Sony Xperia@IFA

Sony Xperia@IFA

Want to get all the information on Sony at IFA 2012? Check out TechRadar's news and videos on the hot new products.

Sony Xperia T

One of the biggest announcements of the conference was the launch of the Sony Xperia T - the best of Sony in a smartphone.

Everybody wishes for a smartphone that combines the best of everything into one slim and stylish handset, and now that's here with the Sony Xperia T - bringing the best in photography, movies, music and gaming.

With a 4.6-inch Mobile BRAVIA-powered HD display, everything looks crisp and clear, so whether it's jaw-dropping action or the latest bass-rocking tunes, the Xperia T is the only phone you'll need.

With NFC bulit right in, the Xperia T allows one-touch access to Xperia SmartTags, simplifying your life by cutting out endless fiddling with settings when you enter your car, get creative in the kitchen or simply want to go to sleep.

And with the Xperia T being PlayStation Certified, you know you're going to get the best of gaming on the move, with reams of classic titles available on this cutting-edge smartphone.

Sony Xperia T - the best of Sony in a smartphone

Your portal to entertainment

With the new Sony smartphone you'll have access to entertainment no matter whether you're on the beach or relaxing on the sofa – and you can even port it to the larger screen too.

Heard a tune on the radio? With Music Unlimited you get access to millions of tracks on your mobile, PS3, TV or tablet, bringing the best of everything from the indie scene to the latest popstars.

With Video Unlimited you've got access to the latest Hollywood blockbusters, classic flicks and the newest TV shows on your favourite devices.

Most new releases are available 28 days before other movie services, and with TV shows often available the day after they air you'll never be stuck for entertainment on your Sony smartphone or tablet.

And for those that like to keep their favourite videos and pictures safe, Sony PlayMemories is pre-installed to keep them secure in the cloud.

A world of entertainment wherever you are.

The best of entertainment on your Sony Smartphone

The next-gen tech in your Xperia T

With the Xperia T, Sony has created its best ever smarpthone for the ultimate HD experience - but what about the technology powering these innovations?

Let's begin with the Mobile BRAVIA engine: using similar technology to that found in Sony's top end BRAVIA TVs, the technology gives your photos and videos a boost to make them look more sparkling than ever.

Worried about the slightly noisy photo you just captured? That's no problem for the Mobile BRAVIA Engine, bringing the best of your snaps our thanks to intelligent image rendering on the large 4.6-inch HD screen of the Sony Xperia T.

And if you're too busy to worry about constantly changing your smartphone settings then the one-touch sharing via NFC on the Sony Xperia T will help cut the hassle of every day life.

Read more about how futuristic technology will power your smartphone experience.

The heart of your connected home

Control your TV with a smartphone; stream content directly from your tablet to your PS3. The connected home is coming, and the Xperia T is at its heart.

The days when our homes were filled with disparate devices are gone – the future of technology is connection, and Sony offers you the chance to simply share content no matter what device you're using.

From streaming to a Bravia TV to using the inbuilt NFC and Sony's Xperia SmartTags to quickly begin playing it through your home cinema system, your Xperia smartphone can become the hub of all manner of media in the home.

So get on board with Sony's vision of the connected home: be it TV, tablet, smartphone or laptop you'll have instant access to all the content you care about.

Find out more on how Sony is connecting your gadgets to create super home entertainment with a smartphone.

Did you join the party?

We teamed up with T3 to bring you the best of Sony - and got a great conversation happening around the technology in your smartphones.

Those that joined the party over at @T3DotCom at 3PM, on September 5 used the hashtag #WinWithXperia to be in with a chance of winning a Sony Xperia T.

There was lively debate over the big trends in the industry too - so be it learning about NFC is going to change your life, giving your thoughts on the impending 4G phones or just kicking back and seeing what people think of massive screens, it was a thoroughly entertaining hour's conversation that ended in lucky readers bagging a new phone!

Stay tuned for our next Twitter party if you want to share your thoughts with like-minded peers and learn all about how technology is shaping our lives every day.

Mobile trends Twitter party

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-xperia@ifa-1093702

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Galaxy Note II goes for pre-order in US and India

The Samsung Galaxy Note II has hit the pre-order stage in US and India. Those living in the US will now be able to pre-order the phone from US Cellular for $299.99 on a two-year contract for the 16GB model.

Meanwhile, those of you who are reading this in India can now go on Samsung India's website and pre-order the unlocked version of the 16GB Galaxy Note II by paying ₹5,000 ($92) right now and the rest when the phone goes on sale.

