Sony LT29i Hayabusa camera shots leaked

We're already aware that Sony aren't holding back in the wake of their rebirth as Sony Mobile Communications and with four devices already toting either an 'available' or 'coming soon' status, we know that they're keeping themselves busy.

Based on some leaked camera samples and a few other clues, we're already starting to build up a picture of their next device, currently known as the LT29i Hayabusa. The camera samples which just surfaced aren't showing off anything in particular but the information which lies within their EXIF data tells part of the story.

The shots, which appeared on Picasa just days ago show a drab looking plant pot and part of a computer keyboard, but within the aforementioned data, the device taking these inane images is operating under build number 7.0.A.0.599_53_b100. When you place this alongside Sony's current flagship, the Xperia S (ion permitting), which runs build number 6.0.A.3.37, the former appears to be using the next iteration of Sony's mobile UI (known as eDream 7).

The spec sheet rumored to accompany the LT29i Hayabusa is said to include a 4"+ display with a 720 x 1196 resolution suggesting a lack of any hardware or capacitive buttons as we've seen from the latest Sony devices (with the extra 84 pixels reserved for onscreen buttons much like the Galaxy Nexus), as well as a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 chipset to put in the leg work.

This reinforces Sony's intentions to stick to releasing dual-core devices, at least throughout the remainder of 2012 and with the S4, bringing a device to the table comparable to the freshest competition, namely the HTC One S.

The Hayabusa is expected to launch in July and there's even talk of LTE connectivity when it does, but we'll keep our eyes out for any more solid information before we jump to any conclusions

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Sony began seeding ICS update to the 2011 Xperia lineup

Sony has began seeding the Android 4.0 ICS update to its 2011 lineup of Xperia smartphones - right in line with the previous report. The first handsets to get the treatment are the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray in the hands of users in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Norway.

Sony will further update on availability of the update in more markets. The rest of the Xperia lineup from last year is scheduled to get updated in late May/early June.

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Android 4.0 update for the Sony Tablet P and S to arrive in April

Sony may not have had much success in the tablet market but that doesn’t mean it still can’t treat the few people who bought its tablets to the latest version of Android. According to the latest update, Sony will be releasing the Android 4.0.3 update to the Sony Tablet S and Tablet P by the end of April.

Along with the usual Ice Cream Sandwich goodness, users will also be treated so a couple of new features. There will be a Blu-ray recorder app, that will let you watch programs recorded on a compatible Sony Blu-ray recorders. You can also start the camera now from the lockscreen, edit your pictures and take Sweep Panorama shots from the camera.

Other feature is the presence of what Sony calls Small Apps. Basically you will be able to run a second app in a small window on top of the currently running app. You can have a small windows of the browser open to quickly search something or the calculator for a quick calculation, all without leaving the main app, which remains visible in the background.

In other news, Sony will also be selling a cheaper Wi-Fi only version of the Tablet P, which will go on sale on April 21. The current 3G model costs $549.99, so I’m assuming the Wi-Fi-only model will at least be a $100 less.

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Sony Xperia S starts shipping worldwide

The first Sony branded handset after a long period of time has finally started shipping globally. Sony's blog announced this news yesterday but failed to mention when exactly the handset will reach individual markets. Instead Sony is relaying on local carriers to relay the news to you, which is fine except a lot of regions don't have carrier subsidized handsets. Anyway, at least the phone is shipping so you can expect to see it shortly.

To give a recap of its features, the Sony Xperia S comes with a 4.3-inch 720p display, dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 12 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, 1GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, 1,750mAh battery and Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in Q2 this year.

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Sony announces Xperia neo L for the Chinese market

Today Sony Mobile announced a new addition to its Xperia smartphone line-up. The Sony neo L is a mid-range device that is based on the neo V and is destined for the Chinese market.

The Xperia neo L will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at launch (a first for Sony) and can easily be confused with the neo V as they share similar looks and specifications. However, the neo L also borrows a few design elements from the Xperia PLAY, sans the PlayStation certified joypad.

Under the hood of the Sony Xperia neo L sits a 1GHz single-core Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 205 graphics chip bundled with 512MB of RAM. The smartphone is built around a 4-inch LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels.

At the back, the Xperia neo L carriers a 5MP snapper capable of shooting 720p videos, while a VGA front-facing camera enables video calling. At 120.0 x 61.0 x 12.8mm, the neo L is slightly longer, but slimmer than the neo V.

Here are some hands-on photos of the neo L courtesy of Sina to help you see how the device really looks.

  
Sony Xperia neo L hands-on

Sony stays mum on pricing and time of availability of the neo L, but it has been revealed that the Chinese market will get it first. Whether it'll be also the last is anyone's guess for now.

