Sony

Sony DPP-F700 photo frame with built-in printer

By Paul Ridden

21:28 October 27, 2009 PDT

Sony has announced a new addition to its S-Frame family of digital photo frames. The DPP-F700 7-inch model includes a printer that takes 45 seconds to produce a 6 x 4-inch photo. It also features simple photo editing functions and lets you create custom calendars via the device interface. Read More

Netflix streaming coming to Sony PS3

By Jeff Salton

05:32 October 26, 2009 PDT

A new feather in the Sony PS3's cap is its ability to stream instantly thousands of movies and TV episodes from Netflix. From next month, Netflix members in the U.S. will have access to the Netflix library via their PS3s at no extra cost. Netflix says the PS3 is currently sitting in around 9 million U.S. homes while Netflix has notched up an impressive 11.1 million U.S. subscribers. Read More

VIDEO: Sony crash tests PS3 into Bravia LCD TV at 50mph

By Jeff Salton

18:58 October 20, 2009 PDT

What’s more fun than watching a brand new out-of-the-box PS3 slim-line console slam into a fully-functional Sony Bravia 46-inch LCD TV at 80kmh (50mph)? Well, not a lot, really, unless you get to watch it happen three times. Gizmag was one of only two media outlets invited by Sony Australia to witness the stunt at a vehicle safety testing facility in Melbourne, Victoria. The event was aimed at promoting a forthcoming advertising campaign – buy a Sony Bravia and get a PS3 thrown in free (though not as literally as the ones I witnessed). Read More

PSP Go review

By Tim Hanlon

23:44 October 19, 2009 PDT

The original PlayStation Portable (PSP) was released in December 2004 and has since seen two hardware refreshes (the PSP Slim & Lite and the PSP 3000) with combined sales of more than 55 million units. The PSP Go is the latest and most radical hardware update for the PSP, shedding the UMD drive of old in preference of 16GB of internal storage, with games and other content provided via download from the PlayStation Network. Read on for our full review. Read More

Feature: What is an LED TV?

By Jeff Salton

04:06 October 19, 2009 PDT

Buying a TV has become as complicated as selecting the right mobile phone plan. Before large flat panel displays invaded our lives, the only real question when purchasing a CRT (cathode ray tube) TV was how big did you want it and how much space did you have in your room to house it? Sure, there were some quality issues but mostly it was dictated by how many diagonal inches you could get for your buck. While some of that justification still rings true with today’s TVs, now there’s the issue of plasma versus LCD to contend with, and just when you had that sorted out, LED TVs have entered the arena as an option. However, there still seems to be a fair bit of confusion surrounding what exactly an LED TV is. Well, basically, it’s another form of LCD TV that uses LEDs to provide its light source. Read More

Blaze ‘Wiimote’ for PS3 could beat Sony to the motion sensitive controller punch

By Darren Quick

23:07 October 12, 2009 PDT

Sony might want to pull the lead out with European video game accessory maker, Blaze, announcing its very own motion-sensing controller for the PS3. The Blaze PS3 Motion Freedom Controller sports more than a passing resemblance to a Wiimote and promises to bring Wii-like motion sensing capabilities to any PS3. Read More

PS3 Motion Controller set for 2010 release

By Mick Webb

20:48 September 28, 2009 PDT

Watch out Wii! Nintendo’s hugely popular console, which made motion sensitive game play a household fixture the world over, could have some serious competition on the horizon. As well as Microsoft continuing to develop its impressive looking Project Natal concept, Sony has announced that its own tentatively titled “Motion Controller” is due for a second quarter release in 2010. Read More

Audiovox entertains backseat passengers with PS2 games and video

By Jeff Salton

00:45 September 25, 2009 PDT

When I was growing up, entertainment in the backseat of a car had a whole different meaning to what it does today. Presently, backseat entertainment is geared at a much younger audience. Audiovox’s in-car VOD10PS2 Mobile Video PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system would appear to have heaps of appeal to both bored backseat youngsters and drivers who appreciate peace and quiet from passengers. This mobile video system is an all-in-one, overhead, drop-down that combines the Audiovox's overhead unit with one of the gaming industry's best-selling systems, the PlayStation 2. Read More