It's not mentioned, however, what the full price of the phone will be and considering the unlocked prices of these phones make sure you are willing to spend big bucks (around $800) before you go for the pre-order, as you cannot cancel it once you place the order.

In case you do choose to pre-order, Samsung India will be happy to throw in a desktop dock worth $44 for free along with the phone.

Source 1 • Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_note_ii_goes_for_preorder_in_us_and_india-news-4832.php

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Apple iOS 6 starts seeding to iDevices around the globe

Apple has just started seeding its latest iOS 6 to iDevices around the globe. If you own a 4S, 4, 3GS or iPad 2, new iPad and iPod Touch you can expect to get the update in the following hours.

This is the first iOS release that's available over the air so you can check the Software update menu on your eligible device. You can also check for the update from your computer, but you'll need the latest iTunes (v10.7) installed.

The update might take a while depending on where you are. If you know your Apple stuff you should know that the main features in iOS 6 are the brand new Maps app with free voice-guided navigation, which replaces Google Maps, Facebook integration and a more functional Siri. Here's our iOS 6 preview if you want to check out what else has changed.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_seeding_ios_6_to_devices_as_we_speak-news-4831.php

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Groupon Payments launches with low credit card transaction rates

Get your mobile Groupon on

Groupon declared "the deal is on" in the crowded credit card reader business by launching Groupon Payments Wednesday, pitting the deal-of-the-day company against Square, PayPal Here, and Intuit GoPayment.

The difference is that Groupon is using its deep discount philosophy to benefit the person on the other side of the counter: the merchant. Credit card fees start at just 1.8 percent per swipe and $0.15 per transaction.

That considerably low rate applies to Groupon merchants only; non-merchants should budget themselves for a still reasonable fee of 2.2 percent and $0.15 per transaction when swiping a card from MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.

American Express is the only credit card company that isn't in on the deal. It's charging all merchants a steep 3 percent per swipe and $0.15 per transaction.

Punching customer credit card numbers in manually is also slightly more expensive: 2.3 percent and $0.15 on MasterCard, Visa, and Discover, and 3.25 percent and $0.15 on AmEx.

Groupon Payments vs. the other guys

Groupon is determined to help merchants exchange money with their customers at rock-bottom prices, going as far as to "guarantee to be the lowest cost option for the company's merchants to accept credit cards."

It should be easy for the company to meet that commitment. The credit card reader competition, while plentiful, isn't close to Groupon Payments' 1.8 percent per swipe and $0.15 per transaction rate.

Intuit GoPayment is the closest at 2.7 percent per swipe with no transaction fee, and yet that's more expensive than Groupon's non-merchant fee of 2.2 percent per swipe.

What's more, PayPal Here is also 2.7 percent per swipe, but with a $0.15 per transaction fee tacked on. Square sits at 2.75 percent per swipe and $0.15 per transaction fee.

One area in which the newly launched Groupon Payments isn't ahead of the competition is in device compatibility. So far, it's only available on the iPhone and iPod touch through the Groupon Merchants app.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/groupon-payments-launches-with-low-credit-card-transaction-rates-1098630

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Samsung pokes fun at Apple devotees again in latest TV ad (for the Galaxy S3)

Recent reports suggested Samsung was filming another of its TV ads poking fun at Apple devotees. And here it is.....

A week after Apple boss Tim Cook stood on a stage in San Francisco to unveil the iPhone 5, along comes the latest in a series of Samsung ads poking fun at Apple devotees.

The ad follows a familiar routine – hordes of young people lining up outside a number of Apple-looking stores in various US cities, just as Apple fans are doing right now as they wait for the launch of the iPhone 5 on Friday.

“All I’m saying is they should have a priority line for people who’ve waited five times,” one guy says at the start of the 90-second ad.

While the iPhone is never referred to by name, many of its specs are mentioned. “You have to have an adapter to use the dock on the new one,” one guy in the line says rather forlornly. “Yeah, but they make the coolest adapters,” says another.

As with Samsung’s previous ads, owners of the company’s newest smartphone also make an appearance, causing confusion and curiosity among those waiting in line. In the latest ad, owners of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S3 smartphone talk up their device, listing a good number of its features along the way.

The Korean electronics maker clearly believes the ads are effective in denting consumer enthusiasm for Apple’s iPhone, a view that research appeared to back up with regards to the launch of the iPhone 4S last year.

However, Samsung’s latest ad has some work to do if it’s to have any hope of killing the buzz surrounding the iPhone 5 – Apple said on its website on Monday that it took over two million orders for its new handset in the first 24 hours of availability, making it the fastest-selling iPhone ever.

You can check out Samsung’s new ad below.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-pokes-fun-at-apple-devotees-again-in-latest-tv-ad/

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