#Sony #Xperia Z1 Compact vs #Apple #iPhone 5C

Android smartphone manufacturers started offering compact versions of their large screen flagship phones in 2013, but most were underpowered, mid-range devices that didn't sport top-end specs. If you were looking for a smartphone that you could use with one hand, but didn't want to compromise on hardware specs, or had a budget of around Rs 40,000, the only good option was Apple's iPhone 5C.

But if a buyer didn't want to step into Apple's walled garden, and yet wanted a powerful, compact phone, there were hardly any choices. Sony has answered this need by launching its Xperia Z1 Compact - the mini avatar of its Xperia Z1 flagship, that doesn't compromise with features. Priced in the same range, Sony's compact smartphone brings in the much-needed punch to rival Apple's iPhone 5C.

We pit the two hot compact smartphones against each other to help you make a buying decision.




Build & Design

When Apple first announced iPhone 5C, many felt that the 'unapologetically plastic' phone did not look like an iPhone and did not feature premium materials like glass and aluminium, so associated with Apple's flagship phones since the iPhone 3GS. However, iPhone 5C is still a solid phone with a reinforced metal frame supporting its plastic chassis from inside. It offers five colour options and sports a glossy finish.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports a one-piece aluminium frame with a glass panel at the back, somewhat reminding us of the iPhone 4/4S. The phone follows Sony's OmniBalance' design philosophy which is minimalist, yet premium. It is also available in four colours, including lime and pink.

One advantage that the Xperia Z1 Compact has over iPhone 5C is its water and dust-resistant body. Sony has used protective flaps over all ports (barring the headphone jack) to achieve this. Some users may find it cumbersome, but the flaps offer a big utility. We found Sony Z1 compact's back prone to smudges and even scratches so you'll be better off with a protective guard or cover.

The 3.5mm headset jack is placed at the top on the Xperia Z1 Compact, while the same is located at the bottom on the iPhone 5C. We prefer the top placement.
Sony Z1 Compact sports a hardware button for the camera. Apple iPhone 5C also allows you to use the volume rocker keys to trigger the camera shutter in camera mode, but there's no dedicated camera button. iPhone 5C's power button is placed at the top edge while the Z1 Compact's power button is at the right edge. Since the phones sport a compact form factor, it doesn't really make a difference.

There's not much difference in the dimensions and weight though the Xperia Z1 Compact is considerably wider and thicker. iPhone 5C measures 124.40 x 59.20 x 8.97mm and weighs 132gram whereas Xperia Z1 Compact measures 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm

The two smartphones are the best sub 4.5-inch phones available when it comes to the overall design and construction.





Display

Apple iPhone 5C features the same 4-inch Retina display seen in iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S with a resolution of 640x1136p and pixel density of 326ppi. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports a 4.3-inch TRILUMINOS display with a resolution of 720x1280p and pixel density of 341ppi.

Both the phones don't come with a full-HD display, but you're not likely to notice any difference as the screen size is less than 4.5-inch. The two phones are endowed with displays that offer good viewing angles and vivid colours. Text and graphics look crisp and sharp, and brightness levels are optimum. In fact, Xperia Z1 Compact's display is the company's best ever. Despite the low resolution, iPhone 5C offers a brighter screen and better sunlight legibility.

Software

Xperia Z1 Compact runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Sony has already announced the Android 4.4 KitKat update for it. Sony has skinned the user interface and has added its own apps for music, videos and gallery. The Indian edition of the phone also comes with additional content stores for downloading music and streaming TV shows.

iPhone 5C runs iOS 7.1, the new version of iOS that fine tunes iOS 7. The design elements of iOS 7 - colourful, flat icons and translucency complement the iPhone 5C's playful design. To be honest, it feels like Apple designed iOS 7 keeping the iPhone 5C in mind.
Both software platforms offer a great ecosystem of third party apps and content. Although you'd get deep integration with Google services and apps on the Xperia Z1 Compact with Android, most major Google apps are also available on iOS. For maps and navigation, Google Maps is the go-to service on both mobile platforms as Apple's Maps doesn't offer detailed maps in India, leave alone directions.

