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  • Sony Battles $2.7 Billion UK Lawsuit over Alleged PlayStation Store Monopoly

    Sony Battles $2.7 Billion UK Lawsuit over Alleged PlayStation Store Monopoly

    Sony, the Japanese multinational conglomerate, is currently battling a lawsuit worth nearly £2 billion (approximately US$2.7 billion) in London. The lawsuit alleges that Sony has used its monopoly positioning to inflate prices for digital games. This litigation is one of the latest mass consumer cases to be tried in the United Kingdom.

    Sony is being accused of manipulating its market dominance by making digital games and console add-ons available exclusively through its PlayStation Store. As a result, prices for these digital commodities are allegedly higher compared to their physical counterparts. Sony maintains that it has invested significant resources, time, and billions of dollars into developing an integrated gaming platform that is beneficial to consumers. Sony asserts that their business model, which rivals that of fellow gaming giants Nintendo and Microsoft’s Xbox, is competitive and fair.

    Sony’s legal team has also argued that the profit margin from the sales of games and additional content is reasonable. They state that the lawsuit does not take into account the company’s operating costs and the value of its brand.

    The Ongoing Lawsuit

    This case, which was brought before London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on behalf of nearly 12 million UK residents, is the third of its kind against a major tech company to go to trial since the beginning of 2025.

    Alex Neill, who is spearheading the case, stated that gamers have been overpaying and should be entitled to a monetary reimbursement. Initially, the case was estimated to be worth up to £5 billion, but this has since been scaled down to £1.97 billion.

    According to Robert Palmer, the lawyer representing Neill, Sony is able to set retail prices without any retail competition for digital content, enabling it to earn monopoly profits from digital distribution. However, Sony, which sold 8 million PlayStation 5 consoles between October and December, refutes this claim. The company argues that the lawsuit is essentially advocating for third parties to be permitted to establish a store for the PlayStation and capitalize on Sony’s investments.

    Other Pending Cases

    Apart from this, there are other lawsuits related to app stores that are still pending. Last year, the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled against Apple over its App Store, a verdict which Apple is currently attempting to appeal.

    Google is also facing a lawsuit, with the trial set to begin in October. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite and a potential participant in this case, recently withdrew its claim. This development occurred shortly after Google announced comprehensive changes to its Play Store policies.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Sony being accused of in the lawsuit?
    Sony is accused of abusing its dominant market position by making digital games and console add-ons available exclusively through its PlayStation Store, thereby allegedly driving prices higher than their physical counterparts.

    What is Sony’s response to these allegations?
    Sony maintains that it has invested significant resources into developing an integrated gaming platform that benefits consumers in a competitive market. Its legal team also argues that the company’s profit margin on game sales and additional content is reasonable.

    Are there any similar lawsuits against other tech companies?
    Yes, there are other similar lawsuits pending against tech giants like Apple and Google. Last year, the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled against Apple over its App Store, a decision that Apple is currently seeking to appeal. Google is also set to face a lawsuit in October.

  • Sony Teases New Color Reveal for WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Is Sandpink the Next Big Thing?

    Sony Teases New Color Reveal for WH-1000XM6 Headphones: Is Sandpink the Next Big Thing?

    Sony has had a packed schedule in recent weeks, with the launch of the LinkBuds Clip in the previous month, a teaser for the anticipated debut of its high-end earbuds and the first speculations about the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII smartphones. Adding to the excitement, Sony has issued another teaser for a unique product.

    New Color Option for Sony WH-1000XM6

    Sony recently posted a brief six-second YouTube video teasing a new pair of headphones. The clip, titled “Your heart (and ears) will be set on us when you see this,” displays a rose-tinted cloth cascading over a set of headphones.

    Regrettably, the teaser doesn’t disclose the specific model hidden under the cloth, only hinting that something is “coming” on February 12, 2026. Much like last week’s promotional teaser for the WF-1000XM6 earbuds launch, the new video doesn’t provide any additional details.

    It appears unlikely that the video is teasing an entirely new headphone model. Instead, it’s more probable that it’s hinting at a Sandpink variant of the WH-1000XM6. Initial claims suggested that the new color could pertain to Sony’s forthcoming earbuds. However, these assertions were later clarified, stating the new shade was for the over-the-ear headphones. The release of the new video appears to substantiate these claims.

