Heena Sharma Blog

  From entry-level budget ones to premium, smart televisions now come at all price points. Irrespective of price-point, however, every smart television aims to offer better contrast, light control and vibrant colours. These parameters are important because they can truly elevate your home entertainment experience, be it while watching video, listening to music, and playing games. Business Standard lists five best smart televisions across market segments that deliver top-notch experience for their prices. Take a look: Sony A8H OLED The Sony Bravia A8H is among the best 4K smart TV that your money can buy. From exceptional picture quality to immersive sound experience, there is no parameter where the Sony Bravia A8H seems lacking. It boasts a plush design, OLED screen with support for most high dynamic range formats, actuators-based sound system, Android operating system with Play Store for TV for apps, and support for Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay and Apple HomeKit, besides Google As

  Sony on Thursday launched a new 32-inch BRAVIA 32W830 Android TV for India market at Rs 30,990. The new model will be available across all Sony Centers, major electronic stores and online channels from April 15. This is the first 32-inch TV in India that comes enabled with Google Assistant, the company said in a statement. The TV also comes with more than 5,000 apps and built-in Chromecast. It delivers exceptional Full HD clarity by upscaling every pixel for a better and more vivid TV viewing experience. The TV reproduces more natural and attractive clarity, bringing you the excitement of watching shows, movies and gaming in vividly detailed HDR, the company said. The Live Colour feature offers lifelike picture experience with natural colours with no smudging or dulling of the image. The feature expands colours to let you experience your favorite content with more vividness and liveliness. Read More

  Sony is reportedly rolling out the first major software update for PlayStation 5 console, which comes with several new features, including the much-requested USB storage support. According to GSMArena, the players will be able to transfer their games from the PS5 to a connected USB storage device with this feature. You won't be able to play the game from the drive but rather just use it for archival. "If you need the game in the future, it's much faster to just transfer it from the drive than download it all over again," the report said on Tuesday. This feature has been available on the PS4 consoles for a while now and they could even run the game directly off the external drive. Even the PS5 allowed transferring and playing PS4 titles from external drives. Read More

  Sony has announced to shut down its PlayStation Store for the PS3 on July 2 and for hand-held video game console Vita on August 27. It means that the users will not be able to buy digital copies of games for the PS3 and Vita. "We are closing PlayStation Store on PlayStation3 consoles on 2nd July 2021 and on PlayStation Vita devices on 27th August 2021. Additionally, the remaining purchase functionality for PSP (PlayStation®Portable) will also retire on 2nd July 2021," the company said in an update. Sony launched PS3 in November 2006, and more than 80 million units of the console have been sold to date. Vita has sold over 10 million units. The company said that the users will still be able to re-download and play previously purchased game titles. Read More

  The PlayStation 5 isn't simply the latest iteration of the Japanese company Sony's highly successful series of gaming consoles, but a genuine leap in terms of possibilities in gaming. There are several changes, inside and out, that set up PS5 for a markedly different gaming experience from its predecessors. Let's dive into the details. The PlayStation 5 comes in two variants: with Ultra-HD Blu-Ray Disc, and the Digital Edition -- which is also Rs 10,000 cheaper. Our review unit came with the disc drive. DualSense Wireless Controller The most highlighted (and rightly so!) aspect of the PS5 is the DualSense Wireless Controller. With its haptic feedback and trigger resistance, DualSense is more than just an accessory to the PS5, and in fact becomes an integral part of the immersive and realistic gaming experience that lets you 'feel' the game. Read More

  For Sony PlayStation lovers in India, the wait gets longer to order the latest PS5 units as the massive demand has led to the unit shortage globally. But the wait is worth for a true immersive, out-of-the-box gaming experience. You will experience lightning-fast loading with an ultra-high-speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and 3D audio, along with an all-new generation of PlayStation games. The PlayStation 5 costs Rs 49,990 for the normal edition while the digital edition comes for Rs 39,990. The PS5 Digital Edition is effectively identical to the PS5, with all of the same processing power as the disc-drive-equipped version. Here is what we have to reveal about the elusive gaming console that takes Microsoft Xbox Series X and S head-on. The front of the system has USB-A, USB-C ports, LED lights, along with tiny power and eject buttons. The back holds two more USB-A ports, an HDMI output, an Ethernet port, and a power cable connec

  Samsung Electronics was relegated to the runner-up spot in the market for connected TV devices, which includes smart TVs, streamers and gaming consoles, in the fourth quarter of 2020, a report said on Wednesday. Despite increase in sales, Samsung gave up its top spot to Amazon which sold 13.2 million units of connected TV devices in the last three months of 2020, up 45 per cent from a quarter earlier, for a 12.1 per cent market share. Samsung, the world's largest TV maker, shipped 11.9 million units of connected TV devices in the October-December period, up 2 per cent from a quarter earlier, to account for a 10.9 per cent market share, according to industry researcher Strategy Analytics. "Amazon has had great success with its Fire TV Stick 4K, which became the world's best-selling digital media streamer device in 2020," Strategy Analytics said. Sony came in third with a market share of 8.2 per cent after its shipments soared 116 per cent quarter-on-quarter

