Christopher

Sony Ericsson has introduced a new Windows Mobile (6.5.3) phone, named Aspen, to their portfolio of diverse mobile devices. The phone, available later this year (Q2) in Iconic Black and White Silver, features a 2.4 inch (240×320, 65k color) TFT touchscreen and a QWERTY keyboard. Other notable specifications include A-GPS, Wi-Fi, FM radio, and Bluetooth (A2DP) to ensure you’re fully connected. Don’t forget about the MicroSD compatibility, although Sony will not be including any MicroSD card so you’ll need to purchase one. This phone is pretty standard fare with a 3.2 megapixel camera and 4x digital zoom. It’s kind of surprising not to see 8 megapixels on the Aspen, as Sony Ericsson seems to be integrating that into every other phone they are releasing these days. Sony thoughtfully added a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a stereo speaker, which is great because it’s frustrating to use phones that don’t have that these days. I think the USB connector is Micro USB though, instead of Mini USB which I would rather prefer. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> It’s officially under SE’s Greenheart line, boasting a Greenheart software panel within, power saving modes, eco-mate application, electronic manual, waterborne painting, and some of the components (charger, box, etc) are made of recycled materials. The software experience is pretty loaded – it has access to the PlayNow store, and includes applications such as: Windows Live Messenger, Facebook, Twitter, CNN, YouTube, Skype, Google Maps, and custom stylings courtesy of SPB Mobile Shell 3.0. It also boasts a PDF reader, Microsoft Office mobile, Outlook mobile and much more. For additional business support, you’ll be happy to know it is compatible with Exchange (via ActiveSync) and has full E-mail capabilities. Battery life: Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hours Standby time: GSM/GPRS: Up to 450hrs Talk time UMTS: Up to 8 hours Standby time: UMTS: Up to 600 hrs Music listening time: Up to 12hrs On a side note, I am very concerned with Sony Ericsson releasing phones for three separate mobile operating systems (Windows Mobile, Android, and Symbian). Not many other manufacturers are going down this path and I feel that its stretching the company too thin. While I understand diversity and choice are important in the market, and it opens up a greater market share, this seems like a bad choice. Sony Ericsson’s market share and profits have been slumping in recent years, and they should really focus their efforts on two operating systems at a maximum and pouring all of their resources into that. What do you think? Related Posts:Sony Ericsson Reveals Vivaz Cell Phone With 720P HD Video RecordingPhone Arena Shows Off Sony Ericsson's SatioSony Ericsson's XPERIA X2 Looks Great, But Will It Find A Carrier In The USA?Sony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdSony Ericsson's Twist On Google Android Looks Stunning View the full article

Sony has identified a limited number of 46″ BRAVIA LCD televisions (KDL-46XBR4, KDL-46XBR5) which may develop picture anomalies on the screen related to the LCD Panel. As part of Sony’s commitment to quality, under the terms of the limited warranty included with the product, Sony will replace the LCD Panel in any affected model experiencing picture anomalies due to LCD Panel failure through October 31, 2012. Please note that except as set forth in this announcement, the terms of the Sony limited warranty for these products continue to apply. In addition, customers who paid out-of-pocket to repair the LCD Panel on one of the affected models prior to the date of this announcement may be eligible to be reimbursed by mail for parts and labor expenses. To receive reimbursement, please follow completely the directions on the claim form for reimbursement; all claims must be postmarked by June 30, 2010. See claim form for complete terms and conditions. Sony uses a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669. Related Posts:DSC-T20 Cyber-shot Camera VibrationSony Offers New Backstage Remote Computer ServiceEver Had Problems With Sony VAIO Extended Warranty?Sony Will Replace Certain NWZ-W202 Models Due To Moisture IssuesFollowup To Sony NWZ-W202 Wearable Walkman Sweat/Moisture Issue Replacement Service View the full article

Without any fanfare or even a glimpse at CES, Sony has brought forth a surprise – VAIO E (EB) series.

The annual 52nd Grammy Awards, the largest music award show in the USA, was last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Sony Music Entertainment and its various artists is one of the largest recorded music companies in the world and of course won really big – a total of 31 awards. But it wasn’t just about who won and who lost – there is so much more to the Grammys. There were many interesting artists, fashions (check it all out at daylife), live performances, and also tributes, including one for Michael Jackson and his amazing Earth Song. The sequence featured a 3D mini movie that was designed for his This is It Tour of his song Earth Song. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Usher all performed during various parts of the song. Michael’s children Prince and Paris Jackson received the Michael Jackson Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of their father. Here are some of the Sony artists who won big (courtesy of Sony’s Facebook page). Beyonc

