UVA Sony Ambassador Blog

Unlock your phone with your fingerprint -- coming soon?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:49:31 -0400

Unlock your phone with your fingerprint -- coming soon?:

Fingerprint scanners could be coming to next-gen smartphones soon enough. Sony has filed for a patent on a fingerprint reader that works via the touchscreen on a smartphone. This could add extra layers of security, including scanning your fingerprint to unlock your phone. Sounds really cool!

Rumor: No PS4, but maybe "Orbis?"

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:39:42 -0400

Rumor: No PS4, but maybe "Orbis?":

Despite no real plans being made for the announcement of the next-gen PlayStation console, rumors are popping up that the console might actually lose it’s PlayStation branding and be named “Orbis.” On top of that, used games may become a relic of the past, as the used game market does not benefit game producers. We’ll see if either of these claims remain true, but it’s certainly exciting to think that Sony’s keeping some great things to come under wrap.

That’s the DVD artwork for the DVD release of The Girl...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:55:50 -0400

That’s the DVD artwork for the DVD release of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Yep, it looks just like a pirated DVD. And the funny part is that people have actually mistaken it for a real pirated DVD, according to a lot of reviews on sites like Amazon. I really like the design of it though. Good job sticking with the story, even on the front of the DVD, Sony Pictures.

Sony ChromeBook on its way?

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:34:20 -0400

Sony ChromeBook on its way?:

I’m a big fan of Sony and Google, so if there’s a Sony ChromeBook coming soon, I want to be able to test it out. The rumored computer would be all Sony hardware, running the Google Chrome Operating System, which features nearly-instant-on technology and operates mostly from a single browser window. It looks like a very nice portable laptop.

The PSP has gone blue!

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:05 -0400

The PSP has gone blue!:

A new version of the PSP is planned to be released next month in Japan, and it’ll be all blue. It’s not known yet whether this PSP will show up in the US any time soon, but if I were in the market for a PSP, this is the color I’d be after.

The recently announced Sony Xperia Sola has a solid design,...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:00:05 -0400

The recently announced Sony Xperia Sola has a solid design, great features, and the revolutionary, and magical, “floating touch” capability, allowing the user to interact with the touchscreen just by hovering over it. Check out the video to see an example of how “floating touch” will work!

"Sony wants its doors open to all possibilities, for all consumers."

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:00:05 -0400

"Sony wants its doors open to all possibilities, for all consumers.":

Here’s a great comparison of the PS Vita, the Nintendo 3DS, and Microsoft’s moves in the portable gaming market. Each of these players in portable gaming are taking very different approaches, and it’s interesting to see each path analyzed by Engadget. Additionally, they sign off the article saying that they couldn’t be happier with the competition, and I totally agree. The portable gaming market is definitely shifting, and the ways in which each company is shifting is very cool to see. I’m definitely excited to see what will happen next, especially with the Vita!

Sony Music Unlimited: Now on the PS Vita

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:00:05 -0400

Sony Music Unlimited: Now on the PS Vita:

The PS Vita really is turning into a great, all-in-one entertainment device. Now, it’s capable of playing the entire Sony Music Unlimited library at any time, in any place. And with the recently announced ability to store music offline temporarily for playback in places without an Internet connection, the service is even better!

The awesomeness of Sony Music Unlimited

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:37:30 -0400

The awesomeness of Sony Music Unlimited:

A new feature just rolled out for Sony Music Unlimited, Sony’s music streaming service. Now, music can be stored offline on your smartphone or tablet. And that’s just awesome. This means that your smartphone and/or tablet doesn’t have to connect to the Internet in order to play back music, and whenever you take your phone or tablet to places without wi-fi, you can still enjoy your music. Check out the article for more details, and definitely test out the service if you haven’t already!

Ice Cream Sandwich Beta ROM available for unlocked Xperia smartphones

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:06:05 -0400

Ice Cream Sandwich Beta ROM available for unlocked Xperia smartphones:

For the devs who like to live on the bleeding edge, or for the users who enjoy a new experience, an updated ROM is available for certain Xperia devices that brings all the greatness of Ice Cream Sandwich, the new version of Android, to your smartphone.

Definitely a worthwhile update, and it’ll be even better when the final version is out.

