Pocketables

Sony Xperia S gets even better with fast charging and durability coating

We have been in love with Sony's Xperia S smartphone since we first caught a leaked glimpse of it back in December, and since then things have only gotten better. The announced specs were almost exactly what we thought they would be, and Sony even has plans for an AT&T version of the device. Now, according to a European product manager, the Xperia S will have two more previously unannounced features.

The first is rapid charging, purported to allow you to charge your device in half the time taken by other phones. While it's not the ideal solution to battery life, the lithium-polymer technology should certainly help. The other improvement is a special "dirt-repellent UV-active nano-coating," which sounds to me a lot like Fujitsu's new durability coating (albeit without the waterproofing).

Although the latter improvement has been confirmed by Sony's Facebook page, we still have no idea what exactly UV nano coating does. Of course, as long as it doesn't break anything there seems to be no reason not to have it. 

We also don't know if these improvements will also be present on the AT&T Ion, but it seems safe to assume they will. However, if you want to get your hands on the Xperia S/Ion before this spring, you may be better off looking to the international GSM version.

[Xperia Blog]  

Sony Tablet P will get Ice Cream Sandwich, PlayStation certification this spring

Sony's dual-screen Tablet P hasn't been in the news much lately, but in is nevertheless a really neat device that hinges (literally) on a some pretty unique industrial design. However, it has also so far been relegated to mostly a niche market, thanks both to its price and uncommon design. Usually, this means that the manufacturer will delay or forget about updates, but fortunately Sony still seems dedicated to their platform.

According to a spokesperson at a London event, Sony plans to roll out the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Tablet P sometime this spring. Along with the usual Android 4.0 goodies, the update will also bring along a couple new features like PlayStation certification, which will allow you to download PlayStation games to the Tablet P much like Xperia Play and play them with the PS3 Bluetooth controller. For when you need to get some work done, they have also included more compatibility for Microsoft Office documents.

Even though it has only garnered a limited following, the Tablet P is still a great product. The design is innovative, and it is great that Sony is still supporting it instead of giving up. For current owners of the device, the Ice Cream Sandwich update should be welcome announcement, and may even entice some people on the fence. If it ever comes to AT&T as promised, I know I will be giving it a look.

[TechRadar]

E-ink can be fast, proven with Sony Reader PRS-T1

E-readers aren't exactly our most focused-on products, but devices that use the e-ink technology that's featured in almost all e-readers are starting to become some of the hottest products around.

Above is just a simple Sony Reader; the PRS-T1, to be exact. This device was designed to just be a simple e-reader, like its name implies. But a few hackers were able to load Android on it. Until now, however, apps and videos look terrible due to e-ink's programmed slow refresh rates. 

It turns out that e-ink is actually designed to have slow refresh rates to enhance the picture quality of the display. It can have much higher refresh rates, but they come at the expense of reduced-quality text and images, which is a big no-no for eReaders. Another reason for the hold-back in refresh rates is power usage. And, as you all know, eReaders are insanely low-powered devices, but that's mostly because the device doesn't actually need to refresh all that often. With videos, games, and other apps, refreshing is a near constant occurrence.

Still, even with those caveats, e-ink could prove to replace LCD panels in tablets in the near future, especially when Mirasol hits the mainstream. What are your thoughts on e-ink?

[The eBook Reader]

Sony announces Xperia Ion, the Nozomi phone for AT&T

When I first saw the leak of the Sony LT28at, I was hopeful that AT&T was bringing the awesome looking Nozomi phone to the States. While it's not in exactly the same form, the Xperia Ion announced by AT&T is in fact the LT28at, and retains very similar specs to the Nozomi phone

These impressive specs include a 4.6-inch 720p HD display, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, and AT&T LTE. The camera specs don't match up exactly with what we expected, but the 12MP shooter with LED flash is no slouch, and the 720p front facing module doesn't sound bad either.

Sadly, the Ion will be launching with Android Gingerbread, but apparently an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade is in the works. For now, users will have to make do with the Ion's custom media software and PlayStation certification while they wait.

 Admittedly, the industrial design on this doesn't look quite as good to me as that of the Nozomi phone. Still, it looks pretty great and the specs beat out almost anything else on the market. If you are an AT&T user, I would keep an eye on this device's release, which is supposed to be sometime in the second quarter of this year.

[CNET]

Big Sony Ericsson announcement coming at CES

The new year has begun, and as with every new year, CES is approaching rapidly. We already know that there will be quite a few awesome products announced next week, but now, Sony Ericsson is teasing its because announcement, as well. 

Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ have been the social networks of Sony Ericsson's choosing to tease the new announcement, which the company also states is going to be one about 'something big.' It could be along the lines of the Nozomi smartphone we saw leaked in late 2011, but I just think there's something more to the announcement than a single phone. 

I would like to see the company announce that all its 2011 phone models are getting an official Ice Cream Sandwich ROM, but I that's probably just me reaching a little too high with my hopes and dreams. I do expect to see the Nozomi, and I hope to see at least that device running the latest iteration of Android. 

What do you want to see from Sony Ericsson?