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Sony MT27i Pepper shows up in a press shot

We've seen this one in blurry shots back in January, sporting a Sony Ericsson logo. Today, the Sony MT27i Pepper emerged in a press shot, proudly wearing a Sony logo, with Xperia Smart Tags by its side.

As you have probably guessed already, the Smart Tags clearly suggest that the device will sport NFC connectivity when launched. The rest of the rumored specs include a 1GHz dual-core CPU and NovaThor U8500 chipset, 3.7" screen with resolution of 480x854 pixels, and 5MP snapper.

Given the nature of the leaked image, we can reasonably expect that the Sony MT27i Pepper will get officially unveiled sooner, rather than later. Naturally, we will keep you posted on any new findings, related to the device.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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O2 UK publish their initial 2012 device lineup

MWC gave us a lot to look forward to, with a new family of HTC devices alongside the first range of smartphones brandishing the Sony name and now these delights are making their way to carriers across the globe.

 

O2 UK recently updated their website's 'Coming Soon' section to include the likes of HTC's One X, S and V, the two new smaller Sony NXT series phones, the Xperia P and the Xperia U, the Samsung Galaxy S Advance and two members of Nokia's Asha family, the 201 and 302.

All of these devices are currently slated for an April launch so consumers don't have long to wait to get their hands on some of the hottest handsets in 2012, but for those of you who simply can't hang on that long, Sony have already unleashed their latest flagship device, the Xperia S, offering a refined Android experience designed to act as the new face of Sony Mobile Communications.

See what we thought of the Xperia S here, when we pitted it against the Samsung Galaxy S II.

We'll keep an eye out on any additions to this lineup but check the source link to see for yourself. Are you planning on picking up any of the devices to have come out of MWC, or are you waiting on the likes of the next iPhone or Samsung's Galaxy S III? Let us know in the comments.

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Sony Xperia sola goes official with a 1 GHz dual-core CPU

The Sony Xperia Pepper has come out of hiding - Sony just made it official and revealed its actual name, the Sony Xperia sola. It sits between the Xperia P and Xperia U with a 3.7" Reality display and a dual-core processor and a NovaThor chipset.

The Xperia sola is thinner than its two previously announced counterparts at 9.9mm and has an interesting trick up its sleeve - Sony calls it "floating touch". It lets you hover your finger over the screen while using the browser and it will act as a cursor that lets you hover over links.

This is impossible with regular touchscreens and makes some web pages designed for desktop computers usable again. Sony is promising to include floating touch in more apps with software updates and open it up for developers to use in their own stuff.

The Sony Xperia sola features a 3.7" FWVGA (480x854) screen with mobile BRAVIA technology and scratch-resistant glass, a NovaThor U8500 chipset with a dual-core 1GHz processor, 5MP camera with 720p video capture and stereo speakers with xLOUD.

The Xperia sola also has NFC connectivity and will come with two Smart Tags in the box. Tags can be customized with up to 10 commands to be executed when you press your smartphone against them.

Sony Xperia sola will launch globally in Q2 in black, white and red. It will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread at launch with a 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update planned for the summer. Pricing is unknown at just yet.

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Sony Xperia sola touchscreen does gloves too, video proves

Sony has obviously put quite a lot of effort in the design of the Xperia sola touchscreen. The smartphone may only be a mid-range offering, but it's shaping up to be one of the most interesting devices we have seen recently.

It turns out that the floating touch technology that allows the Sony Xperia sola to detect your finger hovering over the screen isn't the only trick it holds up its sleeve. It turns out that the Xperia sola screen is also geared to detect touches through non-conductive fabric, which suggests that it will work with gloves.

The proof came from the following hands-on video that the guys from AndroidNext.de created at the Droidcon event in Berlin.

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Sony Xperia S granted access to the PlayStation store

The Sony Xperia S is a fully PlayStation certified device, though at launch it lacked access to the PlayStation Store - not any more though. Sony just opened the doors and let the Xperia S and Xperia Acro HD (the Japanese version of the S), but the others of the NXT lineup will have to wait.

There should be a placeholder app called "Let's start PS Store" available on your phone, which will download the needed apps. Before you launch it, make sure to enable installation from unknown sources.

The placeholder app will download two new apps to your Xperia S (or Acro HD) - PlayStation Store, where you get games, and the PS Pocket, which serves as a launcher for games.



After that's done, head over to the Store and check out the 14 PS1 titles available. Note that they'll run you £3.99.



The rest of the NXT line, including the Sony Xperia ion, will get the same access as the Xperia S later on this year.

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