Sony Walkman | Get Ready For a Soul Shaking Audio Experience

The next generation Walkman® mobile entertainment from Sony delivers exhilarating music and multimedia performance 

Designed for music lovers, by music lovers, the next generation Walkman® NWZ-F800 mobile entertainment player delivers soul shaking audio clarity, turning music and video into an immensely joyful experience wherever you go. 

With a strong emphasis on audio quality, audiophiles will appreciate what Sony has achieved in the NWZ-F800’s core user experience of superior sound quality driven by the premium S-Master MX digital amplifier and four other Clear Audio Technologies (Clear Stereo, Clear Bass, DSEE and EX headphone) from Sony. The NWZ-F800 offers brilliantly accurate sound reproduction with an enriched stereo image, tight bass and crystal clear highs. It also features the Clear Phase™ technology which ensures reduced distortion and increased sound presence

– in other words, outstanding high quality sound in a portable audio device. 

The NWZ-F800 matches superb sound with an equally entertaining AV user experience. Fun features such as SenseMe™ channels analyse your music and sort them according to mood; Lyrics are displayed so you can sing along to your favourite tunes; and Visualisers and Cover Art View provide brilliant visuals on the vibrant 3.5” WVGA multi-touch screen LCD, bringing you closer to your music.

Powerful NVIDIA® Tegra™ II dual-core processor and Google Android 4.0 platform opens the door to a universe of choices for music aficionados get the most out of their music – a perfect package of sound and fun wherever you go. 

Music has never been this convenient to listen to. The W.button on the NWZ-F800 gives you instant access to music playback, no matter what task you are currently engaged in. With one press the W.button launches W.Control, which lets you play, stop, skip forward or backward, and view additional track information without interrupting your activity. 

House in a compact aluminium body, the NWZ-F800 also includes FLAC support for true CD-quality sound, 512MB memory, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® connectivity, and up to 25 hours of music playback (Depends on Tegra2 power consumption) and (Assuming audio playback using mp3 format 128kbps). 

The NWZ-F800 will be available in black and red and comes in 8, 16 and black in 32GB capacities. It will retail in Sony stores and authorised outlets from the end of October 2012. 

Sony Walkman | Get Ready For a Soul Shaking Audio Experience

Hands on experience of the new Sony Xperia neo L

Two of the newest smart phones from Sony were released on July 11, 2012 at the Aracama, Fort strip, Taguig City. Media people were gathered as they introduced the Sony Xperia Ion and the Sony Xperia neo L. Both phones focus on giving the best mobile entertainment experience and functionality for the users of the next generation. 

 

To make it more interesting, Sony Philippines prepared a game that will let the participants experience the phone for themselves. Equipted with a mobile phone of either the Sony Xperia neo L or the Sony Xperia Ion plus a headset, we were asked to enter the Xperia bus. Details of the event were given as the game evolved.

The phone that I was using was the Sony Xperia neo L white. It has nice form factor and the screen size was good enough to see the apps clearly. 

Inside the Xperia bus, the host briefed us about the game mechanics.  Our mission was to take as many pictures as we could, upload it to facebook and tag “aphone cruz” (a facebook name the organizers made for the game). The person who can upload and tag “aphone cruz” the most wins the new Xperia phone. This made everyone excited and began shooting everywhere inside the bus. In the middle of the the game, we were also asked to view videos, play games and use the internet at the same time.  

The game was a good way to showcase the features of the Sony Xperia neo L and the Sony Xperia Ion. From this activity, we experienced the following technologies.

1.       The Exmor R, using the camera in low light condition

2.       Social media integration, for fast photo uploading on facebook and twitter.

3.       Mobile Bravia Engine, for multi-tasking apps.

4.       X-loud, which brings crisps sound with or without headphones.

When we returned to Aracama, everyone was waiting for the contest results. Photos of the winning user were wirelessly shared on the TV screen using DLNA connectivity. 

 I was not fortunate that night. Oh well, congratulations to the winner. That is one good phone!! 

For more information and specs about the Sony Xperia neo L and the Sony Xperia Ion click here.