    The date and time unveiled in the new teaser aligns with the premiere of Sony WF-1000XM6, which is scheduled for 8am PT on Thursday, February 12. While the new earbuds will feature a redesign, they will initially only be available in black and white. Nonetheless, the possibility of a Sandpink model being released at a later date remains open.

    Similarities with Predecessors

    Apart from the design alterations, the WF-1000XM6 is likely to bear notable similarities with its forerunners. A recent leak suggested that the earbuds could include a new processor and speaker but offered little in terms of additional features. This might make it challenging for Sony to contend with competitors such as the AirPods 3 Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and the yet-to-be-released Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro.

    Attracting a Broader Market

    If a splash of color can catalyze iPhone sales in China, why couldn’t it have a similar effect on Sony’s headphone sales? While not everyone may be a fan of pink gadgets, a considerable number of consumers may appreciate the added variety.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Sony’s new teaser about?
    The new teaser is likely about a Sandpink version of the WH-1000XM6 headphones.

    When is the new product expected to be launched?
    The new product is anticipated to be released on February 12, 2026.

    What changes can be expected in the WF-1000XM6 earbuds?
    The WF-1000XM6 earbuds may feature a new processor and speaker in addition to a design overhaul. However, they will initially only be offered in black and white.

  • Sony says smartphone cameras will soon produce better images than DSLR cameras

    Sony says smartphone cameras will soon produce better images than DSLR cameras

    When it comes time for you to capture an important event by snapping a photograph of it or recording it on video, do you tend to use the camera array on your smartphone or do you turn to a dedicated SLR camera to handle these tasks? Smartphone photography has come such a long way that these days most consumers are willing to trust their handsets to deliver outstanding family photos.
    One executive who has a great vantage point showing him the future of smartphone photography is the President and CEO of Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS), Terushi Shimizu. The executive runs the team that is the leading supplier of image sensors for smartphones and as a result, Shimizu has a unique look at what is happening in the industry. Shimizu says that “still images (from smartphones) will exceed the image quality of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras within the next few years.”

    An SLR camera uses a combination of mirrors and prisms so that the image seen through the viewfinder is the same image that will be captured by the photographer. DSLR cameras are Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras that use image sensors rather than film. Sony’s Shimizu made his comment during an industry conference and a slide from that event shows that Sony expects that the quality of smartphone camera images will start to exceed those of interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) in the calendar year 2024.

    That is the same as saying that images from smartphone cameras will start to surpass those achieved by DSLR and mirrorless cameras in as soon as two years. One of the reasons for the improvement will be an increase in the size of image sensors to over one inch in size allowing them to capture more data.. Sony also has created a new structure that saturates each pixel with twice as much light to create more dynamic range while reducing noise on pictures snapped in low-light.
  • Sony Looks To Electric Cars For Its Next Big Hit

    Sony Looks To Electric Cars For Its Next Big Hit

    Japan’s Sony Group Corp plans to launch a company this spring to examine entering the electric vehicle market, looking to harness its strengths in entertainment and sensors to play a bigger role in next-generation mobility.

    The new company, Sony Mobility Inc, comes as the Japanese tech giant is “exploring a commercial launch” of electric vehicles, Sony chairman and president Kenichiro Yoshida told a news conference, speaking ahead of the CES technology trade fair in the United States.

    “With our imaging and sensing, cloud, 5G and entertainment technologies combined with our contents mastery, we believe Sony is well-positioned as a creative entertainment company to redefine mobility,” he said.

    Although its once-dominant position in consumer electronics has been eroded by Asian rivals like South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co, Sony still has an arsenal of sophisticated technology in areas such as sensors critical to autonomous driving.

    It also remains one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies, home to prominent video game and movie franchises. Audio and entertainment systems are increasingly a focus for next-generation vehicles.

    Shares in Sony jumped 4.2% in Tokyo after the electric vehicle plans were announced, easily outpacing a flat Nikkei index.

    Yoshida unveiled a prototype sport utility vehicle (SUV), the VISION-S 02, which uses the same electric vehicle platform as the previously announced VISION-S 01 coupe that began testing on public roads in Europe from December 2020.

    He said the company saw mobility as an “entertainment space” where passengers could choose individual entertainment options and use 5G internet connection.

