Sony DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 smartphone lens-cameras leak out alongside the upcoming Honami i1

Now this is innovation, folks. Sony's reportedly gearing up to announce a pair of "lens cameras" that attach to your existing smartphone or tablet.The lens-cameras will attach to a smartphone, therefore transforming it into a high-end point and shoot snapper via a wireless connection. The handset’s display will work as a viewfinder (a dedicated app will more than likely be involved in the process). The unique devices are said to feature a sensor, processor, zoom lens, WiFi connectivity and an SD card slot, but no display or other typical controls (beyond a zoom toggle and perhaps a shutter release)which each feature built-in sensors (presumably Exmor RS CMOS BSI setups), BIONZ image processors,and NFC (presumably Bluetooth too?) and a microSD slot.. You'll use your handset or slate to control the lens, adjust framing and transmit images. According to SonyAlphaRumors, the electronics giant is expected to release two models: the DSC-QX10 (pictured above) and the DSC-QX100. The latter will ship with the same 1-inch sensor used with theRX100 Mark II, while the other lens will include a larger 10x focal range and a 1/2.3-inch 18-megapixel CMOS sensor this apparently uses a 1-inch sensor in a setup which is highly praised by photography aficionados and also appears inside the Nikon 1.. The idea is that you attach them to your smartphone magnetically and link up via the NFC/Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, using the phone display and on-screen camera controls.It’s also been suggested that both models may have built in optical image stabilisation (OIS). According to the report the lens-cameras will be more widely compatible than you might think, working with both a range of Android handsets and Apple's iPhone, rather than just Sony devices. There's no word on pricing or availability, but with Sony's IFA press conference right around the corner, we'll likely get the full scoop (and hopefully some hands-on time) come September 4th.While it is nice to see innovation from Sony, this is just the first round of these devices. If there’s a future in this market, I would expect to see something much different and more compact over the next couple generations.

Best Buy : Top deals for Samsung Galaxy S IV Mini , Samsung Galaxy S Duos, Samsung Tab 3, Nokia Lumia 620, Samsung Galaxy S III 32GB, Sony Xperia Z, XOLO X1000

 Presenting to you the Best deals of this week ! With Eid-ul-Fitr falling this week and Independence Day fast approaching, many online retailers have announced discounts and deals on various goods, especially mobile phones and tablets. So if you are planning to buy an Android tablet or smartphone here are top deals of this week.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S IV MINI

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, which was launched in July this year and is presently retailing anywhere from Rs 25,000 to Rs 27,000, is now avaialble for Rs 24,091 only on Ebay India. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini comes with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with 960x540 pixel resolution. It is powered by a dual-core 1.7 GHz mobile processor and 1.5 GB RAM. It comes pre-loaded with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Nature UX user interface. Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini features an 8 megapixel camera at the back along with a 1.9 megapixel camera in the front for HD quality video chatting. There is 1900 mAh battery in the S4 Mini. On the connectivity front, S4 Mini sports WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS with GLONASS support. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has an 8 GB on-board memory out of which 5 GB is available for the users and one can add up to 64 GB micro SD card.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S DUOS

Samsung Galaxy S Duos was launched in India last year at around Rs 17,000 but now it is available from Indiatimes Shopping for Rs 8,633. Users can avail the same by simply selecting the device and applying coupon code "BIGDEAL" before checkout. The dual SIM based smartphone comes with a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM 7227A processor running Google's Android Ice Cream sandwich operating system. It has a 4 inch LCD display with 480 x 800 pixel resolution and 768 MB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy S Duos utilizes a slightly older but functional Adreno 200 Graphic engine which will be good enough for most tasks but HD gaming would be one task where the device would lag. The smartphone also comes with a 4 GB of onboard storage and you can add a micro SD card of up to 32 GB capacity to expand its memory. The phone has a 5 megapixel auto focus camera that is capable for recording VGA resolution videos only but there is a LED flash provided for illumination in low light conditions. In the front there is also a VGA camera for video calling.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 3

Deal price: Rs 15,560

Normal price: Rs 17,500

Coupon code: MYSMART10

The Samsung Tab 3 T211 comes with a 7 inch display with 1024x600 pixels resolution. The 9.9 mm thick tablet has 300 gram weight. It has Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 1 GB RAM, 4000 mAh battery, 3 megapixel rear camera, and a 1.3 megapixel front camera.

