News & Reviews:   Sony Xperia Z Ultra

While the Sony SmartWatch 2 got announced in June 2013 it was originally scheduled to reach Malaysia in September 2013. Sony Mobile Malaysia recently changed this to October but gave a more definite date range this time around. This time, they say that the Sony SmartWatch 2 will be available in Malaysia from 15 October 2013 to 20 October 2013. While this solves the issue of a Malaysia release date, it doesn't answer the question about pricing, but we should find out about that soon. In addition to this information, Sony Mobile Malaysia also said that the SBH52 Smart Bluetooth Handset would also be coming along with the Sony SmartWatch 2. Released together with the SmartWatch 2 in tandem with the Sony Xperia Z Ultra the Handset is priced at RM480 but will likely be available with the Sony SmartWatch 2 next month.

After teasing the Samsung Galaxy Note III for months now, Samsung are finally setting a date for it's unveiling. This date is 4 September 2013 for their Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 in New York city. While Samsung haven't stated for sure that it will feature the Note III there, the wording itself is suspect as Samsung have said to "Note the date" rather than the usual "Save the date" wording. As expected, the event is a few days before the IFA 2013 expo.

While there have been a whole bucket-load of rumours surprisingly, no really concrete evidence has managed to leak. So far we have estimates that there will be 3 separate versions of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note III, each with a different screen along with a different processor. This could include combinations of flexible screens with Snapdragon 800 processors or new Samsung Exynos 5420 processors along with 3GB worth of RAM. Other surprises in store for us could include a Samsung smartwatch which is what Sony did when they launched their Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is one of the latest and probably greatest devices to enter the phablet (phone + tablet) market. From it's ultra-slim design to the awesome tech specs it manages to fit into such a slim device, it should make a big splash for anyone, especially since like it's other Xperia Z siblings it is IP58 certified for water resistance. Is this the phablet for you to bring along to the pool? Read on and find out.

Along with the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Sony also released their latest version of their smartwatch, the Sony SmartWatch 2. Partially made as a companion accessory to the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the SmartWatch 2 has a number of features which include:

• Splash-proof
• 1.6-inch Transflective LCD (220 x 176 pixel)
• Supports NFC, Bluetooth 3.0
• Charges through micro USB
• Aluminum + Polished plastic body
• Battery (7 days Low usage, normal usage 3-4 days)

After months of speculation the Sony Xperia Z Ultra or ZU finally gets officially announced. Confirming many of the rumours about it, the ZU's main buzz words are largest, slimmest and fastest on top of being water proof and capable of using any pencil, capacitive point or metal pen with 1mm or larger tip as a stylus. The tech specs for the Sony Xperia ZU include:

• 6.44-inch Triluminos display (1920 x 1080, X-Reality for Mobile, 10 point touch, shatter proof sheet on scratch resistant glass)
• 2.2GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974)
• Adreno 330 Graphics
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + microSD (up to 64GB)
• 8MP rear camera (Exmor RS, 16x digital zoom, auto focus, no flash) + 2MP front camera (1080p recording)
• Supports LTE + NFC
• 3000 mAh (14 hours 3G, 530 hours 3G standby, 510 hours LTE standby)
• IP58 rated
• Black, Purple, White
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• 179 x 92 x 6.5 mm thick | 212g

While Sony's Togari or Xperia Z Ultra and SmartWatch 2 have already been outed, the Sony i1 Honami still has not made it's official appearance just yet. However, leaked pictures that are actually clear (and not some blurry image) have appeared. The Honami is Sony's entry into the super-cameraphone arena with some impressive tech specs which include:

• 5-inch display (1080 x 1920)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
• 20MP/13MP rear camera (Exmor RS sensor, G Lens, Cybershot, dual LED, Xenon Flash, Mobile BIONZ Image processing)
• Interchangeable lens

Sony's upcoming 6.44-inch phablet codenamed Togari will likely be revealed in a press event in Paris on 4 July 2013. The press invite teases the thin and slim phablet by showing a side view of it in an extra long invite. The Sony Togari phablet will likely be called the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and have the following impressive tech specs:

• 6.44-inch (1080p, Triluminuous) display
• 2.3GHz Qualcomm Quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 8MP Exmore RS Camera
• IP58 certified
• Android 4.2.2

Sony's upcoming phablet codenamed the Togari or otherwise known as the Sony Xperia ZU has leaked a number of images online. The first of witch involves a cute little cat on top of an ultra slim and thin slate that is supposedly the Togari. Granted, the image is very low quality, but it does give an inkling as to the size and shape of the Togari. Rumoured tech specs for the Togari include:

• 6.44-inch (1080p, Triluminuous) display
• 2.3GHz Qualcomm Quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 8MP Exmore RS Camera
• IP58 certified
• Android 4.2.2