The DualShock controller design is one of the most iconic pieces of hardware in video game history. Playstation fans will be excited to hear the news that Sony has found a way for their Xperia mobile devices to work natively with their Playstation 3 DualShock 3 controllers over Bluetooth. 

Sony has developed a wizard that allows the DualShock and Xperia device to connect via USB and once paired, the controller can be used to control games wirelessly. This means you can use your phone on your big screen via HDMI and sit on your couch with the controller to enjoy your game. There’s no timetable on the rollout of this feature, but you can expect Sony to push this as a big feature for their devices once they get it 100% working.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Xperia Blog

Sony Adding Native DualShock 3 Bluetooth Controller Support to Xperia Devices is a post from: Droid Life

CES is less than a week away, so as is customary during the days leading up, we are starting to see products appear well before companies have a chance to announce them. The first two are from Sony, a couple of smartphones that may headline the show, unless LG steps up to answer to a massive New Year’s Eve rumor. 

Pictured above, we have the Sony Xperia “Yuga” and “Odin.” (Codenames of course.) Each device is said to sport a 5″ 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and 13MP rear camera. Both look very similar, however, one may come packed in a slightly smaller frame, even though it has the same 5″ display.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Sony’s phone designs, but these aren’t bad. They don’t look all that refreshing as rectangular black slabs, yet the specs and Sony’s openness with Android could make them somewhat more appealing.

We’ll be at CES starting Sunday, so if these phones are there, we’ll be on them.

Via:  Engadget

Sony Xperia “Yuga” and “Odin” Press Shots Appear, Likely Debuting at CES is a post from: Droid Life

In a recent interview, one of Sony’s marketing executives Dennis van Schie, said that the next Xperia flagship phone will be coming to CES and Mobile World Congress in 2013. Whatever this next step in the Xperia line is, Schie says it will easily be able to compete with the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5. 

Sony has a pretty decent music service and a large HD movie catalogue as well, and the hints that Schie dropped seemed to point to content being a big piece in the next phone. The question is, are they just playing catch up at this point? We will probably be hearing Galaxy S4 rumors around that time, but we’ll have to see what they have up their sleeve.

Can Sony win you over with any new features?

Via: Xperia Blog

Next Sony Xperia Flagship Phone to Compete With Samsung’s Galaxy S3 and Apple’s iPhone 5 is a post from: Droid Life

According to a report out of Android Noodles, a document showing the winter roadmap for Japan’s Docomo, lists out three (3) different Nexus devices. The three manufacturers on their list are Samsung, LG, and Sony. The report mentions a 3-column table that references the three devices, however, no picture or further proof was provided. 

What we do know, is that a report out of the Wall Street Journal back in May suggested that Google wanted to have more than one Nexus partner this year and had opened up the program to at least 5 different OEMs. So if Docomo has three Nexus devices on their winter roadmap, and Asus already released the Nexus 7, we are certainly on our way to matching that previous report.

Also, we saw a Samsung device by the model number GT-I9260 with “Nexus” attached to it, this morning.

At this point, we can only consider this rumor until more hard evidence comes out. We have seen LG mentioned in Nexus conversations for some time now, so maybe this is a sign that they are finally getting their shot. Sony, on the other hand, is a bit surprising, but then again, they are a company that needs to make something happen aside from their tired old Xperia line of phones.

The names mentioned in this report for each device are Samsung Galaxy Nexus II, LG Optimus Nexus, and Sony Xperia Nexus.

Believable? Disappointing?

Via:  Android Noodles

Next Nexus Phones Coming From LG, Sony, and Samsung? is a post from: Droid Life

For years there has been a battle between AOSP fans and manufacturers to hack vanilla Android (or something close to it like CyanogenMod) onto devices instead of the manufacturer’s version of Android. The difficulty with this battle is that it takes a tremendous amount of work to get another ROM working on a device. A developer cannot simply take AOSP Android and load it onto a device because stock Android is actually designed to run on a specific device (currently the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus, or Nexus 7).

Jean-Baptiste Queru, the technical head of the Android Open Source Project, wants to experiment with how AOSP works. Starting with the Xperia S, Queru has invited the community to experiment with porting AOSP to the device. “In theory, AOSP is designed such that it should be possible to plug in the files related to additional hardware targets,” said Queru in a Google Groups post. “In practice, that has never happened.” 

According to Queru, “The short-term goal is to investigate the difference between theory and practice, on a favorable real-world example, and to see whether the result is worth the effort. The long-term goal is to try to eliminate whatever hurdles we find, both the expected and the unexpected ones.” Members of the CyanogenMod team have already stepped up to help with the project and rumor has it that Sony may be working to open source the drivers needed for the project.

This experiment immediately had me thinking about the possibility of Google expanding the Nexus lineup with manufacturers that are willing to work with Google to support AOSP. Perhaps Google’s rumored expansion of the Nexus lineup will look something like this, where flagship devices are released with the OEM’s take on Android and the option to install stock Android straight from Google or to buy the device stock from Google.

