Sony could continue to produce more PS4 in 2022 to cover for PS5 shortage

Sony's PlayStation 5 came out more than a year ago, and it's still facing shortage issues. By addressing them, a new report claims that the company will continue to manufacture PS4. In fact, it will continue producing about a million units in 2022.

Unnamed sources familiar with Sony's plan told Bloomberg that the company was supposed to stop making the predecessor at the end of 2021. However, the PS5 is still not meeting its demand. Therefore, continuing the PS4 production would give Sony more space to negotiate deals with the manufacturing partners by doing more business with cheaper-to-produce consoles.

The PS3 was in production for 11 years, so it's not surprising if the PS4 could stay in the market for a little longer. Furthermore, the console still has 104 million monthly active users, with 46 million members subscribing to PlayStation Plus. The subscribers also continue getting at least two PS4 games each month.

What do you think about this report? Leave a comment to let us know your opinion, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more gaming news.


Sony could have new Xperia Compact device in the works

The last Xperia Compact was the Xperia XZ2 in 2018

The smartphone market hasn't been a big focus for Sony in recent years, but the company has continued to make new devices every year. For next year, one of it is expected to be mid-range 5G device - Xperia 10 III. But another rumour hints that there would be a return of the Compact series of smartphones.

According to AndroidNext (source in Japanese), an Xperia Compact device could be launched in the first half of 2021. The device will have a 5.5-inch screen and come with the Snapdragon 775, which is Qualcomm's next mid-range 5G chipset. It's also said that this device will not be a Compact variant of the Xperia 1 III or Xperia 10 III.

Assuming that Sony doesn't come up with a new model, this rumoured device could either be the Xperia 1 III Compact or Xperia 5 III Compact. It'll also be the first Compact device since the Xperia XZ2 Compact launched in 2018. A new Compact model is a fairly exciting piece of news for people who like smaller devices, but it's best to take the rumour with a healthy pinch of salt.

Having said that, would you be keen on a new Xperia Compact smartphone? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Sony could host a PlayStation Showcase in Mar 2022, trailers for FF16 and Hogwarts Legacy expected

Every few months, Sony hosts a PlayStation event for new games that haven't been released. This PlayStation Showcase usually contains trailers for upcoming games, as well as launch dates for games that are coming soon. Now, a source has claimed that the next event is next month.

According to Nick Baker (Xbox Era co-founder), Sony does indeed have a show lined up for March 2022 and it would be one of the "good ones". This implies that this so-called event next month will have lots of big AAA titles that will be on showcase. Currently, fans speculate that Sony would show off more of Final Fantasy XVI, Hogwarts Legacy, and Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Happy to add to what’s already out there. Yes, they’ve got a show in March. This is supposed to be “the good one” https://t.co/lG0THwSOgq

Besides that, the company could also use the chance to showcase its latest console hardware. Recently, Sony published a blog to show the designs of the PlayStation VR2 and some design philosophies behind it. It feels like Sony is ready to launch the product, so the PlayStation Showcase would be a good chance to officially unveil the new VR headset.

Of course, there's no confirmation from Sony about an event, so take the news with a grain of salt. Having said that, what game would you like to see showcased if the event happens? Tell us the game you're most looking forward to in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for updates on the event.


Sony could release a new pair of PlayStation mobile controller grips next year

Whenever a brand submits a patent, it often sparks discussions of potential tech gadgets that could change our lives. However, it also has a 50-50 chance of seeing the light of the tunnel. This week, there was a new patent published by Sony Interactive Entertainment's Japanese division on a new pair of mobile controller grips.

From the drawing board, the controller grips seem to be designed and made for mobile gaming. Resembling the PlayStation 4 DualShock 4's look, it looks like an add-on clip for the device that users can easily slap on. Sources say that if this accessory goes through, it has the potential to play PS games via Remote Play or online cloud.

Apparently, Sony hired a former Apple Arcade executive, Nicola Sebastiani to lead in the mobile operations back in October. Then after the following month, Jim Ryan, the PlayStation CEO confirmed that the team is planning to bring some "iconic IP" to the mobile platform for 2022. At the moment, Ryan said they "are exploring the mobile market with some wonderful PlayStation franchises".

So far, the only confirmed PlayStation that's coming next year is WipEout. For those who don't know, it's a classic PS card-based racing game and it's planned to release on iOS and Android devices in early 2022. Triple-A title games or live service games are being looked into as well, which is quite exciting.

Since mobile gaming is extremely popular in Asia countries such as Malaysia, we can see a lot of potential in this gaming controller grip accessory. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony dropped two new headphones today and one of them is a cheaper alternative to the WH-1000XM3

When it comes to brands that make high-quality audio accessories, Sony will definitely make it into the list. For years, the company has produced many highly acclaimed audio products including the Sony WF-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM3, which are their more recent works. Today, Sony surprised us with dropping two new headphones, WF-XB700 - true wireless earbuds and WH-CH710N - over-ear wireless headphones.

First, let’s start by talking about the earbuds. The WF-XB700 is said to be a good pair of earbuds for all the bass heads out there. It comes with Sony’s signature Extra Bass technology to bring a punchier sound output. The earbuds also can last nine hours in a single charge, another nine hours with the charging case. It gets an IPX4 water and sweat resistance rating as well with a price of 129.99 USD (~RM565).

We think that most of you would find the next one more interesting. The WH-CH710N is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones with Sony’s new technology called “Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation (AINC)”. For those who are not going to spend big bucks but still want to get a pair of high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, you might need to consider this. Compared to Sony WH-1000XM3 that is currently sold with the retail price of RM1,399, this new headphones will be more affordable at 199.99 USD (~RM870).

Furthermore, the WH-CH710N’s noise cancellation setting doesn’t work the same as the one on WH-1000XM3, which you have to set manually through connected devices. It is said that this new pair of headphones will “automatically selects the most effective noise-cancelling mode for users’ surroundings”. Therefore, you might not have to ransack your pockets for your phone every time you want to adjust the setting. Other than that, the battery life of the headphones is claimed to be able to run up to 35 hours continuously after a full charge, which does sound impressive.

Let us know what you think about these Sony’s new audio gadgets on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more audio gadget updates.


Sony expects to launch PlayStation 5 on schedule, no delays due to coronavirus pandemic

Although the coronavirus pandemic has caused disruptions to many companies, Sony expects the PlayStation 5 to be launched according to schedule. The company recently released a statement to address the concerns of the public and its investors on the company's business. It details areas that may or may not be affected by the pandemic.

According to the statement, Sony believes that there will be no 'material impact' on its game and services segment for this year. This suggests that the supply of components and the time needed to manufacture the upcoming Sony PS5 console will not be affected. The PS5 is slated to launch during the Holiday 2020 season, so Sony fans should be able to get their hands on the console around November or December 2020.

On the flip side, some first-party game launch titles might not make it on time. Sony confirms that it's monitoring the production schedule for its developers in Europe and the US, which are counted among the regions hit hardest by the pandemic. Many of the affected countries have announced a form of lockdown similar to the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, possibly limiting the amount of progress that developers can make on games.

It's a good thing that the PS5 is backwards-compatible with most PS4 titles, as it means you'll still be able to play those even with a lack of launch titles. Having said that, would you be looking to purchase a PS5 as soon as it becomes available here? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Sony gave their explanation of why selected PS5 games will cost more than usual

As Malaysian gamers are getting ready for the Sony PlayStation 5's arrival, they might also have to face the fact that the PS5 games will be more expensive as well. According to a news report, Sony officials have confirmed that the usual $60 (~RM248) price tag will be increased to $70 (~RM289). Not all of the game titles will get it, but it will be inevitable for Triple-A types.

Just so you know, the $60 price tag is fixed for the past 15 years whenever a new video game gets released. In Sony's defence, they said the reason why the price will be increased is that as video games are getting longer and immersive thanks to technology breakthroughs, more time and manpower are needed. Indeed, developing video games nowadays requires a lot of resources and capital, and it's critical for game developers' future.

$10 is not a lot in their region, but it's a different story for us. Nonetheless, many people including non-gamers have turned to video games in times of comfort during this year while staying at home. At the moment, the upcoming PS5 games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Demon’s Souls and others will be priced from RM209 to RM299 at the 11 December launch.

There's no official date by Sony on when they will increase the price, but it will be just a matter of time. Anyway, the PS5 pre-order for Malaysia has already begun and we have a list of retailers on where you can make your purchase. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony gears up for a gaming-centric Xperia event on 12 September

Sony is preparing to reveal new products at another Xperia event on 12 September. It was not long ago when the brand launched the Xperia 5 IV, and it's moving forward fast. However, this Xperia event is not the usual one, as it seems like the brand is launching some gaming-centric products.

The tagline for this upcoming event is "made for pro gamers and streamers". It's unknown what exactly it'll bring, but we could have something from like a mobile controller to even a gaming phone. It's worth mentioning that Sony teamed up with BackBone to launch the BackBone One PlayStation Edition controller for iOS devices earlier this year. Therefore, an Android version of this gamepad could show up at this event.

Although a mobile gaming controller sounds more plausible, we're still secretly hoping for an Xperia gaming phone. Sony hasn't made a gaming phone since the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play in 2011. If you've forgotten what it's like, it's a mobile phone with a slide-out gamepad featuring four face buttons, a D-pad, a pair of shoulder buttons, and dual trackpads in lieu of analog sticks.

Are you excited to find out what will happen at the event? Drop a comment to let us know how you feel about it, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone news.