Sony has acquired Convergent Media Systems, a leading provider of video integration solutions to the enterprise market. The Alpharetta, GA based company has established itself as an expert in digital signage and content distribution systems and will be integrated as a subsidiary into Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional products business. According to John Scarcella, president of Sony’s Broadcast and Business Solutions Company, the acquisition of Convergent is a “key building block” of Sony’s worldwide business-to-business strategy to accelerate its transformation into a solutions-focused organization. Sony will leverage Convergent’s experience and resources to provide end-to-end systems solutions and managed services in both new and existing professional markets. I’ve contacted Convergent as I happen to live very closely to their headquarters, so hopefully I can check out their place and learn more about what they do there. “Convergent possesses skills that are necessary for success in the solutions business, adding another layer to our already strong field team,” Scarcella said. “Our customers expect a ‘one-stop’ source when making purchasing decisions for systems solutions. Now with Convergent, we can install and integrate the best technology available together with providing content creation, monitoring and distribution services. As a result, our sales people can go to a customer and more confidently offer a comprehensive proposal. It makes the difference between simply reacting to an opportunity vs. proactively selling an end-to-end solution.” Bryan Allen, Convergent CEO, added, “We’ve had a professional relationship with Sony for many years, and extending that collaboration makes sense for both of our companies and our existing customers. We’re very familiar with the markets that are important to Sony and our expertise and resources perfectly complement their technologies. We are excited about being a part of Sony and leveraging its resources, technologies and capabilities to offer our customers a variety of digital media solutions.” The addition of Convergent’s resources – including its approximately 150 full-time employees in North America, its extensive network of field service affiliates, and a state-of-the-art network operations center — will support Sony’s sales and marketing efforts for its key technologies. These include 4K digital cinema system installation and content distribution, professional displays and digital signage, remote monitoring and system diagnostics. The Convergent acquisition is also expected to strengthen Sony’s competitive position in new areas of business for Sony such as providing products and services to corporate, education and government markets, where Convergent already reaches more than one million people. Convergent has currently been working with Sony in support of its 4K rollout and will continue to be an integral part of that deployment. Related Posts:MxN Media Group Sign On To Bring FeliCa To North AmericaSony, Paramount and Fox Want You To See "Beyond HD"Sony To Officially Sell Harris QS-100HD Add-On For Professional LUMA DisplaysExpect More FeliCa In The USASony Gets Real, Defines Business Strategy For 2010 And Beyond View the full article

I fixed this. It was simply an error on my part in our new htaccess configuration that disallows hotlinking from idiots. I forgot to add forums.minidisc.org. My apologies friends - how's everyone

Dear John is an upcoming 2010 romantic drama/war film starring Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried and Scott Porter. Directed by Lasse Hallstr

MAG is an upcoming MMO shooter for the PlayStation 3 in development by Zipper Interactive. The game is scheduled for release tomorrow in North America on January 26, in Europe on January 27, in the United Kingdom on January 29 and in Australia and New Zealand on February 5 2010. The game will utilizes advanced server architecture to support online battles with up to 256 players, with users divided into 8-player squads, with 4 squads forming a platoon, and 4 platoons forming a company. Each squad will be led by a player who has advanced through the game’s ranking system, somewhat similar to talent points that you would find in World of Warcraft, except you play that into skills and gun enhancements, or access to entirely new weapons. Character statistics and development will also increase with frequent gameplay through earning experience (XP). The players most advanced in rank will be able to either direct the battle or participate directly in combat. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> There are multiple major game modes in MAG, starting with Suppression, which users to practice their PMC skills, gain some experience, and maximize casualties for the opposition in a 32 vs. 32 war. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Acquisition, which is a 128 player complex game mode requires strategy to be victorious. In Acquisition, Platoon and Squad leaders are given added tactical command abilities to call in additional attack or defense support to help reach the objective. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Then there is Domination Mode, where in this 256 player full scale battle, 128 players to a side go head-to-head in all out combat. This game mode is the most complex where each side battles it out to secure three main objectives. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Don’t forget about the Sabotage game mode, split into teams of 32 players each side. The objective is to cripple your enemy by stealing valuable intelligence while your opponents do whatever it takes to protect their intelligence and ultimately keep their enemy from reaching the objective. Players will be able to customize the face, voice, and armor of their characters, as well as what weapons and kit they carry into battle. The game begins in 2025. As time passes in our modern world, maintaining a full scale military becomes a burden. In a fully globalized world, the only security threat is from small scale rogue organizations against whom large forces are useless, and the fuel needed to supply increasingly mechanized armies becomes more costly. As a result, most nations armies decrease to the size necessary to defend against a “national emergency”. Furthermore, under the “Millennium Accord”, no nation’s military is permitted to leave its own borders, officially creating world peace. In their place rise PMCs (Private Military Corporations). They have two advantages: first, they compete, lowering their cost, and second, they are allowed to work for anyone, anywhere. In an unregulated global economy, the companies soon compete by less than honest means. After enough mergers, bargains and buy-outs, however, the remaining PMCs decided to put their weapons to full use. The original attacks followed a simple plan: shoot a competitor’s soldiers, lowering supply to cause them to charge more and, ultimately, go out of business. The shadow war, as it was called, grew in secret until the conflict moved into full swing, with the PMCs securing their own interests and violently fighting for contracts. It is unclear if the story will continue after release or remain static. The game will contain three different private military company factions: Seryi Volk Executive Response/S.V.E.R. (pronounced “Sever”), a ragtag military force with personnel drawn from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Russia Raven Industries, a faction with high-tech weapons and armor, comprising of West European soldiers. Valor Company, whose soldiers are equipped with more standard-styled gear.They comprise of seasoned veterans from the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico. Video by TOTdb911. I played the last beta a little bit with my usual buddy online and it was powerful. The different factions are well defined and the gameplay is fierce. Matches took no time at all to get together and in my experience (of playing various Battlefield games throughout the years for hundreds of hours, Call of Duty 4 and Call of Duty MW2 for many hours) that MAG is a powerful contender to an already vast FPS landscape. This is going to be a surprise hit for Sony a lot sooner than they think. The whole MMO aspect of this is very well done and true war junkies will be absolutely thrilled with 256 players in huge maps. Someone I know pretty well who has a larger gaming background than me with FPS games played a lot of the beta; he seemed really obsessed. Whenever we talk, we’ll talk about how many days are left till its available – and that’s tomorrow of course. Also, if you played the beta, here is a helpful topic on the Playstation Blog that talks about the differences between the most recent Beta and the Final version. Enhanced patch notes from beta to final can be found here at the MAG Blog. Here’s a funny video promoting the game courtesy of Sony Playstation USA, which revolves around the slogan “It only does 256 players.”: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Related Posts:The Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Sony At CEDIA 2009 Round UpSony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdPhone Arena Shows Off Sony Ericsson's SatioSony VAIO X Gets a Hot Promo Video View the full article

