Google Play Edition handsets receive Android 4.4.3 software update

The Android 4.4.3 software update is reportedly now rolling out to the Google Play Edition devices. We already reported that the update was headed to the Galaxy S4 GPE, but it has also reportedly arrived on the  Google Play Editions of the HTC One (M7) , HTC One M8, Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the Motorola Moto G, and the LG G Pad 8.3

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition discounted to $449

Google and Samsung have discounted the price of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition by $200. That brings the price down from $649 to a much more respectable $449 on the Google Play Store. Google is even throwing in free shipping with the device purchase for good measure.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact receive Android 4.4 KitKat

Sony is rolling out the Android 4.4 KitKat software update to the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 and the Xperia Z1 Compact. The update will bring all the new features and performance improvements offered by the latest version of Android, along with the customizations from Sony.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra receives Android 4.4 KitKat software update

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is now receiving the Android 4.4 KitKat software update. Users who own the 6.4 inch device in Hong Kong are reportedly the first to receive the newest version of Android. While Android 4.4.2 will roll out to Xperia Z Ultra units located in other countries, there is no road map that suggests when these might occur.

Nokia Lumia 1520 beats Samsung Galaxy S5 in gaming benchmark test

One of the great things about Windows Phones is that it offers a smooth experience across all of its devices. So you can expect the higher end handsets like the Nokia Lumia 1520 to offer a stellar performance. The folks at Rightware have put some of the top mobile devices in a series of gaming benchmarks tests and it turns out the Lumia 1520 has come out on top.

Sony Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra receive firmware update which brings white balance tweaking and more

The Sony Xperia Z1 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra are now receiving a new firmware update which gives users the ability to tweak their respective device's white balance among other features and improvements. The update is being pushed out OTA (over-the-air) in phases, but can be alternatively downloaded though Sony's PC Companion Suite.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Wi-Fi goes on sale in Japan

The Wi-Fi only version of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra will officially go on sale in Japan this Friday, January 24. The device will sell for ¥52,000 (~$499), and it won't be alone on shelves. Sony has also launched an LTE-enabled version of the device on Japanese carrier KDDI.

Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition receives Android 4.4.2 update

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition is now receiving the Android 4.4. 2 software update. That matches the updates recently received by other Google Play editions like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and the LG G Pad 8.3. As you may know, the Google Play Editions run a pure version of Android, without the manufacturer's customizations. Because these updates don't need to be tested by carriers, Google Play Edition devices are in the front line to get the latest version of Android, even before the global versions of the same device.

Sony Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra receive Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Sony is now rolling out the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the the Sony Xperia Z1 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Even though we initially suspected that Sony may skip Android 4.3 for both handsets in favor of jumping directly Android 4.4 KitKat, it looks like the company will be taking one step at a time.

Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition now available

The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition (GPE) is now available available on the Google Play Store as the first phablet on the Google Play Edition lineup. The Google Play Edition features the same hardware found the the regular Sony Xperia Z Ultra, which include a 6.4-inch full 1080p HD display, 16GB of storage, 8MP rear camera with Sony's Exmor RS sensor, 2MP front camera, a 3000mAh battery and a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 SoC with 2GB of RAM.

Sony Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra may receive Android 4.4 directly in January

Owners of the flagship Sony Xperia Z1 and Sony Xperia Z Ultra will be delighted to learn that their devices might go straight to Android 4.4 KitKat in the end of January/beginning of February time frame, according to inside sources

Sony Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra and SmartWatch 2 coming to the US

If you live in the U.S. you probably know that Sony products tend to arrive later than most other brands. Luckily the manufacturer wants this to change. The company's newest lineup with include the Sony Xperia Z1, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra phablet and the Sony SmartWatch 2 are set to be launched in the United States.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra receives major software update

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra (C6802) is now receiving a major software update which brings a new 14.1.B.510 software version to users in the Asia Pacific region. The update brings several new features and improvements including support for Sony's highly touted mobile X-Reality engine, which promises to increase the overall playback quality of locally-stored media, such as photos and movies, by adjusting the levels of sharpness, saturation, contrast, noise-reduction and even reproduction of lacking pixels.

The update is being pushed through the Sony PC Companion software suite and weighs in at around 770MB. Make sure that your device has at least 50% of its battery life before you initiate the update. The full change-log offered in this update follows

Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Video Review

Sony had a lot to prove with its first entry into the phablet market, especially with the Samsung Galaxy Tab series dominating the lineup. The result was a somewhat large device with a 6.4 inch full HD display with a reasonably thin and premium water resistant design of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Unfortunately its large screen also hinders its pocketability and single handed operation. Which means the Xperia Z Ultra will feel more at home with someone who prefers hands-free kits, baggy pants or a purse.

In every other aspect it is more than capable of taking on its competitors with 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded through microSD, an 8 megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video capture, a secondary 2 megapixel camera for video calls. NFC, 4G LTE connectivity and a powerful 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy Note II - Video Comparison

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is one of  biggest smartphones in the market right now with its 6.4 inch full-HD display. But is the device too big? and how does it compare to Samsung Galaxy Note II, the most popular phablet in the market?

Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Unboxing Video

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is a powerful phablet which has set a new standard for smartphone-tablet hybrids. The device features a 6.4 inch touch display, 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded through microSD, an 8 megapixel camera capable of 1080p HD video capture, a secondary 2 megapixel camera for video calls. NFC, 4G LTE connectivity, a 3050 mAh battery, a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Sony's own user interface.

The Xperia Z Ultra is the thinnest water resistant smartphone currently in the market at 6.5mm thin and it features the largest screen and fastest processor in its category. Additionally it offers stylus input, the Xperia Z Ultra also allows input through any regular pen or pencil with a tip larger than 1mm.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra receives first software update

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra with its 6.4 inch touch display and Snapdragon 800 processor is by far the most powerful device in the market right now. Now the handset is receiving its first firmware update. While Sony has already announced that the Xperia Z Ultra is in line to receive the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean software update, this release is just a minor one.

The update which seems to be aimed at fixing bugs and improving performance has a July 19 build date and with no change-log available. You can get the update to your device through the Sony PC companion as it doesn’t seem to be available (over-the-air) OTA.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra officially announced as the thinnest, fastest waterproof phablet

Rumors of a Sony phablet have been circulating around since back in January, but the wait is finally over. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is now official and it packs quite a punch. The device features a 6.44 inch display with a 1080p full HD resolution which is the largest screen we have seen on a phone so far. This display features Sony's new Triluminous display technology from the company's TV portfolio.

There is 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded through microSD, an 8 megapixel Exmor RS sensor which boasts HDR for photos and video along with 1080p video capture, 4G LTE connectivity thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with has four cores and is clocked at 2.2GHz.