The tablet comes in 8 GB internal memory but there is a micro SD card slot to expand its memory to up to 32 GB. The Galaxy Tab 3 T211 SIM calling facility as well as WiFi connectivity.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 T211 is available for this price exclusively on Tradus.com. The Tab 3 is available for above Rs 17,000 at various other online stores.

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NOKIA LUMIA 620

Deal price: Rs 11,279

Normal price: Rs 16,000

Coupon code: DCHCEP4Y4GM5

The Nokia Lumia 620 has a dual core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 mobile processor and it features a 3.8 inch touchscreen ClearBlack LCD display with multi-touch point support. By default, this display supports 480 x 800 pixel resolution natively and carries a polarisation filter on top for better visibility under sunlight.

Nokia has also added its exclusive bit of services such as Nokia Music, Mix Radio, Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive, Nokia City Lens, and Nokia Transport. Nokia Lumia 620 has 8 GB on-board storage, of which some will be reserved for the system alongside this smartphone comes with a micro SD card slot to expand memory to up to 64 GB. The Lumia 620 has a 1300 mAh battery.

The phone comes with 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash. There's also a front camera in the Lumia 620. The smartphone weighs 127 grams and has WiFi with tethering ability, micro USB, and a 3.5 mm jack. It has A-GPS and GLOSNASS access along with preinstalled Nokia Maps.

This offer is available exclusively on Homeshop18.com, and users can also opt for cash on delivery option as well while buying this.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S III 32GB

Deal price: Rs 23,670

Normal price: Rs 28,500

Coupon code: MOBDEALS

Despite Samsung Galaxy S4 being the current flagship of Samsung, the Galaxy S3 is still a much desirable smartphone that offers great features at a much lower price as well.

The Samsung Galaxy SIII has a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. By default, this display supports 1280x720 pixel resolution and is hailed as the best display ever to feature on a smartphone.

The Galaxy SIII comes with a quad-core, 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 mobile processor that runs the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and TouchWiz user interface.

This offer is available exclusively on Indiatimes Shopping, and users can also opt for EMI option for buying this product.

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SONY XPERIA Z

Deal price: Rs 30,733

Normal price: Rs 34,000

Coupon code: SCSX99

The Sony Xperia Z has a slim profile and is waterproof. The smartphone comes with a 6.4 inch full HD display with Triluminos technology. The phone is powered by a 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Even with such large display and a powerful hardware the phone is just 6.5mm thick and weighs 212 grams. The phone has aluminum chassis instead of a plastic one that speaks of its durability.

Xperia Z has got Ingress Protection 55 and 58 certification that testifies its water and dust proof capability. This enables the device to shoot videos and images underwater. Its 8 megapixel camera at the back can capture both high definition photos and film, while Superior Auto mode automatically activates HDR and noise reduction when needed.

Sony Xperia Z comes with handwriting recognition which is compatible with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm).

The phone has connectivity options like NFC, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio with RDS.

This offer is available exclusively on Shopclues.com, and users can also opt for EMI option for buying this product also they can opt for cash on delivery for the device as well.

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XOLO X1000

Deal price: Rs 13,379

Normal price: Rs 19,000

Coupon code: NA

The Xolo X1000 runs on Android ICS operating system and has 2 GHz Intel HT processor. This single core processor offers performance similar to a dual core processor with the use of Hyper Threading. Along with that the device has an 8 megapixel camera at the back and a 2 megapixel camera in front - both with BSI sensors.

The Xolo X1000 comes with a 2.5D curved Edge to Edge glass display with 314 PPI pixel density. The phone has a unibody design, which gives it a slim look. It comes without a removable battery, just like the Nokia Lumia 920, Apple iPhone, HTC Butterfly and Sony Xperia Z.

