Based Vision System"

This has been getting some buzz on message boards, but it appears that this patent is more about how to use a head mounted display, than a patent for a head mounted display.

Good news for sure that a lot of thought is going into how to use these displays.

Pub. No.:    WO/2014/110469    International Application No.:    PCT/US2014/011183 Publication Date: 17.07.2014 International Filing Date: 11.01.2014
IPC:	G06F 3/01 (2006.01), G01C 23/00 (2006.01), G02B 27/01 (2006.01)
Applicants:	MICROSOFT CORPORATION [US/US]; One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (US)
Inventors:	LAMB, Mathew, J.; (US). KIPMAN, Alex, Aben-athar; (US)

Patent Description

WEARABLE BEHAVIOR-BASED VISION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Mixed reality is a technology that allows virtual imagery to be mixed with a real world physical environment in a display. Systems for mixed reality may include, for example, see through head mounted displays or smart phones with built in cameras. Such systems typically include processing units which provide the imagery under the control of one or more applications.

[0002] Behavioral based analysis has been utilized in robotics as a framework for programming the actions of control systems. Some behavioral models in behavioral-robotics use layered sets of rules for object, with base-layer behaviors such as avoid-collision being the most basic. Behaviors are focused from the perspective of the actor or robot, and elemental behaviors used to produce advanced control systems.

[0003] In behavior-based system, the robot controller is organized as a collection of modules, called behaviors, that receive inputs from sensors and/or other behaviors, process the input, and send outputs to actuators and/or other behaviors. Each behavior generally serves some independent function, such as avoiding obstacles or homing to a goal location. All behaviors in a controller are executed in parallel, simultaneously receiving inputs and producing outputs.

SUMMARY

[0004] Technology is described to provide a behavior-based vision system in a see-through head mounted display device. A see through display apparatus includes a see-through, head mounted display and sensors on the display that detects audible and visual data in a field of view of the apparatus. A processor cooperates with the display to provide information to a wearer of the device using a behavior-based real object mapping system. At least a global and egocentric behavioral zone relative to the apparatus are established, and real objects assigned behaviors which are mapped to the respective zones occupied by the object. The behaviors assigned to the objects can be used by applications which provide services to the wearer, using the behaviors as the foundation for evaluation of the type of feedback to provide in the apparatus.

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006 - 00057]

[0058] There are different image generation technologies that can be used to implement microdisplay 120. For example, microdisplay 120 can be implemented using a transmissive projection technology where the light source is modulated by optically active material, backlit with white light. These technologies are usually implemented using LCD type displays with powerful backlights and high optical energy densities. Microdisplay 120 can

also be implemented using a reflective technology for which external light is reflected and modulated by an optically active material. The illumination is forward lit by either a white source or RGB source, depending on the technology. Digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) and Mirasol® display technology from Qualcomm, Inc. are all examples of reflective technologies which are efficient as most energy is reflected away from the modulated structure and may be used in the system described herein. Additionally, microdisplay 120 can be implemented using an emissive technology where light is generated by the display. For example, a PicoP™ engine from Microvision, Inc. emits a laser signal with a micro mirror steering either onto a tiny screen that acts as a transmissive element or beamed directly into the eye (e.g., laser).

Potential Demand --- food for thought

Last year, in a single weekend, Apple sold ten million units of the upgraded iPhone 5.

This year, they're asking for 70-80 million units of the iPhone 6.

The demand for gadgets with mobile video is HUGE. 

Microvision will be able to sell lots of PicoP.

***************************************************************************

From MarketWatch

July 21, 2014, 8:51 p.m. EDT

Apple to suppliers: Gear up for the next iPhone

By Lorraine Luk

Apple Inc. is preparing for its largest initial production run of iPhones, betting that larger-screen models will lure consumers now attracted to similar phones from Samsung Electronics Co. and others.

The Cupertino, Calif., company is asking suppliers to manufacture between 70 million and 80 million units combined of two large-screen iPhones with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays by Dec. 30, according to people familiar with the matter.

Its forecast for what is commonly called the iPhone 6 is significantly larger than the initial order last year of between 50 million and 60 million versions of the iPhone 5S and 5C--which had a display measuring 4-inches diagonally, these people said. Both of the coming models are expected to feature metal cases similar to the iPhone 5S and likely come in multiple colors, these people said.

Apple stuck with smaller displays on iPhones even as rival smartphone makers rolled out bigger screens and customers clamored for larger phones. Demand for larger-screen smartphones boosted Samsung, which started offering a 4.8-inch display in its Samsung Galaxy S models in 2012 and introduced an array of bigger phones.

Apple is scheduled to report its fiscal third-quarter results on Tuesday and provide a financial outlook for the current period ending Sept. 28. Historically, Apple has released a new iPhone in mid-September.