Apple Malaysia to hold special online Red Friday sale on 10 January 2014

The Apple Malaysia store will be holding a special Red Friday one-day shopping event on 10 January 2014 (this Friday). So far Apple hasn't said what discounts are available or for how much but they have said that purchases over RM250 will get free shipping. The one-day sale should start as the clock ticks over to 12.01am at midnight on Thursday. You can however expect 2 things, 1) things will go fast, so if you have the opportunity (and more importantly money) then get it quick, and 2) expect the Apple Malaysia store to get slow as users flood the site. We're guessing the Apple iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, Apple TV, iPod nano, iPod Touch, Macbook Air, iMac and MacBook Pro will be the ones to get the discounts as the links for these products have been changed to red just like the text of the advertisement. Accessories that may get the same treatment include those for the iPhone 5S, iPad mini and iPad Air.


Sony has lost almost 2 million PlayStation Plus subscribers since June 2022

Earlier this year, Sony launched new tiered plans for its PlayStation Plus subscription service and it looks like they are not as popular as the Japanese company expected. In fact, according to Sony’s latest fiscal earnings report, PlayStation Plus subscribers number have dropped by almost 2 million!

Specifically, the number of subscribers has dropped from 47.3 million in June 2022 to 45.4 million by the end of September 2022. The company’s latest financial report which can be viewed here also revealed that total time spent playing games on PlayStation also dropped by approximately 10 per cent year-on-year.

Sony attributed the drop in subscription numbers as well as playing times to the lack of PlayStation 5 (PS5) availability in the market. The report showed that a majority of subscribers are using a PS5 and accordingly, the company is planning to ramp up production of the console.

By doing so, Sony hopes that it can recoup some of the lost PlayStation Plus subscribers. Of course, the PS5 is super popular and always in demand, so this is a no-brainer. In the same report, the Japanese company said that it has now sold 25 million units of PS5.

So, what do you guys think of the PlayStation Plus subscription service? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!


Sony has taken some weight off the PS5 after price hike

If you saw the news recently, Sony has raised the prices of the PS5 globally, but not in the U.S. However, it also has made a minor change to the consoles, as new reports claim that the Disc and Digital editions of the PS5 are now lighter than ever.

This is not the first time for the company to introduce lighter versions of the consoles. Sony had started selling the PS5 that weighed 300 grams lighter back in August. It seems like it's doing it again with new models, CFI-1202B (Digital console) and CFI-1202A (Disc console), in Australia that weigh even less.

Previously, some weight got taken away due to the usage of a smaller heatsink. However, it's still unsure how Sony achieves it this time until someone tears the machines apart. There were rumours saying that Sony was going to start using a 6nm chip for the consoles, allowing it to reduce the heatsink's size further thanks to a more efficient processor.

It's said that the CF-1200 models are expected to launch more widely on 15 September, starting in Japan. What do you think about the news? Does it sound like an improvement to you? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Sony introduces 18-110mm Super 35mm / APS-C Lens with Power Zoom Capability

Sony SELP18110G Super 35mm / APS-C power zoom lens

Today, Sony has announced that they have developed a new advanced Super 35mm / APS-C format power zoom lens. Designed for the filmmakers, this powerful new creative tool starts at 18mm wide-angle and can extend to 110mm at the telephoto end (27mm – 165mm equivalent in 35mm format1), with 6.1x high zoom ratio even with inner focus; while maintaining a constant F4 aperture throughout for beautiful depth of field effects and stable exposure control across the entire standard zoom range.

Known as the SEL18110G, the top quality G Lens delivers image quality consists of 18 elements in 15 groups, including 6 aspherical elements and 3 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements. It also features a highly intricate 7 blade circular aperture design that delivers extremely high-resolution image quality, particularly suited to professional 4K movie shooting.

Furthermore, it also addresses three particular aspects of lens operation on movie quality:

Lastly, it sports an extra versatility thanks to Optical SteadyShot technology that provides in-lens image stabilisation during handheld shooting. The SELP18110G Super 35mm / APS-C power zoom lens for professional movie-makers and photographers will be available in selected Asia Pacific countries from March 2017.


Sony introduces Final Fantasy XV products – Walkman, headphones and Bluetooh speaker

A limited run of Sony’s Walkman has been launched, to coincide with the release of the new Final Fantasy XV for the PS4 and Xbox One. The A-series Walkman features pixel-art versions of the protagonists of the latest game etched to the rear of the metal body, along side the game’s Roman numeral logo.

This Walkman supports Hi-Res audio, and comes in either 16GB or 32GB for storage. At the same time, Sony also released their head.on MDR-100A headphones with Final Fantasy XV branding, as well a hear.go SRS-HG1 Bluetooth speakers – also with the Final Fantasy branding on board.

The A-series Walkman is priced at 33880 yen (~RM 1350) for the 16GB version and 38880 yen (~RM 1550) for the 32GB version. The hear.on headphones have a sticker price of 24380 yen (~RM 970) while the hear.go Bluetooth speakers will be priced at 29380 yen (~RM 1170). No news if these products will be available internationally – so stay tuned to TechNave for more news.


Sony introduces new BRAVIA LCD TV Line for RM1699 in Malaysia

A new BRAVIA LCD television, the W650D series by Sony, is now available in all Sony stores in Malaysia and www.sony.com.my for RM1699. There are two versions which are 40-inch class and 48-inch class, designed with sleek lines, elegant slim display, and clean cable management for home interiors.

One of its main features, the X-Reality PRO offers customers stunning details for any content such as TV broadcastings, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Internet video services and digital photos; it also reproduce lively colors without sacrificing any brightness, hue or saturation of the original object.

Another feature is its Clear Phase audio technology, what it does is it analyzes and compensates for inaccuracies in the built-in loud speaker’s response, producing a pure and smooth audio even reproduction of all frequencies.

Lastly, the W650D series can connect to a wide range of Internet video services such as YouTube and Netflix wirelessly by using built-in Wi-Fi, and customers (up to 10) can make use of the Photo Sharing Plus to share photos and music from their smartphone or tablet wirelessly on the big screen.

To learn more about the new Sony LCD TV, visit their official website to check it out.


Sony introduces new EXTRA BASS audio product - Sony GTK-XB7

With both SONY XB650BT EXTRA BASS Bluetooth Headphones and h.ear go speakers already in Malaysia, Sony Malaysia has announced today that a new powerful addition to its EXTRA BASS audio lineup - the GTK-XB7 One Box High Power Audio System featuring 16cm woofers that are able to bring in club sounds and the deep bass intensity into your home. Below is the specification list:

The GTK-XB7 is a box with a bombastic bass, featuring a massive low-frequency response from two large 16cm woofers. Sony implemented a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology into the speaker that processes frequencies according to the source while maintaining excellent audio quality, resulting a more powerful, punchy and deep bass notes that defines today's electronic dance tracks.

Not only that, it even has exciting colour changing patterns such as 3-way line lights, strobe flashes and speaker light effects that interact with the music. You can also position the XB7 vertically or on its side, and even add a second XB7 unit via Speaker Add function and Bluetooth, doubling your music experience.

In addition, the One-Touch listening allows you to stream your favourite tracks and playlist via Bluetooth with a single touch of your NFC smartphone or tablet. Speaking of devices, you can download the Sony SongPal app and add DJ-style effects on the songs, the USB on the XB7 can also charge your device while it's playing the songs, and an audio input for connecting MP3 players and any other sound source.

The EXTRA BASS product lineup with Sony XB650BT Headphones on top and h.ear go speakers below

Last but not least, if you're a fan of EDM festivals, Sony and EXTRA BASS is proud to be the official partners for ULTRA Singapore 2016 and will be giving fans and 'Ultranauts' the opportunity to win tickets throughout the whole month of August. To win the exclusive tickets, participants will have to purchase a selected EXTRA BASS product at any authorized Sony Stores or Centres in Malaysia, answer a few questions and you'll be on your way to ULTRA Singapore 2016!

For more information about the product or tickets, select either of the links below and get started!


Sony introduces new OLED TV, the A1E with no speaker grill

As Sony continues to drive the popularization of HDR, the Japanese tech giant company has unveiled a new OLED TV called the A1E Bravia OLED which features a 4K HDR processor X1 Extreme and Sony’s unique Acoustic Surface technology. With these two features combined, this eliminates the speakers and the sound is now emitted from the screen, making the visual and sound become “one”.

The 4K HDR processor X1 Extreme which was featured in Sony’s flagship Z9D series. X1 Extreme, is able to give the A1E a visual appeal of 4K HDR content, this draws out the full potential of self-emitting OLED panels, producing deep blacks and brights that more faithfully capture real world visuals.

In addition, with the speakers gone, the unique Acoustic Surface technology will produce the sound by vibrating the display which enables the sound output directly from the screen, enabling it to be a speaker-less and stand-less TV.

No price tag nor availability are made known yet, but we sure hope this will come to Malaysia some time in the future this year. Stay tuned for more Sony and CES 2017 news at Technave.com.


Sony is expected to launch a new flagship and several smartphones at MWC 2020

Not long ago, CES 2020 caused a stir in the technology industry with companies showing their latest spectacular inventions. Now. the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 is approaching as well and we can’t wait to see what are the new technologies that smartphone manufacturers are going to bring to us. Sony has confirmed to be at the show by sending out invites for an event in which they might launch several new smartphones, let’s find out what they could be!

First, Sony is expected to launch a plus-sized version of Sony Xperia 5 and it might be named Xperia 5 Plus, we guess Sony is going to take it easy with their naming system compared to the others if it’s true. It is also said that the company will launch another flagship that packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 processor, 5G connectivity and other high-end features from 2020 smartphones.

Other than that, a mid-range device is expected to be announced at the event as well, and it is said to come with a Snapdragon 765 processor. For the design, Sony is rumoured to ditch the old-school screen borders by introducing punch-hole cutout to house the front camera. Do take these rumours with a grain of salt as Sony hasn’t released any information on the products they are going to announce at the event yet.