Google Now, Google's personal voice-based assistant is also miles ahead of Apple's Siri voice assistant.



However, if you're invested in Apple's ecosystem - buy music and movies from iTunes, use iCloud for backing up photos and use Apple's iWork and iLife apps, you'd feel at home using the iPhone 5C.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports the same 20.1MP rear camera with Sony's G lens that the company offers on the Z1. The camera app offers a plethora of settings in addition to Sony's Superior Auto mode that chooses the best settings as per the ambient light. On the other hand, iPhone 5C comes with an 8MP rear camera and offers Apple's simple camera app that doesn't feature many options.

Shot with Apple iPhone 5C

Shot with Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact takes great pictures in daylight and good quality albeit noisy pictures in low-light. The phone's Superior Auto mode which takes pictures in 8MP can be a hit or miss. At times, we encountered problems with focusing. Also, the phone over-processes images, making them loo artificial in order to highlight details.

Shot with iPhone 5C

Shot with Xperia Z1 Compact

iPhone 5C's camera is more consistent and is still one of the best smartphone cameras around. It struggles in low-light situations, but offers better results using the flash compared to the Xperia Z1 Compact. It also offers better colour reproduction and contrast in bright light.

Performance

Sony has made no compromises with the Xperia Z1 Compact when it comes to hardware. The phone comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB RAM. We did not experience any lag whatsoever while using the phone and were able to play graphics-intensive games like Riptide GP2 and Asphalt 8 without any frame drops or delays. It's a smooth performer.

iPhone 5C is just iPhone 5 packed into a new form factor so the phone sports an year-old hardware. The Apple A6 processor is said to clock 1.3GHz, accompanied by 1GB RAM. iOS 7.1 is optimised for iPhone 5C and offers good performance. Games like Asphalt 8 and Infinity Blade 2 run smoothly.

Both the phones offer good voice quality, are able to work even under poor network conditions, and lock to GPS satellites in a matter of seconds. Xperia Z1 Compact offers NFC connectivity for initiating file transfers, expandable storage via a microSD card and FM radio.

These features are missing from iPhone 5C, but the Apple phone offers support for Indian 4G bands, allowing users to connect to high speed internet where available. In the same price range, iPhone 5C only offers 16GB storage capacity.

The phones offer great performance even though the iPhone 5C comes with older hardware.

In terms of battery backup, iPhone 5C and Xperia Z1 Compact are just above average on 3G and full brightness. Both the phones will last you just about a working day (9-10 hours) and you'll need to charge them before you go to bed.

Verdict

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is a great alternative to iPhone 5C if you want to buy a compact Android smartphone. It's without doubt the best Android compact smartphone.

Barring the colourful plastic shell which erodes its premium quotient, iPhone 5C is still a great compact phone. It offers a consistently good camera and a great app ecosystem. While the boundaries are blurring, a large number of developers choose to bring their apps to the iPhone before porting them to Android. Apps like Tweetbot and games like Infinity Blade are exclusive to iPhone. While Android is now more refined than ever, the stability and finesse offered by iOS apps is still unparalleled.

On the other hand, Android is more customizable. While it's a good thing for power users, new smartphone converts may find the learning curve a bit hard.

Sony Xperia Z Compact is available at Rs 36,990 while iPhone 5C is priced at Rs 41,900 (but available for much lesser online).

Ref - TOI

#Sony to stop making PCs, cut 5,000 jobs

Sony, under pressure to shore up profitability in its electronics business, unveiled a restructuring plan on Thursday that will cut 5,000 jobs and trim 100 billion yen ($988 million) a year from fixed costs, while splitting off its loss-making PC and TV units. 

The PC division, as widely expected, will be sold to investment fund Japan Industrial Partners, which will set up a separate company to take over the operations. Sony will initially hold a 5% stake in that company. 

Sony also said it will split its TV division off into a separate company by July 2014. The flagship TV division has lost $7.5 billion over the last 10 years. 

