SI: Sony Japan Expands Bravia Internet Widgets To Include Picture Tuning Software, SMS Message Board

*Christopher* · August 28, 2009

Sony is offering a free update to KDL-V5/J5/XR1/X1/W1/F1/V1/J1/JE1 / M1 series Bravia owners in Japan that enables a picture adjustment (x-Tuning) and message board for your home (x-Message Board).

The x-Tuning software allows users to change the image quality of the set through a helpful guide that shows two images. Based on what image you find to have the better color, your set changes to those color settings. Here you can see below a child in two separate color temperatures. The service detects your TV and adjusts your set accordingly based on your choice.

Sony’s x-Message Board is an interesting addition, and allows one to share SMS messages with users of network enabled Sony televisions. What’s neat is that this is backwards compatible with most network enabled Bravias dating back to 2007. You can send messages up to 30 characters, and choose background and character colors. You can also send position information, and send up to three messages at once. It seems to be compatible with DoCoMo / au / 3 carrier Softbank.

To make it as unobtrusive as possible, Sony made it so that while you’re watching TV a message pops up stating you have a new message. I wasn’t able to figure out if MMS capabilities were supported. I do know however that the images below demonstrate how it would appear to watch TV and message at the same time.