    Wall Street is betting heavily on electric cars and the global auto industry has been upended by Tesla Inc, now the world’s most valuable automaker. Many investors also expect Apple Inc to launch its own vehicle within the next few years.

    Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp in December committed $70 billion to electrify its automobiles by 2030.

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  • Sony Xperia 5 III coming to Europe in September and it won’t be cheap

    Sony Xperia 5 III coming to Europe in September and it won’t be cheap

    Sony announced that it will bring the Xperia 1 III in the United States in late September, but didn’t mention anything about the Xperia 5 III, the former’s cheaper brother. That could mean a few different things like maybe Sony isn’t sure when it will be able to bring it to the US, or perhaps it has no intention to sell it in North America.

    Either way, we at least have an idea about how much the Xperia 5 III will cost in the US. The company’s European branch revealed that the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III will be launched in Europe for €1.300 and €1000, respectively.

    Considering the Japanese company has already opened Xperia 1 III pre-orders in the US and the phone is priced at $1,300, it’s safe to assume that the Xperia 5 III will sell for $1,000 in case Sony decides to bring it to the States.

    Just like the Xperia 1 III, the Xperia 5 III will be shipped in Europe from September. This one will be available in Black and Green, but additional colors may be introduced after the phone’s market launch.

    The Xperia III 5 is a top-tier smartphone powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, paired with either 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, or 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Also, the smartphone boasts a stunning 6.1-inch OLED FHD+ display featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 6 coating.

    However, one of the phone’s main selling points is the triple camera setup (12MP+12MP+12MP). Along with the Xperia 1 III, the Xperia 5 III is the world’s first smartphone with a variable telephoto lens paired with a dual PD sensor. Not to mention that the camera features Zeiss optics and a brand new AI super-resolution zoom technology.

    As far as the battery goes, Sony claims the 4,500 mAh battery can charge up to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes with the 30W charger that comes with the phone.

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  • Sony tipped to launch mystery budget phone later this year

    Sony tipped to launch mystery budget phone later this year

    Sony recently unveiled the Xperia 1 III and the Xperia 5 III flagship models as well as the mid-range Xperia 10 III. But if a machine-translated post on Weibo written by a tipster is legitimate, Sony purposely moved up the release schedule of its new 2021 flagships to release both of them during the same time period. This will allow it to release another phone that will either be a budget-priced model or an “Ultra” version of another Sony handset.

    The machine-translated message from a tipster known as ZackBuks, while a bit confusing, seems to suggest that by releasing both 2021 flagships together, it opens up some time to allow a “new U release” to take place months earlier than in past years. Normally Sony unveils its compact flagship model in the fall which is why it was so surprising to see the Xperia 5 III introduced at this time of the year.

    The last such Sony handset to use the “Ultra” title in its name was 2018’s Xperia XA2 Ultra which featured a larger screen, more storage, a larger battery, and an additional front-facing camera compared to the “non-Ultra” Xperia XA2. Another theory is that the “new U release” is a refresh of last year’s budget-priced Xperia L4 model. For those hoping for a top-of-the-line “Ultra” model powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, the tipster’s post would seem to make that impossible since he comes right out and states that the 2021 flagships are the Xperia 1 III and the Xperia 5 III.

    The Xperia 1 III features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 4K resolution (1644 x 3840) and a tall and thin 21:9 aspect ratio. Powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, this model sports 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. A quad-camera setup is found on the back.

    The Xperia 5 III is equipped with a 6.1-inch display with a 1080 x 2520 (FHD+) resolution and is powered by Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 888 chipset. It features 8GB of memory (LPDDR4 RAM), 256GB of storage, and a triple camera setup.

    Speaking of the Xperia 5 III, the phone recently was benchmarked through Ge.

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  • Sony Starts Testing Vision-S Electric Car On Public Roads

    Sony Starts Testing Vision-S Electric Car On Public Roads

    It was last year at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January when Sony Corporation surprised everyone by showcasing its fully electric car – Vision-S. The Japanese technology giant revealed the electric prototype which comes packed with high-end technologies including camera sensors, entertainment systems and much more. Sony’s Vision-S Prototype reached Tokyo in July 2020 for advancing its sensing and audio technologies. Though the car is not expected to go on sale anytime soon, the company seems to have started testing the electric car on public roads in Austria.

