Sony India Unveils ILCE‑7V: AI‑Powered Fifth‑Gen Alpha 7 Full‑Frame Camera

• Delivers dramatic evolution in AI subject recognition capabilities and high-speed performance for stills and video.

Sony India introduces the ILCE-7V, the fifth generation in the Alpha 7 Full-frame mirrorless line-up powered by the newly developed partially stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor with approximately 33.0 effective MP. The new BIONZ XR2™ image processing engine incorporates AI processing unit functions, delivering significant performance boosts across autofocus, tracking, speed, color accuracy, still capture, and video versatility.

AI-Powered Performance Boosts

• Up to 30% improvement in Real-time Recognition AF.
• 759 phase-detection points with 94% frame coverage.
• Precise subject tracking even in low-light conditions down to EV -4.0.
• High-resolution RAW processing supported via Imaging Edge Desktop.

No Compromise High-Speed Continuous Shooting

• 4.5x faster readout speed with Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor.
• Blackout-free continuous shooting up to 30 fps with AF/AE tracking.
• Pre-Capture function records up to 1 second before shutter press.

Outstanding Still Image Performance

• Up to 16 stops of dynamic range for tonal detail.
• AI-driven Auto White Balance for consistent color rendering.
• Deep learning-based light source estimation for natural color reproduction.

Versatile Video Capabilities

• 7K oversampled 4K 60p recording in full-frame mode.
• 4K 120p recording in APS-C/Super 35mm mode.
• Dynamic Active Mode stabilization for handheld video.
• AI-powered Auto Framing for optimal composition.
• Improved noise reduction and internal mic functionality for high-quality audio.

FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II - The All-Around Lens

• Compact, lightweight design optimized for continuous shooting.
• Up to 120 fps AF/AE tracking with compatible cameras.
• Seamless body-lens coordinated stabilization.
• AF available during zooming and built-in breathing compensation support.

Social Responsibility

• Aligned with Sony’s ‘Road to Zero’ initiative for zero environmental footprint by 2050.
• Manufacturing facilities operate on 100% renewable energy.
• Packaging uses Sony’s proprietary eco-friendly Original Blended Material instead of plastic.

Pricing and Availability

Model Name	MRP (INR)	Availability
ILCE-7V Body	255,990	10th Dec 2025 onwards
ILCE-7V M-kit	270,490	Feb 2026 onwards

Sony India Adds Vibrant Pink to LinkBuds Fit Noise Cancelling Earbuds Lineup

Sony India today announced a new colour variant, Pink, for its advanced noise cancelling earbuds – LinkBuds Fit to cater to a wider variety of personal styles. These truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds are now available in Green, White, Black & and the newly added Pink variant. Designed for fashion-conscious, trendy listeners, the vibrant shade imparts a fresh perspective to Sony’s audio portfolio, representing a bold statement for users who perceive gadgets as an extension of their persona.

The LinkBuds Fit are equipped with Sony’s Integrated Processor V2 same as the flagship model WF-1000XM5, delivering advanced noise cancellation for an immersive listening experience. The processor optimizes real-time noise reduction, intelligently adapting to surroundings to block out unwanted distractions. Whether in a bustling café or a noisy commute, users can enjoy uninterrupted music. 

These earbuds ensure secure and comfortable fit with Air Fitting Supporters and soft tips. The LinkBuds Fit are crafted for all-day wear, featuring air-fitting supporters and soft earbud tips that provide a snug yet breathable fit. The Fitting Supporters have a tail that is soft and hollow to reduce ear contact and therefore pressure, while the point of attachment is hooked and hard, to prevent accidental dislodging.

In addition,the Sony LinkBuds Fit Earbuds are designed to deliver a secure and supremely comfortable listening experience, featuring Air Fitting Supporters and soft ear tips that ensure a snug fit for all-day wear. Powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V2 and dual sensors, the earbuds offer real-time Noise Cancellation for immersive sound, while the best-in-class ambient sound mode automatically adapts to the user’s surroundings.

AI-enhanced voice technology enables ultra-clear call quality, even in noisy environments, and High -Resolution Audio ensures exceptional sound clarity and depth. Adding to the seamless experience are intuitive controls such as Quick Access, Auto Play, and Wide Area Tap for effortless, touchless operation. Users can further personalize their listening journey through the new Sound Connect app, which offers enhanced customization options to suit individual preferences.

With this launch, Sony is broadening its appeal among younger audiences and consumers seeking a blend of high-performance technology and expressive design. The new pink colour, in essence, offers a playful yet sophisticated alternative to more classic shades.

Pricing and Availability

The LinkBuds Fit will be available starting 22^nd December 2025 It will be available across Amazon, Flipkart , www.ShopatSC.com , select Sony Centre, Croma and Reliance outlets.

Model	Best buy price (in INR)	Availability	Colors
LinkBuds Fit	Rs. 18,990/-	22nd December 2025	Black, White, Green & Pink

For The Music

Sony established the brand platform "For The Music" for its premier consumer and professional audio products and services. With "For The Music," Sony is affirming itself as the premier audio brand connecting music creators and consumers, aiming to create authentic music experiences and transcend emotion for fans by supporting creator vision over everything.

Vodafone and Sony Originated Companies To Combine Blockchain & IoT To Combat Supply Chain Frauds

Pairpoint, a blockchain-based trading venture owned by Vodafone and Sumitomo Corporation, has announced a strategic partnership with Sensos, a leading supply chain solution company founded by Sony Semiconductors, to address the growing issue of supply chain fraud. This collaboration aims to leverage Sensos' expertise in smart label technology, which originated from Sony Semiconductor Israel, to enhance the security and transparency of supply chains.

The partnership is expected to integrate Sensos' supply chain management solutions with Pairpoint's Economy of Things (EoT) platform. This will enable logistics companies to securely track their goods at every stage of the supply chain. The use of Sensos' cellular tracking labels and AI-powered control tower, combined with Pairpoint's digital identity, trust, and transactional platform, will allow for the secure and immutable recording of all goods' movements, from port departures to final deliveries.

This initiative is particularly significant as it not only aims to combat fraud but also to improve operational efficiency and cost savings for businesses across multiple industries. The solution is currently being piloted in cooperation with global logistics operator Unilog, part of the ICL Group, at several sites in the US and Europe.

Pairpoint’s secure technology overlays Sensos’ highly reliable, real-time supply chain management solution through the Pairpoint-enabled iSIM and device agent software embedded into a smart label. Every logistic transaction is then verifiable, transparent, and resistant to tampering, effectively combatting fraud, and enhancing trust across the supply chain ecosystem.

