Christopher

Sony released an important notification today and if you are an owner of CW and F series notebooks (check the link for more specific models in the US region), Sony recommends that you download and install a firmware/BIOS update specifically designed to prevent the potential overheating symptom. Supposedly, in rare instances, these notebook computers may overheat due to a potential malfunction of the internal temperature management system, resulting in deformation of the product’s keyboard or external casing, and a potential burn hazard to consumers. In fact, it’s so serious that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sent out a report notifying the world of this issue and almost every major news outlet has coverage of the recall. Sony says 260,000 laptops in the US, 103,000 in Europe, 120,000 in South East Asia and 52,000 in Japan need to be fixed. “The word recall has been used by the CPSC in the States, but we are not calling it that,” Nick Sharples, Sony’s European communications director told BBC News. “It is possible to update the firmware online, which will rectify the problem,” he added. Sounds like a quality control issue, for more info go here and be careful, don’t get burnt! For Japanese customers, please follow this link. Which models in the VPCF11 and VPCCW2 series of notebook PCs may be affected? Specific model numbers in each series include: VPCF11 Series: VPCF111FD, VPCF111FD/B, VPCF111FX, VPCF111FX/B, VPCF111FX/H, VPCF112FX, VPCF112FX/B, VPCF112FX/H, VPCF113FX, VPCF113FX/B, VPCF113FX/H, VPCF114FX, VPCF114FX/B, VPCF114FX/H, VPCF115FM, VPCF115FM/B, VPCF115FM/BL, VPCF116FX, VPCF116FX/B, VPCF116FX/H, VPCF117FX, VPCF117FX/B, VPCF117FX/B, VPCF117FX/H, VPCF1190X, VPCF119FX, VPCF119GX, VPCF119HX, VPCF11AFX, VPCF11AFX/B, VPCF11BFX, VPCF11BFX/B, VPCF11CGX, VPCF11CGX/B, VPCF11DGX, VPCF11DGX/B, VPCF11EGX, VPCF11EGX/B, VPCF11FGX, VPCF11FGX/B, VPCF11GGX, VPCF11GGX/B, VPCF11HGX, VPCF11HGX/B, VPCF11JFX, VPCF11JFX/B, VPCF11KFX, VPCF11KFX/B, VPCF11KFX/H, VPCF11LFX, VPCF11LFX/B, VPCF11LFX/H, VPCF11MFX, VPCF11MFX/B, VPCF11NFX, VPCF11NFX/B, VPCF11NFX/H, VPCF11PFX, VPCF11PFX/H, VPCF11QFX, VPCF11QFX/B and VPCF11QFX/H VPCCW2 Series: VPCCW21FX, VPCCW21FX/B, VPCCW21FX/L, VPCCW21FX/P, VPCCW21FX/R, VPCCW21FX/W, VPCCW22FX, VPCCW22FX/B, VPCCW22FX/L, VPCCW22FX/P, VPCCW22FX/R, VPCCW22FX/W, VPCCW23FX, VPCCW23FX/B, VPCCW23FX/L, VPCCW23FX/P, VPCCW23FX/R, VPCCW23FX/W, VPCCW26FX, VPCCW26FX/B, VPCCW26FX/L, VPCCW26FX/P, VPCCW26FX/R, VPCCW26FX/W, VPCCW27FX, VPCCW27FX/B, VPCCW27FX/L, VPCCW27FX/P, VPCCW27FX/R, VPCCW27FX/W, VPCCW29FX, VPCCW29GX, VPCCW2AFX, VPCCW2AFX/B, VPCCW2BFX, VPCCW2BFX/B, VPCCW2CGX, VPCCW2CGX/B, VPCCW2DGX, VPCCW2DGX/B, VPCCW2EGX, VPCCW2EGX/B, VPCCW2FGX, VPCCW2FGX/B, VPCCW2GGX, VPCCW2GGX/B, VPCCW2HGX, VPCCW2HGX/B, VPCCW2JGX, VPCCW2JGX/B, VPCCW2KGX, VPCCW2KGX/B, VPCCW2LFX, VPCCW2LFX/B, VPCCW2LFX/L, VPCCW2LFX/P, VPCCW2LFX/R, VPCCW2LFX/W, VPCCW2MFX, VPCCW2MFX/PU, VPCCW2MFX/WJ, VPCCW2MGX, VPCCW2MGX/B, VPCCW2NFX, VPCCW2NFX/LU, VPCCW2PFX, VPCCW2PFX/L, VPCCW2PFX/R. VPCCW2PFX/W, VPCCW2QGX, VPCCW2QGX/B, VPCCW2RGX, VPCCW2RGX/B, VPCCW2SGX, VPCCW2SGX/B, VPCCW2TGX, VPCCW2TGX/B, VPCCW2UFX, VPCCW2UFX/B, VPCCW2VFX, and VPCCW2VFX/B View the full article

Sony continues to enhance the capabilities of the PS3 by adding several innovative features in firmware 3.40. As of yesterday, firmware 3.40 is available for the the PS3. It adds the following to an already impressive feature set: Photo Gallery: [PlayStation

Very interesting, how did this end up?