Earlier this month, Sony announced a new portable USB power supply adapter in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions destined for the market in February. It’s officially under the CycleEnergy family of products and is simply perfect – I love the white minimalist design. It is equipped with USB Authentication software which allows instant charging with any USB device. Effectively, the adapter is readily compatible with a wide variety of USB-based products, such as mobile phones, Walkman players, iPod/iPhone players, and portable game consoles such as the PSP. This enables consumers to detach and carry just the USB output module when they need extra power on-the-go for their mobile devices. It also thoughtfully comes with an add-on that is a conventional AC input and provides fast charging. So not only do you have a portable Mini-USB to go, you also have a way to get power from a socket with any USB cord. Sweet. ?Sony is committed to providing the latest, innovative and best quality products and supporting the optimum energy solution for consumers,? says Mr. Takashi Kurata, General Manager, Media Solutions and Energy Center, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. ?With the new USB Portable Power Supply Adaptor, users will be able to get an extra power charge for their portable devices wherever they go, at their convenience.? Keeping the environment in mind, Sony?s USB Portable Power Supply Adapter is energy saving as it reduces the consumption of rechargeable or disposable batteries. Additionally, the Adapter comes in environmentally-friendly packaging primarily made of corrugate paper which is easy for recycling. The last device I saw Sony release similar to this was the “Sony’s Energy LINK USB power supply / recharger,” which is impressive for its time but this is a much greater style and design – plus you don’t need the AA batteries for this 2010 version. We’re not sure about price (it will probably be within reason, sub-$50 range), or if it will come to USA or Europe.. Related Posts:Cycle Energy Blue Special PromoSony To Nearly Double Lithium Ion Production By 2010Sony Working To Create Components That Run On Wireless PowerSony Shows Off Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Battery USB Charging StationSony’s New SRS-U10 Universal External Speaker View the full article

Usually Sony does not show off everything that the company has in store for 2010 at CES and a few gems are always saved to be revealed later on. So don’t get discouraged if you have not found anything compelling from dozens of new goodies Sony showed off at CES this year. Meanwhile, one of them is the unannounced VAIO M Series notebook, yup I don’t think we have seen that letter designation being used yet in VAIO notebook line (VAIO desktops did have M series though, funky looking all in one PC pictured here). The model numbers to look for are: VPC-M111AX/B and VPC-M111AX/W as you can imagine it will be offered in two color-ware options. No specs or any other info has been released yet, however if you are patient enough, you will learn more soon. *Pictured is a VAIO M introduced back on 2004 in Japan and Europe only. Related Posts:New VAIOs LeakVAIO Z Series UnearthedVAIO GS Launch ImminentNew VAIO P Coming?NEW Sony VAIO Notebooks Emerge at CES 2010 View the full article