The CEOs of both Pairpoint and Sensos have expressed their enthusiasm for the potential impact of this partnership on the supply chain sector, highlighting the importance of intelligent and globally connected cellular labels and the Pairpoint platform.

About Sensos:

Sensos is a real-time supply chain management company with offices in US, Germany and Israel. Sensos’ AI-based solution empowers logistics teams to transition from reactive firefighting to proactive decision making, driving faster shipments, smaller inventories and more efficient production planning- resulting in bottom line savings and more sustainable operations. Learn more about Sensos at: https://sensos.io/

About Pairpoint:

Pairpoint (the brand name of DABCo Limited) is a pioneering blockchain technology company dedicated to revolutionizing the industry with decentrialized solutions. Based in the United Kingdom, with offices in London (UK) and Lisbon (Portugal), it is supported by an investment of 60 million euros from Vodafone Group and Sumitomo Group and employs 50 people with specialist skills and experience in IoT and financial technology. Learn more about Pairpoint at https://pairpoint.io

Sony Launches Wearable Air-Conditioner That'll Cost ~ ₹9,000

Sony's wearable air conditioner, known as the Sony Reon Pocket 5 is a compact thermo device designed to be worn on the body. It's about the size of your palm and can cool or warm the wearer using its five built-in sensors.

Weighing just 116g, the device sits on your neck and is controlled via a smartphone app. It's equipped with a small fan that helps to regulate the temperature by pulling warm or cold air away from the body.

Here are some key features of the Sony Reon Pocket 5:

• Ergonomic Design: Fits comfortably on your neck without being cumbersome.
• Dual Function: Capable of both cooling and warming the body.
• Long Battery Life: Can last up to 17 hours on a full charge.
• Quiet Operation: Reduced noise levels make it suitable for use in various settings.
• Smart Mode: Includes a smart mode that adjusts the temperature based on environmental conditions.

The device is priced at approximately ¥13,000 (roughly Rs 9,000) and is currently available in Japan, with plans to expand to other markets. It represents a step forward in personal climate control technology, offering a unique solution for staying comfortable on the go.

The Sony Reon Pocket 5 is currently available in Japan and similar iterations are available in Hong Kong. It has also been made available outside of Asia, starting with the UK market. Additionally, it will be available in Singapore from May 2024, and plans are in place to expand to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam at a later date.

As for availability in India, there is no specific information provided in the search results. However, considering the expansion plans, it's possible that it may become available in India in the future. Keep an eye on official Sony channels or local electronics retailers for updates on availability in your region. 

Sony Becomes Founding Partner of Esports World Cup, To Produce Behind-The-Scenes Documentary Series

Sony Group Becomes Founding Partner of Esports World Cup

Multi-year collaboration will produce the Anthem and original documentary series of Esports World Cup 2024

The Esports World Cup Foundation ("EWCF") and Sony Group Corporation ("Sony") have signed a multi-year partnership agreement to collaborate on initiatives for the Esports World Cup. With this, Sony Group became a founding partner of the Esports World Cup in March 2024, with a multi-year deal to produce the official anthem and collaborate on initiatives for the event.

Sony's music division, Sony Music Entertainment, will produce the anthem for the 2024 Esports World Cup. The partnership also leverages Sony's gaming products and entertainment expertise

The inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 is slated to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

As part of this agreement, Sony Pictures Entertainment will create a behind-the-scenes documentary series showcasing the players and games of the Esports World Cup. Sony, together with Sony Interactive Entertainment, will also look to exploring additional opportunities to support promising creators and talent in the region. Sony Music Entertainment will produce the music Anthem of the Esports World Cup 2024.

Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation (Left) Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Deputy President and CSO, Sony Group Corporation (Right)

"Sony is the perfect partner for the Esports World Cup," said Ralf Reichert, CEO, Esports World Cup Foundation. "Our goal is to establish a global platform for esports and gaming that sets new standards for live esports events. Sony's experience in creating stunning visuals, engaging music, compelling storytelling, and state-of-the-art technology will be a game-changer for the Esports World Cup. The EWC aims to take esports to the next level, and we are thrilled to count on Sony's world class expertise in this endeavor."

"We're excited to make the Esports World Cup more fun and engaging for fans globally by harnessing the creativity and technology from across our diverse businesses." said Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Deputy President and CSO, Sony Group Corporation. "Sony has been enhancing the esports experience especially with Sony Interactive Entertainment's initiatives such as PlayStation Tournaments and the annual EVO fighting game series. We look forward to further catering to this growing, global community of players and fans with the Esports World Cup."

With the Esports World Cup, EWCF has created an unprecedented celebration of competitive gaming and esports fandom. This summer, top esports organizations will face off in Riyadh, to compete in a unique cross-game structure for the largest prize pool in esports history. Recently, the EWC has announced the addition of ten popular titles - Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Overwatch, Free Fire, Rocket League, Fortnite and Rainbow Six Siege - as participating games. More games will be announced soon.

About Sony Group Corporation

Sony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its six business segments - Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; Imaging & Sensing Solutions; and Financial Services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.

About Esports World Cup

The Esports World Cup is a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. For the first time in the history of esports, Esports World Cup features a unique cross-game competition structure that will pit the world’s top elite esports athletes against one another, across multiple game titles for the largest-ever prize pool. Debuting in the summer 2024, gamers, publishers, and fans from around the globe will come together in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to crown the world’s esports champions.

Sony India Launches Alpha 9 III, World's 1st Full-Frame Image Sensor Camera with a Global Shutter System

Next generation Alpha 9 III captures all decisive moments with up to 120 frames per second high-speed shooting, distortion-free and blackout-free images, flash sync at all shooting speeds and much more

• A new dimension of still image performance created by the world’s first¹ global shutter image sensor
• Advanced video performance without distortion
• Operability and reliability for professionals
• High-speed workflow and scalability to support immediate delivery

Sony India today introduced the groundbreaking new Alpha 9 III camera equipped with the world’s first¹ full-frame global shutter image sensor. The impressive new global shutter full-frame image sensor enables the camera to shoot at burst speeds at up to 120 fps with no distortion or camera blackout. By combining this innovative sensor with Sony’s most advanced AF system to date – boasting AI autofocus with up to 120 times AF/AE focus calculations per second – as well as the ability to sync flash at all shooting speeds, the Alpha 9 III opens up a new world of possibilities for professional photographers to capture that decisive moment.

“The Alpha 9 III full-frame camera represents a monumental leap forward in the industry, setting a new standard that surpasses all expectations. By meticulously crafting every aspect, from sensor to physical design, button layout to menu functions, we have embraced the insights and needs of professional photographers worldwide. With the introduction of revolutionary features like the global shutter and the ground-breaking 120 fps capability, we are reshaping the very essence of photography. This is not just a camera, it is a testament of innovation, a tool that empowers photographers to push the boundaries of creativity and capture imagery beyond imagination. The Alpha 9 III is not simply about capturing moments it is about redefining new avenues in photography.” said Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Digital Imaging Business, Sony India.