The Sony MWC 2020 event will be happening on 24th February at 3:30 pm. For those who are interested, Sony has announced they will live stream the event as well. Let us know what you think about these rumoured smartphones on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone updates.


Sony is gearing up for a mysterious Xperia event happening on 26 October 2021

Sony doesn't launch that many smartphones in a year, so it's surprising to see that the company is gearing up for a launch event happening on 26 October. Not only that, but Sony is also good at keeping secrets as there is zero rumour about its plan.

Although Sony announced the Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III, and Xperia 10 III back in April, the devices were not available until months later. The flagship Xperia 1 III only started to ship in August, followed by Xperia 10 III in September. Meanwhile, the mid-range Xperia 5 III has not even made it into the Malaysian market yet.

According to the source, it's definitely way too early for the Xperia 1 Mark IV. It's also weird for the company to specially hold such an event to introduce new mid-range or budget devices. Therefore, could it be something big like the first Sony Xperia foldable, or something even more exciting?

Let us know how curious are you about the event by leaving a comment. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more smartphone reports.


Sony is officially entering the Android and iOS mobile games market

Sony today announced that it intends to start producing mobile games for iOS and Android devices after the successful acquisition of Savage Game Studios. Moreover, the Japanese tech giant also revealed that it has created a new PlayStation Studios Mobile Division, which Savage Game Studios will be joining.

In a blog post, Sony said that its mobile gaming efforts will not take away anything from its work on console gaming. Instead, the mobile division will be ‘additive’ and will provide new ways for people to engage with PlayStation content and reach new audiences unfamiliar with PlayStation and its games.

Savage Game Studios is touted by Sony as having “many years of experience making some of the most popular mobile games”. In fact, the founders of the game studio have worked for companies such as Rovio, Zynga and Wargaming.

The PlayStation Studios Mobile Division will operate independently of Sony’s console team. It will focus on innovative, on-the-go experiences based on new and existing PlayStation IP. Currently, the division is working on a new “unannounced AAA mobile live service action game”.

So, what do you guys think of this move by Sony? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!


Apple Maps now has Waze-like features in iOS 14.5 beta

Last week, Apple released the public beta for iOS 14.5 that came with quite a few new features. For instance, it added support for face unlocking with a mask on and the latest gaming console controllers. It was also confirmed that Apple Maps will get a big update.

According to MacRumors, iOS 14.5 beta adds new features to Apple Maps that are similar to Waze. Specifically, Apple Maps now lets you report accidents, hazards, and speed check cameras. Other users of the app will then be able to see your reports, allowing them to avoid the accidents and hazards if they prefer.

Making a report is simple enough - just swipe up on the screen with the map details and you should see the 'Report' button. The reporting feature works with Siri and CarPlay too, so that's convenient. However, it seems that it tags your current location without asking for a confirmation, which might be bad if you accidentally tapped on it. Also, we haven't confirmed if this beta feature is available in Malaysia.

To those who still have to drive daily, were you able to beta test this feature? Let us know how it's working for you in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sony is officially postponing their PlayStation 5 event in June 2020

While gamers everywhere are excited to wait and see the next-gen PlayStation 5 unveiling by Sony on 4 June 2020, the company have just announced that the event will be postponed once again. This is due to the recent events of police brutality that happened in the US.

The official announcement was tweeted by Sony on their Twitter account just a few hours ago, whereby they stated that they "do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard". While it's quite a bummer that we gamers have to wait again, we also understand the important matter of the current circumstances. At this moment, there's no new date scheduled for the PS5 yet.

For those who are not aware of what's happening in the US, it all started when the late George Floyd was accused of doing something illegal (but not really) and was pinned down by a squad of police officers. He later had body complications and passed away unbeknownst to them, which got them fired eventually but it wasn't enough to cause a turmoil and riot among the citizens. Reports of looting stores have also increased from the incident across the US, forcing some franchise stores like Apple to close down temporarily again for the safety of the employees.

We are only halfway in 2020 and there are just too many unsettling events. Despite that, our Conditional Movement Control Order is improving immensely but whether if it will be lifted on 9 June 2020 remains to be seen. Stay safe and stay tuned for the official PS5 news at TechNave.com.


Sony is planning to bring PlayStation video game franchises to mobile by March 2022

This has been a busy year for Sony's gaming department PlayStation. Not only coping with the PlayStation 5 demand, but it is also reported to be working on bringing some of the popular console titles to mobile soon. The plan is expected to occur by the end of the financial year in March 2022.

According to Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan, the company is beginning its journey to take PlayStation first-party IP off the console after a very successful publishing debut of Horizon Zero Dawn and Predator for PC. He also presented research suggesting that mobile gaming generated $121 billion (~RM500 billion) worldwide in 2020, compared to $62 billion (~RM256 billion) brought in by the console market. Therefore, we can now understand why the company is finally making the move.

Sources are saying that PlayStation opened a new business unit to adapt its most popular franchises for mobile earlier this year and was hiring developers. We could see some of Sony's popular video game franchises including "God of War," "Gran Turismo," "Killzone," "The Last of Us," "Little Big Planet," "Ratchet & Clank," "Until Dawn," "Uncharted," and more to make their ways to mobile soon.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more interesting tech news.


Sony is rumoured to launch the successor of a very old Xperia smartphone in 2021

After launching the trio Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III, and Xperia 10 III, it is rumoured that Sony will be presenting another surprise device this year. It is suggested to be a successor of the Xperia Z Ultra, which is a very old device launched in 2013.

The rumour came from a tipster named Zackbuks after he/she posting "Hello, Xperia Z Ultra" on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. At this moment, it is still unknown why would the company think of bringing the successor to the market after a long eight-year gap. It is also worth noting that the post might be a false alarm as no official statement has been made regarding the device.

According to the source who spotted the post, it is said that 2021 has been a year of the 'Ultra' devices and Sony wants to hop on the trend as well. Devices such as Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra have gained a lot of attention with their attractive tech specs and features. It is also mentioned that profit margins on premium devices are higher than on more affordable smartphones. Therefore, this could be the reason why Sony wants to release an Xperia Z Ultra device after such a long time.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest smartphone rumour.


Sony is skipping physical launch-day sale for PlayStation 5 due to the pandemic

As Malaysians continue to wait for the official PlashSpeed PlayStation 5 by Sony Malaysia (or is it PlayStation Asia?), the first wave is waiting eagerly to get their hands on the next gaming console on 12 November (or 19 November, depending on your location). However, the company just made their announcement that the PS5 won't be appearing in selected stores at all.

Of course, this is due to the pandemic that's happening around the globe. So the only logical step for the company to do is to distribute the sales online on selected retail partners. With that being said, they are urging the fans not to camp out or wait in line over the night just in case so they can curb the cluster. We can only assume that the same thing would happen in our region when the day arrives.

In addition, Sony also confirmed that the SSD storage expansion feature won't be available on day one as well. Although the PS5 has an internal slot that kind of supports an expansion, it would be on hold for now until an M2 drive can keep up with the PS5 speed. Until then, it possible that we would have to wait at the end of the year of 2021.

Tune in to the PlayStation 5 Asia Celebration on 11 November 11pm (GMT+8) as we celebrate the upcoming launch of the PS5...

In other news, PlayStation Asia is hosting a PS5 Asia Celebration 11.11 online and giving away prizes such as the gaming console itself. However, the group are met with backlash for being "bias" towards Singapore and neglecting other Southeast Asia countries around it like us (you can read the comments at the FB post above). Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony is testing the PlayStation Plus Video Pass streaming service in Poland

Video streaming isn't a new concept these days, but we still see a new platform every year. In fact, Sony recently unveiled plans to try its hand on the video-on-demand business. Leaks indicate that the new service would be called PlayStation Plus Video Pass.

According to Video Games Chronicle, Sony is testing the PlayStation Plus Video Pass in Poland. It would provide users with access to more than 20 Sony Pictures movies and TV shows, with more to be added in the coming months. Allegedly, Poland was chosen because the PlayStation Plus service is highly popular in the country.

If we're not mistaken, Sony came up with this new service to replace the video content that would be removed from the PlayStation Store on 31 August 2021. In exchange, PlayStation Plus subscribers will get more value on their monthly subscription. Anyway, the new service is currently on trial in Poland until 22 April 2022. Unfortunately, it's unknown if Sony plans to bring the trial service to other countries like Malaysia.

To those who have a Sony PS4 or PS5, would this new video pass convince you to subscribe to PlayStation Plus? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for further updates about it.


Sony is testing video and image sharing for PS5 games via PlayStation App

If you're gaming on your Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5), you can press the Share button on your controller to send screenshots or video clips to others. It's not the fastest or most convenient interface of sharing, but there hasn't been another way of doing it on your phone before. Until now, that is.

Recently, Sony started testing a new version of the PlayStation App (PS App) in Canada and Japan. It will allow users to upload screenshots or video clips from their PS5, then access them on a mobile device via the PS App. What's great is that you won't need to register for a beta. Anyone living in those two countries can download the latest version of the app to test the new features.

A limited-release beta enabling PS5 players in Canada and Japan to share their captured screenshots and game clips through PlayStation App is starting to roll out today. For details, check out: https://t.co/afVHXLbJsZ pic.twitter.com/WMVWqHP1GY

According to Sony, you will need to link your PS5 to your PS App account first. If your PS5 is in rest mode, you can even set it to auto-upload screenshots and videos. Once uploaded, you will be able to view the file on the PS App by going to Library and selecting 'Captures'. You can then share these on other apps on your phone via the Share feature. Of course, some limitations are listed on the PlayStation website.