Sony is preparing to debut a brand new type of store in Japan, and more importantly a new retail direction for the company altogether. The “Sony Store Nagoya” (press release, official sonystorenagoya twitter) will open in the Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture on March 13th, and is reminiscent of what Apple and Microsoft are doing these days with their brand specific stores. This is a rather interesting move that Sony had hinted at in their Investor/Analyst Meeting back in late November of last year. The architect Sony used for this store is one of the most prolific in Japan – Tadao Ando (wikipedia) – who is behind such projects such as the Tokyo Sky Tree, the revamped Piccadilly Gardens, Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art amongst hundreds of other creations around the world. In these exclusive, high resolution pictures, we can see Sony’s goal with this new store is to introduce its latest technology through innovative product displays for enhanced sales. The company also hopes to improve the public’s perception of its networked products and services. Just like an Apple Store, there will also be “stylists” on hand with immense expertise to help with product suggestions. However, these representatives will go a step above by directly communicating with Sony on their experiences and valuable feedback from the consumer. The new Sony Store will also offer service and repair services, similar to what SonyStyle stores already offer. Another interesting element of this store is that Sony will also work closely with local Sony dealers in the area. They are planning to hold a “Sony’s Fair in Nagoya,” where 50 dealers from around the area will come together and collaborate on strategy, marketing activities, and so forth. The first floor will have VAIO, Walkman, Cyber-shot, Handycam, PSP and Sony Ericsson products – consumers will be able to look at, use, touch and enjoy all devices in those categories. On the second floor, the more advanced Blu-ray, BRAVIA, and other home theater/living room devices will be found. Sony also will have product consultants on the second floor who can help ensure you use optimal settings, personal lessons (how-to classes), etc. As for the fate of the other SonyStyle stores around the world, don’t fret – this seems like an experiment; Sony isn’t going to get rid of those anytime soon. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if you start seeing more stores styled in this fashion pop up in other places aside from Japan. Related Posts:New SonyStyle Store In MiamiThe Real Problem With The Sony Retail ExperienceGoogle Android And The Upcoming Sony Walkman Product StrategyFirst SonyStyle Store In France Is A Stone GrooveThe Sony Online Service Is Not An iTunes Competitor - It Aspires To Be Far Bigger View the full article

Malcom Reynolds once said: “”We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty.” And while it may not be as a dramatic as the Independents’ achievement, someone else may have done the same thing: George Hotz aka geohot.

Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment have announced the creation of a new long-term global venture to focus on the production and exploitation of music, television, film and digital content. The new venture will own all of the existing Syco television and music assets, which include the global TV franchises “The X Factor” and “Got Talent”, as well as superstar artists such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Il Divo. The new venture, which will continue to use the “Syco” name, will be co-owned by Sony Music and a Simon Cowell-owned company. Syco will be based in London and will also have offices in Los Angeles. As the first project under the new Syco banner, Fox Television announced (seen above from January 11th) that it will launch the U.S. version of the worldwide hit TV show, “The X Factor”, in the fall of 2011. Cowell will serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.S. version of the show. “The X Factor” is a Syco-owned television format, which currently airs in 17 countries and has been the #1 UK entertainment show for the last three years, reaching record UK audiences in 2009 of 20 million with 60% audience share. “The X Factor” is the No.1 music- entertainment format in Europe. In addition to “The X Factor”, Syco is also the owner of the “Got Talent” TV format which currently airs in 27 countries and is the UK’s most successful TV format export. In 2009, “Britain’s Got Talent” launched the global music career of Susan Boyle, whose debut album, “I Dreamed A Dream”, sold over 8 million albums in six weeks, making it the world’s biggest selling album of 2009 and the fastest selling album in history. Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 180 million albums and delivered more than 150 No.1 records. In 2009, Cowell was named No. 1 in Hollywood Reporter’s Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV and one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Entertainers of the Year. “I have had a fantastic relationship with Sony for many years and I’m delighted we are launching this venture together,” Cowell said. “Over the past 20 years, Simon Cowell has been a great partner and is an integral part of the Sony Music global family. We are extremely excited to be able to continue and further develop our relationship with Simon, and significantly grow the Syco venture,” said Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment. “Simon Cowell is one of the most prominent and successful creative music and television executives in the entertainment business today. This new venture will allow Sony Music and all Sony divisions to develop and pursue a host of new opportunities with this supremely talented individual,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation. “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to extend our long and mutually beneficial partnership with Simon. He is an inspiring and stimulating business partner and working with him closely over the last 10 years has been an absolute pleasure. With the launch of “The X Factor” in the US, we look forward to replicating the unprecedented success the show has had in the UK globally,” said Ged Doherty, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment UK. Related Posts:Michael Jackson Leaves This WorldSony Music Hooks Exposure For European PromotionSony, Discovery And IMAX To Create 24/7 3D TV NetworkSony Completes Bertelsmann Buy-OutThe Orchard To Market and Sell Sony/ATV Music Publishing Master Recordings View the full article

The XPERIA X10, also known in Japan simply as Xperia, came to the massive wireless carrier DoCoMo yesterday amid great reception. However, what’s truly odd about this 1Ghz, 4 inch screen Android phone is that the battery life figures have been relatively unknown up to this point. Even Sony Ericsson’s global site has never listed the battery life figures in its specifications. This left many curious as to how long it could actually last. I had several ideas, based on Sony Ericsson’s reputation of trying to have as much battery life as possible and I can now finally confirm that it’s pretty decent. According to the official specification sheet for the Japanese Xperia (same model as the XPERIA X10), the battery life is: Talk time (2G/Edge): 270 minutes (4 hours, 30 minutes) Talk Time (3G): 290 minutes (4 hours, 5 minutes) We’re also seeing 230 hours standby for 2G, and and about 200 hours standby for 3G-only mode, or 300 for automatic signal mode (switches between 2G and 3G). Related Posts:Sony Ericsson's Mighty XPERIA X10 Coming In 2010 - Full Specs And PicsSony Ericsson ?XPERIA X10? vs. Apple ?iPhone 3G S? Specs ComparisonSony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Arrives In Japan Through NTT/DoCoMoSony Ericsson XPERIA X5 ConceptSE Intros HBH-PV715, 720 and 740 Earpieces View the full article