X1000 has 8 GB internal storage and 1 GB RAM along with that you can expand its memory to up to 32 GB using a micro SD card.

This offer is available exclusively on Ebay.in, and users can also opt for cash on delivery option for buying this product, which though is available only for select cities.

Sony Xperia S, Xperia SL firmware updates coming soon

We always endeavor to keep readers in the loop about new updates for their various smartphones and tablets. Sony was the first major OEM to announce the list of Xperia smartphones to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean software update, within hours of the new OS rolling out. Now we hear that If you have the Sony Xperia S or Xperia SL then today’s news may interest you, as a new firmware update with some fixes is on its way very soon.Recently leaked screenshots reveal Sony is working on a new firmware update for the Xperia S and Xperia SL. The new build is 6.20B.1.96 and is still based on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.If you are hoping for the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update you might be dissappointed 

There is no official details on release or changelog, but the update should fix the 1080p video recording and volume up bugs, and will probably bring other small improvements over performance and stability. The new firmware also allows you to launch Google Now with a tap and hold on the Home key.However, it’s expected to begin rolling out before the end of August, so there really shouldn’t be too much longer to wait.

The new updates are expected to roll out on the Sony Xperia S and Xperia SL by the end of this month.

The previous firmware updates for the Xperia S and Xperia SL that brought the two smartphones onto the Jelly Bean train took Sony forever, but the recent track record of the company shows it is capable of delivering firmware updates on time and we are really happy to see Sony has picked up its game. The Sony Xperia SL was launched last year in September and is the successor to the Xperia S. The high-end smartphone boasts slightly better specs in comparison to the Xperia S. The Sony Xperia SL features a 4.3-inch scratch resistant TFT display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. It runs Android 4.0 (upgradable to Jelly Bean) and is powered by a 1.7GHz Qualcomm dual-core processor hosting 1GB RAM, as against Xperia S's 1.5GHz processor.

The Xperial SL comes with a 12.1-megapixel rear shooter and a 1.3-megapixel front camera. The device offers 32GB internal storage (upto 26GB user accessible) and also features NFC capabilities and FM radio. The Xperia SL is a PlayStation certified device and also features the Sony Entertainment Network.

We wonder if the latest firmware update will fix the various difficulties our readers were facing with their devices following the last Jelly Bean update for the Xperia S and SL. With this in mind we’d really appreciate your comments. Let us know when you receive this update please? Also, if you had a previous issue, perhaps you could tell us if the problem has been resolved?

Motorola to make the Nexus 5 / Nesus 4 II (Should it have been Sony?)

I think it goes without saying that you should take the following information with the tiniest grain of salt. If you’re allergic to rumor, speculation, and industry gossip, you’ve had your fair warning. For the rest of you, welcome, and let’s start gossiping.

Remember our good friend Taylor Wimberly? This is the guy that spent a portion of his time on Google+ leaking just about everything there was to know about the Moto X. We’d say for the most part, his leaks were accurate, leading us to believe his sources within Motorola were legit. Fast forward to today when Taylor made waves after posting the following message:

“Motorola will release a Nexus smartphone in Q4 (that is not the Moto X).”

You may remember a Google Play Edition of the Moto X is said to release a little later this year(Moto X does not – currently – appear to be coming in a Google Play edition like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One, nor does it seem to be coming to Google as a straight translation to a Nexus brand. With the release of the LG Optimus G, Google saw a build that they found pleasing enough to work with LG and Qualcomm to translate it into a slightly modified configuration for the LG-made Nexus 4, the device that’s currently acting hero for Google’s Nexus smartphone line), and many disappointed to find the full retail cost of the X wouldn’t hit the now standard Nexus pricing model. Could Googorola really be planning to release a Nexus device of their own this year, hitting that price-point Android fans have grown to love? More importantly, could they do it without stepping on the toes of their current OEM partners? All that remains to be seen. The success of Motorola and Google to create the highly publicized Motorola Moto X might have convinced Google that its wholly owned subsidiary is up to the task of producing the next Nexus handset. We’re curious to hear your guys’ thoughts on this rumor and if a Nexus Maxx would be your dream device. Many have suggested that this might not be the Nexus 5 atall but actually the next version of Nexus 4 (Nexus 4 II). Google with Asus rolled out Nexus 7 2 few days back. Are we to see a Nexus 4 II device too? 