1. A new dimension of still image performance created by the world’s first1 global shutter image sensor

The new Alpha 9 III is equipped with a newly developed world’s first¹ global shutter full frame stacked CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.6 effective megapixels[i] and built-in memory, combined with the latest image processing engine BIONZ XR®. It achieves blackout-free Continuous Shooting Speed with AF/AE tracking[ii] of up to approximately 120 frames per second4. The new Alpha 9 III is equipped with high-density focal plane phase detection AF.

A Designated AI processing unit uses Real-time Recognition AF (autofocus) to recognise a wide variety of subjects with high precision. By combining high-speed performance of up to 120 frames per second with highly accurate subject recognition performance, it is possible to easily photograph decisive scenes and moments that cannot be captured with the naked eye4.

The AI processing unit in the Alpha 9 III supports movies as well as stills with accurate subject form and movement recognition, providing a significant improvement in human eye recognition performance with Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking automatically recognising, tracking, and focusing on the eyes of a specified subject[iii]. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with 8.0 stops[iv] of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, allowing for high-quality image rendering.

Shutter speed is freed from the limitations of conventional mechanical shutter image sensors and achieves a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second (1/16000 second during continuous shooting)[v], making it possible to capture at high speed without any distortion. When a compatible Sony flash[vi] is attached, such as the HVL-F60RM2 and HVL-F46RM (sold separately), it is possible to synchronise the flash and take pictures at all shutter speeds up to 1/80000 second8. Previously, if the user released the shutter at a speed faster than the flash’s synchronisation speed, the amount of light would drop sharply, but with the full-speed flash synchronisation function, it’s now possible to photograph scenes that could not be easily captured with conventional technology. Also, when shooting stills or movies under LED lighting, the Hi Frequency Flicker function can significantly reduce high-frequency flicker problems by allowing the shutter speed to be finely adjusted to match the flicker frequency while viewing the monitor.

The Alpha 9 III features selectable release lag modes which allows the user to prioritise release lag or viewfinder/monitor display[vii]. The newly installed Pre-Capture function allows the user to go back up to 1 second and record the moment before pressing the shutter, a Continuous Shooting Speed Boost[viii] change during shooting, and enhanced burst stamina ensures that important moments are reliably captured due to a large buffer memory and increased overall system speed allow up to approximately 390 Fine JPEG images[ix] to be captured in one continuous 30 fps[x] burst.

Customisable focus areas have been expanded to include from XS to XL instead of the previous S, M, and L sizes. The Preset Focus/Zoom function allows preset focus and zoom settings to be memorised in the camera for quick recall when needed[xi]. In addition to the existing custom white balance frame size, the user can now select other sizes as needed which allows for fine white balance adjustment after an image has been composed. The Alpha 9 III has upgraded features such as the latest AF algorithms to achieve high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV-5 in AF-S mode (ISO 100 equivalent, F2.0 lens), AF tracking for continuous shooting at F22[xii] and a composite RAW shooting function that gives the ability to combine multiple consecutive images into a high-quality composite.

2. Advanced video performance without distortion

The global shutter image sensor provides distortion-free image expression for videos as well as still images. For example, the user can shoot images of nearby scenery from a fast-moving vehicle such as a car or fast-moving subjects with ease. This camera is the first in the Alpha™ series to be able to record 4K 120p high-frame-rate video without cropping, allowing the user to shoot at the angle of view intended. It is also possible to shoot high-resolution 4K 60p videos with 6K oversampling.

The Alpha 9 III has the image creation process S-Cinetone™, created through the development of the VENICE digital cinema camera for video production, making human skin and subjects stand out beautifully, creating natural highlights. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with the latest video performance including rich gradation performance and S-Log3, and when in Log shooting mode, it can reflect and display the user’s favorite imported LUT. Alpha 9 III is compatible with the mobile app “Monitor & Control” for video creators.

3. Operability and reliability for professionals

Sony has listened to the voices of professional photographers and created operability and reliability that supports professional image makers. The shape of the grip is improved and ergonomically designed so that it can be easily held in the palm of the user’s hand to avoid straining the user even when wearing a telephoto lens or using it for long periods of time.

The VG-C5 vertical grip (sold separately), provides the same operability and versatility as when shooting horizontally; the user can comfortably support long shooting sessions. The grip and shutter button area share the same design as the main body, allowing image capture without feeling uncomfortable, with the same operability as the camera. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with a 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor that can be operated by touch, allowing for intuitive operation using the latest touch menu. The electronic viewfinder uses a 9.44 million-dot Quad XGA OLED and achieves high visibility with the same brightness as the α7R V and a magnification of approximately 0.90x. Also, a custom button is placed on the front of the camera, and the continuous shooting speed can be changed by operating the custom button assigned with Continuous Shooting Speed Boost with the finger holding the grip, allowing for highly immediate operations. It supports professional photographers when shooting in all environments.

4. High-speed workflow and scalability to support immediate delivery

New features for the Alpha 9 III include a playback image filter that allows the user to efficiently select a large number of images using high-speed continuous shooting, and a function menu that can be used even during image playback, strongly supporting professional workflows from shooting to delivery. A function menu can now be used during playback so the user can efficiently select a huge number of images using high-speed continuous shooting. The “Playback Function Menu” can be assigned in advance, so the user can perform protection, smartphone transfer, FTP transfer, etc. during image playback. The user can select images narrowed down with a playback filter and play them from the function menu, allowing for quick delivery of specific images. The camera is equipped with a dedicated microphone for voice memos on the back, and the built-in microphone located near the mouth allows clear recording of audio even in noisy environments. The recorded audio data can be transferred via FTP along with the images. The camera allows the user to set up to 20 presets from the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC), an international consultative body in which news organisations from various countries participate.

The Alpha 9 III can transfer data up to twice as fast as the Alpha 9 II. 5 GHz communication offers maximum speed and stability for news and sports shooters who need to deliver immediately via FTP, as well as for studio environments. The Alpha 9 III allows stills and movies to be recorded to memory media in numerous ways including the two media slots that support CFexpress Type A cards as well as UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards.

It is compatible with the professional mobile application “Transfer & Tagging” which speeds up the image delivery workflow, and the application “Remote Camera Tool” which allows remote shooting of PCs using wired LAN. In addition, the Alpha 9 III is scheduled to support functional enhancements such as FTP operability, relay playback, and C2PA format support[xiv] through a camera software update[xv]. Sony will continue to expand functions such as breathing correction, relay playback, and C2PA format support for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III in the future17 to meet the needs of professionals along with the Alpha 9 III.