The powerful Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 has arrived in Japan via phone carrier NTT/DoCoMo. The phone, known in Japan as simply “Xperia,” is compatible with FOMA HIGH-SPEED, Docomo’s HSUPA/HSDPA data-communication service for extra-fast 2.0 Mbps up and 7.2 Mbps down. The carrier is boasting its great processor speed (1GHz), Android, design, custom rich applications such as Timescape and Mediascape. I also liked how there was good emphasis on the Infinity button, which allows a user to find more information about the artist that is currently playing, such as history, photos, discography, etc. Check out this great site I found that shows off more of the Japanese Xperia interface in many screenshots. I was also impressed with Sony Ericsson Japan’s official Xperia site. Here’s a promo video: The phone will of course be available in black and white colors. There are few differences in this version compared to the others found around the world, but it does of course have Japanese as its native language and a few programs tailored for Japanese consumers (pictures courtesy of Impress Watch!, such as: mora touch: Provides access to one of Japan’s largest music download services with focus on obvious genres such as J-Pop but also many other genres. You can download entire albums or music videos, or preview songs just like the iTunes store on the iPhone. It’s not entirely clear if songs you purchase through the phone can be transferred elsewhere, though. The audio is 128kbps AAC-LC, and video is H.264/AVC (640×480, 30fps, 1.5-2Mbps bitrate). You can also set downloaded songs as ring tones. Here’s a sample of video playback: You can use Google voice search in mora: ..or browse top songs: Let’s check out another unique element found in the Japanese Xperia: NTT DoCoMo also showed off a new portal interface for not only Japan’s Xperia, but also another Android phone in their line up – the HT-03A. It’s sort of the Japanese Android market, as all the programs are of course in the Japanese language. Below, we can see a recommended list of applications. There is also support and discussion features. Sony was also showing off ServersMan running on the device, which is a web server that runs on your phone. It offers an easy way to save files from a phone to a PC and vice versa. Users who log on to the application in the phone get instant access to the phone’s files on serversman.com. You can also manage your personal website. Just upload your HTML, pictures, video etc. to the ServersMan public_html folder and turn on Web publish. Users can also mash-up GPS data and Google Maps on ServersMan and publish them as a web site. Here’s a screenshot: There was many other cool Android applications hitting Japan that you can check out here. Japan’s NTT DoCoMo President and Chief Executive Officer Ryuji Yamada (L) and Sony Ericsson Chief Executive Bert Nordberg were part of a big press conference in Japan to show off their new XPERIA phones during a photo opportunity at an unveiling in Tokyo January 21, 2010. Click here to see some of the press conference photos and several amusing slides, such as this: Sony Ericsson has no plans to delay the launch of a phone that runs Google Inc’s Android operating system in China (despite recent tensions), Nordberg said on Thursday. Related Posts:Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Battery Life RevealedHands-on With the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10Sony Ericsson Reveals Vivaz Cell Phone With 720P HD Video RecordingSony Ericsson ?XPERIA X10? vs. Apple ?iPhone 3G S? Specs ComparisonSony Ericsson's Mighty XPERIA X10 Coming In 2010 - Full Specs And Pics View the full article

Sony is bringing a new portable bluetooth receiver, named DRC-BT60P, to the market on February 10th. It’s a rather small device that weighs about 30g – think of it as a remote for your bluetooth device, such as a phone, laptop, or even a Walkman with a bluetooth adapter. It features a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM tuner. Here’s a little diagram of the unit itself: You can see there are several buttons on the front, including Previous Track/FM Tune -, Play/Pause, Next Track/FM Tune +, FM on/off, and phone. As you can see the OLED (monochromatic) display on the device has several functions for showing various statuses, such as if there is a bluetooth connection, or if FM radio is on, if music is playing, if the phone connection is active. We really like that this charges through USB as well, and thoughtfully includes noise suppression and echo cancellation. As you can see the picture above specifically mentions DRC-BT60 without the P at the end, but after checking various sites we’ve come to determine that its more of a branding thing, where I guess the DRC-BT60 is aimed towards Walkman users and will perhaps be included as a package. The DRC-BT60P will be aimed towards everyone else. Related Posts:Firmware Update For Various Sony Walkman Music PlayersPicture Surfaces Of Blue DR-BT101 Stereo Bluetooth HeadphonesHands-on With BD Remote - The Sony iPhone/iPod Touch Remote AppSony Introduces MEX-BT5000 Bluetooth Car StereoSony's New DR-BT101 Stereo Bluetooth Headphones View the full article

Short post. No description needed. I was taking part in SonyRewards aka MySony Reverse Auctions last night and came across this really pricey VAIO (going for almost 22 million dollars). Luckily I scored a really nice deal on Sony Cybershop TX1. Some glitch, huh! Related Posts:The World Is Waiting, Watching For Sony's Wednesday ReportNew VAIOs Leak20.02 Million PSPs Shipped WorldwideNEW Sony VAIO Notebooks Emerge at CES 2010Sony Added a Couple New VAIO Mice to the VAIO Pack View the full article

