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Sony rolls out updates for its Walkman, Movies and Album apps (video)
Starting today, Sony is rolling out updates for three of its media apps: Walkman, Album and Movies. Across the board, the most notable change is that each of the apps will now have enhanced integration with your media in the cloud. For example, Walkman app users will now be able to search both locally stored and cloud-based content through Music Unlimited. Similarly, Movies, which is getting a minor facelift with a tweaked interface, has been synced up with Video Unlimited to provide more content accessible from Sony devices. Lastly, the Album app is getting its share of upgrades, including PlayMemories Online integration, intelligent recall playback and a new favorites feature. The updates are being introduced gradually for owners of Xperia devices running Android Jelly Bean 4.2 via an over-the-air download through the Update Center. For more info, check out the video after the break.
Melissa Grey08.07.2013
Sony's Light Shaft, Motion Shot apps now available for NEX-5R and NEX-6 cams
One could easily argue that apps are a dime a dozen nowadays, but for those with a WiFi-ready, mirrorless Sony shooter, the in-cam software selection is still somewhat limited. As of a few hours ago, though, NEX-5R and NEX-6 owners now have two more options to choose from, thanks to Sony's new Light Shaft and Motion Shot applications. For starters, Light Shaft, as the company describes it, brings "a splash of light" to any picture using numerous differently shaped effects, such as Beam, Flare, Ray and Star. Motion Shot, on the other hand, takes multiple, continuous shots that are then superimposed to add a little flavor to action snaps, allowing users to easily pick the first and last images of every sequence. Available now via the PlayMemories shop, both apps are priced at $4.99 each -- which, to some, might feel like too steep a price to pay for a little unorthodox editing. We'll leave that decision up to you, though.
Edgar Alvarez03.29.2013
Sony NEX-6 mirrorless cam squeezes in between 5R and 7 with WiFi, EVF and dedicated mode dial (hands-on video)
Does the NEX lineup need another model? Sony reckons it does. Meet the NEX-6. The company's latest mirrorless camera looks nearly identical to last year's top-of-the-line NEX-7, with the exception of a new dedicated mode dial, that lets you switch between aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, or scene modes with a hardware control rather than a need to jump into the menu. It offers the same pop-up flash (with a bit more power), a 3-inch 921k-dot TruBlack tilting LCD, an identical 2,359k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a strikingly familiar design. And that's where the similarities screech to a grinding halt. The NEX-6 is a hybrid camera of sorts, merging the best of the NEX-7 and the new 5R into a compact ILC that Sony says is its first to offer "full DSLR functionality." You won't be able to snag full-frame captures, as with Sony's brand new Alpha A99, but the 16.1-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor should get you well on your way. There's also low-light shooting through ISO 25,600, 1080/60p video, a 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode, the new Fast Hybrid autofocus system first introduced with the NEX-5R and a new Multi Interface Shoe that lets you interface with a bunch of new accessories, including a hot shoe-mounted XLR mic input rig ($800). Join us past the break for our impressions and hands-on video.%Gallery-163053%
Zach Honig09.12.2012
Sony Xperia Tablet S hands-on (video)
Sony officially launched its new tablet here at IFA -- and it's keeping that folded-over profile. Happily, it's running Android ICS. We've just spent some time with the Xperia Tablet S here in Berlin and it's looking like Sony wants this to be the center of your media-consuming world. The new tablet pals up with the company's range of phones, bearing that familiar Xperia branding on a freshly hewn metal slab. Yes, the new tablet sidesteps the plastic build of Sony's last two tablets going for a solid metal build. Fortunately, it feels just as light in the hand, while that folded design also remains well-balanced. We're particularly pleased with the tactile finish on the folded-over surface of the tablet -- it's very grippable. Internally, we're dealing with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, while a 10-inch 1,280 x 800 IPS display will be showing off all that media and gaming content. Browse our gallery of images below and check out our hands-on video and first impressions after the break. %Gallery-163657%
Mat Smith08.29.2012
Sony announces PlayMemories camera apps, will arrive on the NEX-5R first
On top of the NEX-5R announcement, Sony has unveiled new camera apps that will grace the rear screen of the aforementioned WiFi-enabled shooter first when it arrives in October. PlayMemories will feature downloadable software that can be installed on your Sony kit after purchase, offering new functionality for the device. The set of applications will feature the following options at launch: Picture Effect+, Bracket Pro, Multi Frame NR, Smart Remote Control and Direct Upload. The outfit plans add Photo Retouch alongside the Time-lapse and Cinematic Photo apps mentioned in today's presser sometime after the initial offerings roll out. When paired with PlayMemories Online, Mobile or Studio, you can view and transfer captured photos and videos on compatible TVs, smartphones, tablets and PS3 consoles. If more information is what you're after, consult the PR below to gather some more details.