Pricing and Availability

Alpha 9 III will be available across Sony retail stores (Sony Center and Sony Exclusive), the www.ShopatSC.com portal, major electronic stores, and other e-commerce websites in India from 26th February 2024 onwards.

Model	Best Buy (in INR)	Availability Date
Alpha 9 III Camera	529,990/-	26th February 2024

[I] Compared to interchangeable-lens digital cameras. As of the November 2023 product announcement. Sony survey.

[II] Approximate, effective.

[III] Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous frame rate may be lower in some shooting conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the lens used in AF-C focus modes. Visit Sony’s support web page for lens compatibility information. https://www.sony.net/dics/ilce9m3cnlns/ A software update for the lens itself is also required. The software is scheduled to be released after December 2023.

[IV] When subject recognition is ON during AF shooting. Face, eye, etc. recognition status can be monitored when subject recognition frame display is ON.

[V] CIPA standards. Pitch/yaw shake only. FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens. Long exposure NR off.

[VI] Maximum shutter speed is 1/16000 second when F1.8 or larger aperture is used. 1/80000 second speed not available when shooting movies, when using the Var. Shutter function, or when no lens is mounted.

[VII] A software update is required. The software update will be released simultaneously with the Alpha 9 III. Some variation in brightness and colour may occur between shots when using shutter speeds higher than 1/10000 second. Light level may not reach the manual light output level setting at some shutter speeds, resulting in insufficient light level. Refer to the support page at https://www.sony.net/dics/ilce9m3fl/ for details.

[VIII] With the default [Auto/Off] setting no blackout occurs when shooting is started, and release time is controlled for optimum display latency. The [Fast Release/On] setting provides the shortest possible release time lag with blackout occurring on only the first image in a continuous burst. The [Stable Release/On] setting minimises variations in release lag with blackout occurring on only the first image in a continuous burst, making it easier to release the shutter at the intended moment.

[IX] Continuous shooting may be interrupted when Continuous Shooting Speed Boost is used to switch from a low shooting speed to a shooting speed higher than 60 fps, or when switching from a high shooting speed to a shooting speed lower than 30 fps.

[X] With Sony CEA-G160T C Fexpress Type A memory cards (sold separately). Sony test conditions.

[XI] Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous frame rate may be lower in some shooting conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the lens used in AF-C focus modes. Visit Sony’s support web page for lens compatibility information.

[XII] Preset focus works with compatible lenses such as the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS. Preset Focus/Zoom settings cannot be recalled while the shutter button is half-pressed. Only focus can be preset for prime lenses. If a zoom lens without power zoom is attached, the focus position/zoom positions can only be registered and recalled via remote operation using the computer software Remote Camera Tool. For details, refer to the following website. https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/remotecameratool/l/index.php. Preset Focus/Zoom can only be recalled when the lens that was mounted when the settings were registered is used. Not all lenses are compatible.

[XIII] When [Aperture Drive in AF] is set to [Focus Priority], the aperture size can be smaller than F22. Results may vary depending on shooting conditions and the lens used.

[XIV] A standards organisation that develops open standards and technical specifications for the origin and authenticity of digital content.

[XV] Will be available in select countries and regions.

[XVI] Software update available by Q2 2024 (calendar year).

Sony Announces Metaverse Technologies and Hardware to Empower 3D Content Creators

Sony Corporation Announces Development of Spatial Content Creation System, Equipped with High-Quality XR Head-Mounted Display and Controllers Dedicated to Interaction with 3D Objects

Sony Corporation announced development of an immersive spatial content creation system, which includes an XR head-mounted display equipped with high-quality 4K OLED Microdisplays*² and video see-through function, and a pair of controllers optimized for intuitive interaction with 3D objects and precise pointing. The system is aimed at supporting creators in sophisticated 3D content creation. Sony plans to collaborate with developers of a variety of 3D production software, including in the entertainment and industrial design fields. At launch, Sony is exclusively partnering with Siemens, a leader in industrial technology, to introduce a new solution for immersive design and collaborative product engineering using software from the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform.

The system will be available later in 2024. Sony and its partners will announce further details including specs, launch date and regions, pricing, sales channels, and software compatibility.

This spatial content creation system, equipped with an XR head-mounted display with 4K OLED Microdisplays and Sony's proprietary rendering technology, enables real-time, high-definition and realistic rendering of textures of 3D objects and facial expressions of human characters. In addition to video see-through functionality and spatial recognition with six cameras and sensors in total, the system features a ring controller that allows users to intuitively manipulate objects in virtual space, as well as a pointing controller that enables precise pointing, allowing creators to craft in virtual space with controllers and keyboards, all while wearing the head-mounted display. Creators will not only be able to see real-scale 3D models in an Extended Reality (XR) environment with the high-definition display, but also create and modify 3D models in it. Through integration with third-party 3D creation applications, it also supports remote, real-time review between locations, making this an intuitive and immersive tool for the entire process of spatial content creation.

The device features Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 2 Platform, the latest XR processor by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. The processor unlocks the power of the 4K OLED Microdisplays to deliver stunning image quality, as well as provides user and space tracking for seamless XR experiences, offering creators a high-performance platform for their creative Workflow.

Sony has released technologies that support workflow and quality of spatial content creation and facilitate use of 3D CG in various creative fields. Mobile motion capture system "mocopi™," with small and lightweight sensors and a dedicated smartphone app, enables full-body motion tracking, using Sony's proprietary technologies. Spatial Reality Displays provide highly realistic, three-dimensional content without the use of special glasses or Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, for spatial content creation and review process. By introducing this system and collaborating with 3D creation software developers, Sony aims to further empower spatial content creators to transcend boundaries between the physical and virtual realms for more immersive creative experiences.

System in use for 3D CG creation

System in use for film production with 3D technologies

Siemens partnering Sony 

"Siemens is partnering with Sony to enable immersive engineering, a critical building block for the industrial metaverse. Together, we are creating an environment where it will be possible to experience the realities of physics, without the bounds of time to profoundly improve how our customers work and collaborate," said Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries.

"We designed our Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 to deliver 4K display resolution, cutting-edge graphics, and unparalleled performance to enable creators to build innovative spatial content that will transform all industries for the better," said Said Bakadir, Senior Director, Product Management of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "It's exciting to see Sony enter the enterprise space with their spatial content creation system and utilize Snapdragon XR technologies
to unleash more realistic, detailed, and precise Mixed Reality (MR)/VR experiences that will help developers and creators push forward an even more immersive future."