There's also the precedent set by the Nexus line in the past - Google have had no qualms about shifting the Nexus build duties between a number of companies, including LG, Samsung and HTC. It wouldn't be unheard of for them to shift it to another company again. Some believe that Sony should have made the Nexus 5. In the Xperia Z, Sony delivered a device that is the best all-round Android phone of the moment. the phone has managed to impress many.

This device doesn’t work with the newest or highest-end hardware and it’s delivered with a software experience that’s just about the furthest away from a vanilla edition of Google’s Android as a USA-based release has gotten. It’s also waterproof and certainly not a half-bad performer for everyday tasks.

Sony has not been chosen by Google to deliver a Nexus smartphone or tablet in the program’s history.

Is it high time Google give Sony the chance, how that they’ve stuck with Android for so many seasons and created a smartphone that’s ready to contend with the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4?

Or does it seem, to you, more likely that Google will finally give Motorola a chance? The Motorola XOOM tablet was not given the name “Nexus”, but was given a significant push by Google as the first tablet to deliver Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, used on-stage more than once by the company as their go-to demo device for the tablet-friendly operating system.

How likely is a Motorola-made Nexus 5? More likely than any other manufacturer on the market – for better or for worse.

A MotoX photoshopped as Nexus

Sony's flagship Xperia Z's life-proof abilities called into question (Sony Xperia Z’s water-resistance compromised by over-heating CPU)

GPU intensive gaming sessions and exposure to hot weather are said to be affecting the Sony Xperia Z’s water-resistant qualities. 

Xperia Z users are understood to be worried about the glass panel on the back of the device becoming slightly raised after exposure to prolonged heat, something they believe might affect the handset’s resistance to water.

The report suggests the bulk of the over-heating issues are located in the top half of the handset on the left side – where the Snapdragon chipset resides. In some cases, users are reporting their Xperia Z’s water resistance has been compromised. 

Fortunately, the Sony Xperia Z features indicators on the ports that turn red when there's a risk to the device. This is a decent early warning sign but it's not great for a handset that is marketed as being suitable for use under water.

‘The problem with this type of issue is that Sony repair centres are turning people back, judging by comments on forums. Repair centres have no way of telling if water damage has been caused by a loose back panel or whether someone has inadvertently left a flap open,’ reports the Xperia Blog. 

Fair enough. But, if the handset’s backpanel is compromised by over-exposure to heat then surely that’s a problem with the handset, not user negligence? 

'In order to get the high IP55 & IP57 rating, we submerge Xperia Z under water for 30 minutes – and make sure it’s good as new when it comes out,’ said Sony, describing its method for securing the Xperia Z’s IP55 & IP57 rating. 

Some affected users are apparently taking matters into their own hands by re-melting the glass with a hairdryer and clamping the raised area back in place. 

Best Buy: Lowest price - Sony Xperia Z for near Thirty Thousand (30,852inr)

Sony Xperia Z smartphone, which is normally available for around Rs 33,500, is now available for a special price of Rs 30,852. The special price can be availed with the use of the discount coupon "SAVE10" during checkout on the regular price of Rs 33,500. The offer is available through online retailer Tradus.

The Sony Xperia Z has a slim profile and is waterproof. The smartphone comes with a 6.4 inch full HD display with Triluminos technology that provides better visuals. The phone is powered by latest 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Even with such large display and a powerful hardware the phone is just 6.5mm thick and weighs 212 grams. The construction of the phone uses aluminum chassis instead of a plastic one in Xperia Z for durability.

Xperia Z Ultra is water and dust proof with Ingress Protection 55 and 58 certification which even allow the device to shoot videos and images underwater. Its 8 megapixel camera at the back features "Exmor RS for mobile", HDR for both photos and film, and Superior Auto mode automatically activates HDR and noise reduction when needed.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra comes with handwriting recognition which is compatible with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm).