Billy Steele08.29.2012
Sony announces 16.1MP NEX-5R with Fast Hybrid AF, WiFi and downloadable apps (hands-on video)
Sony's entry-level NEX-C3 was recently updated with the NEX-F3, so it was only a matter of time before the company's mid-range mirrorless model scored a successor of its own. Keeping in line with its familiar naming scheme, the NEX-5R includes a new 16.1-megapixel sensor that's based on the version packaged with the 5N, and boasts low-light sensitivity through ISO 25,600. The new model offers a bevy of new features, however, with many stemming from its new-found ability to connect to the web, as Sony's first mirrorless camera with built-in 802.11 b/g WiFi. Standard remote functionality is included, via the Smart Remote Control app that lets you use an Android or iOS device to snap photos, as is Direct Upload for sending media to the web, and a typical suite of sharing features, including PC and DLNA access. The 5R takes connectivity leaps further with PlayMemories Camera Apps, letting you download applications directly to the device, including tools that assist with retouching and sequential shooting. (Sony hasn't confirmed whether firmware updates will be pushed wirelessly as well, but it's a possibility.) With the 5R, the camera maker is targeting current DSLR users who are ready to upgrade but would consider a switch to mirrorless. Digital SLR-like controls will help ease the transition, including a new dial near the shutter release. There's also a new Fast Hybrid AF, which pairs 99 phase-detect AF points with a 25-area contrast system, resulting in noticeable improvements with any lens. There's also 1080/60p video, along with a 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode (with AF tracking!). If you were fond of the front-facing self-portrait LCD mode on the F3, you'll be happy to know it's here as well, complete with the downward-facing option included with previous-gen NEX models, but notably absent from the F3. We took Sony's latest ILC for a quick spin, and noticed improvements immediately, especially when it came to the focusing system -- going side-by-side with the C3, the newer camera was able to focus much more quickly and accurately in low-light, even with the standard (and generally unimpressive) 18-55mm kit lens. Touchscreen functionality was present as well, just as it was on the 5N, though you can navigate all of the menus with dedicated controls, should you wish. We weren't able to test WiFi functionality, but it sounds promising in theory, especially considering the optional apps. We'll be taking a much closer look once Sony releases its NEX-5R in mid-October -- the camera will ship in black, silver or white for $650, or $750 with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. For now, you can take a closer look in our gallery below, or the hands-on video after the break.%Gallery-163052%
Zach Honig08.29.2012
Sony Xperia Tablet S official: slimmed-down design, Tegra 3, IR remote and Android 4.0, starts at $400
Looks like those leaked slides showing Sony's Xperia-branded tablet were right about pretty much everything. (Well, everything except the price, anyway). The company just formally announced the Xperia Tablet S and, as rumored, it features a Tegra 3 chip, Android 4.0 and up to 64GB of built-in storage. Like last year's Tablet S, it has that distinctive folded-over magazine shape, except this go-round it's made of metal, and measures between .35 and .47 inches thick (the weight, too, has dropped to 1.26 pounds, down from 1.31). Sony also kept the Tablet S' IR emitter, which allows the tablet to double as a universal remote, and this time you can program shortcuts to do things like watch sports. Rounding out the spec sheet, there's a full-size SD slot, a 9.4-inch (1,280 x 800) IPS screen and a 6,000mAh battery promising 10 hours of runtime. As we mentioned, the tablet will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich, but Sony is promising an upgrade to Jelly Bean as soon as it can optimize all its custom apps. And indeed, there are quite a few specialized applications here. For