At the moment, we're not sure if Sony PlayStation will enable this beta for other regions. But unless the feature is too buggy and doesn't work well, we expect it to launch globally by next year. Having said that, is this a feature that you would need? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sony joins several exhibitors to skip the MWC 2020 due to virus concerns

The coronavirus has spread from land to land and almost every country has started to take precautions against it. From banning China travellers entering the country to cancelling events, these are the things that are currently happening to ensure people’s health and safety. Although the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 has not been cancelled, there are still few exhibitors who announced that they will not be joining this year. Today, Sony becomes another exhibitor to pull out from the event, in concern of the virus outbreak as well.

Sony has made an official announcement to inform the public that they will not be making an appearance at the event. Instead, they turn to the other way which is to do a live streaming video on YouTube to launch their highly expected new Xperia smartphones. The live stream is scheduled to happen at 3:30 p.m. (Malaysia Time) on the official Xperia channel.

Other than Sony, the other big companies including LG, Nvidia, ZTE, Amazon and Ericsson have also announced that they will skip the event this year. The organizer GSMA will be following some of the protocols to ensure participants’ safety as well with rules like ‘no handshake policy’, changing microphones for different speakers, no attendees from China’s Hubei province, and every visitors from China must prove that they have stayed out of their country for at least two weeks.

Let us know what you think about this issue on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more viral tech news.


Sony just launched a wearable air conditioner for ~RM575

Wait, a wearable air conditioner? Yup, Sony just launched this amazing device that would prove useful in an all-day summer country like Malaysia. It costs only $140 which is roughly around ~RM575 but too bad it's only selling in Japan.

Anyway, this wearable air conditioner is called the Reon Pocket 2. You can pair this device with your smartphone (to monitor the temperature) and then wear it as if it's a necklace but on your back. In terms of specs, Sony said that the wearable air con has a mini circuit that pushes more power to the thermal module and twice the endothermic performance for cooling air.

Since it's designed to be on your back, the Reon Pocket 2 is sweat and drip-resistant for outdoor activities. It also has a built-in rechargeable 3350mAh battery that lasts up to 4 hours of usage at Level 1 power. If you adjust it to 4 hours maximum, it will last for 1.5 - 2 hours. Sony even made some compatible clothing for the Rean Pocket 2 so that you don't need to keep it in place all the time.

It sounds like a neat device to have. Maybe one day when you get to fly to Japan, you can get one of this stuff back home. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony just made a 48MP Stacked CMOS Image Sensor for smartphones

Yup, you read that right, there's gonna be a 48MP sensor by Sony and that has set the bar of the highest pixel count in the industry. Moreover, this new sensor is made specifically for smartphone cameras! Let's what this bad boy has in stored for me.

According to the Sony website, the new sensor is called IMX586 stacked CMOS image and is currently the world's first ultra-compact pixel size of 0.8μm. With that, this is why it was possible to pack in the 48MP into the 1/2 type unit and it's a perfect solution for smartphones that don't really allow as much as space a DSLR. Speaking of DSLR, this could effectively kill off the market as the new sensor features a Quad Bayer colour filter array. Long story short, it's able to produce images in low noises thanks to the integrated exposure control and signal processing functionality technology.

So to speak, the new sensor was designed to improve light collection efficiency and photoelectric conversion efficiency, even when in zooming in, the image quality won't be as blurred as its predecessors. The dynamic range is four times greater than any conventional products so that's something to look forward to in mobile photography.

To read the full story, you can head over to Sony's newsroom here to check it out. Also, what do you think of this new improvement? Stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.


Sony just revealed a new dedicated & huge cooling fan accessory for the Xperia 1 IV

Today, Sony just announced a brand new cooling fan accessory for the Sony Xperia 1 IV exclusively. Dubbed the Xperia Stream, this is a multiport accessory with a cooling fan for pro mobile gamers to cool down the Xperia 1 IV phone and stream at the same time.

From the livestream, the Xperia Stream was designed by Sony in a collaboration with eSports team SCARZ and it fully covers the phone from end to end, thus making it quite thick. According to the presenters, the accessory is actually lightweight so it won't make the phone heavier. There are some ports below it too, including an audio jack, HMDI, LAN and a USB C port.

Cooling performance is definitely the main feature here, as the rear cooling fan's role is the capture the air and circulate it to the entire phone, even to the front display (slightly) thanks to the Xperia Stream's curvature at the sides. Sony calls this the Total Cooling System.

Sony didn't mention anything about the price and availability, but the Xperia Stream will make an appearance at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show so the public can try out at Sony's demo gameplay booth. But what do you think of this cooling accessory? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Apple Maps overhauled but will be available to US users for now

The modern smartphone user has gotten so used to navigating around using a map software that it's not wrong to say some are hopeless without one. Recently, Apple saw fit to release a newly redesigned Maps software for all iOS users in the United States.

For the impatient, Apple took too long to release this new version. But now it's out and it should deliver better road coverage, accurate addresses, pedestrian data, and more. According to the official press release, it should also have improved navigation capability. As mentioned, the new version of Maps is currently available to users in the US but will also be gradually released to other parts of Europe in 2020. Unfortunately, there was no mention of it being rolled out to other regions yet, let alone Malaysia.

Hopefully, Apple will release the new version for iOS in Malaysia soon. With that said, how many of you actually use Apple Maps for navigation or prefer an alternative? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news updates.


Sony just revealed their own "PlashSpeed" wireless router and it looks exactly like the PS4

I hope you still remember about the PlashSpeed online joke that surfaced 2 months ago because it turns out that Sony have just revealed that they are really doing it. Not exactly called as the PlashSpeed, but it's really a new wireless router called the NGD-G1000T that was recently launched in Japan. Heck, it's even shaped similarly like a PlayStation 4 but thinner.

Manufactured by Sony's network service subsidiary, So-net, this is the latest and first hardware device and they recently launched a fibre optic communication service called NURO. Anyway, the official website states that the wireless router supports WiFi 6 with a maximum communication speed of 4800Mbps for 5GHz, while the maximum speed for the 2.4GHz is 1150Mbps. It weighs 790g and supports Bluetooth connectivity as well.

Another piece of interesting news is that Sony actually had their own many years ago but it was shut down. Perhaps the technology was ahead of its time back then and the consumers didn't see the need of it yet, so the NGD-G1000T wireless router this time is another shot at redemption for Sony.

But what do you think? Would you get this PlashSpeed wireless router if it was available in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony latest full-frame mirror less camera A9 II will be coming into Malaysia in December!

Today, Sony has just announced the launch of its latest line up full-frame camera, Alpha A9 II which will be coming into Malaysia this December. The Sony Alpha A9 has been an ideal and perfect camera for professionals since 2017.

Dai Tanaka, Director, Digital Imaging Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific mentioned that the all-new Sony Alpha A9 II is the direct result of countless feedback sessions with agency, sports and news photographers since the launch of the original Alpha 9. So let’s take a look into the tech specs of the camera.

The new model can capture up to 20fps for up to 361 JPEG images or 239 compressed RAW images during continuous shooting without blackout with the 60 AF and auto-exposure calculations per second computation speed. It also has been improved to shoot at up to 10fps which is about 2x the speed compared to its previous predecessor.

Besides, it has an improved shutter speed with the 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization system, an upgraded BIONZ X image processing engine to enhance the speed in AF/AE detection, image processing, face detection and accuracy from the sensor’s faster readout speed. It’s latest image-processing algorithm also helps to reduce noise while improving subjective resolution and image quality.

The Sony A9II is complemented an extremely versatile E-mount system that can support with the 55 native lenses and the super-telephoto 600mm and 400mm G Master series lenses. As it is perfectly designed tool for professionals either in the field or on the field.

As for the body built, it has been upgraded with a dust and moisture resistant design, a stronger sealing on the whole body to meet the needs of professionals in the most challenging outdoor conditions especially on sports events. A USB Type-C connector for fast data transfer, an improved grip configuration, button designs and also shutter mechanism will reduce the possibility of blurry image to nearly zero.

Either way, there is still no information on the Malaysia pricing for the camera, but with all the new features and upgrades, it is worth an upgrade? Let us know at our Facebook page and stay tuned for more updates on TechNave.com!


Sony launches Xperia Z3+ for RM2599 on 29 August 2015

Sony Mobile Communications has launched the Sony Xperia Z3+ smartphone for Malaysia. Available starting from 29 August 2015 at Sony Stores and Sony Centres priced at RM2599, the first 200 buyers will get a micro USB charging dock (DK52) worth RM139 for free. While it retains many of the same features as the Xperia Z3, the Xperia Z3+ is a slimmer 6.9mm and lighter 144g with the same signature 2-day battery life. This is the dual SIM version which should be good news for those who have multiple SIMs. Like the rest of of Sony's newer waterproof smartphones, the Xperia Z3+ also has a capless micro USB port so you don't have to worry about any fiddly ports if it gets wet. Check out the full tech specs for the Sony Xperia Z3+ below:


Sony launches the A9F and Z9F as part of the MASTER series HDR 4K TVs

Today Sony has announced the launch of two new MASTER series 4K HDR TVs namely the A9F and Z9F. Running on the latest generation Picture Processor X1™ by Sony, is able to intelligently detect and analyse each object in the image with Sony’s new object-based Super Resolution to ensure maximum accuracy and detail in the content the users are consuming. Not only that, the Object-based HDR helps remaster each objects on screen to provide better detail, depth and accuracy to help improve on the picture quality of the images.

The TVs are also compatible with CalMAN which is a display calibration software which is widely used by professionals to ensure the display is well calibrated to maintain tip-top picture quality throughout the use of the TV. The MASTER Series A9F has two sizes being the 65-inch and 55-inch display models while the Z9F will unfortunately not be available in Malaysia. Visit Sony’s official website for more information and for more updates like these, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sony leads the camera sensor industry with Samsung and OmniVision chasing after

According to analytical company Strategic Analytics, Sony is the one who is leading the camera sensor industry by owning 46% market share. It is reported that the global market for camera sensors for smartphones reached 15 billion USD in 2020, an increase of 13% over 2019. Therefore, you can roughly estimate how much Sony is earning in just the camera sensor industry alone from the statistics.

