Sony Insights » Sony Smartphone

Sony Step Up Apple Competition with iTunes Rival

Josh Tait — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:59:35 +0000

Sony iTunes Rival incoming?

The rivalry between Sony and Apple is to be stepped up with reports that Sony is on the verge of releasing a range of smart phone devices, a multimedia tablet and now an online media store that will rival Apple’s iTunes. The Sony Online Services will directly compete with iTunes providing customers with music and video.

Additionally it is believed that Sony will integrate the Playstation Portable (PSP) into a new mobile phone, creating yet more competition for Apple’s iPhone. As a result, this new “gaming phone” has led to the inclusion of a back catalogue of PSP games within the Sony Online Service. The move will be welcomed by Sony Ericsson who like other mobile phone manufacturers has faced stiff competition from the iPhone since its release.

The development of the Sony Online Service has been mirrored by other companies attempting to compete with the iTunes platform. Microsoft for example revealed that they would be incorporating Zune and Xbox Live functionality in future Windows Phone 7 Series models in an attempt to carve out a market share.

Sony has previously mentioned their interest in creating an iPad like device and sees the potential in that sector of the market. With the plethora of media types falling under the Sony umbrella, from movies, television, games and music it is likely that the company will be able to throw its considerable weight behind this new online service.

Sony at MWC: The Vivaz Pro and X10 Minis Have Landed

Josh Tait — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:29:02 +0000

The Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro

The MWC or Mobile World Congress always throws up some interesting developments in the world of mobile phones. This year, Sony Ericsson arrived in Barcelona expected to announce a raft of new handsets targeted towards the dual aspects of communication and entertainment.

One of the major announcements by Sony was that two new handsets featuring the Android system would be hitting the market. The X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro are both, as the name suggests small and lightweight incorporating a touch screen interface and in the case of the Mini Pro, a slide out QWERTY keyboard. Both devices could be considered shrunk down versions of the Xperia X10, a phone that is rapidly becoming a hotly anticipated member of the Sony Ericsson family.

The slide out keyboard would also feature in another major announcement by Sony at the MWC. The Vivaz was announced earlier in the year and this latest model has many of the same features including the ability to record and share HD videos on the internet. The addition of the slide out QWERTY keyboard however represents a shift in target audience from those that simply want a highly capable camera phone, to those that feel that instant messaging and social networking are equally important in a mobile phone.

With a 5.1 megapixel camera, face and smile detection, Geotagging as well as Bluetooth stereo, built in Twitter and Facebook applications the Vivaz Pro could be an extremely popular handset choice once it is released in Q2 this year.

Sony Ericsson Unveils the Vivaz, A Phone Full of Vivacity

Naomi Roberts — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:13:03 +0000

Sony ericsson Vivaz

Sony Ericsson have long been known for producing some of the most aesthetically pleasing and well equipped phones on the market. Granted, the company, like many others in the mobile phone industry have suffered in recent years due to the dominance of the iPhone. The imperative need to produce a Smartphone of substance as well as beauty has also been a factor.

The latest gambit from Sony Ericsson is the Vivaz, the next potential “iPhone killer” and a phone that will hopefully keep Sony Ericsson’s position as one of the powerhouses in the mobile communications industry. The Vivaz is certainly pretty to look at, curvy lines and sumptuous styling means that at least from an aesthetic point of view the phone can stand against the iPhone and not lose too much ground.

Where the Vivaz shines however is in its imaging and video capturing capabilities. The Vivaz is able to record video in HD, with an auto-focus feature to ensure even the biggest amateur could be considered a potential Spielberg. Sony Ericsson have certainly thought about usability, an easy to reach video button means that recording is just a press away, allowing the moment to be captured as soon as it happens. The 3.2 inch screen means that users will be able to view their creations instantly and an easy upload facility means that as long as access to a Wi-Fi network is available, user movies can be placed directly onto YouTube.

Social networking obviously makes an appearance on the Vivaz as with nearly every Smartphone on the market today. In addition however an 8.1 megapixel camera ensures that social media will certainly be a large draw for consumers. Available in a range of colours the Vivaz is due for release in the first quarter of this year.