Main Features

High-Quality XR Experience for Creative Uses

The head-mounted display is equipped with large-size, high-definition 1.3-type OLED Microdisplays with 4K resolution and a wide color gamut that covers up to 96% of DCI-P³*³*⁴. Detailed and realistic rendering of textures of 3D objects and facial expressions of human characters allows creators to go through the whole process of modeling to review, all while wearing the head-mounted display.

By supporting split rendering*5, which distributes the rendering load between computers and the head-mounted display, the system is capable of stable and high-definition rendering of large-size 3D models.

Through our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Sony is among the first to adopt their latest Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform. The processor unlocks the power of the 4K OLED Microdisplays to deliver stunning image quality, while on-chip AI enables enhanced user and space tracking for seamless XR experiences, merging physical and digital spaces for easy navigation and intuitive interaction within the XR creative spaces.

Controllers that Provide Intuitive Spatial Content Creation Experiences

The system includes a ring controller that allows users to intuitively manipulate objects in virtual space. It also comes with a pointing controller that enables stable and accurate pointing in virtual spaces, with optimized shape and button layouts for efficient and precise operation. By holding the pointing controller in the dominant hand and attaching the ring controller to the fingers of the other hand, creators can model 3D objects using both controllers and a keyboard, while wearing the head-mounted display.

The pointing controller enables accurate pointing in virtual spaces

Intuitive manipulation of an object with the ring controller

Designed with Comfort, for Seamless XR Creative Experiences

The head-mounted display provides comfort and stability required for extended creative use, by fine-tuning the balance of the device's center of gravity, and the design and material for pads that come into direct contact with the user's head. Additionally, the flip-up mechanism of the display part allows creators to easily and seamlessly move between physical and virtual spaces, without having to recalibrate the device when removing and wearing the entire device.

Optimal balance for extended creative uses

Flip-up mechanism of display part

Immersive Creative Experience Through Integration with 3D Creation Software

Sony seeks to collaborate with various 3D production software developers, in both entertainment and industrial design fields. At launch, Sony will exclusively partner with Siemens to bring innovative immersive engineering capabilities to the manufacturing industry, through integration with the new NX™ Immersive Designer software, a product engineering solution from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software. The integration of powerful hardware and software will empower creators in industrial design and product engineering field, by providing a more immersive design, review, and collaboration tools. The video showing immersive spatial content creation experience, enabled through thise partnership, is are available on the following webpage. The link will be moved to official YouTube channel of Siemens Digital Industries Software.

*1: The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the final product.
*2: As capability of the device. Actual resolution varies depending on application and type of usage.
*3: DCI-P3: An RGB color space standard established by Digital Cinema Initiatives, an American consortium that works on standardizing digital cinema systems.
*4: Actual color space usable depends on application and type of usage.
*5: Only works with compatible applications, when used in tethered mode. (wired and wireless) Resolution, refresh rate and color space may differ depending on application.

Sony, Honda Together Launch Autonomous Electric Car Brand AFEELA

Sony and Honda, which last year announced a joint venture — Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) — to develop and manufacture electric cars, has revealed the name of its new car brand called as 'AFEELA'.

In a presentation during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023), Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) CEO Yasuhide Mizuno revealed a prototype of the company's first car, which looked like a medium-sized sedan.

The company plans to use the SoCs (System on Chip) from Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis for 800 TOPS (Tera Operation Per Second) maximum computing performance as hardware.

Autonomous Driving

SHM will develop Level 3 automated drive under limited conditions and to enable Level 2+ driver assistance in even more situations such as urban driving. 

For uninitiated, Level 3 autonomous driving involves technology that allow drivers to engage in activities behind the wheel, such as watching movies or using smartphones, but only under some limited conditions.

AFEELA prototype car is equipped with a total of 45 cameras and sensors inside and outside the vehicle. In-car cameras and Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors*3 detect the driver and car’s situation to help avoid accidents.

SHM is introducing new Human-Machine Interface to provide AFEELA users a personalized in-car experience through cloud-service connectivity.

Augmented Reality Navigation 

In addition, the vehicle will have intuitive navigation through augmented reality (AR) using sensing technology of SHM.

The car will be available for Pre-order and purchase in 2025. The company said that the first delivery of the car will not be in North America until 2026. The car would be made in one of Honda's factories.

Sony Publishes Patent for NFTs and Blockchain in Video Gaming

Japan's multinational conglomerate Sony has published a patent suggesting the company is looking into blockchain and NFT technology for tracking in-game assets in video games.

The patent, titled "Tracking Unique In-Game Digital Assets Using Tokens on a Distributed Ledger" shows a theoretical mechanism for tracking the changes to in-game assets, including ownership, visual appearance and Metadata.

In the description of the patent, it says – "Individuals often find it meaningful to own or use unique physical items related to respected celebrities or activities."

"In traditional video games, multiple instances of the same in-game item exist within the same copy of the video game and/or within different copies of the video game. These different instances of the same in-game item are traditionally fungible, as they are indistinguishable from one another," says the patent description.

Sony envisions a system where players can trade unique in-game items, which are verified for authenticity via the blockchain.

Sony's patent describes technology that could track the history of an in-game item as it's passed from player to player, which is one of the core ideas behind NFTs.

The patent further noted — "The digital assets may be video game digital media assets representing moments of gameplay of a video game, such as video clips or images. The digital asset is created, and a distributed ledger tracking a history of the digital asset is created and stored across devices."

Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. filed for this patent in May last year, which gets published this month. This patent is for video games and notably Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc is owner of video gaming brand 'PlayStation'. 

A few weeks ago, PlayStation launched a program called PlayStation Stars, a rewards program, with rewards for in-game accomplishments, that the company insisted were not NFTs, but after learning about this patent, it could be a Sony's anticipated move for NFTs.

IIT Madras and Sony India Team Up for National Hackathon To Encourages Citizens to Come up with Solutions using IoT Sensor Board

Representative

Citizens across the country can now participate in solving India-specific problems of societal interest using IoT Sensor Board through a National hackathon called ‘SAMVEDAN 2021 - Sensing Solutions for Bharat’.

Registrations for this Grand Challenge Competition have commenced on July 1st, 2021, and are open to all Indian nationals residing in India. It is being organized jointly by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation (IITM-PTF), along with Sony India Software Centre, and is based on the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation’s SPRESENSE™ Board, which participants can use for this challenge. IITM-PTF is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for Sensor, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems (SNACS) area supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS).

Calling upon Indians from all over the country to take part in this hackathon, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DST, Government of India, said, “The future is all about a tight convergence of physical systems with communication, computing, information and data gathering, machine sensing, autonomous decisions and actions and control. Thus sensors of all sorts will play a vital role in the Cyber-Physical Systems.”