Sony Ericsson’s PS3 Remote Play-ready Aino mobile phone

By Darren Quick

03:47 September 12, 2009 PDT

Sony Ericsson’s new Aino mobile phone lets users access media content on their PS3 via Wi-Fi or over the Internet with a feature called Remote Play. PSP owners may already be familiar with this feature, which allows users to remotely access their PS3’s XMB interface and play music, videos and photos stored on the console. Although the PSP is also capable of playing (a few) games using Remote Play, the Aino won’t have this capability, but it will let users browse the Playstation Store and chat with friends on PSN. Read More

Sony's answer to the Flip: the MHS-PM1 Mobile HD Snap Camera

By Paul Lester

15:51 September 8, 2009 PDT

Those who subscribe to the theory that we’re part of the ‘YouTube generation’ will be more than aware of how important it is for budding directors/rubber-neckers to have a video camera on them at all times, and if your mobile phone isn’t up to the task there are a range of portable offerings available that are designed for just such a purpose. Perhaps the most famous of these is Pure Digital’s Flip, which got rave reviews on release and is many a teenager’s tool of choice when it comes to capturing those unforgettable moments. Now it has a serious rival from Sony. Read More

Sony DPF-D72N/BQ photo frame features Swarovski crystal bling

By Karen Sprey

08:41 September 3, 2009 PDT

Sony's new limited edition digital photo frame ticks the boxes for looks and functionality. The DPF-D72N/BQ features an elegant and understated black frame with Crystallized Swarovski Elements and stores up to 2,000 images courtesy of 1GB internal storage. It also has a nifty auto-resizing feature. Other functions include clock and calendar modes, and an Auto Orientation sensor that automatically rotates your photos into portrait or landscape format according to the placement of the frame. Read More

Sony shows Vaio X-Series netbook at IFA

By Noel McKeegan

05:12 September 3, 2009 PDT

Sony has provided a glimpse of the next installment in its Vaio ultra-portable laptop line at IFA 2009 - the carbon fiber clad Vaio X series. Powered by what's billed as "an all-day battery", the slimline X-series is just over half an inch thick (14 mm), weighs 1.5 pounds (700 grams), sports a 11.1-inch display and backs the rugged credentials of its carbon fiber frame with what looks to be a very usable aluminum keyboard. Read More

Sony's ICF-CL75iP combination alarm clock, photo frame and iPod dock

By Jeff Salton

21:33 September 2, 2009 PDT

Alarm clocks (uncool), digital photo frames (ho-hum), and iPod/iPhone docks (seen ‘em all). Three pretty bland objects, right? But give them to Sony and what you get back is one smooth-looking piece of equipment. The Sony ICF-CL75iP has beautifully melded three boring CE products to deliver an item that would easily grace any horizontal surface at home or at the office. Read More

Sony adds new Alpha DSLRs

By Alan Brandon

21:55 August 31, 2009 PDT

Sony has announced two new cameras in its Alpha range of consumer-oriented DSLRs. The DSLR-A550 and the DSLR-A500 feature two live-view focus modes, in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) capability, and low-light performance with sensitivity of up to 12800 ISO. The new Alphas also feature tilting 3in (7.6cm) LCDs as well as a new in-camera SteadyShot feature. Read More

Sony makes some noise - S Series Walkman with built-in speakers

By Mick Webb

22:14 August 27, 2009 PDT

Sony has announced the latest update of its enduring stalwart, the Walkman, with some additions to their range of portable music players. Rather than just providing music for one, the S-Series includes built-in speakers to share the sound, while the new E-Series offers a stylish entry-level option. Read More

Sony adds wireless Daily Edition eBook reader to family

By Jeff Salton

00:06 August 26, 2009 PDT

Sony has added a third child to its eBook reader family – the Reader Daily Edition – a sibling to the Pocket Edition and the Touch Edition products, which were released earlier this month. The Daily Edition eBook reader, however, is the ‘big brother’ to the other two, boasting a larger page view (seven inches wide) and 3G wireless connectivity. Read More

Sony Playstation fights back with the smaller, cheaper PS3 Slim

By Mick Webb

18:37 August 24, 2009 PDT

In a move set to shake things up in the ongoing gaming console war,

Sony has unveiled the overhauled Playstation 3. Dubbed the PS3 Slim, the unit features a revised cell processor, 120GB hard drive and is smaller, lighter and – yes – cheaper than its predecessor. Read More

Sony delays larger screen OLED TVs?