Sony takes mobile entertainment to a new level with Xperia ion and Xperia neo L

Mobile phone use has definitely evolved over the years. From simple calls and text messaging, more and more people now use their phones not just for communication but also for keeping themselves entertained on-the- go. Surveys show that mobile phone users have taken to internet browsing, social networking, watching movies and videos and listening to music on their mobiles.  In addition, they increasingly take their own photos and videos and share these with friends and family through their handheld phones.  The mobile phone has definitely become more than just a tool for keeping in touch but a versatile companion for mobile entertainment.

With this in mind, Sony strengthens its smartphone leadership by expanding the Xperia line-up with the launch of Xperia neo L and Xperia ion on July 11, 2012 at The Fort, Taguig City. The two new Xperia models, available this month,  promise to take mobile entertainment to a new level and give consumers the ultimate mobile experience with large screens and unequaled Sony technologies that contribute to  fun and intense mobile entertainment experiences. These Sony technologies include Mobile Bravia Engine for high definition images, X-Loud for crisper sounds and Exmor R for exceptional photos even in dark environments like bars and restaurants.  The handsets are also equipped with fun features like Facebook Inside for an easy, fast and fuss-free SNS experience and Track ID that allows a user to record and identify the title of a song.

Xperia neo L

The new Xperia neo L boasts of a larger 4” display compared to the 3.7” on Xperia neo V, a 5MP back camera which records 720p HD video, a front facing camera for video chat, and is powered by the latest Ice Cream Sandwich Android software from Google. Xperia neo L is preloaded with Google Talk for easy video chat between smartphones, tablets and PCs using the front facing camera. The large 4” display provides the best in its class entertainment experience, making internet browsing and watching favorite video clips shot in HD even more immersive and engaging. 

Available in either black and white for PhP 12,490, Xperia neo L builds on the sleek and stylish design of Xperia neo V, incorporating the curved back and glossy finish. Xperia neo L also incorporates Sony’s xLoud™ technology for crisp and loud sound.

Mr. Takao Kuroda, President and Managing Director of Sony Philippines, Inc, commented, “With the popularity of the Xperia neo V among Filipino consumers, we are confident the Xperia neo L will be equally successful.  With its large, bright screen, excellent camera and other excellent features, Xperia neo L will provide consumers with everything that they demand from an Android smartphone in a sleek and stylish design.” 

Xperia ion

Meanwhile, Xperia ion which was recently awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design, features a stunning 4.6” HD display that provides a visually brilliant viewing experience with razor sharp clarity. For photo enthusiasts, Xperia ion features fast capture to take the impressive 12MP rear camera from sleep to snap in a little over a second with a single key press.

Photos can then be easily and wirelessly shared on any screen - TV, laptop or tablet, with just one touch using DLNA connectivity. Additionally, both rear- and front-facing cameras deliver HD recording capabilities.

“Xperia ion combines superb technology and design to deliver a topnotch mobile entertainment experience. It’s suited for mobile phone users who want top-of-the-line features in their handsets,” said Mr. Patrick Larraga, Head of Mobile Business for Sony Philippines.

Xperia ion is available this month for PhP30,990 in authorized retailers nationwide.

Since entertainment and communication are in perfect sync with Sony Xperia’s new smartphones, consumers are definitely up for a special treat with these must-have gadgets.