Sony Japan and Disney are offering free Toy Story 3 themed engraving on the S-Series Walkman for a limited time. Those of you in Japan who purchase the NW-S740/S740K/S640/S640K can get the engraved image of Mickey and/or Minnie for free. The SonyStyle Japan website will start offering this for free soon, as well as the upcoming Sony Nagoya and SonyStyle Osaka stores will offer the engraving service on the spot. They also will engrave a message (up to fifteen characters) of your choice on the back of the Walkman. There is also a clear case (CC-DW-TS3) that has playful art inspired by the film with various toys: View the full article

Musical powerhouses John Legend & The Roots are presenting fans with a fiery new offering, Wake Up! The upcoming CD, being released by Sony Music on September 21, 2010, will feature soulful music from the 60′s and 70′s all with an underlying theme of awareness, engagement and consciousness — effectively telling listeners to Wake Up! After being inspired by the recent historical Presidential election campaign of 2008, the R&B singer Legend and hip-hop band The Roots felt a need to enter the action. What started as plans for a single quickly developed into a passionate album representing change, hope and activism — not only referencing one particular moment in time, but on a larger scale, holding true no matter what the political climate may be. The resulting album features eleven profoundly evocative songs infused with sounds of gospel, rock and reggae inflections with hip-hop influences. The album is highlighted by familiar tracks like “Wholly Holy” by Marvin Gaye and “Little Ghetto Boy” by Donny Hathaway mixed with the more obscure selections of Baby Huey and the Babysitters’ “Hard Times,” and “Hang on in There” by Mike James Kirkland. “These songs sound so relevant now,” Legend says. “On most of them, you wouldn’t change a lyric. ‘Wake Up Everybody’ (the album’s first single, featuring contributions from Melanie Fiona and Common) has four verses — the first one is a general statement, the second is about education, third is about health care, and the fourth is about making a better environment. No editing needed.” “When these songs were written, people were more spiritually in tune,” says Roots drummer/musical director Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson. “It was fresh from the civil rights era and there was a feeling of hope that maybe, yes, someday we will all be free. In 2010, not so much.” The album features one original composition, Legend’s song “Shine,” which is featured in Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s upcoming documentary film Waiting for Superman. The song, a “Stevie-Wonder-meets-gospel” stunner, clearly demonstrates the strengths of this specific group of musicians. Wake Up! blends Legend’s expressive, thoughtful vocal interpretations with an element of funk that only The Roots can provide. Bringing John Legend & The Roots together is an inspired pairing, so logical that it’s a little surprising they haven’t teamed up in a proper collaboration before. John Legend is a six-time Grammy winner whose three albums have all hit Number One on the Billboard R&B charts, and who has collaborated with such artists as Kanye West, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and the Black Eyed Peas. The Roots — currently visible nightly as the stupendously versatile house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon — have released nine acclaimed studio albums (including the recent How I Got Over) and redefined the relationship between live instruments and hip-hop. View the full article

After a 10 year hiatus, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of two Worlds is moving towards release early next year on PS3. Initially, there wasn?t much known about the gameplay mechanics or how it would look. We were then treated to a gorgeous CGI trailer showing us what the style of the game would look like: " />"> The Marvel Vs. Capcom series puts the best in the Marvel Universe, squarely against the best in the Capcom universe in a hyperfighting melee style of combat. In a 3 on 3 combat style, players can tag in and out with their team, perform super combos (which are quite impressive to watch) and vicious air combos. The game employs a new X Factor system so if when your down to your last player, you go into a power up mode, and cancel out of whatever your currently doing. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The final roster of characters hasn?t been revealed, but this is what we know thus far: MARVEL Wolverine Iron Man Captain America Hulk Deadpool CAPCOM Dante Felicia Chris Redfield Morrigan Aensland Ryu No firm date yet beyond Spring 2011.In the meantime Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is available on the PlayStation Network to tide us over until release. From what I have been hearing, the fans who stood in line at E3 say it was worth the wait: View the full article

Since ultra light and amazingly designed VAIO X launched, a number of users (including myself) were wondering if we will see an update to X series or it will fade away into history like its predecessor VAIO X505. And the answer to this question is yes, as we have seen new models of VAIO X being launched in Japan, SonyStyle USA will be selling 4 new and updated VAIO X models (black, silver, gold), including a pink VAIO X. As you may remember, Sony shocked everyone back at IFA 2009 with the introduction of the X series VAIO notebook, which was the direct successor to the VAIO TT series in the USA. It appeared super slim at the time and in its delicious teaser video courtesy of Sony Europe some people were extremely curious about its arrival. Sony revealed the full details on the new VAIO X series and called it the world’s lightest notebook at the time – 1.6 pounds with standard battery. To further whet our appetites, Sony Europe also revealed a series of videos behind the design of the VAIO X, which explore just about every detail of its design. The notebook was critically acclaimed for its ultra thin profile and unbelievable design, but some critics weren’t fond of the high price and were skeptical of its performance due the speed of the slower Intel Atom Z530 processor. Despite the complaints, the X did have up to 2GB of RAM, SSD options, incredible battery life and more, keeping it quite respectable especially in the business world. The new models that will be released will carry the following model numbers: VPCX131KX and VPCX135KX. There will be a bump in its processor speed from Atom Z530 to Z550, however RAM stayed at 2 Gig max. The lower end model will have a 64 GB of hard drive measured in SSD goodness. In a glance the specs are: Intel Atom Z550 2.00GHz / 2GB RAM / 64GB SSD / Intel GMA 500 / 802.11n / Bluetooth 2.1 / Verizon Mobile Broadband / Webcam / Windows 7 Home Premium. Yes, unfortunately, we do not see WiMAX or 4G Sprint option, no USB 3.0 or updated Bluetooth profile. Even though SonyStyle has not posted any info yet, keep an eye on their site or Google the models as they are being shipped by authorized retailers. Manuals and Driver Update info has been also posted on Sony Support site if you are into that type of thing… This blog post has been exclusively done on a VAIO X115KX/N View the full article