The phone has connectivity options like NFC , LTE , Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio with RDS.

Top 5 mobile deals this week

Choose some the best looking and decent performance delivery smartphones in the market.

The online retail market is a competitive one and that is why we see so many amazing deals every week. However, getting the best deal is always a challenge.

That is why we bring you a mix of top deals that will get you a great discount than the actual launch price of the device.

Nokia Lumia 520

Launch Price: Rs 10,499

Deal Price: Rs 9211

Nokia had announced the Lumia 520 earlier this year for Rs 10,499. The Lumia 520 is the youngest member of the Windows Phone 8 based Lumia series from Nokia. It sports a 4-inch IPS LCD display and a dual-core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processor with 512 MB RAM. There is only 8 GB on-board storage but one can always add up to 64 GB micro SD card in the memory expansion slot.

At the rear, Lumia 520 sports 5 megapixel camera that clicks decent images with several camera settings offered. Apart from that, the smartphone features the Nokia Lumia Exclusive set of apps and services. Nokia has added 1430 mAh battery to make it last long and the phone can now be purchased for as low as Rs 9211 from HomeShop18 website.

LG Optimus 4X HD P880

Launch Price: Rs 34,990

Deal Price: Rs 19,988

LG Optimus 4X HD comes packed with the hardware competitive enough for the Samsung Galaxy SIII. LG Optimus 4X HD is the flagship model featuring a 4.7-inch True HD IPS panel touchscreen display with 1280 x 720 pixel native resolution. It has a quad core 1.5 GHz Nvidia Tegra processor with a low power GeForce graphics chip, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Optimus 3.0 UI, and 1 GB of RAM.

By default, this smartphone features 16 GB onboard storage and a micro SD card slot to accommodate a memory card of up to 64 GB. Optimus 4X HD smartphone is only 8.9 mm thick and weighs just 133 grams. In this device, LG has used an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash. This camera is capable of recording 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second. There's also a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video calling and chat.

Among other features of the smartphone include GPS with A-GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, accelerometer, gyroscope sensor, support for a variety of popular audio-video formats, stereo FM with RDS, WiFidirect, and DLNA compliance. LG has bundled a 2150 mAh battery to make it run longer and support talk time of about 9.5 hours over 3G.

Though was launched for Rs 34,990, the LG Optimus 4X HD can now be purchased for as low as Rs 19,988 from Reliance Digital website.

LG Optimus L7

Launch Price: Rs 19,900

Deal Price: Rs 11,490

LG introduced Optimus L7 about six months ago and it has a 4.3-inch display supporting WVGA(480x800) pixel resolution. The Optimus L7 has a unique L-Style design styling and features comes 5-megapixel camera with LED flash at the back which is capable of shooting 720p HD videos. It has a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera too for video chats.

The Optimus L7 is also the first device to feature LG's Optimus 3.0 user interface and also the QuickMemo note taking feature. In its 8.7 mm slim body, the Optimus L7 packs a single-core 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 mobile processor with 1 GB RAM and 4 GB onboard storage. However, there is a micro SD card slot to expand the storage space. This smartphone also features WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS sensors. The LG Optimus L7 also features built-in LG Mobile TV- application where users can view 50+ live TV channels, online widget support, on demand service and free TV viewing for two months from the date of activation.

LG offers Optimus L7 with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the company is yet to announce whether it will get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Adexmart website is offering good discount on the Optimus L7 and you can purchase it for as low as Rs 11,490.

Sony Xperia Z

Launch Price: Rs 38990

Deal Price: Rs. 31851

Sony's top of the line Xperia Z smartphone is both dust and water-proof. It features a 5 inch LCD display with full 1080p HD resolution. The Sony Xperia Z runs on a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 mobile processor, 2 GB RAM, and 16 GB on-board storage. The large display and minimally skinned TimeScape UI on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update are absolute bliss to use.