The question is, why would Google pursue this vision? Queru claims this is just an experiment to see if it is worth the effort to port AOSP to other devices, but I can’t help wondering if Google plans to use this experiment to further expand the number of devices running their version of Android. Will this be how Google begins to expand the Nexus program?

Via:  Google Groups | The Verge | NeoWin

Google Experimenting with Bringing AOSP to the Sony Xperia S is a post from: Droid Life

Well, today just took a turn for the kick ass and righteous. Glu Mobile, publisher of many other popular game titles on Android have released Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies to Google Play. The game features the maps and weapons that made it such a huge success among console gamers such as Kino Der Toten and Ascension.

Before you make a mess of yourself though, know that the game has been released for support of only Sony Xperia devices for the next 30 days. Once that period of time is over, everyone else can also enjoy the zombie slaying for a hefty $7.

Play Link ($6.99)

Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies Lands on Android! is a post from: Droid Life

With no support documents to be found, we have visual proof that Verizon’s Sony Xperia PLAY is receiving an update to Android 2.3.3.  It for the most part sounds like bug fixes, but won’t know for sure until we see documentation.  For now though, if you own one, jump into Settings>About phone and try and pull it.  Should be there!

Build should be 3.0.1.E.0.88.

Cheers Eric and Legion!

Sony Xperia PLAY on Verizon Receiving Update to Android 2.3.3 is a post from: Droid Life

If you were up late with us on the west coast last night, then you might have seen our tweets about the Xperia Arc launcher that showed up over at XDA.  A better-than-average launcher that allows for some nice customization in the dock (including folders), some sort settings in a transparent drawer, and a really cool preview page of all of your screens’ widgets combined.

Should work on almost all devices including the DROID franchise (pics taken from my DROID X).  And yep, works on all non-rooted devices as well.  

Download:  Arc_Launcher.apk

Via:  XDA, (2)

Cheers Nathan!

Download: Xperia Arc Launcher for All Devices is a post from: Droid Life

Time to welcome in a new member to the already impressive Android collection on Verizon, the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY aka the Playstation Phone.  Murmurs of the device possibly hitting Big Red started last week and today, it became official in an announcement at MWC in Barcelona.  The PLAY will come to VZW first out of all the U.S. carriers and should be here some time in the spring, which means it’ll be battling it out with new versions of our beloved DROID franchise like the DROID X2.

Loading up with Gingerbread (Android 2.3), a slideout gaming keyboard, 4″ screen, 5MP camera, 1GHz processor, and a GPU capable of producing 60 FPS, this could be one heck of a fun toy.  What do you guys think?  Who’s ready for some serious gaming?

Full gallery, press release and specs after the break.  

Game On. Sony Ericsson Brings Highly Anticipated Xperia™ Play To The Verizon Wireless Network

• Xperia(TM) PLAY is the world’s first PlayStation(TM) certified smartphone
• Powered by the latest version of the Android(TM) platform (Gingerbread version 2.3)
• Xperia(TM) PLAY will be available in the United States in the Spring 2011
• More than 50 top game titles available at launch

ATLANTA, GA — Are Americans ready to play? Sony Ericsson and Verizon Wireless think so. Sony Ericsson today announced that its new Xperia™ PLAY, the world’s first PlayStation™ certified smartphone, will be available on the Verizon Wireless Network in the Spring 2011.

“This spring, expect to see a lot of people with their heads down and thumbs up,” said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing for North America, Sony Ericsson. “Xperia™ PLAY combined with the power of the Verizon network gives you everything you need in a smartphone and the one thing you want – the ultimate gaming experience.”

Xperia™ PLAY is powered by the latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread version 2.3) – and is PlayStation-certified, which ensures an optimized gaming experience featuring content from the PlayStation Suite. Xperia™ PLAY will provide a best-in-class gaming experience right out of the box with many of the most popular games pre-loaded, including Asphalt Adrenaline 6, Bruce Lee, Star Battalion, The Sims 3, and Tetris. More than 50 additional titles from top franchises at leading game publishers will be available for purchase at launch.

“Working with Sony Ericsson to bring the world’s first PlayStation-certified smartphone to the nation’s most reliable network builds on our commitment to deliver the best mobile gaming and entertainment experience to our customers,” said Jeff Dietel, vice president-marketing for Verizon Wireless.