High Moon Studios may have created the best Transformers game ever made. Over the years there have been multiple takes on the history of Cybertron prior to the Autobots and Decepticons being on earth, and now High Moon Studios give?s us their version in third person shooter style. Powered by the Unreal Engine, it?s a Transformer?s game unlike any you have ever seen. High Moon Studios has done an excellent job in character modeling that really give?s them a mech style feel. Set in the Generation 1 universe, it chronicles the events surrounding the Cybertronian Wars. Players can choose either Decepticon or Autobot campaigns, multi-player and cooperative multi-player. In doing so, you can create events that lead to the first real Decepticon leader Megatron becoming firmly established, or that see a humble soldier named Optimus Prime become one of the greatest Autobot leaders of all time. Given the fact the game is attempting to write canon, playing as any character from canon is not allowed in the competitive multi-player arena. You can create a character that falls into a distinct class. The classes available are Leader, Scout, Soldier and Scientist. Within that framework, you can effectively replicate any of your favorite characters and do some nice customization. Being a Generation 1 Transformers geek, and having had a chance to play the demo I was extremely impressed with the feel and overall mechanics of the game. To see it in action, take a look at the clip below: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Hopefully through downloadable content, we not only get more missions, but more Transformers. I certainly wouldn?t mind playing as one of my favorites of the Generation 1 Universe ? Hound. Available now for the PS3. View the full article

Several years ago, Sony SVP of Corporate Communications Rick Clancy (now retired) launched a bold new initiative for Sony Electronics USA – a blog. When the blog debuted, very few consumer electronic companies had an official online presence. It was a bold gamble; social media was still in its infancy and many companies were still learning how to understand and harness the power of online communities. Throughout the life of the original Sony Electronics Blog, it saw many updates from Rick, who embarked on endeavors such as visiting 42 SonyStyle stores within a 40-day period to meet with people who came into the shops, the malls and the cities where the stores were located to get firsthand consumer feedback about Sony, the stores, the products, technologies and the brand. Rick covered trade shows like the gadget bloggers would and offered insight to the inner workings of Sony. The first version of the Sony Electronics blog was a true success and kicked off a new direction for the innovative Japanese company and its presence online in the USA. They took that gamble a step further by interviewing Sony Insider when our site was only a few months old, giving us an opportunity to be officially known. I will always be thankful for that conversation. The original blog evolved further with the addition of new communities within the main blog, providing the VAIO, SonyStyle, and Backstage 101 teams with their own unique outlet to share their endeavors and helpful information. The content and appearance of the first version of the Sony Electronics blog evolved greatly over time, and after Rick retired, VP David Migdal took over and continued on with Rick’s original dream and brought in an array of guest bloggers to provide content. And after Social Media Evangelist Sukhjit Ghag was hired, it seemed obvious that the older appearance and somewhat limited functionality of the original blog no longer aligned with the modern world. And in no way is that an insult towards the first version, but the system they started with simply was not keeping up with modern blogging software. I knew it, Sukhjit knew it, and so did many others. It was time for change. Enter the new Sony Blog. Sukhjit, Sony Corporate Communications (including Senior Manager Marcy Cohen), SonyStyle, and the Sony Electronics design team launched a new version of the Sony Electronics Blog a few months ago called the Sony Blog. It brings together the voices of Sony Electronics, VAIO, SonyStyle and other aspects of Sony under one roof. The new blog is based on WordPress and looks incredible – we know that Rick would be proud of this evolution. We sure are proud. We love the high quality images and videos, as well as the more consistent updates. Sony even has a new forum that consolidates the vast topics associated with Sony in one place – it’s easy to use and is quite active. I have observed the evolution of Sony’s social media presence over the last decade and it has grown faster than ever in the last six to twelve months, especially with the hire of Sukhjit. Sony has an incredible presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc that no other consumer electronics manufacturer has even come close to achieving. With this latest effort, Sony is making a true difference with informing consumers, and these moves signal a new era in marketing and consumer relations that will one day be taught in schools. Read more about the new Sony blog here at Gina’s informative posting. View the full article