starters, there's a new Watch Now app that allows for live TV-viewing (cable subscription required), with the option to "check into" shows and share comments on Facebook and Twitter. Meanwhile, Sony added a Guest Mode that lets you create custom user profiles, forbidding the use of certain apps -- a handy parental control tool, we say. Naturally, Sony also threw in Music and Video Unlimited, where you can buy content from Sony's vast movie and song catalogs. Finally, the tablet comes with 5GB of space in PlayMemories, Sony's new cloud storage service. The tablet will be available September 7th, though Sony is accepting pre-orders starting today. It will start at $400 for the 16GB model, with the 32GB going for $500 and the 64GB for $600. And yes, as those leaked slides indicated, there will most certainly be accessories. For starters, there's that optional Surface-like keyboard we heard about, priced at $100. There's also a three-position stand, with HDMI output and a USB adapter for a charging. That, too, costs $100. Sony is also selling a charging cradle ($40), a plain-Jane stand ($25), a dock speaker ($130) and a carrying case, priced at either $51 or $80, depending on whether or not you get it in leather. We very much expect to get some hands-on time at IFA, so stay tuned for first-hand impressions.
Dana Wollman08.29.2012
Sony to launch PlayMemories Online: 5GB cloud photo-sharing service coming next week (video)
Sony's PlayMemories photo-editing suite has floated around the PlayStation Store for about a month but it will apparently soon be joined by a new photo-sharing service. PCWorld reports that Sony will launch the cloud-based PlayMemories Online with 5GB of free storage in Japan, US, UK, Canada, Germany and France on May 25. Apparently, you'll be able to access those digitized memories through Sony's proprietary software on both PC and Macs, while your photos can also be streamed to Bravia TVs and digital photo frames. The company's WiFi-capable cameras will also get to hook up with the online storage system, while its Android tablets and phones will get their very own app to upload on their own. In an effort to differentiate the service from existing ones like Dropbox, PlayMemories Online will even sync those precious photos with your PSP and PS Vita. Sony will thus ensure you'll never be without at least four screens to show off those shots of your precocious daughter, pug or beachside view. In case you forgot, we've embedded a video from a few months back that should give a better idea of how the system should work -- in a house filled entirely with Sony merchandise.
Mat Smith04.20.2012
Sony's PlayMemories Studio now live on PSN, get your Playstation 3 photo-edit on
Yesterday's rumor about Sony launching PlayMemories Studio this week has just become fact. The $15 editing suite has just gone live on the PlayStation Store, enabling plebes to edit, organize and share photos (and video) right on their home console of choice, the PS3. Those with a spare Vita or PSP laying around can also put those to good use through Remote Play functionality. Unsure if Sony's couch-iPhoto experience is for you? Hit the source for more info on the whole shindig, in addition to details on how to get your creative side on with a gratis thirty day trial.
Dante Cesa03.27.2012
Sony to add photo editing to PlayStation 3's repertoire this week?
Limber up those thumbs gaming gurus, because a new challenge may be on its way to your PlayStation 3 console: photo editing. PCWorld is reporting that Sony will be rolling out some new "photo editing software" for the PS3 early this week. Tweaking photos aside, the software's ultimate purpose will be to provide access to and allow the sharing of digital stills through the company's PlayMemories Online (and your other Sony portable media devices), which is set to launch later this year. The report states that the software will be on sale here in the US on Tuesday and carry a price tag of $18 -- a 30-day trial will also be available. What say you PlayStation Legion? Are you ready to retouch your stills with a D-pad?
