Sony

21:58 June 3, 2009 PDT

The screen slides up to reveal the familiar gaming controls

Sony has confirmed the rumors and officially announced the updated, slimmed down version of its PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld gaming console at E3. The new PSP go features a sliding form factor with the ability to play video and music when closed, or transform into a gaming console when the familiar PlayStation controls are revealed. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Sony X-Series Walkman packs OLED display and noise canceling technology

06:00 May 14, 2009 PDT

Sony has set its PMP sights firmly on the iPod Touch with the new X-Series Walkman. Sporting a similar form factor and much of the functionality of its Apple competitor, the X-Series manages to hold its own with the inclusion of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) touch screen and integrated digital noise canceling technology. Read More

LAPTOPS

Netbook feature: Asus Eee S101H vs HP Mini 2140 vs Kogan Agora Pro vs Sony VAIO P

By Noel McKeegan

00:54 May 11, 2009 PDT

Asus Eee S101H vs HP Mini 2140 vs Kogan Agora Pro vs Sony VAIO P

Less than two years ago, the arrival of a tiny, obscurely-named Asus laptop caused quite a stir. It was affordable, portable, and “good enough” to do most of the things people do with computers that cost several times as much. These small form factor laptops geared for web browsing and email usage have exploded into the marketplace since then, with seemingly every PC manufacturer adding at netbook to its lineup. Over at The Mobiler, Tim Hanlon has been putting four recently released netbooks to the test - the Asus Eee S101H, HP Mini 2140, Kogan Agora Pro and Sony VAIO P (although Sony doesn't use the the term netbook) - and unlike our last showdown between the iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Bold and T-Mobile G1, a clear winner has emerged. Read More

GAMES

PS3 Wireless Controller Keyboard from Blaze

22:31 April 29, 2009 PDT

The PS3’s recent 2.70 firmware update saw the capability for in-game text chat for 16 people at a time added to the console, a function that can be accessed via Sony’s QWERTY Wireless Keypad. Anyone balking at Sony’s USD$50 asking price might want to check out an alternative - though not quite as slick - option from video game accessory manufacturer Blaze. Read More

ECOGIZMO

Sony Electronics launches retail e-recycling initiative

By David Greig

19:02 April 27, 2009 PDT

Sony Electronics has launched the GreenFill recycling service, an extension of its Take Back program using in-store drop-boxes for the collection of unwanted portable electronics good - around 80% of which currently end up in landfill. Read More

CAMERAS AND IMAGING

Sony unveils GPS-enabled HD camcorder for travelers

By David Greig

17:51 April 22, 2009 PDT

Sony has backed up its announcement of a GPS-enabled HD camcorder at this year's CES with a new lightweight GPS-enabled model designed to woo the avid traveler. The HDR-TG5V Handycam camcorder includes Navteq digital mapping software which geotags the video or still digital images, 16GB of flash memory, a 10X optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD touch panel with a new intuitive user interface and a hard-coated titanium body designed to withstand the rigors of life on the road. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

The Android handset war begins in 2009

By Loz Blain

15:45 March 16, 2009 PDT

Google's Android will be rolled out on handsets by a number of major manufacturers in 2009...

While Apple's iPhone has enjoyed enormous success using a highly controlled, locked-down handset, operating system and application store, Google's touchscreen smartphone platform takes the opposite approach. Android is a completely open-source operating system, meaning that developers can write whatever abilities they want into it - and Google doesn't make or recommend any particular handsets. The HTC Dream (AKA the T-Mobile G1) gave Android a start in the market - but several big-name competitors are working on Android smartphones to be released sometime this year. The battle for Android handset supremacy is about to begin - let's take a look at the challengers. Read More

CAMERAS AND IMAGING

Sony's feature packed HX-1 Cyber-shot camera includes sweep panorama mode

By Dave Weinstein

19:33 March 10, 2009 PDT

Loaded with all the latest technology that Sony could muster, the HX1 Cyber-shot camera unveiled at PMA 2009 features 1080p video capability, 10 frames per second shooting, a 20x G series zoom lens and the company's new Exmor image sensor and BIONZ processor. It's also Sony's first camera to include sweep panorama - a mode that captures 224-degree horizontal or 154-degree vertical panorama's by moving the camera in a continuous sweeping motion. The resulting automatically stitched image has a maximum resolution of 7152 x 1080. Read More

Blu-ray licensing changes offer hope for cheaper players and discs

20:34 February 26, 2009 PST

Even though Blu-ray has claimed the honors in the format war with HD DVD, it has failed to set the world on fire in terms of widespread adoption. One of the major factors for this slow uptake can be attributed to the high prices of not only Blu-ray players and recorders, but also the discs themselves. But plans announced by Sony, Panasonic and Philips to create a simplified licensing process for Blu-ray discs could see this change. Read More