Sony Ericsson has refreshed its Walkman line of cell phones once again with the Yendo, which is the first full touch Walkman device from the company. We were quite surprised to see that Yendo also has one of the largest arrays of color options ever presented by the company, including Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver, White and Yellow. Wow. Here is a gallery of all the different colors: Yendo features a 2.6 inch screen (262k colors, 320×240) and has design characteristics similar to the XPERIA X10 Mini, including the innovative four corner touch UI. The four corner touch UI in Yendo allows you to access Walkman player, contacts, keypad and more with just one touch. We were surprised to see Sony Ericsson admit the Yendo has a 720MHz processor, but unfortunately that much power is perplexing as it runs a proprietary OS that primarily supports Java applications. We’re going to double check to make sure this is accurate, as there was also mention of a lesser power ARM processor within. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Music lovers will enjoy the MicroSD slot to hold your music collection, FM radio, 3.5mm audio jack and software features such as Touch TrackID, MediaGo and the PlayNow service. You can even set MP3 and AAC ringtones, or listen to your music over Bluetooth stereo (A2DP). Social media aficionados can easily access their friends with the pre-loaded Facebook, Twitter, and Orkut applications. Unfortunately, the camera is rather lackluster at only 2 megapixels with 4x digital zoom, but that is pretty much to be expected for a dedicated music phone. Expect this phone to arrive in most markets around the third quarter of 2010. Here is a hands-on video of the Yendo we found on YouTube, courtesy of Mobique.com: View the full article

Sony Ericsson showed off a new phone named Cedar last week, and to be honest its rather plain. Don’t let the lack of enthusiasm fool you though – this is just a low budget device aimed towards consumers who don’t want to break the bank when upgrading. Cedar will be available in two colors, Black/Silver and Black/Red, and has certain features from Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart strategy – including recycled plastics, a low power consumption charger, an e-manual, waterborne paint and compact packaging. Notable features of the Cedar include a 2.2 inch screen (262K colors), bluetooth, FM radio, 2 megapixel camera (video recording @ VGA 30fps), and Widget Manager 2.0 which allows you to access Facebook, Twitter and Myspace. Does anyone still use Myspace? " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> As stated previously, Cedar is a 3G phone and with that it has access to the web (via a Netfront 3.5 browser), e-mail, Exchange ActiveSync, YouTube, IM, MMS, SMS, and so forth. Music lovers will enjoy the well designed media player and a standard 3.5mm audio jack that supports nearly every type of headphone and earbud out there. Battery life is pretty respectable at 12 hours and 30 minutes in GSM mode with 420 hours of standby, while UMTS (3G) talk time comes in around 5 hours and 475 hours standby. Cedar should arrive to most markets around the third quarter of 2010 – check out more photos at Sony Ericsson’s Picasa gallery of the Cedar, or further specifications at the press release. View the full article

Remember the Sony VAIO X? At one point it was the world’s lightest notebook at only 1.6lbs with the standard battery. Considered by some as an ultra-mobile masterpiece, the VAIO X Series notebook redefined the benchmark on portability. Brawnier than it lets on, the X Series features a durable carbon fiber casing, seamless aluminum keyboard panel and scratch-resistant 11.1″ widescreen display. To complement its unbelievably thin and durable design, the VAIO X didn’t skimp too hard on power with features such as an Intel Atom Processor, 2GB of RAM and a SSD. In addition to a supplied standard and large capacity battery for extra-long battery life, the X incorporates Bluetooth technology, integrated GPS and some models even had Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband built in. We recently noticed Sony Japan released a new special edition Pink VAIO X (VPCX13ALJ/KJ), available in several interesting configuration options: Pre-loaded with Windows 7 (Home or Premium); an Atom Z530 or Z550 processor; SSD with 64 or 128GB; WAN, GPS, WiMax, and more. Configuration prices at SonyStyle Japan range from Y97,800 for the lowest range model with a Z530 and 2GB of RAM with a 64GB SSD, all the way to a Y156,800 beast with a Z550 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD with all the bells and whistles. We’ve written a great deal about the VAIO X, writing such posts when it first debuted called, “Hands-on With The Champagne Sony VAIO X Series Notebook,” gave it the full inspection with the “VAIO X505 and VAIO X Comparison Pictorial (Video)” and finally the requisite “VAIO X Unboxing Video.” View the full article