Andrew Munchbach03.26.2012
PS3 PlayMemories video editing app is part of a PC/mobile suite, includes 5GB of storage
Sony has announced its PlayMemories video editing software for the Japanese PS3, following an announcement in Europe. Along with this news comes details of the services provided with the app, including five gigabytes of free, cloud-based storage.PlayMemories Studio (that's the PS3 app) users will be able to upload their videos and photos to the online service, called PlayMemories Online. From there, they'll be able to view and manage that media through the PC-based PlayMemories Home and iOS/Android PlayMemories Mobile apps. So if you only want images to enter your eyes through a Sony portal, you can quite nearly accomplish that.
JC Fletcher02.09.2012
PlayMemories PS3 editing suite coming to EU in March for €10
Sony's betting that your memories are worth at least €10 (~$13) with its upcoming PlayMemories video editing application for the PlayStation 3. That's the price that a Sony rep told Electric Pig during a London Sony event earlier today. The rep also pinned a launch date to the window of time between now and the "end of Q1" (fancy talk for "the end of March").The PlayMemories Studio is one of the few that costs money to download, making the pricing all the more surprising -- of course, there are services like Netflix and Qriocity that charge monthly, but those applications are themselves free. We've yet to receive word of price or availability in the US, but we've reached out to SCEA for more information.
Ben Gilbert01.24.2012
PlayStation 3 video editor to hit Europe in Q1, 10 euros at launch
While Mr. Blurrycam already spotted the upcoming PlayStation 3 video editor at CES, he was unable to divulge any details on release dates. We were similarly unable to wring out much more when we hit the show floor ourselves. Now, Sony has finally outed a few key tidbits, including the fact that Europe can expect it to arrive by the end of Q1 and that you'll have to fork out for the pleasure -- priced at around €10 ($13). According to Electricpig, the PlayMemories Studio will offer up cropping and zooming tools, slow-mo, and a medley of sound and visual effects. Incoming versions of the movie editor for iOS and Android, however, will still arrive gratis. Are you willing to stump up to get your Spielberg on? While there's nothing concrete on a US launch date just yet, we'd expect to see the editor to make a similar appearance over the next few months.
Mat Smith01.24.2012
PS3 video-editing app PlayMemories Studio potentially leaked ahead of CES
A covert operative nestled deep inside the Sony booth at CES (also known as a regular guy with a cell phone) has produced two blurry-yet-insightful photos of what may very well be PlayMemories Studio, a video-editing suite for the PS3. Originally sent to our sister site Engadget, these photos (one more after the break) appear to show the user applying a slow-motion effect to stock footage of a child about to lose at Jenga. According to a trademark filing for the title, PlayMemories Studio is "computer software for viewing, organizing and editing digital photos and videos." A Facebook page for the app has also been discovered, however there is no information there at this time. We'll know more about PlayMemories Studio (or whatever this is) once CES officially opens on Tuesday.
Jordan Mallory01.08.2012
Is this the PlayStation 3's new video editor? PlayMemories Studio shows up on CES showfloor, Facebook
Our blurrycammed tipster seems to have found a cozy hovel in Sony's CES booth, and just shot a few more out-of-focus shots our way. This time we're looking at PlayMemories Studio, a PlayStation 3 app that appears to be a family friendly video editor. A trademark filed in October outs the app as "software for viewing, organizing and editing digital photos and video," a description that aptly fits a potential video-centric successor to the console's original PlayMemories app. The presumed PSN video editor seems to have a companion Facebook app as well, though its landing page is predictably blank. Details? We'll fill you in on them when we hit the show floor on Tuesday. Can't wait? Hit the break for a second blurry take.
Sean Buckley01.08.2012
Sony's PlayMemories app brings 3D photos to your PlayStation 3
This wasn't mentioned among the other 3D-related PS3 announcements Sony made during its Tokyo Game Show press conference last week, but it looks like the company has another little bonus in store for those that just can't get enough 3D. It's just announced a new PlayMemories application that will be available as a free download in "late September," and will let you view both 2D and 3D photos captured with a 3D-compatible camera (including Sony's NEX-5/NEX-3, WX5 and TX9). No peek at the app itself just yet, unfortunately, but we're guessing it'll be available any day now -- it is technically late September, after all.
Donald Melanson09.22.2010