According to the Entertainment Software Association’s 2010 consumer survey, in the United States:

• 67 percent of households play computer or video games
• 42 percent of heads of households report they play games on wireless devices, up from 20 percent in 2002
• The average game player age is 34 and 40 percent of game players are women

Facebook users can enter the First2Play contest and could be one of the first 10 people to get the Xperia™ PLAY by visitingwww.facebook.com/SEUSA.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY Key Features:

• PlayStation certified gaming experience
• Latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread version 2.3)
• 60fps play-back enabled through the Snapdragon 1Ghz process, optimized with enhanced graphical processor unit the Adreno 205
• Dedicated gaming controls for real console quality game play, including four-way directional keys, recognizable ABCD keys with PlayStation iconography, left/right shoulder keys and two analog touch inputs for joystick action
• 4-inch brilliant multi-touch display
• 5.0 megapixel camera

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2011

The Liquid Identity logo and Xperia are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at:www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/legal/disclaimer.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. All terms are subject to change without prior notice.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, SE-221 88 Lund, Sweden.
Printed in January 2011, R1A

About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in all major markets. Our vision is to become the industry leader in Communication Entertainment; where new styles of communicating through the internet and social media, become entertainment. Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through phones, accessories, content and applications.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visitwww.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library atwww.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Official Specs:

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY

Camera

• 5.1 megapixel camera
• Auto focus
• Flash / Photo light
• Geo tagging
• Image stabiliser
• Send to web
• Touch focus
• Video light
• Video recording
• Video blogging

Music

• Album art
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Google™ Music Player
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™ service*
• Sony Ericsson Music player
• Stereo speakers
• TrackID™ music recognition application

Internet

• Android Market™*
• Bookmarks
• Google™ search*
• Google™ Voice Search*
• Pan & zoom
• Web browser (Webkit)

Communication

• Call list
• Conference calls
• Facebook™ application (from Android Market™)
• Google™ Talk*
• Noise Shield
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Sony Ericsson Timescape™***
• Twitter™ application (from Android Market™)
• Vibrating alert

Messaging

• Android Cloud to Device messaging (C2DM)
• Conversations
• Email
• Google Mail™*
• Instant messaging
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Auto rotate
• Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
• Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
• Picture wallpaper
• Touchscreen
• Wallpaper animation

Entertainment

• 3D games
• Dedicated gaming keys
• Flash Lite™
• Gesture gaming
• Motion gaming
• Video streaming
• YouTube™

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Document editors
• Document readers
• E-Manual
• Flight mode
• Google Calendar™
• Google Gallery 3D™
• Infinite button
• Phone book
• Set-up Wizard
• Widget manager

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• aGPS
• Bluetooth™ technology
• DLNA Certified
• Google Latitude™
• Google Location Service
• Google Maps™ with Street View
• Media Transfer Protocol support
• Micro USB Connector
• Modem
• Synchronisation via Facebook™**
• Synchronisation via Google Sync™
• Synchronisation via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
• Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
• USB 2.0 high speed support
• Wi-Fi™
• Wi-Fi™ Hotspot functionality

* The service is not available in all markets.
** Requires Facebook™ application installed on the device.

Google™ services*

* These services may not be available in every market Android Market™ Client

• Gmail™
• Google Calendar™
• Google Gallery 3D™
• Google Latitude™
• Google Maps™ with Street View
• Google Media Uploader
• Google Music Player™
• Google Phone-top Search
• Google Search widget
• Google Sync™
• Google Talk™
• Google Voice Search
• Set-up Wizard
• YouTube™

Screen

• 16,777,216 colour TFT
• Capacitive multi-touch
• 4 inches
• 480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA)

In-Box:

• Xperia™ PLAY
• Battery
• Stereo portable handsfree
• 8GB microSD™ memory card
• Charger
• Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
• User documentation

Facts

• Size: 119 x 62 x 16 mm
• Weight: 175 grams
• Phone memory: 400 MB
• Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32 GB
• Memory card included: 8GB microSD™
• Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Processor: 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7

Talk time and networks Networks

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 8 hrs 25 min*
• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 425 hrs*
• Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 25 min*
• Standby time UMTS: Up to 413 hrs*
• Talk time CDMA2000®: Up to 7 hrs 40 min*
• Standby time CDMA2000®: Up to 405 hrs*
• Game play time: Up to 5 hrs 35 min*
• MP3 playback: Up to 30 hrs 35 min*

Networks

• UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• CDMA2000®, cdmaOne, EVDO

Colour

• Black
• White

Official: Sony Xperia PLAY Headed to Verizon Spring 2011 is a post from: Droid Life

According to a chart that went live at Wirefly’s site on February 3rd, the Sony Xperia PLAY is headed to Verizon.  Yep, this would be the Playstation phone that we’ve been covering over at Android Life, but was kept far from the pages of DL since we assumed it wouldn’t come anywhere near Big Red.  The PLAY hasn’t been announced on a carrier yet, but could be on Sunday in a press event that kicks off just before MWC.  I guess we’ll know at that time if that chart needs to see some quick editing.  And I have to admit that seeing this phone on Verizon would shock the heck out of me.

Update:  As expected, Wirefly has now changed the carrier to “To be determined.”

Need a few specs?  How does a 4″ LCD screen, Gingerbread, 5MP camera and the ultimate gaming slide-out keyboard sound?  Anyone interested?

The PLAY’s Super Bowl ad featuring Andy and his creepy thumbs after the break.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Wirefly, PhoneArena

Cheers Jason!

Is the Sony Xperia PLAY Headed to Verizon? (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life