Xperia phone about to get even better?

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dafman

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#177130 23-Jul-2015 12:46

I reckon the Xperia Z3 must be the most underrated flagship of present. In addition to great hardware design, waterproofing and SD slot, it sports one of the most stripped-down Android skins making it very close to naked android. And it looks like its about to get even more stripped down... which can't be a bad thing ...

http://blogs.sonymobile.com/2015/07/22/launching-sonys-concept-for-android-initiative-in-sweden/

At Sony Mobile we believe listening to feedback from our users is key in creating great experiences – so we’re starting to look at ways of building this more tangibly into our business and process design, with the simple aim of ensuring our products and services are as good as they possibly can be.

As part of this, we’re launching a new initiative in Sweden to give 500 Xperia Z3 users the chance to try Sony’s Concept for Android – a concept operating system with a fresh take on our user experience based on Android 5.1, Lollipop. It has some significant differences compared to our current commercial releases, with a stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel, with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users.

It’s a chance for us to listen and act upon bug reports, opinions and experiences, so we can acquire feedback to improve the experiences based on what you like and what you don’t

This trial will help us assess the potential of running wider Android operating system concept initiatives for more markets, devices and users in the future – as we look to shift towards a model that allows for the creation of experiences with real user input, whilst adopting more transparent and open workflows. We believe this will eventually enable us to respond to your needs quicker and easier.

scottjpalmer

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#1350373 23-Jul-2015 12:52

Mega Xperia Z series fanboy here

toyonut

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#1350385 23-Jul-2015 13:10

I am a big fan of Sony's, I think they are the best phone I have never owned. They have amazing support. Sony even has Android M drivers back to the Z1 on Sony developer site.
If I could find a good price on a z3 or z3 compact, I would love to get one.

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Wade

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#1350417 23-Jul-2015 13:54

I have no recent experience with Sony but there are a growing number of phones with near pure Google experience, within my reach I have a GPe'd HTC One, Motorola moto G, Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 and functionality & UI wise each is all but identical to operate, in my opinion there is no real advantage in re-skinning Lollipop, it works well, work with it not against it

The real benchmark is how fast these OEM's give us updates, Motorola have been very proactive lately and it sounds like Sony might be too which is good news all round. In my opinion at least the three most current flagships should be running the latest OS within 2 or 3 months of Google's release

reven

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#1350424 23-Jul-2015 14:11

I would buy one if they released a model with qi/wireless charging globally, the z3v has it but thats locked to verizon. so annoying.

dafman

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#1350449 23-Jul-2015 14:59

reven: I would buy one if they released a model with qi/wireless charging globally, the z3v has it but thats locked to verizon. so annoying.

I had Qi on my Nexus 5 and yes I do miss it. However, having moved to a Xperia Z2, I wouldn't go back to the Nexus as the Z2's overall package out-trumps the Nexus - eg. SD slot, waterproofing, massive battery, better camera, dedicated camera key, and noise cancelling.

And the Xperia bounces when dropped onto concrete - mine has survived several events. The Nexus smashed first time.

freitasm

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#1350451 23-Jul-2015 15:04

"with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users."

That spoils everything.

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NikT

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#1350508 23-Jul-2015 15:21

freitasm: "with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users."

That spoils everything.

I believe they're talking about the likes of Stamina Mode - removing that really would spoil everything!

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dafman

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#1350514 23-Jul-2015 15:27

freitasm: "with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users."

That spoils everything.

Probably referring to the mini apps (calculator, timer) that appear at the bottom of the recent apps screen, but these are so non-intrusive you hardly would know they are there. There are some extra setting options for battery stamina, audio enhancements, but you need to go looking for these to find them. Finally, there are the Sony apps for music, movies etc - I don't use these, so the only time I ever see these are if I am flicking through the app drawer.

freitasm

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#1350529 23-Jul-2015 15:36

Possibly. But then there are those media player apps and other stuff that keep asking you for a Sony account, when you really just want to use the apps of your choice with the smartphone...

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ubernoob

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#1350531 23-Jul-2015 15:37

dafman: I reckon the Xperia Z3 must be the most underrated flagship of present. In addition to great hardware design, waterproofing and SD slot, it sports one of the most stripped-down Android skins making it very close to naked android. And it looks like its about to get even more stripped down... which can't be a bad thing ...

http://blogs.sonymobile.com/2015/07/22/launching-sonys-concept-for-android-initiative-in-sweden/

At Sony Mobile we believe listening to feedback from our users is key in creating great experiences – so we’re starting to look at ways of building this more tangibly into our business and process design, with the simple aim of ensuring our products and services are as good as they possibly can be. As part of this, we’re launching a new initiative in Sweden to give 500 Xperia Z3 users the chance to try Sony’s Concept for Android – a concept operating system with a fresh take on our user experience based on Android 5.1, Lollipop. It has some significant differences compared to our current commercial releases, with a stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel, with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users. It’s a chance for us to listen and act upon bug reports, opinions and experiences, so we can acquire feedback to improve the experiences based on what you like and what you don’t This trial will help us assess the potential of running wider Android operating system concept initiatives for more markets, devices and users in the future – as we look to shift towards a model that allows for the creation of experiences with real user input, whilst adopting more transparent and open workflows. We believe this will eventually enable us to respond to your needs quicker and easier.

Z5 anyone?

I have Z1 compact I was going to get Z3+ and have been waiting to see if they can do anything with the overheating issue with the SnapDragon 810 This might be the answer???

dafman

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#1350548 23-Jul-2015 15:51

ubernoob:
dafman: I reckon the Xperia Z3 must be the most underrated flagship of present. In addition to great hardware design, waterproofing and SD slot, it sports one of the most stripped-down Android skins making it very close to naked android. And it looks like its about to get even more stripped down... which can't be a bad thing ...

http://blogs.sonymobile.com/2015/07/22/launching-sonys-concept-for-android-initiative-in-sweden/

At Sony Mobile we believe listening to feedback from our users is key in creating great experiences – so we’re starting to look at ways of building this more tangibly into our business and process design, with the simple aim of ensuring our products and services are as good as they possibly can be. As part of this, we’re launching a new initiative in Sweden to give 500 Xperia Z3 users the chance to try Sony’s Concept for Android – a concept operating system with a fresh take on our user experience based on Android 5.1, Lollipop. It has some significant differences compared to our current commercial releases, with a stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel, with native Sony features and apps we find most popular amongst our users. It’s a chance for us to listen and act upon bug reports, opinions and experiences, so we can acquire feedback to improve the experiences based on what you like and what you don’t This trial will help us assess the potential of running wider Android operating system concept initiatives for more markets, devices and users in the future – as we look to shift towards a model that allows for the creation of experiences with real user input, whilst adopting more transparent and open workflows. We believe this will eventually enable us to respond to your needs quicker and easier.

Z5 anyone?

I have Z1 compact I was going to get Z3+ and have been waiting to see if they can do anything with the overheating issue with the SnapDragon 810 This might be the answer???

I was thinking Z3+ as well, but overheating issues also put me off, so will wait and see. One more year with my Z2 me thinks.

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dafman

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#1350552 23-Jul-2015 15:55

freitasm: Possibly. But then there are those media player apps and other stuff that keep asking you for a Sony account, when you really just want to use the apps of your choice with the smartphone...

These can be dealt with during set up, never to arise again. I haven't seen any Sony account requests in over 12 months of use. I recently set up my partners Galaxy S6 which was much more intrusive in trying to get you to create/log into a Samsung account first for common functions provided by Google - eg, back up, locate my device etc