    Built by an in-house AI and robotics team, the Japanese company claims that it has been fully road-tested. This is just to ensure that the EV and its platform Vision-S will comply with applicable safety norms and regulations. Moreover, Sony is also working Magna-Steyr to ensure that the vehicle is well-equipped to hit the road in Europe.

    Sony’s driverless prototype comes embedded with 33 sensors which can easily sense people and other vehicles both inside and outside the car to provide driving support. It takes advantage of the brand’s expertise in the field of imaging, entertainment and sensors, which could be employed in the next-generation electric vehicles. The company is already supplying these technologies to Japanese automakers, however, it now wants to develop an individual product that can be supplied as an all-purpose solution.

    Sony hasn’t shared any details about what powers the vehicle. However, it has revealed some key specifications of the car. Dimensionally, this prototype vehicle from Sony measures 4,895 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,450 mm in height. The wheelbase and ground clearance of the car stands at 3,000 mm and 120mm (up to 135 mm) respectively. The company claims that the Vision-S can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds before hitting the top speed of 240 kmph.

    It is also equipped with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio offering ensuring an unprecedented and immersive audio experience. The company uses object-based spatial audio technology for recreating vivid realism. Every seat comes with built-in individual speakers so that every passenger can enjoy their music their seats with a personalised sound configuration option. Additionally, there’s a panoramic screen which offers a diverse array of content that can be accessed by driver and passengers.

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  • Sony launches Apple TV app on select smart TVs running Android TV

    Sony launches Apple TV app on select smart TVs running Android TV

    Apple launched a brand-new Apple TV app last year, which is now available in more than 100 countries. The app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, select Samsung smart TVs, and, starting this week, select Sony smart TVs.

    Sony announced that the Apple TV app will begin rolling out today in the United States on its X900H series via a software update. The good news is Sony plans to expand the availability of the Apple TV app to more smart TVs by the end of the year, including on select 2018 models and most 2019 and 2020 models.

    In case you didn’t know, the app features Apple TV+, Apple’s new video subscription service that offers original shows, movies, and documentaries, including The Morning Show, See, Defending Jacob, Ted Lasso, Greyhound, Boys State, and Beastie Boys Story.

    Furthermore, customers can use the Apple TV app to subscribe to Apple TV channels, such as SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, and Starz, as well as watch ad-free and on-demand, directly on the Apple TV app.

    The Apple TV+ subscription on the Apple TV app on Sony’s smart TVs is available for $4.99 per month. However, for a limited time, those who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, or Mac are getting one year of Apple TV+ for free.

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  • Sony Marching Ahead With The Development Of The Vision-S Concept Electric Car

    Sony Marching Ahead With The Development Of The Vision-S Concept Electric Car

    Sony stole the show at CES 2020, alas the last major trade show, before the world was crippled by the pandemic. And the company introduced its show-stopper which was something it is not known for. Cars, an electric one to be precise. Sony’s Vision-S concept stole the show at CES, but at the time, the Japanese company insisted that this wasn’t an overture for a product, but instead just a concept and more about the technology.

    It turns out Sony has more plans for the electric car and now is marching ahead with its development. Magna, the company behind the electric car platform, has now started involving the car in road testing trials in Tokyo, Japan which is also Sony’s home turf. Previously, the car was parked in the Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria.

    Just to recap, the Vision-S concept has 33 sensors feeding the driver assistance system coupled with an all-new electric powertrain. The 33 sensors leverage Sony’s leadership in imaging technology with a slew of CMOS and time of flight (ToF) sensors embedded in the system that kind of replicates the job of a LiDAR for autonomous capabilities.

    The car also gets some goodies from Sony’s iconic audio group with technologies like a 360-degree reality audio system that has speakers built-in the seat. Like Tesla, this car even had a panoramic screen for the core user interface of the car. It even features technologies from Bosch and Blackberry which has the QNX automobility platform.

    While Sony hasn’t communicated anything officially that it will be pursuing this venture more seriously, the fact that the car is being tested on roads in Sony’s home, indicates something bigger. It also comes at a time when many big tech companies have started struggling or failing with electric car ventures. Notable examples are Apple and Dyson. While Dyson has pulled the plug on the project, Apple has pivoted towards the development of autonomous car technology which can be integrated with third-party manufacturers rather than making the so-called prophetic “Apple Car”.