  Sony which stunned the public with showcasing its Vision-S prototype sedan last year at CES 2020, has now revealed more details in a video where the Vision-S prototype can be seen driving on a private track and on public roads in Austria. Sony has partnered with some key players, including automotive contract manufacturer Magna Steyr, on this project. According to TechCrunch, Sony has increased the number of sensors on the vehicle to 40 to allow for 360-degree awareness and experimented with ways to increase their capabilities. Izumi Kawanishi, a senior vice president at the company, said in the video that Sony also created a system to verify the safety and security of its connected vehicle. The dashboard-length display screen has five playing card-sized tiles in the centre labeled camera, settings, navigation, music and video. Read More

  Sony has unveiled its Airpeak drone before the company launched a new business targeted for professional photography and video production in the spring of 2021. The new drone, part of AI Robotics, is the world's smallest drone capable of carrying a state-of-the-art Alpha camera system. "In order to fully support the creativity of video creators, the payload of the drone can be equipped with an Alpha mirrorless camera to capture high quality, full frame aerial photography and video," Sony said in a statement during the CES 2021 on Tuesday. Airpeak is capable of dynamic filming and precise, stable flight, and aims to contribute to the world of entertainment while also pursuing new possibilities for creative expression. Not many details have emerged from Airpeak but Sony is already using the drone to film landscape and city shots. Read More

  Sony has a history of making technology-rich televisions, and the legacy continues with the Bravia A8H OLED 4K Android smart television. Though not the company’s top-end offering, the Bravia A8H is a premium model in the Japanese electronics maker’s OLED smart TV portfolio in India. Except the 8K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate available on the LED-based Bravia Z8H series, the Bravia A8H does not lack any of the Sony’s premium technology and features. On paper, the Sony Bravia A8H OLED 4K Android TV seems to be a tech-rich smart TV worth your money. But is it? Let’s find out: Design The Bravia A8H OLED 4K Android TV is based on Sony’s ‘One Slate’ design concept. It seems carved from a single piece of metal, with vivid 65-inch OLED screen dominating the entire front profile and a plush design on the back. The TV has a thin waistline, but there is a small block-shaped protrusion on the rear side where most of its machinery is placed. Nonetheless, the protrusion is not an obstru

  Japanese electronics maker Sony recently launched in India its MHC-V43D party speaker , featuring dedicated audio drivers for high, midrange and low frequencies, top mounted touchpad for gesture controls, party lights, and wired and wireless connectivity. On paper, the Sony MHC-V43D seems to be a capable speaker system good enough to light up the mood and dance to the beats at house parties. Is it? Let’s find out: Design and features Sony MHC-V43D speaker Like other party speakers of its kind, the Sony MHC-V43D has a trolley-shaped design with two-wheels on the bottom that makes it easy to move around despite its huge size and heavy weight (16 kg). The speaker has rubber grips on the bottom that makes it stand stable on the floor. Made mostly of plastic, the speaker has sturdy built with black finish that gives it a discreet profile in dim-lit environments. It, however, attracts attention, thanks to RGB lights on its sides for the light show that draw a pattern on the floor whi

  Sony on Thursday launched a new 65-inch 4K HDR OLED TV in A8H series for Rs 2,79,990 in the India market. The TV comes with powerful 4K HDR picture processor X1 Ultimate as well as X-Motion Clarity technology with an aim to provide an incredible refresh rate that is brighter and clearer than ever before, the company said. "With Pixel Contrast Booster, colour and contrast are enhanced in bright areas so one can enjoy their TV viewing with full of lifelike shades and hues, more depth, fine texture and the pure black contrast that only Sony's OLED can deliver,'' the company said in a statement. A8H features ambient optimisation technology automatically adjusting picture and sound to your environment. On conventional TVs, brightness stays the same regardless of light in a room, resulting in pictures that are too dark or bright. Read More  

  Japanese electronics maker Sony on Monday launched in India its first 8K resolution Android smart TV at Rs 13,99,990. Named Sony Z8H , the smart TV will be available across Sony retail stores (Sony Center and Sony Exclusive), ShopatSC portal, select electronic stores and e-commerce websites from October 5 onwards. Available in 85-inch screen size, the television is PlayStation 5 ready. Powered by Sony X1 picture processor, the Sony Z8H is capable to upscale any content to 8K resolution. It features full array LED with Sony’s 8K X-tended Dynamic Range Pro and 14X XDR contrast for enhanced dynamic range. Besides, the TV is powered by Sony’s TRILUMINOS technology for wide colour gamut support. The Z8H boasts ambient optimisation technology, which automatically adjusts picture and sound based on ambient conditions. It has a light sensor built-in to optimise picture brightness. Similarly, sound experience can also change depending on your room environment. Read More

