Sony starts upgrading Xperia Z to Android 4.2.2

Xperia Z review

We dinged Sony for shipping the Xperia Z with an old version of Android, but the company is catching up today by posting an upgrade to Android 4.2.2. Most owners receiving the update are carrying unbranded HSPA+ and LTE models at this stage, although there are reports of at least a few carrier-specific phone variants getting the refresh. As with the Xperia ZL update, most of the user-facing changes are minor. The biggest addition is support for lock screen widgets; there’s also slight (if noticeable) tweaks to the interface look and feel. If those revisions are still meaningful enough for you, we’d suggest a quick upgrade check through the usual desktop and OTA channels.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: Xperia Blog, Phone Arena

Source: Sony Mobile forums

Pebble Android App update brings Google Hangouts notifications

Pebble's Android App version 182 brings Google Hangouts notifications

With all the work that Google’s put into Hangouts lately, it’d be a shame to miss out when you’re pinged to join one, no? If you happen to be sporting a Pebble smartwatch that scenario will be less likely, as version 1.8.2 of its Android app has arrived with notifications for the chat service. Though Pebble supports Google Talk notifications (along with call alerts, text messages, calendar reminders and email previews), Mountain View recently said that Hangouts is the future of Google Voice, making it a prime candidate for alerts. Apart from the extra wrist nag, the update also brings improved stability and developer enhancements. To grab it, check the source below or head to Google Play on your Android device.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Via: Android Police

Source: Google Play

Sony puts micro ads on Wimbledon player, ushers in an era of 4K marketing

Sony puts micro ads on Wimbledon player, welcomes commercialism in 4K

Sony is shipping its Bravia X9 line of 4K TVs in the UK this week, and it wants to convey the advantages of all those extra pixels. The solution? Advertising that’s as finely detailed as the screens themselves. It’s putting micro ads on the fingernails and uniform of tennis player Anne Keothavong as she makes her way through Wimbledon, showing how the extra detail pays off. Few of us will get to see the ads in full clarity, however — while Sony and the BBC are recording some of the event in 4K, they’re playing that footage at an experience zone on the Wimbledon grounds. We’re not looking at a decisive marketing coup, then, but those left squinting at home will at least know what they’re missing.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: The Next Web

Source: Sony

Walmart permanently drops iPhone 4S price to $39, iPhone 5 to $129

Walmart permanently drops iPhone 4S price to $39, iPhone 5 to $129

While brief sales on iPhones are relatively common, it’s rare to see permanent price drops outside of a hardware refresh cycle. Walmart is willing to give those cuts a shot, however. Visit the company’s stores from this point onward and you can pick up the 16GB iPhone 4S in its AT&T, Sprint or Verizon forms at $39 on contract, instead of $90. The 16GB iPhone 5 for those same networks is dropping to $129 from its usual $190; sorry, T-Mobile fans, you’re out of the loop for now. It’s not hard to understand Walmart’s sudden generosity — when the iPhone range is nearing its annual upgrade, the lower prices should keep current units moving.

Filed under: , , , , ,

Comments

Via: Mashable

Source: Walmart (1), (2)

Engadget Podcast 349 – 06.21.13

Engadget Podcast 343 - 05.10.13

“You don’t have Facebook? Then how do you get on Farmville?,” asks Brian as Peter explains his disdain for the world’s largest social network. While Tim was relatively mum on that subject, it turns out he broke his Google Glass… somehow. So, while the aforementioned bearded wizard works on getting a replacement — and 3D printing a better case — feel free to hear about this week’s biggest stories in consumer electronics by streaming our newest episode below.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Peter Rojas, Brian Heater

Producer: Joe Pollicino

Hear the podcast:

Filed under:

Comments

Watch Wimbledon tennis live on YouTube beginning Monday (video)

Watch Wimbledon tennis live on YouTube beginning Monday video

It may not be the NBA Finals or Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the world’s oldest tennis tournament has a solid following as well, particularly abroad. A new Wimbledon partnership with YouTube could help boost the competition’s appeal stateside; for the first time, you’ll be able to access video feeds from the two-week London event, live on Google’s prized streaming site. Beginning this Monday, you can catch all the action on Wimbledon’s YouTube channel, with Rolex footing the bill. You’ll also find interviews, behind-the-scenes segments and press conference streams on the video site, along with past match highlights and other featured content. There’s a teaser clip waiting for you just past the break.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: YouTube

Aio Wireless gains LTE support, intros the ZTE Overture to match

Aio Wireless joins the LTE crowd, intros the ZTE Overture to celebrate

Now that AT&T is willing to offer LTE on budget services like GoPhone, the floodgates are open: it just extended the faster cellular data to its Aio Wireless prepaid brand. An automatic update is rolling out that enables LTE on Aio customers’ existing SIM cards when they’re in one of the provider’s coverage areas. To mark the occasion, the carrier is launching the ZTE Overture, a 4-inch phone packing LTE alongside a 4-inch display, Jelly Bean, a 5MP rear camera and an unspecified front shooter. Aio hasn’t divulged pricing for the Overture, but we wouldn’t expect a large outlay when the handset ships within the next month.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: Aio Wireless

Engadget Mobile Podcast 183 – 06.20.13

Engadget Mobile Podcast 179 - 05.09.13

Who cares how fast your phone is if it doesn’t have PEZ? As far as Myriam is concerned, it can even have EDGE-only data and lack built-in GPS. The burning question, however, is whether Nokia will actually implement this cutting edge sugar-dispensing tech in its Lumia 420. Okay, we’re not being totally serious, but that’s a bit of conversation that totally, seriously happens during this episode of our podcast. Move your pointer to the player below to hear that and all the banter about this week’s mobile news from Myriam and Brad.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen

Producer: Joe Pollicino

Music: TychoCoastal Brake (Ghostly International)

Hear the podcast

Filed under: ,

Comments

Samsung reportedly shipping 55-inch OLED TV to South Korea next week

Samsung reportedly shipping 55inch OLED to South Korea next week

Samsung told us to expect its 55-inch OLED TV sometime in July, but there’s now a chance that South Koreans will get an early look. Yonhap News Agency hears through tipsters that the premium set could ship to Samsung’s homeland next week, with a price somewhere north of 10 million won ($8,840). It might not be alone, either — those same sources also claim that the company’s curved OLED TV may arrive at the same time. Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything, but such moves would line up with the firm’s tendency to debut products in its home country. Besides, Samsung rarely lets any of LG’s salvos go unanswered.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 revisits the FCC with AT&T-native LTE

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 revisits the FCC with AT&T native LTE

Yes, we’ve seen Samsung’s Galaxy Mega 6.3 at the FCC before. With its second visit, however, there’s something special. The extra-large phone is back as the SGH-i527, and it’s carrying AT&T-native LTE that hints at a probable US carrier deal. There aren’t any other visible changes in the filing, although we weren’t expecting any. The real question is when this behemoth will ship to the States, assuming it ships at all — for now, any possible AT&T launch remains shrouded in mystery.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: FCC