Sony Xperia Z3, Z2, Z1 already running Android 5.0 ASOP version

Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop is freshly out and many manufacturers are preparing to update it on their handsets. Sony plans to make its Android L upgrade available to all the members of its Xperia Z series from early 2015. Sony has now announced that the Android 5.0 Lollipop’s ASOP (Android Open Source Project) version is already running on its Xperia Z3, Z2 and Z1 handsets.

The company has informed this on its Twitter account:

Open Source Project for Android 5.0; Lollipop now running for #XperiaZ1, #XperiaZ2 & #XperiaZ3: http://t.co/CW8dL8UjQx

— Sony Xperia News (@SonyMobileNews) November 7, 2014

 

The ASOP version is not intended for daily use by the users but it is for developers who can use it as a base to develop their own custom version of Android. Sony has released a video in which we can see the Android 5.0 ASOP ROMs running on Xperia Z3, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z1 devices. Sony will soon provide the necessary Android 5.0 binary files to developers so that they can make their own Android 5.0 ROMs for their unlocked Xperia devices. AOSP device configurations are already available for Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z2 on  Sonyxperiadev GitHub, and will be provided “soon” for Xperia Z3.  

You can see the video of Android 5.0 lollipop ASOP running on all the three Xperia flagship devices:

 

 

Sony is also giving an opportunity to some users of Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact to test their Android 5.0 Lollipop Beta version. The pilot program 3Beta is currently available in Sweden with the carrier “3”. The company wants to get feedback from users before they begin to commercially roll out Android Lollipop next year.      

AOSP’ing & beta testing #Android Lollipop; 5.0… http://t.co/7aPhWTSPjF pic.twitter.com/eGB7nuXWUO — Sony Xperia News (@SonyMobileNews) November 6, 2014

 

Source: Sony Blog, Sony Developer Blog

Sony Xperia Z3, Z2, Z1 already running Android 5.0 ASOP version

Alleged images of Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact leaked

Leaked images of Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact have surfaced online. They first appeared on the Chinese website Digi-wo which is a reliable leaker of Sony smartphones. These seem to be the photos of the front panels of the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact.

We have seen that Sony is in the habit of introducing one flagship smartphone from the Xperia family every half year. It introduced its Xperia Z in the first half of 2013 (January), the Xperia Z1 in the second half of 2013 (September) and finally the Xperia Z2 in the first half of 2014 (February). Now everyone is waiting for Sony to announce its next Xperia flagship at the IFA in September this year or somewhere around that time.

The above image allegedly shows the photo of a white Sony Xperia Z3 and lying alongside it is the black Xperia Z3 Compact. The frames seem to be made of metal and have thinner side bezels giving them a sleeker appearance. However, the top and bottom portions are broader. Nothing much else is known about the appearance of both the phones.

As for specs, the Xperia Z3 is rumored to have a 1080p resolution touch screen, a Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB RAM and a 20.7 MP camera. However, another rumor suggests that Sony will go with the existing Snapdragon 801 this time.

Anyways, the Sony Xperia Z3 will be the successor to the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3 Compact will be the successor to Xperia Z1 Compact. And if Sony is really planning to unveil both at the IFA in Berlin, the event is just a couple of months away. Till then, the rumors and leaks will continue to appear building up the excitement up to the time of their actual release.

So folks stay with us, we’ll continue to update you regarding any new developments.

Alleged images of Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact leaked

Android 4.4.4 KitKat rolls out for Sony Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra Smartphones

Sony had started rolling out Android 4.4.4 KitKat update with build number 14.4.A.0.108 for its Xperia Z1 Compact on June 26. The update is presently available in Russia, Indonesia and Italy, soon to follow in other countries. Now, the Japanese Company is also making the Android 4.4.4 (14.4.A.0.108) firmware available to its Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra smartphones wef June 27.

News about the updates was revealed by the company on June 27 in its Twitter account “Sony Xperia News” which says that phased Android 4.4.4 KitKat will be rolling out for Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1 Compact and includes improvements in apps, camera, security and more.

Sony’s product pages for Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact and Xperia Z Ultra also show the Android version as Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat) and the latest available software as 14.4.A.0.108. The updates for Z1 and Z Ultra are currently available in Russia, France, UAE and Turkey.

Official Changelog for Android 4.4.4 updates:

Included in this software

” There are many improvements in this upgrade for your Xperia™ smartphone, some examples are:

• Android 4.4.4 including the latest enhancements and security updates from Google


• Updated and improved camera experience


• Improvements when using Google voice, Contacts, Music streaming and Google+


• The latest versions of our Sony apps for you to enjoy


• All of our latest bug fixes, optimisations & improvements “

As this is a phased roll out, it will be available in a phased manner across various countries. Users can check for updates on their devices by going to Settings > About phone > Software updates > System updates. Owners of Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra will be receiving their update notifications soon.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat rolls out for Sony Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra Smartphones

First Sony Xperia Z3 leak appears, suspected metal frame photos, specs and more

A new Sony smartphone in the Xperia Z series seems to be in the offing. It has been only a few months since the Xperia Z2 was launched and the new Sony Xperia Z3 is already on its way, if rumors are to be believed. Some metal frame photos supposed to be those of the upcoming Sony Xperia Z3 have been leaked. The Chinese website IT168 has displayed images of these metal frames.

The metal frame appears to be very thin and is coated by using PVD coating technology that is used for watch and aircraft surfaces. PVD coating is an environmental friendly process that provides improved hardness, wear resistance and oxidation resistance to the surface. PVD coating offers improved performance and a long life to the coated surface. Although Xperia Z3 will have a metal frame, its body design is likely to be similar to the Xperia Z series mobile design. Alternatively, the company might make some changes in the design for Z3.

About specifications, IT168 says that the new Sony Xperia Z3 will have a touch screen with 1080p resolution, a Snapdragon (Xiaolong in Chinese) 805 processor, 3 GB RAM and a 20.7 MP camera. Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset uses the Krait 450 quad-core processor clocked up to 2.7GHz and an Adreno 420 GPU, improving the device performance significantly.

Sony Xperia Z2 was introduced by the company in February this year, just about 6 months after its Xperia Z1. According to the source, Sony’s marketing strategy is to launch a flagship model every 6 months. Xperia Z2 was the flagship model for the first half of 2014. So it is possible that Sony will launch the new Xperia Z3 after 6 months of the introduction of Z2 i.e.in August 2014, which will be its flagship model for the second half of 2014.

First Sony Xperia Z3 leak appears, suspected metal frame photos, specs and more