The job cuts, which will include its TV and PC divisions, are to be implemented by March 2015, while the cost savings are to kick in by the following 2015-16 financial year. 

The pullout comes as Japan's electronics firms look for daylight beyond the shadow of industry giants like Apple and Samsung Electronics. Exiting the Vaio PC business Sony, founded 17 years ago, will mark the first time CEO Kazuo Hirai pulls a major consumer product line. 

Still unclear is when Sony can catch up with local peers Panasonic and Sharp on the restructuring track. The pair have swallowed charges, sold off or cured many loss-making businesses, and bounced back to strong profits.

Ref - TOI

First look: #Sony’s wearable TV headset, HMZ-T3W

A virtual-reality headset from Sonyalmost puts you inside a video by allowing you to widen your view when you turn your head up, down or side to side.

Sony's $1,000 " wearable HDTV" worked as intended in a demo. But a few quirks made me believe it'll still be a while before we can really step into a recorded video scene and look around for ourselves.

The HMZ-T3W fits snugly on your head, even while wearing glasses, but you need someone's help strapping it in. A big soft pad rests on your forehead, while straps around the back of your skull give you a snug fit.

At 11.3 ounces, the device is fairly light. Because it doesn't sit on your nose, I can imagine sitting through a full-length movie with it on. A set of headphones is required.

A hooded viewer contains two screens measuring 0.7-inches. Each screen delivers high-definition images in 720p resolution to each eye. Little slider knobs under each screen help you focus.

In a demo at the International CES gadget show, you are put on a motorcycle racing down the English countryside. Looking down shows the pavement speeding by, looking up shows the clouds. When swiveling to the right or left, I felt like waving to the crowds alongside the road -- although I would have looked like a dork to anyone in the real world looking on.

The footage was shot using an action camera with a 170-degree field of view. Sony says the screen is equivalent to viewing a 750-inch screen from 65 feet away, though it's almost the same as saying you're watching a 60-inch screen from five feet away.

A sensor that captures motion was clipped to the back straps in the demo. It measured my head movement, so the view on the screens shifted accordingly. But there was a slight drift. A blind spot on my right gradually encroached into my field of vision, while looking all the way left required me to crane my neck further and further as it went on.

The HMZ-T3W gave me a flavour of what's possible with video headsets. I don't think I'd buy one, but trying it out was a fun ride.

(By: TOI)

Sony launches Xperia SP in India at Rs 27,490

 Sony has launched Xperia SP, which was announced globally in March 2013, in India. This phone has high end connectivity features like 4G and NFC and is priced at Rs 27,490. The phone will be available in stores from mid-April and come with Sony LIV video streaming app that gives users access to over 77 Sony TV shows. The company is offering a free case worth Rs 1,990 with the device.

The all-new Xperia SP features a 4.6-inch touchscreen with Sony Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology, 1280x720p resolution and 319ppi pixel density. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core processor coupled with 1GB RAM. The phone has 8GB internal storage and supports microSD expansion up to 32GB.

Sony Xperia SP can access the internet over 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks, while data can be transferred via NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0. On the back of the phone is an 8MP camera with LED flash, while the front panel touts a VGA unit. This device is powered by a 2,370mAh battery and will be available in red, white and black colour options.

The device is made using co-moulded aluminium chassis and has thickness of 10mm. The transparent strip below the screen in this phone changes colour depending on the caller (in the setting menu). The phone also has a dedicate camera key on the right.

Key specs: 

Display: 4.6-inch screen with Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology, 1280x720p resolution, 319ppi pixel density;
Operating system: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean);
Processor and RAM: 1.7 GHz dual-core CPU coupled with 1GB RAM;
Storage: 8GB internal storage, 32GB microSD support;
Connectivity: 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0;
Camera: 8MP rear camera with LED flash and VGA front unit; and
Battery: 2,370mAh

Displays: iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S 4, S III vs. Xperia Z vs. One vs. Lumia 920

A display comparison between the Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S 4, Samsung Galaxy S III, Sony Xperia Z, HTC One, and Nokia Lumia 920 has been posted by PhoneArena.