After Sony, there are manufacturers like Samsung System LSI and OmniVision Technologies. These top three companies occupy almost 85% of the market. From a statement shared by the company, it is mentioned that "the pandemic did little to dent the camera sensor market growth as CIS vendors observed strong demand from smartphone OEMs who aggressively adopted high-resolution sensors and higher sensor count across smartphone tiers in 2020."

Besides this, the company also predicted that the global smartphone shipments will rebound +6.5% YoY to reach 1.38 billion units in 2021. It is said that the growth is driven by the improved economic situation as the COVID-19 pandemic weakens. Furthermore, a smartphone analyst at the company claimed that Xiaomi could even surpass HUAWEI and become the third-largest global smartphone vendor this year.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more exciting tech news.


Sony leaks release window of Xperia 1 II, expected to launch around end of April 2020

Back in late February 2020, Sony unveiled two new Xperia devices that were supposed to be revealed during MWC 2020. Of the two, the Xperia 1 II is the brand's latest high-end flagship device with a focus on cameras and it's coming soon. Sony Spain recently leaked the fact that the phone will be available on the market near the end of April 2020.

The Xperia 1 II is a flagship device sporting a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery. Also, it will come with a 6.5-inch 4K display with 90Hz display refresh rate and Motion Blur Reduction, as well as a triple rear camera setup featuring ZEISS lens coating. A leak back in March 2020 also revealed that one of the rear cameras will be using a brand new Sony sensor, which should be able to capture even better photos than previous models.

Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, Sony Spain has confirmed the availability on Twitter. A user had inquired as to when the phone was going to be on sale, to which Sony Spain replied with: "The Xperia 1 II will be available on the market later this month." If that's not official, I don't know what is.

From the specs revealed so far, this phone should be fantastic for content like videos and games. Hopefully, Sony's camera software can keep up with its sensors as well. With that said, would you consider buying this phone if it's launched in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Sony made a statement regarding Gamers Hideout's PWP policy during the PS5 pre-order event

Update - Gamers Hideout just issued an apology post on their Facebook account, saying that their customer service will be contacting those who have pre-ordered the PS5 PWP bundle and readjust the purchases

The pre-order of PS5 started on 11 November in Malaysia and all of them were sold out in just one day. For those who got to secure one, congratulations! However, for some, the whole pre-order process might not be that smooth. Other than expressing disappointment towards the stocks on social media platforms, some users have also pointed out Gamers Hideout requiring buyers to go through PWP (Purchase with Purchase) to pre-order the PS5. Today, Sony has unofficially made a statement regarding the issue.

In the screenshot of a Facebook chat with Sony Malaysia, the company mentioned that they acknowledged the issue and will take action against those who took advantage of the pre-order event of the PS5. They also mentioned that customer satisfaction is their utmost priority and apologized for the inconvenience caused.

[This is a repost image, no prove of whether it happened but I hope it did] [Because GH is low with PO bundles] [JGN MINTAK BUKTI, KU XDE] GAMERS HIDEOUT KOYAKKKKK shared on my gaming discord. BUT DAMN

Although Gamers Hideout has been doing PWP with other gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, it looks like the PS5 pre-order is not for them to pull the same stunt. In a screenshot provided by a Facebook user, the PWP includes a game of choice, a 3-in-1 mystery game pack worths RM599.90, and a couple of PS5 accessories. In the end, pre-ordering the PS5 from the site will cost RM3000++.

Let us know what you think about this news on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more local news like this one.


Sony might be considering adding Crunchyroll subscription to PlayStation Plus

For those unaware, Sony acquired Crunchyroll for USD 1.175 billion (~RM4.98 billion) at the end of last year. The move was recently completed, so Sony could be thinking about how to make use of the platform. One way could involve PlayStation Plus.

According to Eurogamer (via Video Games Chronicles), Sony could be looking to create a service that allows you to watch anime available on Funimation and Crunchyroll. There are also plans to allegedly offer Crunchyroll as a subscription service for PlayStation Plus users. It could be made available for customers who sign up for a higher level premium.

Sony is already testing a Video Pass service for PS Plus in Poland, so adding anime won't be a surprise

Tony Vinciquerra, a Sony executive, also hinted that the addition of Crunchyroll is an opportunity in other areas. It's suggested that the company wants to deliver anime across any platform a user could choose, with home entertainment mentioned along with games. This could mean the inclusion of Crunchyroll as an app in Sony smart TVs.

If Sony adds Crunchyroll to PlayStation Plus, how much would you be willing to top-up for it? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Sony might release the WH-1000XM4 headphones at this mysterious event

Sony has announced a mysterious product launch event that will be held in China on 6 August. It is exciting as the Internet is suggesting that the event could be the one for us to witness the arrival of the highly-anticipated Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones.

The successor of the best noise-cancelling headphones WH-1000XM3 has been showing up a few times with leaked tech specs before this. Therefore, it leads us to believe that Sony will soon drop the WH-1000XM4 to win our hearts again. If you didn't follow the news earlier, the WH-1000XM4 is expected to have a 40mm audio driver with a frequency response of up to 30kHz. It might also come with a battery that could last up to 30 hours on a single full charge.

However, the event is also speculated to be the launch of the Sony Xperia 1 II in China. If it is, it might be kinda disappointing as we have already seen the Xperia 1 II back in February. As Sony hasn't officially specified anything yet, we can still hope for it to be the launch event for the Sony WH-1000XM4!

Let us know what you think about the mysterious Sony event on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more exciting tech news.


Sony my Xperia Helps you Find your Xperia smartphone

Sony has just completed its my Xperia mobile security app and is releasing it in stages according to smartphone model and market. Designed for Xperia smartphones released in 2012 and 2013 the app helps you:

Granted, you have to have the app installed and setup before it went missing to use these features. You also have to register online but once you do it, it should offer a bit more value and security for your Sony Xperia smartphones. You can check out my Xperia here.


Apple Music Replay gets a revamp with new "highlight reel" feature

Apple Music has levelled up its Spotify Wrapped-like streaming summary for 2022. The platform has added a "highlight reel" feature to the Apple Music Replay 2022, making the experience similar to browsing Instagram Stories.

The highlight reel will offer a series of social media-style animated cards that show musical highlights from the past year based on users' streaming patterns. Besides that, relevant music also gets played in the background for each card. The highlight reel is viewable on desktop browsers but is still primarily designed for mobile displays. After finishing, users can scroll down to see the featured sections with more informative breakdowns of their top albums and playlists from 2022. They can also add them to the Apple Music Replay 2022 playlist in the Music app at the bottom of the page.

If you wonder why have to add the playlist manually, it's because Apple Music Replay remains a web browser-only experience. After doing so, the Music app can only display and play a basic playlist of users' top songs for the year, ranked by most played. Although it's closer to what Spotify offers, we would still like to see more improvements in the coming years, probably unique ones!

Are you ready to bombard social media with the list of songs you listened to over the year? Because we are! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech updates.


Sony officially announce Alpha 7 and 7R full-frame mirrorless E-mount digital cameras

Sony has officially announced the Sony Alpha 7 and 7R full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras for the masses. Confirming tech specs mentioned previously, the Sony Alpha 7 will offer a 24.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor, a BIONZ X processor a low-pass filter and all at $1700 (RM5374) for just the body. The Sony Alpha 7R bumps up the features to a 36.3MP sensor minus the low-pass filter but packs in the same BIONZ X processor at $2300 (RM7271), again for just the body. Both have built-in WiFi and USB PC along with XGA OLED electronic viewfinders to go with 3-inch 1.23M-dot LCD screens that can be tilted up 84 degrees and down 45 degrees. Both look nearly identical with an awesome magnesium alloy build and have fairly small footprints for full-frame camera sensors and should make good options for the professional and enthusiast photographer. If you're looking for a kit the Sony Alpha 7 includes a 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens at $2000 (RM6323) while other lenses will be made available in later months. No specific Malaysia release dates but both cameras are expected to ship in December 2013.


Sony officially announces which Xperia devices are jumping to Android 6.0 Marshmallow

According to the Sony Xperia Blog, Sony will update a number of devices right up to Android 6.0 Marshmallow without requiring users to download the Android 5.1 Lollipop update first. Unfortunately, there is no mention of any Malaysia release dates or any specific dates as to when each Xperia device will be getting said update. We expect said updates to come in the next few months but while you wait, check out the list below to see if your Sony Xperia device is listed (Dual SIM devices are also included where possible).


Sony officially confirms that a7s III is launching on 28 July 2020

A few weeks ago, rumours about a new mirrorless camera from Sony surfaced. At the time, it was said that Sony would be launching the a7s III this month, followed by another full-frame mirrorless camera in August. Sony officially confirmed this recently and we now have a launch date.

The Sony a7s III is a long-anticipated successor to the excellent a7s II, which was launched back in September 2015. If you visit Alpha Universe, you will notice that there's now a teaser confirming that the Sony a7s III will be launching on 28 July 2020 (10 PM MYT). With the launch, you can expect a camera that will deliver great performance in low-light. If you'd like to receive alerts about the new camera, you can register yourself here.

7.28.2020 #BeAlpha Visit https://t.co/RnPhsty84b to stay up to date on all things #SonyAlpha. pic.twitter.com/WpocoK3O2k

Last month, Sony Imaging Business's VP Kenji Tanaka mentioned that everything about the Sony a7s III will be new. It's expected to feature a new image sensor and we believe it'll have overall better tech specs, including a higher pixel count. Sony Alpha Rumors claims that Sony new image sensor will still sport an effective 12MP and that it will be able to record Full HD videos in 240fps.