Analysts are forecasting Apple will report sales of about 35.9 million iPhone units for the three months ended June 30. That would be up about 15% from a year earlier.

For Apple, one possible hiccup with the larger screen is that display makers for the new iPhones are struggling to improve the production of the larger 5.5-inch screens, people familiar with the matter said. The production is complicated because the displays are using in-cell technology, which allows the screens to be thinner and lighter by integrating touch sensors into the liquid crystal display and making it unnecessary to have a separate touch-screen layer.

To factor in the possibility of a higher failure rate for displays, Apple has asked component makers to prepare for up to 120 million iPhones by year-end, the people familiar with the matter said. It made a similar request last year to prepare enough parts for a combined 90 million iPhones to provide some slack in its supply chain.

The 5.5-inch iPhone screen would face an additional manufacturing complication if it uses a cover using sapphire crystal, a more durable but costly alternative to glass, people familiar with the matter said.

Apple's iPhone production forecast assumes a surge in demand from Apple's partnership with China Mobile Ltd., the world's largest carrier, which started offering the iPhone earlier this year. Bigger-screen smartphones are also popular in China and other emerging markets where the smartphone is replacing the personal computer as a main computing device.

As Apple competes against Google Inc.'s Android operating system, larger screens are now common in Apple's core mobile market--high-price phones. In May, 98% of Android smartphones that sold globally at the equivalent of $400 or above featured a display greater than 5 inches, according to Counterpoint Research.

The new iPhones are coming to market as Samsung's smartphone business is showing signs of sluggishness. Earlier this month, Samsung warned that its earnings would fall for a third straight quarter due to a glut of unsold smartphones. It is feeling the pinch in emerging markets where its low- to mid-end smartphones are facing intense price competition from rival Asian handset makers including Lenovo Group Ltd. and Xiaomi Inc.

Every year, Apple faces a delicate balancing act. It is critical for Apple to ensure that it has enough supplies of a new iPhone during the holiday season when demand is greatest. Shortages can often result in sales for its rivals, although too much inventory also is a concern.

Apple disappointed investors in last year's December quarter when iPhone sales rose 7% from a year earlier, falling short of Wall Street expectations of a 15% increase as it struggled to fulfill demand for the 5S and failed to move enough 5C units. The slump proved temporary, with Apple reporting a 17% increase in the following quarter.

Michael Walkley, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity, said there is "strong pent-up demand" for the iPhone 6 because customers have held off on upgrading from older iPhone models.

To fulfill Apple's demands, the company's two main iPhone assemblers--- Pegatron Corp. and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., also known as Foxconn--are on a hiring binge at their respective manufacturing sites in China. Foxconn, for example, is hiring workers by the hundreds a day to staff production lines at their respective manufacturing sites in China, said people familiar with those companies.

Foxconn and Pegatron plan to start mass producing the 4.7-inch iPhone model next month and Hon Hai will begin making the 5.5-inch version exclusively in September, the people said.

Often, Apple's production forecasts are adjusted based on early demand, according to people familiar with the matter. For example, Apple tweaked its initial forecasts for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C last year when the more expensive 5S initially sold better than expected and the 5C slumped in the first few months, these people said.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has also warned that the supply chain is "very complex" and that it is impossible to take a data point from a supplier and extrapolate a broader meaning for Apple's business.

Suppliers also say that Apple likes to build up inventory heading into the new year, because it is difficult to keep production lines humming at full capacity since many workers go home during Lunar New Year, which is in February next year.

Write to Lorraine Luk at lorraine.luk@wsj.com, Daisuke Wakabayashi at Daisuke.Wakabayashi@wsj.com and Eva Dou at eva.dou@wsj.com 

Microlense Patent & Paper

The Paper From OpticsInfoBase.org

Maybe Just Smoke, Maybe Fire.

Here's the Article

One of Apple’s biggest issues in building iPhones or iPads with different display sizes and form factors has mainly been its policy on fixed display resolution and aspect ratio for iOS. We all remember when the iPhone 5 was launched, and how we had to deal with black bars on the display while apps were updated to comply with the new standards. The same happened with the launch of the iPhone 4, where pixel resolution doubled and apps had to be updated. It seems that Apple is already working on fixing this, and new hints point to fixes soon.

Xcode 6 was just seeded to developers, and among the things that were updated, we see that Apple is taking the future of iOS’ display options seriously. We see options for a resizable iPhone and resizable iPad on display settings, which could hint to a ton of things. While we wish that this means that apps and games may be able to scale automatically, it could just be that Apple is giving these options a temporary name in order to prepare developers for the iPhone 6 and iPad Pro.

It could also be that Apple is preparing to actually make those rumors of split-screen multitasking happen, but time will tell as iOS 8 is still a work in progress.

--- What I don't get is I could see having two different sizes for the new phone, but there could be some different reasons for having "resizable" listed.