Sony has offered WiFi, 3G network connectivity for faster mobile web experience in the Xperia Z. At the rear, it has 13.1 megapixel camera with LED Flash and autofocus to click high quality images with variety of features such as Face Detection, HDR and more. This camera can record full 1080p HD video and there is 2.2 megapixel camera in the front for video chats.

Sony has packed 2330 mAh battery to make this smartphone run for long time. Though was launched at Rs 38,990, the Xperia Z can be purchased for as low as Rs 31851 from Tradus website.

Sony Xperia Neo L

Launch Price: Rs 18,499

Deal Price: Rs 11,000

Sony Xperia Neo L is a Playstation certified device. It has a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a dedicated Adreno 205 graphics engine. It has 512 MB of RAM and a 4 inch capacitive touchscreen with 480 x 854 pixel resolution.

The Xperia Neo L runs on Google Android Ice Cream Sandwich that has hundreds of free and paid games. If that is not enough then users can also make use of the Playstation Suite-a dedicated store for Playstation certified devices for more content such as optimized games and multimedia content as well.

The deal is available on Shopclues.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z gets official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Sony has decided not to waste any time and push the freshly announced Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as part of its Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for the Xperia Tablet Z.

Sony Community manager Marcus Hansson says that Sony developers began work only after Google made its Android announcement at the event yesterday just to get the latest Jelly Bean version running on the Tablet Z. As a result, not all of the Android 4.3 functionality works just yet.

However, while the official post says it’s pretty unstable, the build seems to run just fine on the tablet. The enhanced multi-profile support works just fine, so does Wi-Fi, as you can see from the video below. With time, more of the cool Android 4.3 Jelly Bean features will be made available through the AOSP program, so stay tuned.

If you’re an advanced Sony Xperia Tablet Z user, head up to the company’s GitHub repository from the source link below to get your hands on the beta Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ROM.

Sony announces list of smartphones and tablets getting the Android 4.3 JellyBean update

Sony has just published the list of devices that will be getting the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update that was announced yesterday. On the smartphone side, the company will be bringing the latest Jelly Bean version to the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia SP and Xperia Z Ultra. The only tablet that is confirmed to get treated to the latest Android release at this point is the Xperia Tablet Z.

Sony is currently seeding the Jelly Bean 4.2 update for the Xperia Z and Xperia ZL. Starting from early August, the Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z will get Android 4.2 as well.

Some older Xperia phones running Android 4.1 are still under examination. There's a possibility that at least some of them will be updated straight to Android 4.3, but no names have been confirmed yet.

Additionally, Sony acknowledges that its updates haven't been "as succinct or as timely as you might’ve expected." The company's developers have now changed their workflow to assure that future updates arrive faster. The whole procedure is detailed in a lengthy and educational blog post, in case you are interested.

Sony isn’t the only manufacturer that could skip Android 4.2, either. Samsung is expected to do the same with the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II, updating them from Android 4.1 straight to Android 4.3.

Sony Xperia Z Honami leaks AGAIN

With alleged press shots, headlining 20MP camera and purported specifications now out in the wild, the Sony Xperia Honami has been leaked yet again in a bunch of a live photos. Those look to be the real deal, aligning nicely with previous live shots.

Anyway, the Xperia Honami has kept a lot of the charm of the Xperia Z it is said to succeed at the company's smartphone flagship throne. With a glass covered back and sharp edges all around, it's definitely a looker. The photos confirm the large loudspeaker grill, that is a slight departure from the current OmniBalance design.

Furthermore, the dedicated camera key on the right hand side underlines the cameraphone status of the smartphone. It's said to be a 20 megapixel Exmor RS unit, which will feature the Sony G-lens and BIONZ image processor, but its sensor will measure 1/2.3" rather than the previously rumored 1/1.6".

According to the person, who took the photos, the camera software isn't close to its final version. Since the resolution settings in the camera app were missing, too, he couldn't confirm if the phone packs a 20MP camera.