The life of a CEO is not a simple one – in fact, one does not have to think very hard about how difficult it has been for Sony’s CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, throughout his last five years of serving in that role for the Japanese company. Sir Howard walked into a dream that turned into a nightmare. Despite the enormous pressure of competition eating away market share of its most popular devices, he championed transformations in the company that everyone else was too afraid to lead. He (and Sony) never stepped down in the HD war and because of that Blu-ray won, and now the company is poised to have the same success with 3D (albeit in a much broader way). Sir Howard cuts costs, cut jobs, cut suppliers, cut manufacturing plants, and eliminated financially unsuccessful product lines. He helped develop four key initiatives: achieving consistent profitability in core hardware businesses (television, game and digital imaging); providing new user experiences that integrated innovative hardware, software and services; developing new customers and new geographic markets; and further increasing attention to environmentally conscious products and processes. Read more about CEO Sir Howard Stringer and his achievements with Sony. In the last five years, the financial status of the company has been a rollercoaster; they posted massive annual losses for two straight years. The company booked a 40.8 billion yen loss in the year to March 2010 and a 98.9 billion yen loss a year earlier. Sony is the first major company to reveal executive pay under a new rule requiring Japanese corporations to disclose the compensation packages of executives earning more than 100 million yen. And with this new rule, we finally learn what the CEO of one of the largest consumer electronic companies makes in a year, and what his stock options are. Read more in this WSJ article (further discussion at Bloomberg Businessweek): Sony said Chief Executive Howard Stringer received about Y410 million ($4.5 million) in total compensation and stock options worth Y415 million during the fiscal year ended March. The announcement is the first closely-watched disclosure of the until-now largely confidential salary details of Japan’s top executives. Recently introduced corporate disclosure rules are expected to shed light on the long-suspected gap in compensation levels between non-Japanese executives and their Japanese counterparts. Under the Financial Services Agency’s new rules, publicly traded companies in Japan are now required to disclose the annual compensation of executives receiving Y100 million or more. At Sony’s annual meeting with shareholders in Tokyo Friday, the company also gave the salary figures for the top three executives: Stringer, vice chairman Ryoji Chubachi and chief financial officer Nobuyuki Oneda. Sony said Stringer’s Y410 million compensation last fiscal year consisted of about Y310 million in basic compensation and about Y100 million in bonuses. Based on the “theoretical value” of the stock options, calculated by the company, at Y813 per share, his stock options for 500,000 shares would be worth about Y406.5 million. Sony added that about 30% of Stringer’s compensation was for his role as chief executive of Sony Corporation of America. The compensation issue will be also closely watched at Nissan Motor Co. (7201.TO), with investors ready to scrutinize the details of chief executive Carlos Ghosn’s salary. Nissan will hold its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday. Because both Stringer and Ghosn have held top-executive positions at overseas firms — Stringer at CBS Corp. (CBS) and Ghosn at Renault S.A. (RNO.FR) — the expectation is that their compensation will be more in line with U.S. and European standards. “The total amount (of Stringer’s compensation) is nothing outrageous and much less than a number of top executives at large U.S. companies,” said Yuzo Fujishima, a Daiwa Institute of Research senior researcher specializing in corporate governance. “But investors will be watching how Sony will explain its policy and logic behind his salary figures.” U.S. chief executives of companies with revenue of over Y1 trillion, or $10.9 billion, received a total compensation package nine times greater than their Japanese counterparts, according to data compiled from 2004 to 2006 by New York-based human-resources-services firm Towers Watson. European compensation was 4.4 times greater. “In Japan, a president is just one of the executives, and most decisions are based on consensus among the entire management team,” Fujishima said. By contrast, U.S. CEOs have more power and are therefore more responsible for each decision, making their jobs “high-risk, high-return,” he added. “They can get paid a fortune if they perform well, but a failure could cost them their job.” Stringer’s compensation was considerably higher than the other two top executives. Vice Chairman Chubachi received total compensation of about Y150 million and stock options for 80,000 shares, while CFO Oneda received total compensation of about Y140 million and a stock option for 30,000 shares. Oneda’s compensation includes about Y50 million in retirement allowances, as he is retiring from Sony this month after 41 years at the company. Stringer said the company will include executive salary details in its annual securities report to be submitted June 28. View the full article