Brightness and Visibility (Winner: iPhone 5)
"Despite the improvements that Samsung continues to do to its so-called Super AMOLED screen technology, it's still lagging behind the quality LCD screens in the brightness department. We find the LCD displays of the iPhone 5, One, Xperia Z and Lumia 920 to be a bit brighter than the one of the GS4, and even more compared to the GS3, which is dimmer than its successor."


Viewing Angles (Winner: iPhone 5, One)
Xperia Z had the worst viewing angles of all six devices followed by the Galaxy S 4 and S III. Leading the pack was the iPhone 5 and HTC One who "even manage to retain a more natural color balance."



Resolution (Winner: One)
"The HTC One leads the pack in that respect as it couples the 1080p resolution with a 4.7” screen, which makes for the incredible 468 ppi. The second places is shared by the Xperia Z and Galaxy S4, the 5” displays of which have a pixel density of 441 ppi. Third is the Lumia 920 with 332 ppi, and immediately after it comes the iPhone 5 with 326 ppi. Finally, we have the Galaxy S III with 306 ppi."


Color reproduction (Winner: iPhone 5)
The iPhone 5 and HTC One were selected as favorites. "Their advanced LCD displays output super-realistic, yet vibrant and lively colors that manage to please both the purist users and those who just want a breath-taking image. The Nokia Lumia 920 is also quite good, though it's a bit less vibrant."

You can read the full analysis over at PhoneArena but hitting the link below...

Sony Updates Software to Transfer iPhone Content to the Xperia

Sony has updated its software for transferring your data from the iPhone to the Sony Xperia.

Use Xperia Transfer in PC Companion or Sony Bridge for Mac to easily transfer your content and contacts to your new Sony device.

Xperia Transfer supports the following Sony devices: Xperia V (LT25), Xperia VC, Xperia TX (LT29), Xperia T (LT30), Xperia TL (LT30), Xperia T (LT30), Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZQ.

Check out the video or hit the link below for more details...

Sony aims to triple mobile sales in India

NEW DELHI: Sony aims to triple sales of its mobile phones in India to 35 billion rupees ($638 million) in the year to March 2014, Kenichiro Hibi, managing director of its India unit, said, at the launch of the company's Xperia Z high-end smartphone. 

The smartphone, which is priced at Rs 38,990 in India, went on sale in Japan last month and is now available in 60 countries. The all-new Xperia Z has a TFT display that supports 1920x1080p resolution and boasts of 441ppi pixel density. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and will soon be upgraded to Android 4.2, the manufacturer has said. Sony has used a quad-core 1.5GHz Krait processor and 2GB RAM in this smartphone. For memory, the device has 16GB onboard storage and 32GB microSD card support. 

Connectivity options in the phone include 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and microUSB 2.0. Sony Xperia Z comes with Battery Stamina Mode, which improves the standby time by four times or more by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off and starts them again once the screen is back on. 
It is part of the Japanese electronics group's push for a greater market presence in mobile devices. 

In India, Sony had a 9 percent share of the smartphone market last quarter, making it a distant No. 2 behind market leader Samsung's 40 percent share, according to research firm Canalys.

Sony Xperia Z review: Packs a powerful punch

NEW DELHI: Remember the time when Sony used to enjoy a sizeable share of the mobile phone market with its Walkman series. However, it was not long before Apple and Samsung captured the market with iPhone and Galaxy series respectively. Over the course of the past 3-4 years, the Japanese giant has tried hard to catch up with the leaders, but has faltered time and again.

But this year - exactly a year dissolving its JV with Ericsson - Sony has been quick on the ball,bringing its flagship smartphone Xperia Z(touting a full HD screen measuring 5-inch) ahead of Samsung, the big fish of the Android sea. But does Xperia Z have what it takes to beat the current competitors as well as the upcoming rivals, specially Galaxy S IV? Read our review to find out...

