Reporting from Barcelona, Spain: Sony Mobile has today launched a wide range of new smartphones, accessories and products at Mobile World Congress 2017. The new Xperia XZ Premium comes packed with Sony’s new Motion Eye camera system to enable advanced features and excellence in picture quality, as well as the world’s first 4K HDR display (5.5-inches). Motion Eye camera, according to Sony, provides 960fps super slow motion video capture and playback, four times slower than any other smartphone.
Xperia XZ Premium will be available globally in Luminous Chrome and Deep-sea Black from late Spring 2017. The company also announced Xperia XA1 and the 6” large screen Xperia XA1 Ultra, both of which feature a borderless design with edge-to-edge screens. Both will surpass camera expectations with high-end rear camera specs including 23MP sensors and low-light capabilities, whilst XA1 Ultra has been designed specifically for selfie lovers with its superior 16MP front camera. The Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra will roll out from Spring 2017 with Android Nougat at launch in a choice of contemporary finishes; White, Black, Pink, and Gold.
“Xperia Touch is the most revolutionary interface” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO, at Sony Mobile Communications. “A year on from unveiling our new brand direction and vision for the future of communications, not only are we announcing Xperia XZ Premium, equipped with the most advanced technologies to enhance the essential features on smartphones, we’re creating whole new interactive communication experiences with our Xperia Smart Products.”
Sony has also converted a concept to commercial product – the new Xperia Touch, which is an interactive Android projector that will be available from Spring 2017. Xperia Touch is an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 23-inches HD touchscreen, with either horizontal or vertical ultrashort-throw projection. The interface is fast, fluid and responsive to physical touch – it’s built using Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, and touch is made possible through a combination of Infrared light and real-time detection via its built-in camera, at a rate of 60 frames-per-second.
Xperia Touch enables family and friends to gather around a table, kitchen island or flat wall to enjoy games, watch online video streaming services and communicate using messaging apps and social networks. The elegant home screen skin is engineered specifically for touch – designed to be both minimalistic and accessible in brightly lit or dark conditions. It provides real-time weather information, a memo board for doodles or video notes, calendar access and a Skype portal for video chat with colleagues or loved ones.
Not only is Xperia Touch compatible with PlayStation 4 Remote Play, it will run any app or game downloaded from the Google Play Store, setting a new precedent for the way hundreds of thousands of application experiences can now be enjoyed. And, the unique projection, touch capability and sensor architecture will provide developers with an entirely new platform on which to build and create. Xperia Touch will rolled out in Europe via select retailers and the Xperia Store Online in selected countries, from Spring 2017, featuring a price tag of €1499.
Sony also showed off the new Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” earphones, which is based on ‘open-ear’ audio technology developed within Sony’s Future Lab Program. This is an incubator that enables consumers to trial and shape prototypes from Sony’s R&D division. The device utilises Sony’s acoustics research and leadership to deliver wireless ‘open-ear’ stereo headphones, so you can listen to music and receive notifications, whilst simultaneously hearing sounds from the world around you. Whether you’re listening to music during a workout or commute, it’s an unparalleled ambient experience.
Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” is built to completely reimagine everyday listening and communication – its two highly powerful spatial acoustic conductors and driver units work together to transmit sounds directly to the ear canal. And just as with Xperia Ear, Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” will be powered by Sony Agent Technology – a personal assistant that uses conversational voice interaction and head gestures to help you get things done, access information and communicate.
“Sony Mobile will continue to develop new features to further increase the in-ear assistant capability. An example of this is ‘Anytime Talk’ – a new voice-chat service that will allow users to instantaneously start a group conversation in real-time without searching through contacts or needing to dial, with a simple single button press or head movement. The beta version will roll out for the first-generation Xperia Ear over the coming months,” the company announced at the launch event.
Sony Mobile is also exploring the collaborative possibilities with Sony Agent Technology on Xperia Smart Products and the new cloud AI platform from LINE Corporation, the company behind the popular LINE messaging app, to develop and co-create a new integrated voice experience. Hideyuki Furumi, EVP, Global Sales & Marketing, at Sony Mobile Communications said: “We’ve continued to evolve and transform our smartphone portfolio, with an unwavering focus on delivering the most advanced technology in elegantly designed products. Whether it’s a memory-stacked camera system capable of super slow motion capture or the world’s first 4K HDR smartphone display, we’re delivering experiences that connect with users in emotional and meaningful ways like never before.”