Hybrid game/movie Blu-ray discs coming to the PS3 this year

19:01 February 12, 2009 PST

Hybrid movie/game discs coming to the PS3

There's a lot of space on a 50GB Blu-ray disk. So much so that many PlayStation 3 developers are padding up to 50% of it with the data equivalent of whitespace, pushing content to the outside of the disc to decrease load times. Sony plans to change this with a hybrid movie/game disc, and expects at least two titles on shelves by the end of 2009. Read More

Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV launched in the UK

23:24 January 27, 2009 PST

Sony is asking "What recession?" with the launch of their coveted XEL-1 OLED TV in the UK. With the price set at a whopping 3,489 pounds, which is double the US launch price set last January, we're wondering how many of these things will sell after the "hundreds" of pre-orders are fulfilled. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

The VAIO P: Sony's answer to the netbook

17:26 January 15, 2009 PST

Sony has set out to prove that form and function aren't mutually exclusive with their answer to the netbook, the VAIO P series. Starting with a tiny form factor and a 1.33GHz Intel Atom CPU, and adding a 128GB SSD, built-in 3G connectivity, 802.11n wireless, and a GPS that doesn't require an active Internet connection (among other things) this is one seriously portable, connected device. Just don't expect an Eee PC price point... Read More

Sony shows off prototype OLED TVs at CES 2009

11:01 January 14, 2009 PST

While Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV represents a leap forward in technology, the 11-inch size leaves a lot to be desired for applications like the living room. It won't be long though, as Sony showed off their prototypes for larger OLED TVs including 21-inch and 27-inch models at CES 2009. Don't miss the gallery. Read More

INVENTORS AND REMARKABLE PEOPLE

How Sony's R&D budget subsidized the Xbox 360 processor for Microsoft

23:58 January 1, 2009 PST

When Sony entered into a partnership with Toshiba and IBM to design the Cell processor for their PlayStation 3, they agreed that IBM would eventually sell the Cell to other companies. What they didn't know was that parts of the Cell would be sold to their major competitor Microsoft for use in the Xbox 360 processor - before the Cell was completed. Read More

GAMES

Sony still losing money on each PlayStation 3 console

22:45 December 23, 2008 PST

According to iSupply, in November 2006 the entry-level US$499 PlayStation 3 console was made up of over 4,048 different components at a cost to Sony of $805. Two years on, they've ripped open a current revision of the game console and while there's 30% fewer parts, Sony is still making a loss of just under $50 per console - making it clear why there was no aggressive price cuts this holiday season. Read More

SPY GEAR

Super-Secret Spy Lens for your SLR

By Noel McKeegan

17:25 December 15, 2008 PST

Designed for capturing raw, natural images without the subject being aware that they are being photographed (and ruining that elusive photo-realism), or lets face it, for just plain snooping around, the Super-Secret Spy Lens allows you to take shots at right angles to the camera lens. Working like a periscope for your SLR, the lens adaptor also rotates through 360 degrees so you can snap subjects above and below you as well as to the left or right, all while you appear to be shooting directly in front. Read More

GAMES

PlayStation Home beta opens to all users on December 11

17:43 December 10, 2008 PST

Sony's answer to Second Life isn't quite ready to lose it's beta tag, however the doors are being opened to the general public at some stage later today. You'll need to reboot your console and sign in to a PlayStation Network account before the icon appears in the XMB. Read More

ELECTRONICS

Sony uses 19th century zoetrope technology to showcase BRAVIA TVs

03:44 December 8, 2008 PST

Sony has revitalized some fascinating old technology in order to spruik the cutting-edge Motionflow 200Hz capabilities of the new line of BRAVIA TVs. Measuring 10 meters in diameter and able to spin at speeds of over 50kph, the BRAVIA-drome is based on the zeotrope – a device invented in the 19th century to create short ‘films’ from a series of static images – which is seen as a perfect way to demonstrate just how Sony’s Motionflow 200Hz technology works to create smooth motion images. Read More

Sony's latest iPod dock range

20:02 October 22, 2008 PDT

Sony's new range of iPod compatible products makes good on the company's stated promise to “continue to develop products that are compatible with popular hardware formats and audio codecs.” Not surprisingly, this includes Apple’s ubiquitous portable player. The five-strong range includes a mini hi-fi system with docks for two iPods and DJ functions, two designs of iPod speaker system and two clock radios, one having CD playback in addition to its iPod compatibility. Read More