Key features for Xperia neo L

·        Large 4” display for a superior viewing, browsing and gaming experience

·        Front facing camera and 5MP back camera capturing 720p HD video

·        1GHZ processor with Adreno 205 graphics processor

·        xLoud Sony audio technology gives crisp and loud sound

·        Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich

·        WiFi and HSPA for high speed data transfer

Xperia neo L specifications	All services mentioned below may not be available in every market.
Colours	Glossy Black, Glossy White
Facts	Size: 121 x 61 x 12.2 mm Weight: 150g 1 GHz Google™ Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Camera	5.1 megapixel camera Auto focus Flash / Photo flash Flash / Photo light Flash / LED Front-facing camera (VGA) Geotagging Send to web Touch focus Video light Video recording
Music	Album art Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP) Music player xLOUD™
Internet	Android Market™* Bookmarks Google™ search* Google Voice™ Search* Google Maps™ for Mobile with Street view and Latitude™* Pan & zoom Web browser (Webkit™)
Communication	Call list Conference calls Facebook™ application Facebook inside Xperia™ Google Talk™ application* Speakerphone Twitter™ application (with Timescape™ integration)* Video chat ready Xperia™ Timescape™
Messaging	Conversations Email Google Mail™* Instant messaging Multimedia messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Sound recorder Text messaging (SMS)
Design	Auto rotation Gesture input Keyboard (on-screen, QWERTY) Live wallpaper Picture wallpaper Touch screen Voice input
Entertainment	Video streaming YouTube™*
Organiser	Airplane mode Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Contacts Document editors Document readers E-Manual Infinite button Setup guide
Connectivity	3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA) aGPS* Bluetooth™ wireless technology DLNA Certified® Google Location Service* Media Go Media Transfer Protocol support Micro USB Support Modem Native USB tethering* PC Companion Synchronisation via Facebook™** Synchronisation via Google™ Synchronisation via SyncML™ Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® USB High Speed 2.0 support USB mass storage Wi-Fi® Wi-Fi® Hotspot functionality*
Display	Colours 16,777,216 colour TFT Resolution 480×854 pixels Size (diagonal) 4 inches
Memory	Internal phone storage 1 GB RAM 512 MB Expansion slot microSD™, up to 32 GB
Networks	UMTS HSPA 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I) GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Battery life	Talk time (GSM) Up to 7 hours 53 min* Standby time (GSM) Up to 575 hours* Talk time (UMTS) Up to 7 hours 9 min* Standby time (UMTS) Up to 410 hours* 1500 mAh, typical 1460 mAh, minimum *Values are according to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique. Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configurations, and phone usage.
In the kit	Headset Charger and USB cable A7 printed manual 2GB microSD card

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

Key Features for Xperia ion:

• 4.6” HD Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine with HD resolution screen (1280 x 720), as well as rear (1080p) and front (720p) cameras for HD recording.
• 1.5GHz dual core processor gives consumers super fast performance, which can be stored on the internal 16GB flash storage.
• 12MP rear camera with Sony Exmor R™ for mobile with fast-capture to go from standby to first shot in less than two seconds.
• HD sharing through DLNA, HDMI and BRAVIA Sync to quickly and easily stream content on other screens.

Xperia ion specifications

All services mentioned may not be available in every market.

Colours	Black
Facts	Size: 133 x 68 x 10.8 mm Weight: 144 grams
Camera	3D Sweep Panorama 12.1 megapixel camera 16x digital zoom Auto focus Face detection Flash/Photo light Front-facing camera (HD 720p) Geotagging HD video recording (1080p) Image stabiliser Red-eye reduction Self-timer Scene recognition Send to web Smile detection Sony Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor Sweep Panorama Sweep Multi Angle Touch capture Touch focus Video light Video recording
Music	Album art Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP) TrackID music recognition* xLoud™ Experience WALKMAN application
Internet	Bookmarks Google Play™ Google™ search* Google Voice™ Search* Google Maps™ for Mobile with Navigation, Places and Latitude™* Pan & zoom Web browser (WebKit™)
Communication	Call list Facebook™ application* Google Talk™ application* Noise suppression Speakerphone Twitter™ (Timescape)™ integration)* Xperia™ Timescape™ Xperia™ with Facebook™
Messaging	Conversations Email Google Mail™* Messaging Multimedia messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Sound recorder Text messaging (SMS)
Design	Auto rotation Gesture input Gyroscope on-screen QWERTY keyboard HD Reality Display with Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine Screenshot capturing Voice input Wallpaper
Entertainment	3D Album 3D games Media browser Motion gaming PlayStation® Certified Radio (FM radio with RDS) TV launcher YouTube™*
Organiser	Airplane mode Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Contacts Document readers eCompass™ Infinite button LiveWare™ manager Notes OfficeSuite Setup guide
Connectivity	3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA) aGPS* ANT+ sports fitness Bluetooth™ wireless technology DLNA Certified® GLONASS* HDMI support Media Go™ Media Transfer Protocol support Micro USB support Native USB tethering NFC PC Companion Synchronising via Facebook™ Synchronising via Google™ Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® Synchronising via SyncML™ USB High speed 2.0 support USB host Wi-Fi® Wi-Fi® Hotspot functionality
Display	16,000,000 colour TFT 1280x720 pixels 4.6 inches (diagonal) Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant glass
Memory	Internal phone storage: 16 GB* (up to 12.9 GB user-accessible memory) RAM: 1 GB Expansion slot: microSD™ card, up to 32 GB
Networks	UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) GSM EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Battery life	Embedded Battery: 1900 mAh typical, 1840 mAh minimum Talk time GSM: Up to 10 hours** Standby time GSM: Up to 400 hours** Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hours** Standby time UMTS: Up to 350 hours** Music listening time: Up to 12 hours** Video playback time: Up to 3 hours** ** Values are according to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique as performed in controlled laboratory conditions. Actual time may vary.
In the kit	Headset Charger and USB cable A7 printed manual HDMI cable Two (2) NFC SmartTags