A team with maximum of three members can register for the grand challenge, which will be held in three stages -- quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals. A total of 75 ideas will be selected for the quarter-finals, and among them, 25 best ideas will be chosen for the semi-finals.

There will be seven finalists with prizes for every finalist. Prizes worth 3 Lakhs will be awarded to the best teams. Apart from the prize money, the winners will be eligible for an entrepreneurial support scheme by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation. Further, each quarter finalist will be provided with a SPRESENSETM board free of cost by Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation through IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation.

Highlighting the unique aspects of ‘SAMVEDAN 2021,’ Event Coordinator Prof. V. Kamakoti, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “IITM-PTF is committed not only to identify innovative solutions and talents across the country in the area of sensor-based solutions but also to provide a platform to successful start-ups that could solve societal problems of national importance. SAMVEDAN is one of the platforms to enable this. IITM-PTF plans to offer Entrepreneur-In-Residence scholarship for the top team for a year which will enable them to nurture it into a start-up.”

Speaking about this collaboration with IIT Madras, Mr. Masayuki Toriumi, Managing Director, Sony India Software Centre, said, "We are very pleased to be able to contribute to India's problems and challenges by using Sony's leading-edge technology, India's excellent software engineering resources, and the ecosystem involving the public and private sectors. I hope that more and more people will take advantage of this unique opportunity to participate in the project and come up with innovative ideas that will represent Amazing India."

For more details contact:

• Sairam Radhakrishnan - IIT Madras Media Cell, Chennai
• Cell: 9840108083/ Email: sairam.radhakrishnan@footprintglobal.com
• Bhavani Giddu - Footprint Global Communications
• Cell: 9999500262 / Email: bhavani.giddu@footprintglobal.com
• Manmohan Negi - Footprint Global Communications
• Cell: 96541 15779/ Email: manmohan.negi@footprintglobal.com

Need of the Hour Docu-film 'Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself' Premieres on Sony BBC Earth

As the war against the novel coronavirus deepens with billions of people across the world facing a period of self-isolation to help contain the spread, Sony BBC Earth is bringing to India a critical docu-film 'Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself'. Presented by Dr. Xand Van Tulleken and Psychologist Kimberley Wilson, the 1-hour feature is a one-step guide to everything one needs to know about this pandemic and is full of useful and credible tips and advice.

Dr. Xand Van Tulleken and Psychologist Kimberley Wilson

Xand Van Tulleken is a registered doctor with the General Medical Council of the UK and a renowned presenter. To comprehend the situation, he visits leading experts who explain why self-isolation is most important in this fight against coronavirus, as well as finds out about people's real-world challenges of self-isolating. The docu-film also focusses on Kimberly who offers insights into the psychological challenges of self-isolating, talks about how to manage anxiety and provides key takeaways that everyone must adapt while self-isolating.

Coronavirus is a serious concern and while there is a long road to recovery, the crucial thing to understand is that every individual can play a part in slowing it down by self-isolating. Additionally, there is a plethora of information accessible to all which may lead to confusion and contradiction but, one must remember that just like the virus, wrong information too is contagious. Hence Sony BBC Earth is premiering the most important docu-film of the current times, 'Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself'.

Tune-in to 'Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself' every night, 13th April (today) onwards only on Sony BBC Earth.

EdTech Startup 'ConnectEd', Sony Pictures India to Convert Mumbai, Pune Govt Schools to ‘Smart Schools’

With a vision to provide tech enabled education facilities to the future of the country, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has associated with EdTech start-up, ‘ConnectEd Technologies’ to convert government schools across Mumbai, Panvel and Raigad, into ‘Smart Schools’ under its CSR programme ‘YAY! Vidya’. Under this programme, SPN will provide access to smart classroom systems powered by ConnectEd Technologies in Marathi to over 50,000 students.

The classrooms are powered with solutions designed specifically for government schools to integrate tailor-made educational content into conventional teaching practices on a daily basis, thereby providing a better learning environment and academic experience. The study material is aligned with the State Board curriculum optimized for government school students with a robust and sustainable hardware, while still being easy to operate and navigate through for teachers. ‘YAY! Vidya’ is one of the largest independent EdTech efforts aimed at municipal schools and has already benefited over 12,000 students across Maharashtra. This program aims at bridging the gap in education and aiding the betterment of society. SPN is committed to co-creating India’s social development agenda through empowering communities and creating a positive impact in society.

SPN’s CSR programme is built around three pillars; empowerment, education and environment and ‘YAY! Vidya’ falls under the education pillar of SPN’s CSR programme.

Rajkumar Bidawatka, Head CSR, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), "At Sony Pictures Networks, it is our earnest endeavor to provide students equal opportunities to learn and grow. With YAY! Vidya, we are taking a step further towards building a better and smarter India while making learning a pleasant experience. Through the YAY! Vidya programme, our long-term vision is to give students access to top-notch technology.”

Lehar Tawde, Co-founder, ConnectEd Technologies, "With all these technological advancements around us, every child deserves to learn in an enjoyable and interesting manner. We are extremely glad to partner with the ‘YAY! Vidya’ campaign initiated by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) to realize every student’s right to joyful learning. Our ‘Smart Classroom System’ has produced great results in rural schools, and we’re confident that this large-scale deployment in Municipal schools will yield similar results."

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, Japan.

SPN has several channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel; MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; WAH, the FTA channel for Hindi movies; SAB and SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from SPN’s content library; PIX and PIX HD, the English movie channels; AXN and AXN HD, the channels showcasing the best in Reality, Entertainment and Drama; Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; MIX a refreshing Hindi music channel; YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; sports entertainment channels – SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD, SONY TEN 1,  SONY TEN 1 HD, SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD; Sony मराठी, the Marathi general entertainment channel; SonyLIV - the digital entertainment VOD platform; SPN Productions, the networks’ film production arm and StudioNEXT the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and Digital media. SPN reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.

The network is recognized as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. SPN is a recipient of several awards, including the ‘Aon Best Employers India’ Award in recognition of SPN’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India’s Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM & CGP Partners, listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India and adjudged one of India’s Great Workplaces by the Great Place To Work® Institute.

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited is in its 24th year of operations in India. It has a subsidiary, MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.

~ Business Wire India

Sony Open Sources Its Deep Learning, AI Tools

Japanese electronics major Sony somewhere dropped the ball when it came to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Sony, which is always on the forefront with latest technologies is far behind in the AI line when compared to its global competitors like Apple, Amazon and Google. However, it seems Sony's strategy of giving step sisterly treatment to AI might not have been a smart one. In the 2017 Economist Intelligence Unit report, Artificial Intelligence in the Real World, 75% of more than 200 business executives surveyed said AI will be actively implemented in their companies within the next three years. But as they say, better later than never. Realising the great potential that the technology holds, Sony has now decided to pull up its socks and catch on the AI train with its competitors before its too late.