Without any official details from Sony, we can only take these rumours on specs with a grain of salt. But with that said, what kind of improvements are you expecting from the Sony a7s III? Do let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates on this.


Sony officially launched their new EXTRA BASS™ lineup starting from RM199

In conjunction with The Judgement Day competition that was held at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Sony has launched several new products in their EXTRA BASS™ lineup such as the SRS-XB12 starting from RM199, SRS-XB22 from RM419, SRS-XB32 from RM619 and lastly, the GTK-XB72 starting from RM1499 onwards with battery life lasting up to 24 hours.

All the speakers other than the SRS-XB12 mentioned comes with the LIVE SOUND mode, which uses the Digital Signal Processing technology to pair up to 100 LIVE SOUND compatible speakers in order to provide a concert-like experience that immerses the listeners into the music.

Not only that, but the speakers also have an IP67 rating making it great for use at parties where excessive dirt and water are present. The metal grill of the SRS-XB22 and SRS XB-XB32 are also rustproof as well as shockproof, allowing it to withstand even the hardest of parties. If you are interested in purchasing the speakers, simply head over to Sony’s official website and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sony officially releases Reon Pocket, a wearable air-conditioner

Some companies make the weirdest things, though some of them could prove useful. Take Sony, for example, which just released a new wearable device. The Reon Pocket is a wearable cooler that will keep the heat down on hot days and it's officially available on Sony Japan's online store.

Originally introduced last year in a Kickstarter campaign, Sony was going to release the Reon Pocket in conjunction with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics got postponed to next year, but Sony ended up going ahead with the launch of the device. Those who are interested in it can buy it for about 13000 yen (~RM524) from the Sony Japan online store or Amazon Japan.

So, how does it work? Well, it's able to directly cool the surface it contacts with. To best maximise its effect, Sony is also selling a customised undershirt for 1800 yen (~RM73) that comes with a special pocket for the device. By placing the wearable inside, the wearer will be able to feel a cooling sensation on their back. The Reon Pocket can last about 2.5 hours on a full charge, which should be enough for you to commute from work to home or vice versa.

Considering that Malaysia has months of hot weather too, this device would be cool (pun intended) to have. However, we have no idea if Sony has any plans to release this outside of Japan, as it seems like it may be a niche product. But what do you think about it, would you be interested in buying one? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Sony officially unveils the WH-CH710N Noise Cancelling Headphones at RM699

Sony Malaysia has officially announced that their new WH-CH710N Noise Cancelling Headphones, is finally available in Malaysia at the price of only RM699. If you are interested in purchasing the aforementioned headphones, you can head over to the Sony Store located in KLCC, The Curve, Sony’s Online store, partners, as well as their flagship store on Lazada.

In terms of the features it comes with, the WH-CH710N is equipped with the Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation which is able to automatically select the best noise-cancelling mode in order to provide the most immersive listening experience possible. Not only that, but the headphones comes with up to 35 hours of listening time on a single charge.

Would you be interested in getting the WH-CH710N at any of the outlets mentioned above? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Sony opens registration for PS5 in the US

Are you itching for next-gen console action already? Well, you now have a chance to get a leg up over other people and pre-order the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5). Or rather, Sony will let you register your interest and will 'invite' selected customers to be able to pre-order the console and related accessories when they launch.

That's right, it's essentially a lucky draw where you gamble for the chance to buy the PS5. To do that, you'll have to go to the campaign page and key in your PSN ID to register your interest. If you're selected, Sony will send you an email invite for the pre-order. But there's a limited number of consoles available for pre-order and it's on a first-come-first-serve basis, so you'll have to do it fast! You can check the FAQ page for more details.

You have to sign up with your PSN ID for a chance to pre-order

Additionally, Sony will limit purchases to one unit of either the standard PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition per person. However, you'll be able to order up to two units of DualSense controller, DualSense charging station, Pulse 3D headphone, media remote, and HD camera. One caveat to note is that you have to ship your pre-order to a US address for the purchase to be valid, so you'll need a freight-forwarded to send it back to Malaysia. But that's going to be expensive...

Anyway, we hope that Sony will run a pre-order campaign for Malaysia so folks here can get a chance to buy the console too. But with that said, are you hoping to be an early adopter of the PS5 or would you rather wait to see how it performs? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates on this.


Sony opting for a triple camera setup on the Xperia XZ4

In this quiet gadget news season, we have come across an interesting piece on Sony's upcoming flagship. Promptly dubbed as the Xperia XZ4, @OnLeaks and MySmartPrice have revealed a new CAD-based render of the flagship, which shows a new triple rear camera setup.

While there are no official tech specs yet, rumours have it that the XZ4 will be sporting a mega 6.5-inch display. Thankfully, it's probably the only smartphone brand that remains pure from the notch design and its aspect ratio looks like it's more than 19.5:9. It also looks more rectangular than its predecessor, measuring at 166.9 x 73 x 8.2mm and the camera bump behind is invisible.

From the video render, it seems that Sony will still retain the dedicated shutter button and the side fingerprint sensor on the right side, so it probably means that we won't be seeing any in-display fingerprint sensor so soon. There's no 3.5 headphone jack in sight as well.

That's our first impression of the Sony Xperia XZ4, but what do you think? Stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com as it should appear at the MWC 2019 next year.


Sony outs the world's thinnest 10-inch tablet, the Xperia Z4 tablet measuring just 6.1mm

Sony's Xperia lineup is known for its beautiful design and the Japanese giant has continued its legacy by releasing the world's thinnest 10-inch tablet, the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet. The device is just 6.1mm thin, making it even thinner than the Apple iPad Air 2. It is super light too, weighing just about 389 grams. Under the hood, the tablet features a powerful Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit processor with 3GB of RAM. There will be 32GB of internal storage on the base Wi-Fi only version. Up front, a beautiful 10.1-inch display will sport a 2K resolution. The device is IP68 certified which means it can survive underwater up to 1.5 meters for around 30 minutes. At the back there will be an 8.1MP camera and up front, there will be a 5MP shooter. The 6000 mAh battery can provide up to 17 hours of continuous video playback. The Xperia Z4 tablet will come in Wi-Fi only and 4G LTE versions. It will run on Android 5.0 Lollipop version right out of the box. No official pricing or release dates have been revealed but expect the tablet to retail for around $500 (RM1813) when it hits the Malaysian market sometime later in the year.


Sony patents a ring controller for its device ecosystem

A recent filing at the US Patent and Trademark office website may just share what Sony has up their sleeves. While many other companies are trying to add control devices for their devices, Sony is designing a “wearable input device” that can control not just your smartphone, but all other devices and appliances around you – and it looks like a ring to you and me.

The patent states that the ring will house sensors that would be able to detect motion and other interactions made by the user wearing the device. The patent is not just for the ring device, but for whole systems that can receive instructions from the ring, and even perhaps go from one device to another, dragging along content plus information to be transferred between two devices.

While many patents are just filed to preserve the ideas from being duplicated by other companies, we may see this ring come to fruition by the engineers at Sony as this control device can bridge their whole range of products, from their TVs all the way to their Xperia line of smartphones. This could be their One Ring?


43-inch realme TV spotted online, receives certification in India

Many plans have been disrupted this year, including the announcement of a TV by realme. The company originally hinted in February that it had something exciting to share about TV during MWC 2020, which was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it looks like the realme TV is still going to be launched in India this year.

Earlier today, well-known leakster Mukul Sharma found certification for a realme TV listed on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The certification was registered on 26 February 2020, showing what's likely an LED TV that's 43-inch in size. Bearing the model number JSC55LSQL, this is likely a 4K smart TV that will come with an affordable price. Considering that there's a listing for it in India, it's reasonable to believe that it's going to launch in India soon.

Realme TV will likely sport a 43-inch display. Realme TV 43 receives the BIS certification.#Realme #RealmeTV43 pic.twitter.com/tGHwKUZcx9

Currently, realme has yet to mention anything on the specs of the TV or if it comes in other sizes yet. We also don't know if this realme TV will be launched in Malaysia. If it does, will you be interested in purchasing one? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Apple Music Sing arrives from iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and tvOS 16.2 updates

With iOS 16.2 now available to download, Apple Music Sing can now be used in your Apple Music app. After updating your iPhone, you can just simply open the app and head over to search -> browse categories -> and tap on Sing.

You absolutely can't miss it so upon entering, you will see a video on How to Use Apple Music Sing. We think it's pretty straightforward forward and not only that but the new update will already prepare a bunch of featured playlists for you. They are all categorized by genres, types of styles and even by the decades such as the 2010s or 2000s.

To recap, Apple Music Sing is a karaoke feature for Apple Music subscribers. If you are one, you can do karaoke with adjustable vocals and real-time lyrics of your favourite soundtracks. There will also be multiple lyric views, duets, sing backup and more. Also, it will only be available on:

Do note that the iPad lineups mentioned above must be updated with the latest iPadOS 16.2. Happy singing and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony preparing to launch its first 100MP sensor for mid-range smartphones

Sony has impressive image sensors for smartphones, but none of them goes above 100MP. However, things might change soon as the company is said to be working on releasing its first 100MP sensor, and it's for the premium mid-rangers.

Tipster Digital Chat Station reveals that the sensor will be part of the IMX8 family. The series only made its debut recently with the IMX800, a 54MP 1/1.49" sensor, and it's featured in the HONOR 70 series. However, note that the upcoming 100MP sensor is for mid-range devices, so it might not be something as remarkable as the company's flagship sensors despite having such high megapixels.