  • JD and Sony testing AR foot-measurement tool for online shoppers

    JD and Sony testing AR foot-measurement tool for online shoppers

    Chinese online e-commerce platform JD and Sony Semiconductor Solutions are working together to develop AR technology to measure foot size online.

    The JD and Sony solution requires customers to use their smartphone equipped with a distance-detecting camera and scan the front and sides of their feet in order to take an accurate measurement. The camera works by calculating the time it takes for a signal to bounce off the foot and return to the sensor.

    JD launched an AR feature on its app earlier this year for online customers to virtually try on shoes, a function is now available for more than 1000 sneaker SKUs on the platform and which is also available to external partners as a service, along with the firm’s other AR applications.

    “We hope to use innovations in technology to give all consumers equal access to efficient and convenient purchase and service,” said JD’s head of AR/VR Mingqiang Ye.

    “JD will continue to promote innovations in the area of AR and benefit both our customers and industry partners.”

    The firm is now planning to further develop its AR offerings in additional scenarios such as AR skin evaluation and AR live streaming.

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  • Park-themed Sony Singapore store opens in Westgate

    Park-themed Sony Singapore store opens in Westgate

    Sony Singapore has opened a park-themed store at the Westgate shopping center.

    The Japanese technology and electronics company says the store has been designed to connect with customers through their lifestyle by offering consumer products from the photography, videography and audio categories through to home entertainment.

    “Each area of the store is designed to offer a different feel that is closely related to customers’ lifestyle,” said the company in a statement.

    The highlight of the new store is the provision of all things video-related such as information, products and accessories. At the Vlog Studio, customers can hone their video skills by learning video tips and tricks they can apply when shooting their videos live. Product consultants will also be on hand to provide advice on video taking if required. The Vlog Studio will feature regularly changing themed setups, starting with a park theme currently.

    Sony Singapore says the way products are displayed befits the overall park-themed nature of the store.

    “We aim to provide customers with a calm, relaxing environment to audition the products. For example, the Bravia display area features park benches as seats for families to admire the televisions and soundbars while music lovers can listen to new personal audio products … and be immersed in nature surroundings.”

  • Sony to kill off Xperia Lounge app by the end of this month

    Sony to kill off Xperia Lounge app by the end of this month

    Sad news for Xperia fans, as Sony has just confirmed plans to shut down one of its older smartphone apps – Xperia Lounge. This isn’t the first nor the last app designed for Xperia phones that Sony kills off, but that’s no surprise since the Japanese company doesn’t seem to be able to make money out of its mobile business any longer.

    So, the best way to cut costs is to start killing apps that were designed for the Xperia ecosystem. The Xperia Lounge is just another app from a long list of apps that Sony has been discontinued in the last couple of years.

    The Xperia Lounge app was meant to provide loyal fans with various rewards for their Xperia smartphones, such as exclusive Xperia Themes and wallpapers, as well as competitions. Unfortunately, Xperia Lounge will be no more by the end of August 2019.

    If you open the app right now, there’s an important announcement that mentions Xperia Lounge will be “decommissioned” by the end of August 2019, so there’s no doubt that the information is accurate.

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  • Sony lowers Xperia shipments after worst quarter ever

    Sony lowers Xperia shipments after worst quarter ever

    Sony sold a whopping 40 million smartphones in fiscal 2014 but recent struggles mean that just five years on the company is removing an entire zero from its latest shipment predictions.

    Despite initially forecasting sales of 5 million units for the 2019 financial year (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020), Sony has now revised its predictions down to 4 million units following an absolutely terrible quarter in which it sold just 900,000 smartphones. The figure represents a record-low for the company and also the first time it’s sold less than 1 million smartphones in a quarter. To add further perspective to the matter, just twelve months earlier Sony managed to sell a decent 2 million devices.

    Sony didn’t have any major launches for the first two months of the quarter and instead relied heavily on sales of the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus, but towards the beginning of June the Japanese brand did launch its latest flagship – the Xperia 1 – in most international markets. The smartphone was frequently listed as out of stock in many markets which ultimately suggested demand was high. However, the company’s latest shipment figures suggest that, in actual fact, supply was simply limited.

    While it’s unclear how much money Sony’s smartphone division lost last quarter because it no longer provides a separate financial report for the business, Sony has previously warned that profitability likely won’t arrive until the quarter ending March 2021. To achieve this, it’s hoping to continue reducing operating costs and boost sales once 5G smartphones start becoming more popular.