The Worldwide fight against Glaucoma

Is the Philippines alone in the fight against glaucoma?

Definitely not! With the close of World Glaucoma Week 2012 themed Don’t let glaucoma darken your life!, the Philippines joins over 120 countries worldwide to stop Glaucoma in its tracks.

 image from: medicblogs.blogspot.com

“Glaucoma is a leading cause of permanent blindness in the world. Countries all over the world are well aware of the terrible repercussion of this disease. We join them in the fight to rid the Philippines, and ultimately the world, of the incurable blindness caused by glaucoma,” said Dr. Biboy Martinez, vice-president of the Philippine Glaucoma Society, the recognized association of glaucoma specialists in the country.

World Glaucoma Week is a worldwide celebration spearheaded by the joint forces of the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) and the World Glaucoma Association (WGA). It was held on March 11-17, 2012 and has been celebrated since 2008.

The WGPA began the world umbrella organization of glaucoma patient support groups who seek to provide solace for other patients worldwide. It organizes patient support groups in every country who will benefit not only from personal care but also from other patients who understand their plights.

The World Glaucoma Association brings to the table a world organization to unite “glaucoma fighters” in their mission to end glaucoma existence. The Philippine Glaucoma Society represents the country in this worldwide consortium.

Worldwide activities

In many countries, awareness of the severity of glaucoma has been the focus. Glaucoma is the “sneak thief of the sight”. Many patients are not even aware that they already have glaucoma. They’ll only find out until glaucoma has already severely damaged vision.

In Australia, over 300,000 suffer from some form of glaucoma.  Half of them are not even aware of it. Most cases are detected only after permanent loss of vision has occurred. A very active glaucoma patient association has been established in this country.

In Congo, eye experts raised awareness in their communities through displaying of banners showing messages on glaucoma, broadcasting short messages and information on glaucoma by radio and television and distribute leaflets with information on glaucoma to the population. A free glaucoma screening for patients aged over 40 years old was also conducted and glaucoma treatment subsidies were distributed to chosen patients in lieu of the celebration.

In Ghana, a press launch, free public eye screening and a public forum were organized by local glaucoma organizations to promote awareness of the disease that is a major cause of visual impairment of its citizens.

India is also well aware of the damage done by glaucoma. Up to 12% of the all blindness in India is caused by glaucoma. Eye experts in India also agree that glaucoma can only be stopped through early detection. Awareness campaigns have been launched to do just that.

Local activities

In the Philippines, the Philippine Glaucoma Society in partnership with Allergan launched a series of campaigns and activities to spread the word on the fight against the sneak thief of sight.

A nationwide screening and glaucoma forum were held in over 63 participating hospitals and health centers in Metro Manila, North and South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

To pay their respects to the ultimate Filipino ophthalmologist, the PGS traditionally organizes a Wreath-laying ceremony at Jose Rizal’s monument in Manila. Not only is Rizal known for his writing prowess, he was also a very capable eye doctor.

A media campaign and standardized presentations and information materials were also launched.

In partnership with Allergan, PGS is aggressively fighting to rid the country of glaucoma through education, exchange of ideas, research and publication. Its vision is No Filipino will ever go blind from Glaucoma.

Philippine Glaucoma Society along with globally recognized multi-specialty care company Allergan brings scientific excellence and rigor in delivering leading products that addresses glaucoma. Allergan goes beyond providing education and information. With the highest level of integrity, Allergan helps patients understand the choices available to them and make well-informed treatment decisions with their doctors.

Glaucoma is a worldwide crisis. Fortunately, Filipinos are not alone in the fight. Glaucoma should be eradicated completely if humanity should live life without fear of the sneak thief of sight. Be aware.