Besides that, there's also news about a new IMX9 sensor. It's said to be powerful enough to go against what Samsung offers. If you still don't know, Samsung has a 200MP HP1 sensor that is expected to be in the upcoming Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and potentially the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Korean tech giant is also reportedly working on a sensor larger than the GN2, an already massive sensor at 1/1.12".

What do you think about the news? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reports.


Sony promises an increased supply of PlayStation 5 consoles this year

Sony has assured consumers that they should have “a much easier time finding” PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles in the market this year thanks to an increased supply. Moreover, the company also announced a new “Live from PS5” spot which celebrates the PS5 community.

In an official blog post yesterday, Sony thanked fans for their patience while the company navigated unprecedented demand for the PS5 console amid global challenges. However, Sony claimed that it is now much easier to find the console at retailers globally.

Sony then announced that it is inviting more players to join the fun with the new “Live from PS5”. This new spot hints at the breadth of extraordinary experiences taking place in the PS5 universe through the style of a live news channel.

Besides that, Sony also announced a flurry of new games and expansions that are set to come out this year. These include:

Beyond new games, Sony is also expanding the PS5 console experience with all-new accessories like the recently-released DualSense Edge wireless controller. On 22 February, it will launch the PlayStation VR2 with more than 30 games in the launch window such as Horizon Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village.

Awesome! So, what do you guys think of the announcement by Sony? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news.


Sony promises to have more PS5 units in stock before end of 2020

The launch of the Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) in Malaysia hasn't been the smoothest. Not only was the launch date in Malaysia delayed, but prices of games could also go up and retail stores were taking advantage of the low supply. But at least Sony is looking to alleviate the supply issue.

According to an official tweet from PlayStation, the PS5 has become Sony's biggest console launch ever and demand for the consoles is unprecedented. The great news here is that Sony has promised that more PS5 stocks will be sent to retailers before the end of the year. However, Sony didn't mention which countries will be getting more stock.

We want to thank gamers everywhere for making the PS5 launch our biggest console launch ever. Demand for PS5 is unprecedented, so we wanted to confirm that more PS5 inventory will be coming to retailers before the end of the year - please stay in touch with your local retailers.

Considering that the Twitter account belongs to PlayStation US, it's likely that extra inventory will be allocated there first. If that's the case, you could try to stalk Amazon.com to see if you can buy one from there when it becomes available. Of course, that does mean you'll have to bear with shipping costs.

Having said that, have any of you managed to get your hands on a Sony PS5? What are your thoughts on the console so far? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates on this.


Sony quietly announced new budget phone - Xperia L1

Surprised? We were too. Sony quietly released a new Xperia phone which is said to be a budget friendly one, known as the Xperia L1, this device is actually a successor to the Xperia L smartphone which was last launched way back in 2013. Let’s take a look at the specifications:

As for pricing, ironically Sony has not tell us the price yet but it’ll be set at an “affordable pricing”. We are not sure if Malaysia will be one of the first markets to get the device, but Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia and Middle East is confirmed. Also, depending on selected markets, there will only be a single SIM version of the Xperia L1.

Stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.


Sony releases Xperia R1 and R1 Plus in India from ~RM914

Over the weekend, it seems that Sony has quietly released two new smartphones in India and they are called the Xperia R1 and Xperia R1 Plus. These smartphones won't be coming to Malaysia, though, because it's purely "designed for Indian lifestyle" (lol) and very budget friendly, starting from 13990 Rupee (~RM914). Anyway, let's take a look at its tech-specs:

As you can see in the specs-sheet above, the two phones are nearly entry-level tiers and there's nothing much to look at. Perhaps the redeeming factor is its Predictive Hybrid Autofocus which is pretty good for cameras. This is also probably the last time we will ever see a 2GB + 16GB smartphone too, as it has already faded away in the market.

But still, do you miss 2GB + 16GB smartphones? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.


Sony releases new α7 III mirrorless camera, bound to Malaysia soon in April 2018

Is there a new Sony Mirrorless camera? You bet, introducing a newly developed α7 III (model ILCE-7M3), a full-frame 24.2MP Back-Illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor. The α7 III has a wide ISO range of 100 - 51200 (expandable to ISO 50-204800 for still images) and 15-Stop Dynamic Range at low sensitivities. In addition to that, its AF has a coverage of 93% fast shooting at up to 10 fps3 with either mechanical shutter or silent shooting, a 4K video recording capabilities and more.

A new camera also means a new lens - the SEL2470GM, is paired with a front-end LSI that doubles the readout speed of the image sensor, as well as an updated BIONZ X processing engine that boosts processing speed by approximately 1.8 times compared to its predecessor. With this, it allows the camera to work and shoot faster speeds while also enabling its impressive ISO range. 14-bit RAW format is supported and the silent shutter is still present.

Overall, it has a ton of features and to find out more you can head over to their official page here to check it out.The new α7 III and SEL2870 lens will be available in Malaysia in April 2018 so stay tuned for that at TechNave.com.


Sony releases the World's First truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with Splash proof design

WF-SP700N placed inside the charging case

Sony has announced the launch of the World's First wireless splash-proof headphones which is equipped with a noise cancellation design, the WF-SP700N, WI-SP500 and lastly the WI-SP600N. Each going for the price of RM709, RM329.25 and RM619 respectively.

To highlight more about the additional features of the headphones mentioned, the WF-SP700N features an IPX4 spash-proof rating as well as a compact one-touch-open charging case which gives the WF-SP700N a battery life of up to 3 hours plus additional 2 more charges offered by the charging case. Not only that, the WF-SP700N does not feature any wires which allows for a truly wireless experience the product promised to give.

The WI-SP600N as well as the WI-SP500 too offers the same IPX4 splash proof rating and they both feature 6 hours and 8 hours of battery life before needing to recharge again. Find out more at their Official Website, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates.

Left-to-right: SP600N, WF-SP700N, and WI-SP500


Sony reportedly cutting down PS5 production by a million units

As the chipset shortage issue continues, so will the PlayStation 5 which is already a hard device to acquire itself. According to Bloomberg, the sources there claimed that Sony is looking to decrease the production figure from 16 million units to around 15 million units for Q1 2022.

Furthermore, this echoes to Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki during an investor call last month. Sources say that due to the shortages, the supply issues are getting worse and the pandemic restrictions in each country may have impacted the PS5 production. Meanwhile in Malaysia, many game stores and Sony Malaysia itself are still having PS5 pre-orders even after a year.

Despite the chipset shortage, the PS5 is still Sony's fastest-selling console. As of July 2021, it has already sold 10 million units and many gamers are still demanding. The pandemic probably played a big role as many people were stuck at home but this may change as things seem to be going back to normal now.

Are you still trying to get your hands on the PS5? We think at this point, perhaps it's better to get secondhand (if any) or none at all as the economy is slowly reopening and recovering. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony revealed their new PlayStation 5 DualSense wireless controller, but what's new?

Many tech products and innovations have been delayed thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, but that didn't stop Sony from revealing their anticipated PlayStation 5 accessory. For a while, we have been hearing a lot of rumours about its wireless controller and it's finally here. Dubbed as the DualSense wireless controller, here's the breakdown of what makes it different from the predecessors.

According to Senior Vice President, Platform Planning and Management for PlayStation, Hideaki Nishino, the team decided to retain much of the DualShock 4 design and add new features such as a new haptic feedback. Depending on the type of games you play, the DualSense will provide different senses of touch. For example, when you're pulling the arrow back before shooting, you will feel some tension from the weapon which is integrated on the L2 and R2 buttons.

To make this work, the design team worked with the hardware engineers to place the new adaptive triggers and actuators without making the controller bulky. The angle of the hand triggers and grip has a slight change, while at the same time, they also tried to reduce the weight and maintain the strong rechargeable battery pack. The company even invited a wide range of gamers for the last few years before settling on the final design, so that they have a good idea of what to do with the controller's ergonomic design.

Asides from that, the team also integrated a built-in microphone into the DualSense so that players can voice-chat with their friends without a headset immediately. There's also no more "Share" button on the DualSense, that's because it's been replaced by a new "Create" button feature for players to "create epic gameplay content to share with the world".

According to reports, the PlayStation 5 and the newly revealed DualSense wireless controller is still on schedule. Should that be true, that means we will be seeing the coolest gaming console yet this coming Christmas. Are you planning to get one? Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony reveals PlayStation 6's launch timeline in an official document

Sony has already planned the release timeline for the next-gen PlayStation gaming console. According to the latest report, the Japanese company could debut the PlayStation 6 in 2027.

The information actually came from a legit source. It's from a document made public as part of the investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority into Microsoft's $68 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which is a deal that Sony opposed. Sony "believes the deal will harm competition, industry players, and users," the 22-page document claims. Microsoft acknowledges that PS5 exclusives are superior to Xbox exclusives, so the merger would "increase" competition in a market that Sony has long dominated."

However, that's not the thing we should pay attention to, but it has also brought the news of the next-gen console launching in 2027. The statement was found out with Sony's discussion of Call of Duty's importance for the console market, including a brief mention of the post-PS5 next-gen console. The statement has revealed that the release may occur around a specific date, but it has been kept confidential. Despite that, Sony has specifically stated 2027 in this instance.

The 2027 launch timeline also fits the previous ones. Therefore, it could actually be true. No matter what, there's still a long time to go. Some of us haven't even gotten our hands on the PS5 yet. Before that happens, stay tuned to TechNave.com for the most updated tech reports!


Apple Music Sing will only work on selected iPhone and iPad models, even if they have iOS 16.2

This week, Apple announced that there will be a new karaoke feature called Apple Music Sing. Set to launch later this month to all Apple Music subscribers this month, it turns out that not all the models will support it.

According to sources, the Apple Music Sing will only work on iPhone 11 series and later, as well as iPad models that are powered by the A13 chipset. In other words, any device with the A13 chipset only works with Apple Music Sing. This is due to the "algorithms that isolate the vocals from the rest of the song in real-time using on-device processing".