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  • The Sony Xperia 1R could launch as the world’s first 5K phone

    The Sony Xperia 1R could launch as the world’s first 5K phone

    Sony announced the Xperia Z5 Premium in September 2015 as the world’s first 4K smartphone. It followed the achievement up with the Xperia 1 this February which debuted with the world’s first 4K HDR OLED display. Now, reports suggest Sony could be preparing the world’s first phone with a 5K panel.

    As indicated by a new user agent profile, an upcoming Sony smartphone with the model number J8220 sports a 21:9 display with a massive 5K (5040 x 2160p) resolution. The current-gen Xperia 1, for comparison, boasts a 4K (3080 x 1664) front panel that ultimately offers 70% less total pixels.

    The device in question appears to be the Xperia 2 which was rendered months ago. But according to leaked information, it won’t be sold under that name. Sony plans to market the phone as an upgraded, more compact version of the Xperia 1 dubbed the Xperia 1R. The latter will reportedly use a slightly smaller 6.1-inch display rather than the 6.5-inch panel featured on the current model. This, combined with the higher resolution, means Sony’s Xperia 1R should offer an incredible pixel density of 899 pixels-per-inch. For reference, the Xperia 1 offers a density of 643ppi and even HTC’s Vive Pro VR headset only offers 615ppi.

    The Sony Xperia 1R’s display could very easily be considered overkill if the company’s simply aiming to achieve a more impressive spec sheet. But with VR continuing to grow and Sony itself being very invested in the market through its PlayStation brand, it’s certainly possible the company has some VR-focused gaming implementations up its sleeves to help justify the higher resolution.

    Despite having potentially one of the best smartphone display around, Sony needs to fit its Xperia 1R with a high-end processor to make it truly worthy of the ‘flagship’ title. The standard Xperia 1 features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 which makes it the most logical choice for its follow up. However, if Sony’s next smartphone does include some VR-focused features, perhaps the Snapdragon 855 Plus will be chosen instead.

    Qualcomm’s latest chip was announced earlier this week and will be first used inside the Asus ROG Phone 2. It promises to “raise gaming to the next level” with the help of a 15% increase in Adreno 640 GPU performance and a slight clock speed bump from 2.84GHz to 2.96GHz. As standard, the chip is coupled with a 4G LTE modem, but if manufacturers wish to do so, a separate 5G modem can be added.

    Paired with the processor should be a minimum of 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, although an upgrade to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage certainly wouldn’t be surprising. Curiously, previous leaks have pointed towards the presence of a tiny 3,200mAh battery inside the Xperia 1R. This is far from confirmed yet but it would certainly be disappointing considering the poor battery life results it’ll likely create as a result of the high-resolution display.

    The Sony Xperia 1R is expected to go official in early September at IFA 2019 in Berlin. If the company’s previous releases are anything to go by, Xperia 1R pre-orders are unlikely to kick off until the end of the month before a release in early October.

    Sony could surprise everybody by shortening the time between announcement and release in a bid to beat Apple’s iPhone 11 series to market and attempt to steal some of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 sales. But considering the Japanese brand appears to have been carving out its niche in the market, this is unlikely to happen.

  • Amazon brings Alexa to Android TV, Sony Bravias are first

    Amazon brings Alexa to Android TV, Sony Bravias are first

    Amazon promised a few months ago that it will bring Alexa to Sony’s TVs running Android, despite the issues the US retailer has with Google when it comes to access to their TV platforms. Today, a first sign that Amazon fulfilled that promise has just popped up in the Google Play Store in the form of a new app.

    Amazon recently published a new Alexa app in the Google Play Store, which specifies that it’s meant for Sony Bravia TVs powered by Android. The new Amazon Alexa app allows Sony Bravia TV users to listen to music from Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and much more.

    Of course, its main use is to enable voice commands, so whenever you want to listen to a specific song, you could simply say “Alexa, play songs by the artist on [TV name].” The functionality goes beyond just asking Alexa to play songs on various music streaming services, which means you can change the channel, volume, or even turn your TV on and off.

    The new Alexa app can be only be downloaded on Sony Bravia TVs in the US, Amazon said. Once the app is installed on your TV, select a group for your TV and complete the guided Sony set-up. Also, make sure that you have all the skills for music providers and cameras using the Alexa mobile app enabled.

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