In a recent statement, Sony has revealed that the tech giant is finally set to share its AI technology with engineers and developers so as to encourage them to incorporate them into their products and services. The Japanese electronics major has decided to open-source its Neural Network Libraries, a framework meant for developing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with deep learning capabilities.

With the move of making its AI open source, Sony has joined the ranks of its competitors Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook and many others who have also made their AI open source long ago. Sony is hoping that the open source AI won't only help developers in building smarts into their products, but it will also help them in further building on core libraries' programs. Sony believes this way AI will turn out to be more useful to everyone.

While Sony might have started out as an AI pioneer, but it lost track somewhere in the middle. Its latest products like the Xperia Ear, which makes use of Apple's Siri-like Xperia Agent, are nowhere near its competitors's Google Assistant or the Amazon Echo. In fact, the Sony assistant turned into a big embarrassment for the electronics major as first of all it doesn't have a natural speaking voice and secondly, it isn't as smart as its competitors.

However, despite the AI misses in the past, one has to give credit for Sony for the uniqueness of its AI offerings when compared to those of its rivals. Sony doesn't just offer a typical voice recognition, machine vision and other functions available from others in the market, it offers augmented reality AI, the Lifelog activity tracker app with action recognition tech and a real estate "price estimation engine." All these AI offerings does help Sony in standing out from the ones being offered by its rivals. Experts believes that if Sony stays focused and increases its pace a little, these type of specialized AI might just help it in speeding past its rivals in the AI game.

With the latest announcement, one thing is clear one cannot write off Sony from the AI game, at least not yet.

New Sony's SmartEyeglass to Launch Next Year

At very first it was Google who came up with Google Smart Glass then after a long gap Lenovo also announced of its upcoming Lenovo Smart Glass followed by China's search giant Baidu who announced Baidu Eye a chinese smartglass to rival Google and now this time it was technology giant Sony who also announced its Smart Eyeglass in Tokyo, Japan on Friday, 19th September, 2014. The SmartEyeglass from Sony is a transparent lens eyewear that works by connecting with compatible Smartphones to superimpose information such as images, texts, and symbols, onto the user’s field of view. Only Smartphones having Android 4.1 or later will be compatible with the SmartEyeglass. Further, Android 4.3 or later is necessary in order to make use of the video functionality of the camera.

The SmartEyeglass will offer the users a diverse range of sensing technologies, which includes an accelerometer, brightness sensor, Gyroscope, a CMOS image sensor, microphone and an electronic compass. The SmartEyeglass makes use of the above mentioned features along with the GPS location information provided by the connected Smartphone, in order to give information most optimized to the user’s current circumstances.



The technology giant has made use of its unique hologram optics technology in order to develop a phenomenal lens that can achieve high transparency of 85% and thickness of just 3.0 mm, all this has been made possible without the use of half mirrors that can act as obstruction in the user’s vision. The monochrome display of the SmartEyeglass makes sure that high luminance of up to 1,000 cd per meter square is achieved even when the energy consumption is lower than a color display. This high luminance and low energy consumption delivers a screen with clear readability to the user so that he/she can read text easily in a wide range of environments.

At the announcement, Sony also demonstrated some preloaded apps on the SmartEyeglass. A Localive app provides social feeds aggregation and distribution for surrounding local area whereas its-mo NAVI for SmartEyeglass app provides pedestrian navigation.



The SmartEyeglass can be expected to hit the markets by March next year.

Sony has also announced the availability of a dedicated SmartEyeglass Software Development Kit (Developer Preview) which would enable developers to think upon new and innovative ideas for creating scenarios where the device can be used. The kit will also boost the development of various applications. The kit comes with an emulator, sample code, tutorials to get started, In-depth developer guides, Design guidelines, API references, test instructions and Publishing guidelines.

 

Technical overview of the SmartEyeglass prototype

• Binocular see-trough eyewear display.


• Monochrome green colour.


• Maximum display brightness: 1000cd/m2.


• Embedded camera.


• Accelerometer, gyro, compass and brightness sensors.


• Microphone.


• Bluetooth v3.0.


• WiFi – 802.11b/g/n.


• Separate controller with touchpad along with power, navigation and camera buttons.

New Sony's SmartEyeglass to Launch Next Year

At very first it was Google who came up with Google Smart Glass then after a long gap Lenovo also announced of its upcoming Lenovo Smart Glass followed by China's search giant Baidu who announced Baidu Eye a chinese smartglass to rival Google and now this time it was technology giant Sony who also announced its Smart Eyeglass in Tokyo, Japan on Friday, 19th September, 2014. The SmartEyeglass from Sony is a transparent lens eyewear that works by connecting with compatible Smartphones to superimpose information such as images, texts, and symbols, onto the user’s field of view. Only Smartphones having Android 4.1 or later will be compatible with the SmartEyeglass. Further, Android 4.3 or later is necessary in order to make use of the video functionality of the camera.

The SmartEyeglass will offer the users a diverse range of sensing technologies, which includes an accelerometer, brightness sensor, Gyroscope, a CMOS image sensor, microphone and an electronic compass. The SmartEyeglass makes use of the above mentioned features along with the GPS location information provided by the connected Smartphone, in order to give information most optimized to the user’s current circumstances.



The technology giant has made use of its unique hologram optics technology in order to develop a phenomenal lens that can achieve high transparency of 85% and thickness of just 3.0 mm, all this has been made possible without the use of half mirrors that can act as obstruction in the user’s vision. The monochrome display of the SmartEyeglass makes sure that high luminance of up to 1,000 cd per meter square is achieved even when the energy consumption is lower than a color display. This high luminance and low energy consumption delivers a screen with clear readability to the user so that he/she can read text easily in a wide range of environments.

At the announcement, Sony also demonstrated some preloaded apps on the SmartEyeglass. A Localive app provides social feeds aggregation and distribution for surrounding local area whereas its-mo NAVI for SmartEyeglass app provides pedestrian navigation.



The SmartEyeglass can be expected to hit the markets by March next year.

Sony has also announced the availability of a dedicated SmartEyeglass Software Development Kit (Developer Preview) which would enable developers to think upon new and innovative ideas for creating scenarios where the device can be used. The kit will also boost the development of various applications. The kit comes with an emulator, sample code, tutorials to get started, In-depth developer guides, Design guidelines, API references, test instructions and Publishing guidelines.

 

Technical overview of the SmartEyeglass prototype

• Binocular see-trough eyewear display.


• Monochrome green colour.