Without further ado, below is the list of official iPhones and iPads that are eligible for Apple Music Sing:

Other than that, the Apple TV 4K (2022) is also compatible with Apple Music Sing. This upcoming feature will be included in the next iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Sony reveals colourful CP-V3 USB Portable Charger

Sony has recently announced that their CP-V3 USB Portable Charger is ready and available. Covering the ultra-portable battery and charger range the new 2800 mAh charger only weighs in at 84g and with a high output of 1.5A it offers a fast recharge while on the go. Capable of 1000 charges the CP-V3 comes in 12 colours so you can accessorise as you want.

The charger can be used right out of the box and comes with a micro-USB cable for easy charging. To charge the CP-V3 just plug it in to a USB port or via and AC adaptor. According to Sony the CP-V3 USB Portable charger will be available in Malaysia from September 2013.


Sony reveals new Project Q handheld gaming console & new wireless earbuds for PS5/PC

It was just yesterday that Sony announced the Backbone One PlayStation Edition for both iOS and Android. But just a few hours ago, the company later unveiled that there will be another new handheld gaming device under the codename Project Q.

At the PlayStation Showcase 2023, we got to see a first good look at Project Q which was designed to play games installed on your PS5 and streamed over a WiFi connection. The controllers are exactly following the PS5 DualSense design and the display is 8 inches in HD resolution. Other than that, nothing else was much said.

On top of that, Sony also unveiled its first official wireless earbuds offering lossless audio for the PS5 and PC. They can be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth and they come in a nice PS charging case with a sliding opener. The charging case design is very much inspired by the PS5 console itself.

More information about these two PS accessories will be unveiled in the next few months. But what do you think? Let us know in the comments below and do stay tuned for more trending tech news.


Sony reveals new Z8H 8K TV and 4K TVs at CES 2020

Sony had a lot of show on the first day of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) today. Among them are new TVs, specifically the Z8H 8K, as well as A8H, X90H and X80H 4K TVs. All the new models will come with some features that were previously found only in the MASTER series TVs, such as Netflix Calibrated Mode.

Taking at the Z8H first, this 8K LED TV comes with a frame tweeter, which vibrates the frame of the TV to generate sound. It that sense, it's similar to the Acoustic Surface Audio technology we've seen before. This TV will also have a backlit remote control, while Google Assistant support allows you to operate it via voice commands. In addition, you could also enjoy your content in 4K resolution at 120fps instead, a setting that is better for PC gaming.

Moving on, we have the A8H, a 4K OLED TV that comes in 55-inch and 65-inch models. Sony is now able to get the X-Motion Clarity technology to work on for OLED when it couldn't before. It means that the A8H can smoothen visuals while ensuring that brightness and clarity are not compromised. For audio, it uses Acoustic Surface Audio and has two subwoofers to enhance the sound quality.

Finally, there's the Sony X90H and X80H. These are the brand's more mainstream LED TV offerings but still support 4K resolution and are equipped with the X1 image processor. You can also expect to have Dolby Atmos/Vision support, an Android 9 UI, and easy connectivity to external devices like smartphones.

Did any of the TVs above catch your eyes? Let us know if you're planning to upgrade on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more CES 2020 coverage.


Sony reveals new camera-centric Xperia X Performance, Xperia X and Xperia XA

Sony has finally revealed not one but three new Xperia X line up – the Xperia X Performance, Xperia X and Xperia XA, Sony focuses the new smartphones on its camera and photo features for the camera lovers. There are not price listed nor availability yet, but below are the tech specs and hands-on pictures:-

Based on the name, both the X Performance and X models are more powerful due to Sony's 1/2.3-inch, 23MP Exmor sensor. The devices uses the Prediction Hybrid Autofocus developed by Sony's camera division, which is to track subjects and keep them in focus eliminating any blur movements within the image. Taking selfies in low light is possible too thanks to the 13MP front camera sensor.

That's all we got now from Sony, stay tuned for more MWC 2016 news at Technave!


Sony reveals pink Xperia Z5 Premium

As the rumour hinted yesterday, Sony did indeed officially announce a pink version of the Xperia Z5 Premium via their Twitter page. However, no price tag was revealed nor the launching date, even the target market is much of a mystery; but it's said that it will first launch in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China first. To recap the specifications, the Xperia Z5 Premium features:

Celebrate style that’s strictly on your terms… Introducing #Xperia Z5 Premium Pink. https://t.co/qz1AQMOd55 pic.twitter.com/6WbIPdEdHN

— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) April 12, 2016

That's all from Sony today, stay tuned for more news at Technave.com.


Sony reveals stainless steel SmartWatch 3 and more wearables

Sony has revealed a new stainless steel edition of SmartWatch 3 and various other wearable devices at CES 2015. This includes a multi-sensor, waterproof headset prototype, Lifelog collaborations and more. The all-in-one headset will be called the Smart B-Trainer designed for runners with voice coaching and music playback. Other devices include the SmartBand SWR10 which features IP58 waterproof certification. The stainless steel SmartWatch 3 on the other hand features a 1.6-inch TFT LCD Transflective display at 320 x 320 pixel resolution. Other features include IP68 water proof certification along with a built-in GPS sensor, allowing it to work on it's own. While there are still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details, the SmartWatch 3 is expected to arrive sometime in February 2015. Sony will continue to explore collaborations with other parties especially through it's Lifelog Android app which is also acessible online at lifelog.sonymobile.com.

“Our approach to smart, wearable technology is based on the fundamentals of building depth and variety in user experiences, and providing choice with beautiful, functional products. The expansion of Lifelog - both in terms of its open API and our vision for new wearable concepts - will allow creative partners to integrate their apps and services to our platform - giving our users access to the richest, most varied wearable ecosystem.” Kaz Tajima, Senior Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning at Sony Mobile Communications.

“Lifelog is inspiration through insight, and our first partners are helping us bring this to life in new ways. We specifically designed the Lifelog platform on open principles, with capability that will help developers to build new experiences and access the Sony ecosystem like never before – it’s going to be an exciting year ahead.” Yasuharu Nomura, Director of Experience Planning at Sony Mobile Communications.

Sony's prototype wearable for runners, the Smart B-Trainer in action


Sony reveals the HX99 & WX800 as the world’s smallest high zoom cameras with 4K video capability and more

Today, Sony is proud to present two new Cybershot cameras into the family - the DSC-HX99 and DSC-WX800 which are designed for travelling with high zoom capabilities. According to the company, both the HX99 and WX800 have a truly versatile zoom range from 24mm at the wide end up to 720mm super-telephoto.

Moreover, both cameras are equipped with Optical SteadyShot to minimize image blur during handheld and telephoto shooting, also just as capable of capturing 4K video footage with full pixel readout, coupled with the trademark BIONZ X image processing engine with a front-end LSI that can deliver continuous shooting up to 10fps with up to 155 images. They are also borrowing the Eye AF technology from their α series siblings.

On the other hand, the HX99 is able to shoot in RAW format and has a maximum ISO 6400. For the user interface, it comes with a Control Ring which can be customized to the user's preference such as manual focus or step zooming. Touch Focus / Touch Shutter function is there as well for the user to directly select subjects and the viewfinder has a built-in high-contrast retractable OLED Tru-Finder.

There is no local price tag for the two cameras yet, but they are coming into Malaysia in November 2018. You can find out more information about the HX99 on Sony's website here, and stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.


Sony rolls out 1440p support for the PlayStation 5 in latest update

Sony recently rolled out a new update for the PlayStation 5 (PS5) which allows gamers to play games at 1440p resolution. Announced via a blog post yesterday, the new update is now available globally after 1440p was first tested by the PS5 beta participants.

Of course, this is good news for those that play their PS5 on a 1440p monitor, though it is to be noted that users will lose Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) when playing in 1440p. Instead, they have to choose whether to play in 60Hz or 120Hz as VRR is only available in 1080p and 2160p modes.

Moreover, the update also brings a new “gamelists” feature which allows users to create up to 15 folder-like lists for their games. These include 100 items per list which could be discs, digital or streaming games.

Other notable new features brought forth by the update are an easier way to toggle between regular Stereo Audio and 3D Audio, In-progress Activities which show the last activity that users engaged in and a preview of YouTube search via voice commands. Do note that for the latter, it is only available for PS5 players registered in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Besides that, Sony also announced new features that are coming to the PS App on Android and iOS. Among these include PS Remote Play on your phone or tablet and a Share Screen session with your friends so you can watch them play. Pretty awesome stuff!

So, what do you guys think of these new updates coming to the PS5 and the PS App? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news such as this!


Sony's Android 11 roadmap announced, Xperia 1 II to receive it first

As 2020 comes to a close, developers are now using Android 11 and updating the software on selected smartphones over time. So far, Xiaomi is the only company that has rolled out Android 11 software update on a few Xiaomi phones. While other Android users will have to wait, Sony just announced their roadmap for the update.

According to the source, only 5 Sony smartphones have been chosen for the software update. The 5 phones are none other than the Xperia 1 II, Xperia 5 II, Xperia 10 II, Xperia 5 and Xperia 10. The former will be getting the update first this month, whereas the rest (2 at a time) will only receive it in January and February 2021 respectively.

In case you're wondering on what could the updates bring, it's said that Sony will be introducing Notification Categories, Notifications History, Chat Bubble Notifications and a Native Screen Recording feature. The Media Notification controls will be moved to the Quick Settings panel as well.

Sony is having a weird record of introducing a smartphone but releasing them at a much later date which would lose the hype by then. Nonetheless, the tech specs and features are quite impressive, same goes to the price tag that is deemed too expensive for many consumers. Oh well, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.