Reflecting on the last few years its easy to spot the products that have created the most buzz for Sony, and most certainly the hit of CES 2009 was the ultraportable VAIO P lifestyle PC. While it may or may not have been a critical success for the Japanese company, it did once again demonstrate the company was capable of pushing the bar of innovation and design – there simply was nothing like it in the market when it was introduced. Fast forward to 2010, and the VAIO P has received some significant upgrades, and has evolved in appearance. Lets learn more about this interesting evolution of the VAIO P, courtesy of Sony Design. Tsuge: We knew that updating the “VAIO” P Series would not be easy. This was the second phase after a successful launch last year, and the design was already quite polished. We couldn’t meddle with what was already fine. And the internal layout was so carefully arranged and highly integrated that we had little freedom in design. Still, we needed something fresh, with impact. We were also looking to expand the horizons of the P Series, so to speak. These are ultraportables, so they should withstand a little rough handling. We viewed this update as an opportunity to satisfy on-the-go needs. Toward this end, one theme in development was vividness, literally and figuratively. Vivid colors seem dynamic and full of vitality, and demonstrating a vivid sense of presence through distinctive shapes and functions is also a worthwhile goal for the “VAIO” line. In response to my abstract ideas, Soichi suggested an approach that would take us in quite a different direction in design. Tanaka: Normally, distinctive structures or functions might be our starting point in design. But this time the shape yielded no clues. So what could we do? I tried the opposite approach—considering superficial instead of structural or functional design. The surface finish might reveal what statement we should make in design. Luxurious, glossy finishes have graced the P Series so far (as seen in the first generation VAIO P picture above). Although this kind of finish can add an air of elegance, fingerprints or smears bother some people. And especially because this model has a new gesture-based interface and was conceived to be held in both hands in transit, we knew people would touch it more than ever. If so, surely fingerprints would be less noticeable on a matte finish. People wouldn’t need to worry about smudges, and combined with vivid colors, the matte finish would offer a fresh look in computers. Acting on this plan, however, took a lot of courage. In computers, glossy finishes are everywhere. In fact, we pioneered this trend through “VAIO” computers, seeking richer colors. It was easy to anticipate resistance from within the company if we bucked the trend by adopting vivid colors and a matte finish. Some might complain that it cheapened the appearance, and some would urge us to make it look more luxurious. The only way to convince them and bring my concept to life was to show what this matte finish inevitably led to in design. The moment my colleagues saw it, they must know that this is how it had to be. Starting with the matte finish, I considered pursuing my design ideas directly, following my intuition. Ultimately, I decided I was seeking the image of soft cloth wrapped around a black, solid-looking screen. Unlike the almost metallic sheen of glossy finishes, matte finishes call to mind the soft textures of rubber, cloth, or leather. And by extension, an action associated with these soft materials is wrapping things up to protect them. In fact, whenever I take “VAIO” notebook prototypes with me, I place a large sheet between the keyboard and LCD screen, and then I roll the bundle up to protect it. You might say that I transferred this instinctive, familiar behavior directly into my design approach. Tanaka: To convey this image of being rolled up or enfolded, we applied design finesse in several respects. You can see the most obvious touches on the front edge and lid corners. Unlike lids on clamshell devices—which fit closely against the lower section, just like clam shells—the corners of the lid on the new P Series are quite rounded. By intentionally showing how the lid covers the keyboard panel, we give the impression that the unit is rolled up or folded up when closed. It’s an idea we wanted to try for some time, and I think we succeeded in creating the desired effect: different appearances when closed and open, a slim-looking body, and so on. Removing any elements that now seemed unneeded or contrived was another goal. Anything distracting would kill the appealing “rolled up” character, and these models would resemble the old models with just a fresh coat of paint. Look at the area around the isolated keyboard, for example. On previous models, the keyboard panel was recessed, as if the surface around the keys had been carved out of the surrounding panel. This time the keyboard panel is flat. If it weren’t, light would reflect from the ridge around the keys, and the effect of a sheet encircling the keyboard panel would be ruined. The side panels, which resemble black strips, also contribute to this effect. We couldn’t interrupt these black strips with contrasting ports or jacks. Similarly, we couldn’t have any distracting protrusions. That’s where in-house design teams are invaluable. After we arranged for development of a few parts, the sides looked just as I had imagined, like sleek black strips. Besides this, we avoided metallic finishes, kept hinge seams inconspicuous, and tried to eliminate any cold, mechanical elements usually associated with computers. Tanaka: Vivid colors enliven the “layer” that seems to be folded up when the lid is closed. But instead of plain red or blue, we chose warm and cool hues (such as orange and green) and other colors for a fresh, dynamic look that has broad appeal. These colors are popular in kitchen products and stationery. By choosing familiar colors, we ensure that the overall impression from the combination of the matte finish, part shapes, and general color scheme seems natural. We still faced one basic issue, though. To complete the image I had envisioned, the keyboard and standard battery colors needed to match the body colors. But once parts had been created in a particular color, they would not be interchangeable. So if green proved popular, for example, we couldn’t use extra black keys to assemble green models. And because the lid, bottom surface, battery, and keyboard are all painted separately (with separate base coats, depending on the material), it would be more reasonable to accept some variation in color and give up trying to match colors. But to convince my colleagues this was important, I prepared an orange mock-up. This defied our usual practice of using neutral colors such as black, white, or silver to prevent color bias from affecting structural decisions. By defying tradition, I wanted to demonstrate the “rolled-up” character of this model and persuade everyone involved that we needed the keyboard and standard battery to match the body color. The matte colors of the new P Series took as much repeated trial and error to achieve as the glossy finishes did for first-generation models. First, we had to determine the criteria for a perfect finish. Colors had to be vivid and resist fading. We chose durable UV coatings, for surfaces that are satisfyingly rough but don’t easily scratch or develop a shine if rubbed over time. And because individual sites generally don’t paint all surfaces of a computer, it’s a matter of coordinating colors at each site. But if we don’t give up, we find the right way. Tanaka: Once we had decided on the appearance of the new P Series, we turned our attention to custom cases. Plain old gray cases or pouches wouldn’t fit the image of the P Series at all, so we designed special accessory kits. They’re made of silicone, which complements the matte finish of the body nicely. These are the first “VAIO” kits to include molded cases and straps. The straps are a reassuring addition, considering mobile needs. But first we had to deal with strict structural requirements that prevented us from opening a hole in the case, for threading the strap. We almost gave up on this accessory, but we can thank our persistent engineers for the solution you see today. For greater convenience, the cases have no fasteners. It’s easy to put the unit away or take it out. The way these sleek cases fit snugly around the body may remind you of competitive swimwear. You can enjoy coordinating the case color with the body color, which is visible through holes along one edge of the case. In fact, these holes also provide ventilation and keep the case quiet when the unit is removed. The cases are molded, but these holes are created by hand. It’s an accessory that took a surprising amount of effort to create, and we hope you enjoy this traveling companion for the “VAIO” P Series. Tsuge: Through the years, “VAIO” computers have always introduced something new and special to the market. Glossy finishes were one example. Gleaming, rich colors are only possible with time and effort, as each layer from the base coat to the top coat is carefully polished. Alternatively, a fabrication technique called in-mold decoration (IMD) has become popular in recent years. Decorative film applied during the molding process provides a cheaper way to achieve a glossy finish. That’s one reason why glossy mobile electronics are now so popular. Still, rich colors are not possible through regular IMD fabrication, and under some conditions, the film tears, creating wrinkles on product surfaces. The technique also imposes some limitations in design. Computers produced this way all tend to have the same, sagging appearance. In contrast, the vivid spirit and appearance of “VAIO” models represents our ideal of refusing to be followers. In ultraportables such as the P Series, it makes a big difference when products project an image people don’t mind showing others. We want to give people options that are “vivid” in color, shape, functionality, and sense of presence. The new P Series symbolizes our approach in the next phase of “VAIO” mobile development very well. We hope many people enjoy using these decidedly different computers as their main machine, no matter where they are. View the full article