According to dozens of forum users at Notebookreview.com, apparently owners of the new Sony VAIO F Series VPCF112FX/B, VPCF11JFX/B, VPCF11MFX/B and VPCF1190X CTO are experiencing an odd high pitched whine or buzzing sound (aka whining) while using the laptop. The issue caused several consumers to call Sony for support, but they were unable to provide a fix over the phone – this led to several of the laptops being returned, exchanged, and so forth. However, after observing the forum topic it seems that the problem resides within the microphone built into the laptop itself, and with a few simple clicks this issue can be temporarily resolved. Hopefully Sony will provide a more cohesive fix soon. Go to “Start,” then “Control Panel,” and then click on the “Hardware & Sound” category. Then click on the “Sound” category, and then click on the “Recording” tab. Highlight the microphone and go to Properties. Select the “Listen” tab and “Mute” the mic as well as put a check mark where it says “Listen to this device.” That should fix everything. When you want to use the mic or webcam, just undo these settings. Related Posts:New VAIOs LeakVaio TT Information Coming Monday?Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Crashing On Your PS3? Here's How To Fix It [updated]VAIO CommunityDSC-T20 Cyber-shot Camera Vibration View the full article

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 G.I.R.L. Scholarship to help educate and recruit more women into the field of video game production and design. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and administered by Scholarship America, a leading non-profit educational support program, applications are available and more details, including official rules for entry are also available online. One skilled student will win up to $10,000 to be applied toward tuition and other educational expenses at the school at which the student is currently enrolled, and an optional internship of up to 10 weeks at one of Sony Online Entertainment’s studios (room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). “The past two G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipients were such a valued addition to our team that we are thrilled to offer this program for the third consecutive year,” said Laura Naviaux, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. “Our goal is to continue to encourage and reward women who share our commitment and passion for developing cutting edge online games for all demographic groups.” To be eligible to participate, entrants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including video game art, design, animation, production, programming or visual effects, must not graduate before the end of the 2011 spring term and must comply with the program’s official rules. Entrants are required to complete an online application along with an existing piece of art, and if chosen as semifinalists, submit two pieces of concept art and one essay that will be reviewed by a panel of SOE judges. Online applications must be completed and submitted on or before February 15, 2010. SOE will announce the winner on or about May 20, 2010. Related Posts:SOE Accepting Applications For 2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship ProgramSOE Calls On Industry To Bring More Women Into Video Game BusinessSony Online Entertainment Awards $10,000 In G.I.R.L. Scholarship CompetitionSOE Awards $10,000 Scholarship for Winner of First-Ever G.I.R.L. Game Design CompetitionSony Pictures Imageworks Awards $50k USD In Scholarships View the full article

Sony Ericsson has confirmed rumors and detailed the Vivaz, a Symbian (S60, 5th Edition) OS device and one of their first phones with 720P HD video recording capability (with a dedicated video button on the phone). The phone will be available in Q1 2010 and be offered in Moon Silver, Cosmic Black, Galaxy Blue, and Venus Ruby colors. Sony Ericsson has also made sure that you can share your videos on the fly, with the ability to upload your videos to YouTube and photos to Picasa. The Vivaz features a beautiful 16 million color, 3.2 inch screen (16:9, 640×360). The camera included with the device is also pretty feature-rich, with an 8.1 megapixel sensor, 4x digital zoom, auto focus, continuous auto focus for video, and face detection for photos. Geo-tagging, image stabilization, smile detection, touch capture are also included for an optimal experience. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> We’re surprised at how quickly this phone was announced, since the XPERIA X10 hasn’t even hit the US market yet and this may throw off potential buyers of that device since this has several features it doesn’t. However, it sure is exciting to see Sony Ericsson really hitting the groove with their hardware strategy by offering devices with such intelligent features. The processor inside the device is also quite satisfactory at 720MHz. Other notable features include Bluetooth (A2DP for your stereo headphones), Wi-Fi, and a WebKit web browser. We were also pleased to see a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, TV Out (at VGA resolution, and an included 8GB MicroSD card. The Vivaz also comes included with many applications, such as Facebook, Google Maps, Twitter, YouTube, Rally Master Pro, and SSX Snowboarding (what! I love this game) amongst many others. We found a hands-on video by Sony Ericsson that shows off the device in a little more detail: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Battery life figures clock in at GSM/GPRS talk time up to 13 hrs, GSM/GPRS standby time up to 430 hrs; UMTS talk time up to 5 hrs 20 min, UMTS standby time up to 440 hrs. Video call time will last up to 2hrs and 30 mins. Related Posts:Sony Ericsson To Reveal Android XPERIA Phone On November 3rdPhone Arena Shows Off Sony Ericsson's SatioSony At CEDIA 2009 Round UpThe Hottest Sony Playstation 3 Games Of E3 2009Video: Youtube Sony Bravia Internet Widget View the full article