[Sony Ericsson: Facebook | Twitter | Google+]

Sony Ericsson LT28at looks a lot like the Nozomi phone for AT&T

The first leak of the Sony Nozomi revealed some truly lust-worthy specs, but suggested only a Japanese and no US version. Fortunately, today our fears of the device being limited to Japan have been stayed. A Sony device with almost the exact same specs as the Nozomi has been spotted, and it appears destined for stateside use on AT&T LTE.

According to the leaked document you can see above, a smartphone from Sony Ericsson called the LT28at is currently being tested by the Bluetooth SIG. The document states that the LT28at is packing a 4.55-inch 720p Sony Reality Display, 13MP back-illuminated back and HD front facing camera, as well as 4G LTE. Presumably, the processor would be the same one found in the Nozomi phone, a 1.5-GHz dual-core powerhouse. 

While AT&T was not specifically mentioned in the document, the device's codename ends with the traditional "at" used for AT&T smartphones. Of course, I don't really care if this smartphone ends up on AT&T or Verizon, I just hope it gets a US release sometime soon. CES this January seems like a plausible time for Sony to announce the Nozomi, so let's hope we get some more information then.

[Android Central]

Sony Ericsson Android 4.0 updates to go to Xperia phones in March

One of the biggest problems with Android (in my mind) is the lack of a consistent updating method across all manufacturers and all carriers. Still, most carriers can push out updates in a decent amount of time, and that's exactly what Sony Ericsson promises to do with its line of Xperia phones. 

The manufacturer today announced its upgrade plans for the 2012 year. Android 4.0 will be coming to the entire 2011 Xperia phone line, and Sony even gave us a nice timeframe in which we can expect the updates. Beginning in March and ending in early April, Sony will shove Ice Cream Sandwiches into the mouths of the Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray. 

After that, it's Xperia Arc, Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Mini and Mini Pro, Xperia Active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman owners who will get to partake in the tasty treat. Those devices' updates will be pushed out in late April to early May. 

The best part of Sony Ericsson smartphones is the fact that Sony's skins aren't very different from stock Android. You should see a simple, elegant, and clean interface just like Matias Duarte and his team at Google intended. 

[Sony Ericsson]

Sony Walkman Z emerges from Japan, proceeds through the FCC

When Sony first announced their Walkman Z Android media player, I was suitably excited. Despite being a little pricey, the device offered a much needed high quality iPod touch alternative those who aren't fans of iOS. It was originally only released for Japan, but an FCC filing from today has revealed that the media player will probably be landing on US shores sometime soon.

Other than revealing a previously unannounced 64GB option, the FCC image (which you can find below the break) provides us with no new information. The US Walkman Z will have the same Tegra 2, 512MB of RAM, 4.3-inch 800 x 480 display, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread as its Japanese counterpart. It will also retain the same media player enhancements, like DLNA, micro-HDMI out, FM Radio, and Sony sound enhancement.

Without a doubt, Sony has really been stepping up their hardware game lately. They had fallen behind competitors, but their newest offerings like the S2/ Tablet P, Nozomi phone, and of course Walkman Z are looking really nice, and I hope this trend continues to future devices.

Sony Ericsson Nozomi phone leaks, struts its stuff

I've always thought that Sony Ericsson's phones had some good designs, but I think the phone above takes the cake, down to every last crumb. That's the Sony Ericsson Nozomi phone, and based on today's leak, it might not just be the best looking phone; it might be the best phone. 

There's plenty of awesome specs here, so let's dive right in. Up front is where the beautiful screen is, which measures a healthy 4.3-inches and has a resolution of 1280 x 720, making it a 720p display. You can view lots of things on that display, such as pictures from the whopping 12MP shooter in the back. It's also capable of shooting FullHD video.

On the inside, the Nozomi will feature a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon coupled with the powerful Adreno 220 GPU. The GPU will also help to push out 1080p content if you want to, as Sony Ericsson has included an HDMI port. Of course, those two processing units are nothing without RAM, so there's 1GB of it in there, as well. 

In my opinion, the Nozomi is certainly a phone to consider. It's got great specs and a great design, at least for the time being. Hopefully it'll be released soon so it's not released as an already-outdated piece of hardware.

[GSMArena]

Sony's dual screen Tablet P finally on sale, at least in the UK

Following Sony's dual screen Android tablet, the Tablet P (formerly known as the S2), has so far been quite a ride. As usual, it was leaked a couple times before the official announcement. However, even after that we were taunted even more with a hands on and even more detailed leaks when all we had was a rumored release date.

While Sony didn't quite get the tablet out by that release date, the tablet is finally here for those who have been patiently waiting, with just one caveat. As of now you can buy the tablet for 499 Pounds (or about $782 US) in the UK. 

That's a pretty steep price for a device with a Tegra 2, 4GB of memory, and a 5MP back camera, even if it does have dual 5.5-inch 1024 x 480 displays. Still, if you are one of those who has been watching and waiting for this device since the beginning, it may still be worth it to you.

The Tablet P really is a unique device, and appears to have executed the dual screen concept well. At this price I really can't justify a purchase, but if it ever makes it to the US a little cheaper, I will be severely tempted.

[Liliputing]