Kevin Butler gets a new partner in the new PSP ad Campaign: Step Your Game Up. At E3, Jack Tretton gave us a sneak peak at a new PSP ad campaign featuring the new face of the PSP: Marcus Rivers. In the ad, Marcus contacts Kevin and asks? why Sony isn?t talking more about the PSP, and how he is tired of hear kids talk about ? some weak app on a phone? and how we have ?good kids playing bad games?. Marcus is then hired by Kevin Butler/VP of Fanboy Relations to get the word out about the PSP and the true gaming experience it has to offer. It was a first in a series of commercials airing now, reaffirming Sony?s commitment to the PSP. As part of the ad campaign, Marcus has his own YouTube Channel. The first commercial spot is below: Given the success of the Kevin Butler ad?s, the fan reaction to him at E3, and the 50 ft. mural of him outside, if Marcus Rivers can be half as successful, Sony could have another excellent marketing campaign on their hands. View the full article

Sony Computer Entertainment has noted that the cumulative number of registered accounts on PlayStation Network has exceeded 50 million worldwide as of June 14, 2010. Since its launch in November 2006, PlayStation Network has expanded its services to over 58 countries and regions around the globe. The registered accounts on PlayStation Network reached 10 million in 1 year and 8 months from the service launch, 20 million in 2 years and 3 months, and exceeded 50 million in only 3 years and 8 months. I wonder if the introduction of a slimmer, less expensive Playstation 3 had anything to do with the massive jump in registrations between the second and third year. How long do you think it will take to reach 100 million? View the full article

Infamous 2 is an upcoming 2011 open world video game for the PlayStation 3 video game console developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is the sequel to the 2009 video game, Infamous. The game follows the events of Infamous with Cole MacGrath as the main protagonist once again. The game will take place in a new city called New Marais, a New Orleans-inspired city, and will involve Cole opposing the Beast. The game begins with Cole fighting the Beast and barely escaping with his life. He, along with his friend Zeke, flee to New Marais and prepare for Cole’s inevitable encounter with the Beast while combating The Militia, a shadowy group led by a man named Bertrand. The Militia has taken over New Marais in an attempt to keep all super powered or abnormal things away and do not take a liking to Cole. Cole will combat the Militia, explore New Marais, and learn about himself, Kessler, and The First Sons along the way. View the full article

Hey guys, We have recently published a post regarding Remote Keyboard software that you can install on your VAIO. Remote Keyboard with PlayStation 3 allows users to establish a bluetooth connection between the VAIO computer and PlayStation 3 so that users can make use of the

Hey guys, We have recently published a post regarding Remote Keyboard software that you can install on your VAIO. Remote Keyboard with PlayStation 3 allows users to establish a bluetooth connection between the VAIO computer and PlayStation 3 so that users can make use of the

Starting today through Sunday MLB.TV is free on the PS3. The PlayStation network is giving fans an opportunity to enjoy this weekend by trying out MLB.TV. It?s not a limited demo either. During the free weekend, fans will be able to stream the live MLB games, and watch past games for free. If you were on the fence about making a decision on MLB.TV, this may just tip the scales after you experience it first hand. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but I will now View the full article

Sony has detailed its latest additions to the α range, the α390 (DSLR-A390) and α290 (DSLR-A290), due to arrive in stores over the next month. High quality, high resolution images are easily captured with the impressive 14.2-megapixel (effective) CCD image sensor and BIONZ image processing engine on the α390 and α290. Both cameras also sport a new ergonomic grip, making them ideal cameras for first-time DSLR users to snap photos on the go. Dispelling the notion that DSLR cameras are bulky and heavy, the α390 and α290 are designed to be lightweight, compact and stylish, making it convenient for photography enthusiasts to carry with them at any time. The ergonomic grip design makes the cameras much easier for photographers to hold and use. In line with the grip design, buttons on the camera have also been laid out to ensure easy operation. Similar to its predecessors, the α390 and α290 are integrated with an on-screen Help Guide, Graphic User Interface and user-friendly navigation menus, so that users can maximize use of the camera’s advanced DSLR features conveniently. Featuring Sony’s exclusive Quick AF Live View, the α390 (above) offers users the speed and accuracy of phase-detection auto-focusing even when using the LCD screen to frame their subjects. The α390 also features a variable-angle 2.7-inch LCD screen that can be tilted 55