Hardware:

Sony Xperia Z comes with a 5-inch TFT screen that supports 1920x1080p resolution and 441ppi pixel density. It runs on a quad-core 1.5GHz Krait processor with 2GB RAM and features 16GB internal storage, with 32GB microSD card support. This phone sports a 13MP snapper with LED flash on the rear and a 2.2MP camera in the front. You can look forward to 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi for internet access in this phone, while files can be transferred via NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0.

Design:

The first thing you will notice about this phone is how compact and sophisticated it looks, despite a 5-inch screen. Sony has used on-screen keys in Xperia Z and the bezel above and below the screen is minimal, so you get a phablet that fits in the palm without any issues. The device follows the design theme that the manufacturer has used since last year and has a glass back. We reviewed a white coloured unit that did not attract too many fingerprints, though they may be more prominent in the purple and black coloured devices.

The sturdiness of Sony Xperia Z sets it apart from the growing crop of smartphones with full HD displays. It can survive without any damage when dipped in 1meter deep water for up to 30 minutes and is resistant to dust. The glass used in the phone is resistant to scratches and will not break despite tremendous pressure, the company claims. When we tested the validity of these claims, we were not disappointed and the phone came out with flying colours. It is assisted in water resistance by all the flaps that cover each port of the body. This means that the microUSB port and microSD slot on the right as well as the sim-card tray on the left are covered and do not let water and dust in. Same goes for the earphone jack on top of the device.

 

What we did not like about the build of the device was that instead of a sim-card tray, Xperia Z has a very poor quality plastic sleeve, as compared to the metal tray used in HTC Butterfly, a rival. Another problem was that when struggling to open its flap, the plastic covering on the flap came off without much force, which hints at imperfect craftsmanship on Sony's part.

But overall, looks of the phone are striking indeed.

Software:

Sony Xperia Z comes with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and an Android 4.2 update is being readied right now. The stock OS is skinned with its proprietary UI that adds a few features that will be appreciated by buyers, but never slow down the phone despite heavy customisation.

One feature you get on this phone is 'small apps', which are basically apps that appear on top of the screen and can be moved around and resized. Samsung and LG offer these under the names Mini Apps and QSlide Apps, respectively.

On Xperia Z, Sony offers only four small apps - Calculator, Notes, Voice Recorder and Timer, and if you want more, you can simply head to Google Play store. Other features on software side you can look forward to are deep Facebook integration, Face Unlock, handwriting recognition, Walkman Music Player, Movie Editor and Stamina Mode (battery saver). The phone is Playstation Certified and has access to a host of PS games optimised for mobile screen.

Performance:

Xperia Z's quad-core processor is clocked at 1.5GHz and packs quite a powerful punch. We tried it out on Antutu, which is a compound test that tests devices on parameters like CPU performance, display, 2D and 3D graphics and microSD card reading/writing speeds.

We are happy to report that our review unit got an average score of 19104, matching those of HTC Butterfly and LG Optimus G (two of the most powerful smartphones in the market right now). So there should be no doubts about this phone's computing prowess.

Google's Project Butter and the powerful processor together ensure that there is never any lag. The battery lasts over half a day easily with Stamina Mode turned on.

Last year, a quad-core processor was the main feature that set flagship smartphones apart from their predecessors and this year, the distinguishing aspect is a full HD display.

Sony Xperia Z has a beautiful screen that supports full HD resolution, but it lacks the contrast that adds life to images and videos. Viewing angles and sunlight legibility (even with the brightness cranked to the max) of the screen are also below par. However, the pixel density of 441ppi ensures there is no pixilation and content appears crisp and vivid.

Camera and multimedia:

A 13MP primary camera is strapped on the back of Xperia Z and comes with two modes - standard and superior. You get to click 13MP photos with the former, while latter restricts the image size to 12MP. However, the advantage of superior mode is that optimises various parameters in accordance to the scene you are capturing in order to get the best possible result. The photos clicked with this mode are much better than that in standard mode.