• Maximum display brightness: 1000cd/m2.


• Embedded camera.


• Accelerometer, gyro, compass and brightness sensors.


• Microphone.


• Bluetooth v3.0.


• WiFi – 802.11b/g/n.


• Separate controller with touchpad along with power, navigation and camera buttons.

Over 200 websites blocked in India after Sony piracy complaint

Football fever has gripped the whole world and with the interesting semifinals coming up, the enthusiasm is at an all time high right now.

As per a new court order, a number of website which include file storage sites, torrent file aggregators and Google’s URL shortener Goo.gl and even Google docs have been blocked in India. This order was passed following a complaint filed by Sony’s Multi Screen Media, which has the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World cup in which it alleged online piracy.

If some sourced are to be believed, Delhi High Court on 23 June 2014 passed an order instructing internet service providers to block around 472 websites.  The order was sanctioned by Justice V. Kameswar Rao. The order was allegedly later updated bringing the tally of blocked sites down to 219.

In the complaint filed by Sony, the company clearly states that many of these websites are indulging in streaming, hosting, providing access to, etc. which infringes the company’s exclusive rights and broadcast and re-production rights. The company further adds that such acts not only cause financial losses to the company but it also effects the government, as it takes away the legitimate revenue to the govt. through service tax etc. which are payable on the subscription fee payable by unnamed and named defendants if they operate their business illegitimately.

The Court has passed an ad-interim, ex-parte order stating that websites which have been named in the complaint, their partners, officers, proprietors, employees, servants, and all others in the capacity of principal or agent acting for or on behalf, or anyone claiming through, by or under it, and the websites listed, or any other site identified by the Plaintiff have been restrained from carrying out any sort of hosting, broadcasting, streaming, rebroadcasting, exhibiting, retransmitting, making available for viewing and downloading, providing access to the public, uploading, modifying, displaying, sharing, publishing through the internet, in any manner whatsoever, the Plaintiff broadcast, as broadcasted in its channels SONY PIX, SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY PIX HD in relation to the FIFA World Cup 2014 matches and content related thereto, so as to infringe the Plaintiff’s  broadcast reproduction rights.

Sony can now get any website which its suspects for piracy blocked.

Over 200 websites blocked in India after Sony piracy complaint

Football fever has gripped the whole world and with the interesting semifinals coming up, the enthusiasm is at an all time high right now.

As per a new court order, a number of website which include file storage sites, torrent file aggregators and Google’s URL shortener Goo.gl and even Google docs have been blocked in India. This order was passed following a complaint filed by Sony’s Multi Screen Media, which has the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World cup in which it alleged online piracy.

If some sourced are to be believed, Delhi High Court on 23 June 2014 passed an order instructing internet service providers to block around 472 websites.  The order was sanctioned by Justice V. Kameswar Rao. The order was allegedly later updated bringing the tally of blocked sites down to 219.

In the complaint filed by Sony, the company clearly states that many of these websites are indulging in streaming, hosting, providing access to, etc. which infringes the company’s exclusive rights and broadcast and re-production rights. The company further adds that such acts not only cause financial losses to the company but it also effects the government, as it takes away the legitimate revenue to the govt. through service tax etc. which are payable on the subscription fee payable by unnamed and named defendants if they operate their business illegitimately.

The Court has passed an ad-interim, ex-parte order stating that websites which have been named in the complaint, their partners, officers, proprietors, employees, servants, and all others in the capacity of principal or agent acting for or on behalf, or anyone claiming through, by or under it, and the websites listed, or any other site identified by the Plaintiff have been restrained from carrying out any sort of hosting, broadcasting, streaming, rebroadcasting, exhibiting, retransmitting, making available for viewing and downloading, providing access to the public, uploading, modifying, displaying, sharing, publishing through the internet, in any manner whatsoever, the Plaintiff broadcast, as broadcasted in its channels SONY PIX, SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY PIX HD in relation to the FIFA World Cup 2014 matches and content related thereto, so as to infringe the Plaintiff’s  broadcast reproduction rights.

Sony can now get any website which its suspects for piracy blocked.

Sony’s QX100 and QX10 Lens-style Cameras Attach to Your Smartphone

[gallery type="slideshow" ids="67984,67983,67982,67985,67986"]

Sony has launched a new-gen imaging device that works with your smartphone, Sony claims that it is world's first pro-grade lens and sensor combo that clips to your smartphone and you can shoot DSLR quality pictures. These smartphones attachable lens cameras will be launched in two models as - Cybershot QX100 and QX10 with price tag of $500 and $250 respectively.

Both DSC-QX100 & QX10 models allows one-touch connection with smartphone via Wi-Fi then all of the camera lenses features can be accessed via your smartphone’s LCD screen and you can shoot from your iOS or Android smartphones and record images with the quality of dedicated camera device.

With  these compact and lightweight Exmor R CMOS sensor camera lenses you can turn your smartphone into a professional grade camera to capture beautiful DSLR-like 20MP still photos in QX100 and 18MP on QX10. The QX10 model will use a Sony G Lens with optical steady shot and 10x zoom while the expensive model use Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T* lens with F/1.8 aperture and 3.6x optical zoom.

You can pre-order this super gadget from Sony website and the camera lenses will be available in your local country in a speculated time of a month.

Images will conveniently saved to both camera and smartphone’s memory automatically. Moreover both DSC-QX100 & DSC-QX10 camera lenses can also be used uncoupled from the smartphone. Hold the camera in one hand and your phone in the other, or use the universal tripod screw to mount your camera to any number of mounts to experience versatile, freestyle shooting.

The QX100 measures 62.5 x 62.5 x 55.5 and weighs 179g. The QX10 is shorter – 62.4 x 61.8 x 33.3 and weighs 105g. With  3.6V nfoLITHIUM battery you can capture 200 images once it is fully charged.

 

Spec.	DSC-QX100	DSC-QX10
Gross Pixel	20.9 Megapixels	18.9 Megapixels
Lens Type	Carl Zeiss 'Vario Sonar'	Sony G 9
Processor	BIONZ® image processor	BIONZ® image processor
Optical Zoom	3.6x (Optical Zoom during movie recording)	10x (Optical Zoom during movie recording)
Imaging Sensor	1.0" Exmor R® CMOS sensor	1/2.3" (7.76mm) Exmor R®CMOS sensor
Focus Control	Contrast-detect AF-- AF Modes: Multi Point AF / Touch AF	Multi Point AF / Touch AF
Other features	NFC(NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible) USB Port(s) : USB 2.0 Hi-speed A/V Remote Terminal Multi/Micro USB Terminal Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0)	same
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes

Sony QX100 detachable smartphone camera (CNET Review):