Sony Computer Entertainment announced that it will release its new Motion Controller (tentative name) for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) in fall 2010 in Japan, Asian regions and countries, North America and Europe/PAL territories together with an extensive line-up of exciting software titles. It was originally destined to hit the market in less than a few months and there was very little indication that a delay was incoming. The new controller, combined with the PlayStation Eye camera, can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement within the game, delivering a whole new entertainment experience on PS3. This is a huge shock for many who have been closely observing the Playstation strategy in the last year or so, as the original Spring release for the Motion Controller was a huge benefit for Sony to have in place before Microsoft could make a major play with their Fall timetable for Natal. “We have decided to release the Motion Controller in fall 2010 when we will be able to offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “We will continue to work to have a comprehensive portfolio of attractive and innovative games for the Motion Controller, not only from SCE Worldwide Studios but also from the third party developers and publishers, whom we have been working closely with. We look forward to soon unveiling the exciting software line-up that further expands and defines the PS3 platform as the ultimate entertainment system for the home.” Related Posts:PS3 Motion Controller set for Spring 2010Kotaku Reveals New PS3 Motion Controller DetailsSony's Incredibly Accurate PS3 Motion Controller Coming In 2010Microsoft's XBOX360 Project Natal Has A Secret: LagSony Sells 10 Million PSP's in Japan View the full article

If you’re anything like me and have been following Sony products its easy to tell that the model numbers associated with a device tell a story. Things seemed a little odd to me when Sony released the ultra-slim 1080 HD movie recording capable point and shoot camera DSC-TX7 at CES 2010, as it was a giant leap in model numbers from the original DSC-TX1 that they released last August. Well, I spoke to one of my major sources recently and there was some big hints towards a waterproof, underwater capable point and shoot camera coming called the DSC-TX5. When I heard this I was pretty amazed because such a feature like waterproof (presumably at realistic distances) is one thing, but to see it applied to a very slim, stylish camera such as the T-Series would be pretty wild. I decided to stay quiet about it but unfortunately the chatter has gotten too obvious now. Sonyalpharumors, a site I have been noticing has been mostly correct lately about Sony’s camera strategy (and has been offering consistent leaks for a while) even wrote about the DSC-TX5 a few days ago. They stated, The source says the TX5, Sony’s underwater point and shoot should be announced soon. “We can glean two things from the title. T means touch screen and since all of Sony’s touch screens are resistive they can actually work underwater and the X indicates the Exmor CMOS system, most likely the BSI R sensor. Don’t know pricing, or specs, though, based on other X series cameras it’ll be 10mp and likely the 4x Zeiss formula in the lens, though if it’s of the 25mm variety like the TX7 or the 35mm variety like the TX1, that remains to be seen. I am personally hoping for the former.” I’m not going to say much more than I already have, and I find their words very interesting. I chose not to report on that because it wasn’t really enough to go with, but things got even worse when I noticed the DSC-TX5 on some Japanese tech blogs. Apparently the Apple Brothers blog uncovered it from a cached Colortec blog (C-TEC 3) link, where they basically state the images were available via Sony Europe’s press center for a limited amount of time. The images are no longer at the C-TEC 3 blog, but still exist at the Apple Brothers blog, and are the images you see in this post. We are very confident you will see this product soon, and will be available in Europe in the colors shown above – maroon, silver, black, pink and what appears to be a white color, but we’re unsure of what colors will hit the USA. If we had to guess, price would probably be around $300. Related Posts:Sony Fits Transfer Jet, 1080/60i HD Video Recording Into Ultra-Slim DSC-TX7 Point & ShootSony Updates Cyber-shot W-Series Compact Point & Shoot Digital Camera LineSony's Unannounced iPod/iPhone, DVD, USB, SD/MS Card Video Shelf System WHG-SLK1Sony's New DSC-WX1 & DSC-TX1 Are Simply Stunning Point & Shoot CamerasFirst "Smile Shutter" Capable SE Phone With 5 MP Camera Revealed View the full article

Want a job? Sony Ericsson USA wants you. They’re looking for disruptive, show-stopping ideas. NBD – never been done. They’ve got an exciting energetic brand, great products and great parent companies with Sony and Ericsson. Come partner with them. Read the assignment below. Get your “Two-Pager” to (Kevin.Marrazzo at sonyericsson dot com) by noon ET Monday February 1, 2010. Please also attach a page or two about your company, HQ, years in operation, year incorporated, top 5-10 clients, Sr. Staff bios, URL, and the rest of the good stuff. They’ll let you know by Feb 15th if you are one of 3-5 finalists invited to come pitch to our team. Under NDA, they’ll give you a budget, launch calendar and more information. Assignment: • Two pages, describe why you want to be Sony Ericsson’s digital agency of record for 2010? • Provide your best idea on what you would do to help Sony Ericsson be successful in 2010 within the digital space - Demonstrate your creativity - Show how you will execute - Provide an evaluation tool Goals: • Increase Sony Ericsson’s brand/product awareness with the digital space • Provide a digital platform to expand • Build SE’s digital consumer database for eCRM to drive increased sell through activities. • Utilize multiple digital tools including Social Media • Teamwork is key, collaborate with our agency partners Questions? E-mail (Kevin.Marrazzo at sonyericsson dot com) Related Posts:Sony Ericsson Launches Extra Man Campaign For 2010 FIFA World CupSE becomes Official Mobile Handset of 2010 FIFA World CupSony Ericsson Content Awards 2008Sony Music Hooks Exposure For European PromotionA Nod To Official Sony Ericsson Blogs View the full article