Hot off the Sony Press release – new VAIO Z and Y series are offering a new option, and that is they can become a Wi-Fi hot spot and let you connect up to 5 devices. Sort of similar experience to MiFi device that lets you get online wherever there is a cellular network and share that sweet 3 or 4G connection with other devices. Sony calls this new way of getting online as Share My Connection and states the following “select models of these [VAIO] series feature the exclusive new Sony embedded wireless technology called Share My Connection™ (SMC). With SMC you can turn your laptop into a mobile wireless access point that can connect up to five other PCs or networked devices, such as smartphones, mp3 players, and cameras”. Verizon has been chosen this time as your mobile access provider. Share My Connection™ features at a glance Applicable models Z or Y Series laptops with Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband (activation required). Note: the full assortment of Z and Y Series laptops with Share My Connection will be available June 20. Wireless range The range is similar to standard Wi-Fi access points commonly used in homes. Note that the actual range may vary based on environmental conditions or objects, such as walls, that may obstruct the wireless signal. Security You are in control of your Share My Connection™ network. It is password protected and users require a unique ID that only you can send so they can connect to your network. You also have the ability to change passwords at any time so you can regulate who can connect through your PC on a continual basis. Easy to use To transmit your Share My Connection™ Wi-Fi signal to other users, you simply need to connect to the Verizon Wireless network and then turn on your Share My Connection™ functionality through the Sony SmartWi™ utility. Once you do that, your business colleagues, friends and family will be able locate and connect to your network just as they would connect to any other password protected Wi-Fi network. View the full article

Killzone 3 is an upcoming first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3 set for release on February 2011, and is developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series and the first game in the series to be presented in 3D and will be the first to include motion controls using the PlayStation Move. The game picks up immediately after the ending of Killzone 2 and follows the previous games’ main protagonist, Sev, a Special Forces operative fighting for the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance against the Helghast Empire. The game’s story has been referred to being similar to the story of David and Goliath. The game continues shortly after Sev successfully defeated Radec and Rico having killed Visari, the Helghast dictator who leaves them to a fleet of Helghast ships approaching them destroying ISA vessels. The death of their dictator has left the Helghast Empire in a state of internal struggles with political scheming against each other gripping the Helghast Empire. Now, Sev and his comrade Rico are trapped in the cross-fire between the various political factions in the Helghast Empire without any reinforcements and are left to fight alone in order to escape as the ISA struggles to regroup its forces. The game will also give players a deeper look in to Helghan culture such as their language and showcase whatever humanity they have left within them. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Killzone 3’s story will also be a lot more light-hearted as compared to its predecessor which Guerrilla felt suffered from an overly serious and dark story which was one of the major complaints of the original, though they mentioned that it would not be too light-hearted as it is still a war. In addition, Guerrilla Games has also hired an external writer to focus on only writing the story-line so as to give a fresh perspective to the story as well as hiring a lot more Hollywood actors to elevate the level of storytelling within the dialogue of the game. Guerrilla Games has also mentioned that the game’s story will be an integral part of the game with dialogue and character development being greatly improved from its 2009 predecessor. In addition, Guerrilla Games has also said that they are curtailing the swearing in Killzone 3, which many felt were unnecessary in the dialogue of Killzone 2. They mentioned that the dialogue in the game should be focused on advancing the story rather than “gratuitous” off the scale swearing without reason. The gameplay will strongly resemble that of Killzone 2 albeit with several tweaks and changes. Unlike previous games in the series, the game will take place in various harsh environments such as Arctic landscapes, a lethal alien jungle, nuclear wastelands as well as space battles rather than only the city-scape environment which were present in its predecessors. Another notable new feature is the ability to use jet packs in the game, which were seen in Killzone: Liberation, however, these new jet packs will be used in a different manner than that of those that appeared in Killzone: Liberation. The game will also feature a revamped close combat melee system which include new brutal melee attacks as well as the ability to string together multiple attacks in a combo. Unlike its predecessor, Killzone 3 will feature fully destructible environments which is an improvement from its predecessor which featured only partially destructible environments in limited areas. A new weapon called the Wasp has also been revealed, which acts as a multi-firing Rocket Launcher. Guerilla’s managing director, Hermen Hulse, has stated Killzone 3 will use close to 100% of the PS3’s power. View the full article

Dead Space 2 is an upcoming survival horror third-person shooter video game developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The game is being developed by EA and will debut on January 25th, 2011. It is the sequel to Dead Space, and has a multiplayer mode. The PlayStation 3 will receive an exclusive limited edition of Dead Space 2 which will include Dead Space: Extraction as a PlayStation Move compatible title. Dead Space 2 is a survival horror game, which takes place on a densely populated space station, dubbed the “Sprawl”. The mental illness caused by the marker appears to be permanent and continues to have an effect on the protagonist Isaac Clarke, along with apparent PTSD from his experiences aboard the Ishimura. The Church of Unitology and the government will continue to have a large place in the storyline. The game will begin in a hospital on board the Sprawl. Players will witness the horror of the Necromorph infection as it begins in the station. View the full article