  Sony has launched Xperia 5 II smartphone with a 120Hz refresh rate, triple rear cameras and Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip. The smartphone will be available in an unlocked black colour variant in the US, with variants compatible for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cricket, reports GSMArena. Pre-orders for the device will start with $950 from September 29, with shipping starting from December 4. There is no word on the India launch yet. The device features a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 SoC paired with 8GB of RAM. The phone arrives with 128GB and 256GB storage options, which can be expanded via microSD card. Read More

  In 2018, Japanese electronics maker Sony launched the WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones that became audiophiles’ favourite for their mature sound signature and industry leading active noise cancellation capability. Now, the company has refreshed the headphones with minor but meaningful upgrades. Named WH-1000XM4 , the wireless headphones are identical to the predecessor but gain better microphones for quality conversation over voice calls, and the ability to connect with two devices simultaneously. Do these upgrades add any utility to the already capable headphones? Let’s find out: Design Sony WH-1000XM4 review The Sony WH-1000XM4 looks similar to the WH-1000XM3; its design is minimal and the headphones have matte texture all around for a premium profile. The headphones are lightweight, sturdy and comfortable to use. Its ear cups feature Sony branding in bronze finish, which is appealing and attracts attention. Read More

  Sony will launch Play Station 5 and Play Station 5 Digital Edition in India on November 19. Both the products will be launched in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea on November 12. They will be launched in the remaining parts of the world on November 19 and the availability in each country is subject to local import regulations. The launch date for PS5 for China is still under exploration and will be announced at a later date, said the company. Sony is also introducing the multiplayer option starting from this Friday and for PS4 users, the option will be available tomorrow onwards. In Play Station 5 Showcase, the company announced that Play Station 5 will be priced at $499.99 and Play Station 5 Digital Edition at $399.99. Read More

  Sony has opened invite-only online registration for customers to be one of the first to pre-order the upcoming PlayStation 5 console directly from the company. According to the company, there will be a "limited quantity of PS5 consoles available for pre-order" this holiday season.   The invitation programme is a chance for existing PlayStation customers to get their shot at being able to order the upcoming console. "There will be a limited quantity of PS5 consoles available for pre-order, so we will be inviting some of our existing consumers to be one of the first to pre-order one from PlayStation," the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Read More               

  Sony has launched its Bravia X9000H series 4K LED TVs in India. The series include 65-inch and 55-inch screen models priced at Rs 1,59,990 and Rs 1,09,990, respectively. Both the TVs will be available across online portals and Sony retail stores. The TVs boast full-array LED backlighting, HDR, Android TV platform, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support. Interestingly, the TVs are designed for upcoming PlayStation 5 and are touted to run games at up to 4K resolution with 120 frames per second (fps). The premium 65-inch model also supports Acoustic Multi-Audio feature for improved acoustics. In terms of design, the Sony Bravia X9000H series TVs get premium treatment with aluminium frame and metal stand. Though based on LCD panel, the TVs use full-array LED backlighting to light up the pixels, instead of conventional corner-lit panels. Therefore, one can expect improved contrast and brightness compared to other LED screen based smart TVs. Both the TVs feature 4K UHD resolution screen o

Sony India on Tuesday expanded its Extra Bass wireless speaker range with the launch of the SRS-XB43 , SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB23 .Priced Rs 8,990 onwards, the speakers will be available from July 16. The speakers boast 'Extra Bass' sound output, which is one of the core capabilities on the XB wireless speakers line-up. "Backed by Sony's newly-developed X-Balanced Speaker Unit, these speakers provide high-sound quality and powerful sound pressure for a richer, deeper, and more rewarding listening experience," the company said in a statement. The SRS-XB-series speakers come with IP67 rating for protection from water, dust and rust. They have built-in Google Assistant. The SRS-XB43 and SRS-XB33 support up to 24 hours of music playback, according to the company. The SRS-XB23, on the other hand, supports up to 12 hours of on-battery time, and up to 10 hours on ‘Extra bass Mode’, the company claimed. Read More

Sony Playstation has joined over 400 advertisers who have decided to pull out ads from Facebook and Instagram over its failure to curb hate speech and misinformation. The #StopHateForProfit boycott has more than 400 participants and the civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League on June 17, are now calling for a global expansion of Facebook ad boycott. "In support of the #StopHateForProfit campaign, we have globally suspended our Facebook and Instagram activity, including advertising and non-paid content, until the end of July," PlayStation said in a statement to GamesIndustry.biz on Thursday. As hundreds of companies halt advertising on Facebook and Instagram, CEO Mark Zuckerberg is confident the brands would soon return on the platform. Read More