However, the image quality in both modes is far from what we expected from such a powerful camera. The images suffer from slight noise under lowlight conditions and colours are not true. But the contrast level and white balance of the pictures are good. If you want to click photos for Facebook and Instagram, this camera will do well, but do not expect it to replace your point and shoot camera despite the 13MP sensor rating.

 

The 2.2MP front facing camera does its job well during video calls.

Coming to video playback, Xperia Z benefits from its full HD-capable screen that handles high resolution videos at high bitrates with ease. Sony Mobile Bravia Engine 2 makes video viewing a thoroughly enjoyable affair by making images clearer, sharper and more natural.

The audio output also pleased us with xLoud mode turned on. The video player pulls details of movies you have added to your library from the internet, just like Infinity feature of the music player does for lyrics.

Rivals:

Well, Sony's biggest rival in India right now is HTC Butterfly, which also has a full HD screen and an equally powerful processor. Other rivals include Nokia Lumia 920, BlackBerry Z10, while it will also have to contend against Samsung Galaxy S IV and LG Optimus G Pro when they hit India.

Nokia Lumia 920 and BlackBerry Z10 boast of a different user experience as compared to Android smartphones. Nokia's flagship boasts of an amazing camera and WP8 OS, which offers a refreshing change from Android and iOS interface.

On the other hand, BB10-powered Z10 has unmatched security features and software optimisations that will please corporate buyers. But both of them lose out to Xperia Z due to its more powerful processor, better display and durability.

Now let's talk of a more evenly matched opponent - HTC Butterfly. During our review, we found it had an equally potent chipset and gorgeous screen, among other features. Sony gains an edge over Butterfly due to its sturdier build quality and relatively higher water and dust resistance. Butterfly looks more elegant than Xperia Z, though opinions were divided within our team. However, the rather noticeable price difference of Rs 6,500 puts the odds in the favour of Sony's new flagship model.

As Samsung Galaxy S IV and LG Optimus G Pro are yet to arrive in our hands, we reserve our judgement in this matter.

Our take:

Those who believed in Sony's capabilities will be graciously rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable time with Xperia Z. It is a very capable smartphone that offers a fluid user experience and top notch computing power and a beautiful screen. It gains a considerable edge over rivals due to its relatively lower price tag despite similar features and will provide all that you need from a top-end smartphone. It is a very good phone when you consider the features it offers for Rs 38,990, whereas rivals cost Rs 45,000-plus.

We feel that if you are in the market for a full HD smartphone with enough number of apps without crossing the Rs 40,000 price barrier, then Xperia Z is the phone for you.

What we like:

Compact size
Display performance during video playback
Powerful processor
Water and dust resistant
Scratch resistant and shatter proof glass
Audio output

What we don't like:

Camera quality below expectations
Sunlight legibility and contrast of display
Build quality

Price: Rs 38,990

Key specs:

Display: 5-inch TFT touchscreen with 1920x1080p resolution and 441ppi pixel density;
Operating system: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), planned Android 4.2 upgrade;
Processor & RAM: 1.5GHz quad-core processor, coupled with 2GB RAM;
Storage: 16GB internal memory with microSD support up to 32GB;
Connectivity: 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0;
Camera: 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 2.2MP front snapper; and
Battery: 2,320mAh

Sony Debuts PS4 With More Whimper Than Bang

Sony's "unveiling" of its new PS4 system at its New York launch party might have been more festive if the console itself had been on hand. Instead, attendees got to see the controller that goes with it -- a device that allows multiscreen gaming, among other things. That's something the largely ignored Wii U also does -- but for a whole lot less, noted video game analyst Billy Pidgeon.

Sony officially introduced its long-anticipated PlayStation 4 video game console at a media event in New York City on Wednesday. However, Sony merely showed off its new controller -- it didn't actually unveil the physical console, likely saving that newsworthy moment for the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles in June.