The specs sheet goes on with a flagship-worthy 5" 1080p display, 2.2GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU and 2GB of RAM on a Snapdragon 800 chipset. The battery, while still non-removable, will be bumped to 3,000mAh, from the 2,330mAh on the Xperia Z.

Just like the Xperia Z, the Sony Xperia Honami is said to be IP57 certified, which it is completely dust-protected and will withstand a meter of water for 30 minutes.

Sony is expected to announce the Xperia Honami at a dedicated press event on September 4 in Berlin
VIA GSM Arena

Sony Xperia ZU could be available in India by July 31

The Xperia ZU is Sony's flagship product and it will be the first product in India to ship with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core CPU clocked at 2.2GHz.

Last month, Sony unveiled the Xperia ZU 6.4-inch phablet globally and now it appears that the product could be available in India by July 31 itself. An e-commerce website has indicated that the product will start shipping from July 31 onwards. Giving more credibility to this is the fact that Sony has slashed the prices of the Xperia Z and ZL smartphones, which could only mean that the company is planning to launch a new flagship product.

The Xperia ZU is Sony’s flagship product and it will be the first product in India to ship with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core CPU clocked at 2.2GHz. It is also the first Sony mobile product to be equipped with a TRILUMINUS display, something which the company uses in its high-end HDTVs.

In addition to this, the phablet has an 8-megapixel rear camera, 16GB of internal memory and 2GB of RAM. For memory expansion it will support 64GB microSD cards. Like the Xperia Z, it is also waterproof and dust resistant. Sony also claims it to be the slimmest smartphone as it is measures in at a svelte 6.5mm.

Sony is pitching this product to be a rival to Samsung’s yet to be announced Galaxy Note III. As one already knows, Samsung’s Galaxy Note line of devices have defined the phablet category and Sony surely this time around has a product that at least on the basis of core specs has what it takes to give the next generation Galaxy Note a tough fight.

While the Xperia ZU does not come with a stylus like the Galaxy Note, it will be able to compete in this regard as well. According to Sony, one can write and sketch on its screen with a pencil, pen or a capacitive stylus that has a tip of over 1mm in diameter.

Recent leaks have suggested that the Galaxy Note III could have a 5.7-inch display and have a 13-megapixel camera with a Xenon flash. Samsung has also teased the possible launch of an upgraded version of its Exynos 5 Octa CPU, which will likely power the next generation Galaxy Note.

Sony Xperia Z and ZL prices slashed, decks cleared for Xperia Z Ultra launch

Here is some good news for smartphone users, especially for the youth looking for either some good exchange offer or a new reasonably priced phone.

According to reports, Sony Xperia Z which was initially priced at Rs. 38,990 is now available at Rs. 33,990 and Xperia ZL which was for Rs. 34490 can now be purchased at Rs. 29,490.

The reason for reducing the prices of Xperia Z and Xperia ZL is not without reasons. According to gadget experts, this is a strategic move on the part of Sony as it would soon be coming out with 6.4 inch display size Xperia Z Ultra. The company is preparing a sound ground for the launch of its new product.

To entice the users Sony is offering 12 months and 6 months EMI offers on Citibank, HDFC and ICICI credit cards with 0 per cent Interests. Furthermore, the Xperia Z customer can avail a free premium case worth Rs. 1,990 while the Xperia ZL buyers can have a free snap-on cover worth Rs. 1,490.

Launched earlier this year the Xperia Z and ZL were well received in the Indian market. Both the smartphones are equipped with a 5-inch Full HD Reality display and are powered by 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064 processor and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). In addition to this, it is supported by 2GB RAM which is fairly adequate for smartphone users.

The 13 MP rear camera accompanied by LED flash and 2 MP front facing camera have especially been applauded by the users. Powered by Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery both the phones have 16 GB internal memory expandable up to 32 GB.

Both the phones have connectivity options in phablets which include, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi, DLNA, USB and Bluetooth.

Sony seems to have been following the strategies of 0 per cent EMI plans of BlackBerry and the Rs. 10,000 discount on exchange of select smartphones in Samsung Galaxy Note 2 buying. It seems it is a good time, both for the users and the company.

VIA India Today