The newest addition to the Sony α family of DSLR cameras teams flawless imaging with generous creative options. Powerful yet brilliantly easy to use, the DSLR-A450 (available early next month) is a perfect all-rounder when you’re ready to take your passion for great pictures to a more advanced level. Ideal for active shooters moving up to their next DSLR, it’s at home in any shooting situation, from relaxed portraits to fast-moving sports action. However, but looks to be an European only release and will not come to the USA as confirmed by a Sony rep at CES 2010. Inside the α450 is a high-resolution 14.2 (approx.) effective megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. It’s teamed with the powerful BIONZ processor to deliver highly detailed, ultra-low noise images. Sensitivity extends right up to ISO 12800, allowing you to capture beautifully natural handheld images in low light without flash. With a generous 95% field of view, the bright optical viewfinder makes framing and composition a pleasure. As an extra refinement, Manual Focus Check Live View previews clear, bright full-resolution images on the 6.7cm (2.7”) Clear Photo LCD screen. With selectable 7x/14x on-screen image enlargement it’s ideal for confirming pin-sharp focus with portraits, still life, macro and architectural scenes. The powerful BIONZ image processor enables high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps (maximum – approx. figure). In Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at start of burst) this increases to an amazing 7 fps (maximum – actual speed depends on shooting conditions and media card). It’s more than enough to catch sports and fast-moving action with ease. Creative options are enhanced with Auto HDR mode that accommodates bright highlights and dark shadow details in a single frame. Two successive frames shot handheld at different exposure values are merged automatically by the camera. The result is a detail-packed High Dynamic Range image – with no need for a PC image editor and specialists skills. In addition to fully automatic operation, the exposure difference between frames can be manually set up to 3EV, in 0.5EV increments. Featured right across the DSLR line-up by Sony, SteadyShot INSIDE offers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction with the full range of 30 α lenses and two teleconvertors, as well as compatible A-mount optics by Konica-Minolta. The α450 also offers the most impressive shooting stamina of any DSLR camera by Sony to date. The high-capacity battery allows up to 1,050 shots between charges* – plenty for a busy weekend’s sightseeing. Slots for Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (sold separately) are offered to suit users’ personal shooting preferences. Connect the α450 to any HD Ready TV for a breathtaking big-screen view of your photos. PhotoTV HD optimises still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models, while BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions using your TV remote. Supplied software includes Image Data Converter SR; Image Data Lightbox SR; and PMB (Picture Motion Browser) for easy image management. The α450 is also compatible with the wide range of high-quality DSLR accessories by Sony, including flashes, carry cases, batteries and chargers, GPS and more. Related Posts:Sony's New DSC-WX1 & DSC-TX1 Are Simply Stunning Point & Shoot CamerasSony's New A850 Is A $2,000 24.6 Megapixel Full-Frame DSLRSony's DSC-HX1 Is A Stunning $500 Digital SLR With 1080p VideoSony's First Full Frame DSLR A900 UnleashedSony Refreshes HDD Handycam Family Of HD Camcorders With 24Mbps AVCHD View the full article

At the time of publish, Sony’s (SNE) stock on the New York Stock Exchange is at its highest level since late September, 2008 – at 34 points. Many of us remember when the stock dipped (along with many stocks in the market) to abysmal levels when it crashed down more than 15 points in month and hit an all time low in Feburary 2009. The stock has grown in value ever since that time, remaining stable throughout most of 2009 at 20-30. However, since CES 2010, Sony’s stock has been on a rise to levels that haven’t been seen since the downturn in the US economy. This is powerful for Sony, as it signals investors are much more confident in the tech sector, but also positive about Sony’s strategy this year. Investors and analysts have good reason to be upbeat – Sony’s product line for 2010 is probably its most cohesive in known memory, and they also had strong sales during the 2009 holidays. Sony is preparing to flood the market with an aggressive range of TV’s in many price ranges (and have set hard goals to raise their ranking in the top TV seller spot). Sony is also a big player in ushering in the 3D TV era, and have defined new plans to integrate an entirely new networked content strategy. We also commend them for making some smart plays in their other product offerings. Did we also mention that the PlayStation brand looks much better than ever with its recently released PS3 slim and upcoming firmware update to make it one of the first Blu-ray 3D players and 3D gaming devices? Related Posts:Sony's (SNE) Stock Is Flirting With 10 Year LowsSony (SNE) Stock Drops 60% In 6 MonthsSony's (NYSE:SNE) Stock At Fifteen Year LowSony Stock Falls As Japanese Stock Market TumblesDon Reisinger of cNET Says It's Time For Sony To Downsize View the full article