Sony did give quite a bit more than a peak at the upcoming system's hardware, though, and noted that the PS4 will be centered on a custom chip that will contain eight x86-64 cores, along with a what it described as a "state of the art graphics processor."
This GPU reportedly has been enhanced for general-purpose computer -- including physics simulations. It will contain a unified array of 18 compute cores that collectively could generate up to 1.84 Teraflops of processing power, meaning that gamers can expect some truly lifelike graphics. The system also will be equipped with 8 GB of unified system memory, which could likely further boost graphics performance.

Boon for Devs

This could make it easier for developers to create awe-inspiring games, addressing complaints over the difficulty in working with the PlayStation 3.
"They pushed away developers with PS3, but this time they understand that the developers are really important to delivering that compelling software early on," said Christine Arrington, senior analyst for games at IHS Screen Digest.
"With the PS4, Sony knows it has to be leaps and bounds ahead of what you can do with a tablet or smartphone," she added.
"They are saying, 'We get it, we are a core game platform,'" Arrington told TechNewsWorld. "They know that out of the gate they need to have those games that core gamers go out and buy."
That strategy could certainly help Sony. The PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 are now in their seventh and eighth years respectively, and the long-generation cycle will likely be the future for the PS4 as well.
"It still makes sense for Sony and Microsoft and even Nintendo to go after that market, but the business has changed fundamentally in the way people consume games," said Billy Pidgeon, senior analyst at Inside Network. "This console cycle is going to be slower for everyone involved. Overall, there is going to be a slower penetration rate with new devices like the PS4. The early adopters will pile on, but it will be slower than in the past."

New Control and Connections

Sony did display its new DualShock 4 controller, a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR-equipped device that is reminiscent of the original controller but with a few new features. Most notable is the new light bar that contains a three-color LED that reportedly can correspond with the PlayStation Move motion capture interface and alert players to important in-game situations.
While not as revolutionary at first glance as Nintendo's Wii U controller, the new DualShock 4 is still an advancement for Sony.
"It is a good mix of what has worked for them. That DualShock has become almost iconic," said Pidgeon. "It shows Sony's commitment to hardcore gaming as well; it has to be different but also has to be kind of the same."
This also plays into the way Sony promised to integrate a second-screen option that could include connectivity with the PlayStation Vita, as well as with smartphones and tablets.
"They checked the box off on social media and the multiscreen gaming, and it looks like there will be greater integration with the PS Vita," Pidgeon told TechNewsWorld, "but what does that really mean? For a whole lot more money... you can do the Wii U thing."

Sony and Social Gaming

The question remains, however, whether Sony will be able to compete against the growing category of social gaming. Is it something that it will compete against or embrace?
"There is a little of both with the PS4," said Screen Digest's Arrington.
Nintendo is attempting to return to its core audience with the Wii U, but so far the system hasn't managed to get the same level of interest or buzz. However, Sony may have something Nintendo doesn't have. The PS3 is clearly more than just more of the same.
"Sony has an advantage because the Wii U [is] not a clear enough differentiators from the Wii," Arrington emphasized. "Sony won't fall into that problem." Fight for the Hardcore
Moreover Sony could be seen to be looking beyond simple games, and see its real competition as Microsoft's still-to-be-officially-announced Xbox 720.
"Sony wasn't going to address casual gaming such as competition from iOS or Android games at the PS4 launch because Sony's goal was to reinvigorate their core gaming audience, " said P.J. McNealy, consultant with Digital World Research. "The landscape is clearly different this generation."
"Not only is Sony competing against Microsoft and Nintendo, but also Ouya at some point, nVidia's upcoming platform, iOS games, Android games, Amazon games, Facebook games," McNealy told TechNewsWorld. "The list goes on."
In this case Sony could be looking to dominate the living room, even as gaming has gone well beyond something just done after work or after school. Today gaming is something people do everywhere, where shooting birds at pigs is just a way to kill time. This could make it hard for Sony to ever recapture its glory days completely.
"There is a huge competition between electronic platforms for consumer work and play hours," George T. Chronis, editor of DFC Dossier, told TechNewsWorld.
"PlayStation consoles will never again be dominant as in the days of the PS2," he said, "but consoles can still be a huge business for Sony."