Another great PS Vita Review, this time from the NYTimes

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:06 -0400

Another great PS Vita Review, this time from the NYTimes:

This is what the gameplay on a PS Vita really looks like. I know, I was blown away too. Check out the review from the NY Times and find out if the Vita is right for you (spoiler alert: it totally is).

Boom. Roasted. By the PS Vita

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:06 -0400

Boom. Roasted. By the PS Vita:

Check out the link by clicking on the title. CNET had a prizefight between the new PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS to find out which was the better portable device. And who do you think won? I think it’s obvious. Still, check out the link to find out more information about both contenders.

New Cybershots!

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:05 -0400

New Cybershots!:

You’re looking at one of nine brand new Cybershots, recently released by Sony. I’m most interested in one of the new H-series cameras, the HX30V. It looks great and comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. Niiiiice. Check out the article to see the details on the news products.

Interesting review from PCMag, comparing the PS Vita to your smartphone

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:00:05 -0400

Interesting review from PCMag, comparing the PS Vita to your smartphone:

Click the title to be taken to the original article.

And who’s the winner? The PS Vita, of course! With all of that gaming power, a powerful graphics engine, and a GIANT list of games, unmatched by the iOS Appstore or the Android Market, the PS Vita just can’t be beat.

Check out this review if you’re on the fence about buying a PS Vita. I wasn’t considering grabbing one just yet, but this review changed my mind!

Great review of the new PS Vita. Check it out.

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:00:05 -0500

Great review of the new PS Vita. Check it out.:

PlayStation Vita Game Heaven is today!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:00:05 -0500

PlayStation Vita Game Heaven is today!:

Certainly an odd name, but it’s all good, Sony. PlayStation Vita Game Heaven is an event taking place in Japan at 8PM Japan Time, which…unfortunately…is 6AM EST. So it looks like I won’t be watching this one. However, during this event, it’s rumored that a large number of upcoming games will be announced for the PS Vita, which will make this portable device all the more irresistible. Hopefully, we’ll be hearing soon about what is announced at the show.

Congratulations to Samantha from UVA!

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:57:10 -0500

I just recently heard that Samantha was the winner of a Sony Tablet S after entering the tablet contest that I had during my Grammy Party! That’s so awesome. Samantha, you’re going to love the tablet. Look forward to playing with it soon. :)

This is possibly one of the best advertisements I’ve ever...

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:02:06 -0500

This is possibly one of the best advertisements I’ve ever seen from any company. Ever.

It’s incredibly immersive, well-filmed, and the sound…wow. You just have to see it for yourself. And make sure you’re wearing headphones.

A Twisted Metal movie?! YES!

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:02:05 -0500

A Twisted Metal movie?! YES!:

Click the title to be taken to the original article.

When this story popped up in my newsfeed, I got so excited.

A little back story: Twisted Metal was the first game I ever had on my PlayStation. So, Twisted Metal and I have a long history. Since that first release of the game, I’ve owned every release of the game and have loved it more and more. It’s such a cool and creative game, plus the characters are just unreal. The backstories for each of them are great. And no one beats Needles Kane, the driver of the Sweet Tooth car (which has been prominently featured on every version of the game).

So, back to this story: Sony has signed a deal for a Twisted Metal movie to be made. Not a lot of details are known just yet, but I just can’t wait for it to be out. This movie will be EPIC. I hope there’s a midnight release party in theatres, because I’ll definitely be going.

Want to play Crash Bandicoot on your HTC Smartphone? Sony says No problem!

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:02:05 -0500

Want to play Crash Bandicoot on your HTC Smartphone? Sony says No problem!:

Click the title to be taken to the original article.

Sony, Crash gives this move two thumbs up!

Recently, Sony announced that HTC would be receiving the PlayStation Suite Certification, which will definitely bump up the number of PlayStation Certified devices in the near future (as of now, there are only 2 - the Sony Tablet S and the Sony Tablet P). Plus, that means CRASH BANDICOOT ON YOUR SMARTPHONE! There are a lot of other great games available as well to PlayStation Certified devices, like Gran Turismo and Cool Boarders, and they’re awesome to play on my tablet. It’d be great to have them in an even more portable device though! :)

In addition, there’s a chance the PS Vita Operating System will be coming to smartphones and tablets later on. That’s really cool, as the PS Vita OS seems very scalable to many devices. Sony definitely has definitely made user experience a huge focus in their new devices!