By Darren Quick

19:49 August 23, 2009 PDT

Those of us eagerly awaiting the arrival of a successor to the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV may have to wait a little longer, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Sony has delayed development of larger screen OLED TVs. Although Sony had attendees at CES 2009 salivating at prototype 21-inch and 27-inch OLED TVs, according to ‘sources close to the company’ the XEL-1, which was released in late 2007, apparently won’t be getting a bigger brother until 2010 at the earliest. Read More

New Sony rechargeable battery charges faster and lasts longer

By Darren Quick

01:51 August 12, 2009 PDT

We cover our fair share of battery technology breakthroughs here at Gizmag, from lithium-sulfur batteries to NanoEnergy batteries. But it’s less often that we get to report on new and improved batteries actually hitting the market. So it was nice to learn that Sony has launched a new type of rechargeable Li-ion battery that promises an extended life span more than four times that of existing Li-ion batteries and can be charged to 99 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes - approximately half the charge time of Sony’s current Li-ion battery line up. Read More

Sony Party-shot snaps pictures while you party

By Alan Brandon

20:15 August 10, 2009 PDT

You’re throwing a big party, and you want it be a night to remember. You’ve invited some cool friends, stocked up on good beer, and have the stereo cranked up to 11. Only one thing could make this shindig any better – a robot photographer! Well fear not, Sony’s got your back with the new Party-shot robotic camera dock that automatically pans, tilts, and takes snapshots while you go for the cheese dip. Read More

Shake, rattle, and roll: Sony’s feature packed HD Handycam CX520VE

By Alan Brandon

22:44 July 12, 2009 PDT

Sony has announced its new flagship HD camcorder, the Handycam HDR-CX520VE. Equipped with three-way image stabilization as well as a new sensor, lens, and image processor, the CX520VE provides what Sony calls its best picture quality ever. Shooting full HD video and surround sound, the unit also features 64GB of internal memory and GPS “geotagging” of video clips. Read More

Sony adds W-Series mini notebook to VAIO line

By Darren Quick

01:53 July 9, 2009 PDT

Sony has released a netbook to slot in between the P-Series and TT-Series of its VAIO notebook line. The VAIO W-Series is designed as a secondary PC for those that need to do some basic computing on the move – whether it be around the house or around town. Available in white, pink and brown, the W-Series sports a 10.1-inch display and is powered by an Intel Atom N280 1.66GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM and an Intel 950 Graphics Accelerator. Read More

Sony offers new VAIO NW laptop with Blu-ray at affordable price

By Michael Mulcahy

06:34 June 22, 2009 PDT

Sony has released its new VAIO NW laptop, which comes with an optional Blu-ray player. The 15.5-inch widescreen display features Sony’s XBRITE-ECO LCD technology for sharper viewing but, helpfully, the notebook also has an HDMI output, so it can directly connect to a TV for that big-screen, high-def experience. But perhaps the laptop's most impressive feature is the price. Read More

Bigger night in with Sony movieIQ and cinechat

By Paul Best

20:26 June 21, 2009 PDT

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment hopes to give BD Live – the feature that puts Blu-ray Disc (BD) players in touch with a web-load of online extras – a shot in the arm with the launch of movieIQ and CineChat – and one to its bottomline, as the blue-laser video platform begins to gain some traction, with US hardware sales ballooning 400 percent in first-quarter results. Read More

Sony announces eco-friendly mercury-free batteries

By Mick Webb

05:49 June 16, 2009 PDT

It’s no secret that mercury is a dirty word in environmental circles, and more of the big guns of electronics are starting to take note. Apple's MacBook Pro now features a mercury-free backlight display, and Fuji has released its eco-friendly EnviroMax batteries. This week Sony has strengthened its enviro-credibility by announcing a line of mercury-free alkaline button batteries. Read More