Sony updates Xperia Z and Xperia ZL, improves performance

A month back on June 24, Xperia Z was officially update to  Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean 10.3.A.0.423 firmware and some days back we saw another Jelly Bean 10.3.1.A.0.236  firmware OTA update being rolled on Xperia Z but only on developer handsets, which was a lot curious why such a firmware was rolled and users reporting it were very few.


But now, in INDIA region, we have just spotted another 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware on our Xperia Z C6602 HSPA+ version via PC Companion as well as via SUS. No such update is seen listed on PTCRB site also. Update also confirmed on Xperia Z C6603 LTE version now.
10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update confirmed in India, Sweden, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Poland till now. Same 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update is also confirmed on Xperia ZL C6503.

We can confirm that 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update for Xperia Z C6602 is just a patch update of Android 4.2.2  Sony must have patched the perf_event exploit. So Root from previous 10.3.A.0.423 firmware will now be lost sadly.

Xperia ZR C5503 / C5502 has also been updated to same Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update, check below link.
[ Update ] 

Xperia ZR C5503 / C5502 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update Rolled Out – Install it.

[ UPDATE ]

How to Root Xperia Z, ZL, ZR Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware by DooMLoRD Easy Rooting Toolkit v18 – ROOT ACHIEVED 

Xperia Z C6602 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware details

Xperia Z C6602 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update is a full update of 758.5 MB size as like last one.

• Android – Jelly Bean 4.2.2
• Phone Model – Xperia Z C6602
• Baseband version – 9x15A-ACEFWMAZQ-30110057-39
• Build Number – 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware
• Kernel – 3.4.0-g3865184 BuildUser@BuildHost #1 Tue Jul 07:57:34 2013

10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update has some old kernel 3.4.0 as like 10.3.A.0.423 firmware

Xperia ZL C6503 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware details

Xperia Z C6602 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update via PC Companion

Connect your Xperia Z to PC Companion and check whether a firmware update notification is available or not. If yes, then please proceed as shown below.
PC Companion says, latest android software, may be it’s a new version
Click on “Update” button and proceed to confirm the new 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware as old 10.3.A.0.423 firmware.
Xperia Z C6602 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update will be automatically download and phone will be updated. First reboot after update will be a bit slow, it will get back to normal soon
As soon as phone boots, it will say Android is upgrading, total files are 74, it means they are fixing some bugs in this firmware. Let it happen then applications will start.

Xperia ZL C6503 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update via PC Companion

Connect your Xperia ZL to PC Companion and look for update notification and proceed if update is available.

Xperia Z C6602 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update via SUS – Sony Update Service

If any Xperia Z user is not able to get any update notification via PC Companion, do check your phone with SUS also.
To update via SUS, Switch off your phone, Wait for 30 seconds and now press volume down button ( Saw Green LED ) now holding volume down button connect phone to PC, let SUS detect your phone and you will see an update notification of 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware just like below.

After clicking on Software Update ( Recommended ) option, proceed with the update.

As soon as phone updates, it will be shown on screen.

Xperia Z C6602 / C6603 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update ftf – Manual Updating

[ UPDATE ]

XDA Developer DooMLoRD has just tweeted that all Xperia Z / ZL users who have rooted handset, shouldn’t flash this 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware ftf file directly. They should use OTA ROOT KEEPER, otherwise root will be lost in this new firmware. 

How to keep Root in Xperia Z, ZL Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update ?
If you are updating your Xperia Z, ZL directly via Flashtool, everything in (the /system partition) gets formatted completely, so you loose root :/ So update it over OTA to keep root.

Root Access will be lost, if flashing via FlashTool.

Use OTA RootKeeper, if you want to have root access remain to your phone. If you are updating your Xperia Z, ZL by “Update Center” app, then using OTA RootKeeper, you can save your root access.
All those who have not got update yet can download the ftf file and install it manually.
Download Xperia Z C6603  Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update ftf file from below link. Flashing doesn’t require any root or unlocked bootloader.
Below files extracted from:- (Works on any Xperia Z)

• Phone Software Version: 1269-5309_10.3.1.A.0.244 GENERIC – user
• File System Version: GLOBAL-LTE_10.3.1.A.0.244
• Customization Version: 1270-9081_R5B
• Branding – Belgium

Download Xperia Z C6603 - Branding: Generic NCB (unbranded) ( Nordic Combined)  file from below. ( via XDA member Rekoil )

Xperia ZL C6503 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update ftf – Manual Updating

You can download the ftf file from below link and update your Xperia ZL manually by flashing the ftf file.

• Phone Software Version – 1269-5309_10.3.1.A.0.244 Generic User
• File System Version – INDIA_HSPA_10.3.1.A.0.244
• Customization version – 1270-7186_R5B

Xperia Z C6602 Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware – Review / Changelog

• More smooth Boot animation.
• Efficient RAM management, 1784 MB RAM available for usage.
• Home launcher is more smooth, No lags here.
• Update Center has got a new UI. Check image below.

• Album app taking a bit time to load pics ( even from UHS Class 10 card ).
• 3G Signal strength improved.
• Touch response is improved a lot.
• AnTuTu Benchmark score dropped after 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update to 20483 from 21456. Battery dropped by 2% During test and a lot heated during test.

• Sleep and Wake is a bit faster now.
• Camera Image quality in dark improved.
• Changes in car mode app.

• High resolution image is captured in normal mode with HDR off. ( Around 2.8 MB )
• No screen flickering now.
• No unusual battery reading bug till now. Booted twice in between 30-20% battery and having no issues.
• Battery backup has increased, checked  ( reporting after 24 hours of update ).

[ BUGS ]
Users are reporting now Heating issues on their Xperia Z after Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.A.0.244 firmware update :/ Can’t say much on this now, need to test.

Sony i1 “Honami” and Xperia Z comparison

On Monday we managed to get our hands on some exclusive pictures of the Sony Xperia i1 ‘Honami‘ Android-running smartphone and they were some very revealing shots which showed just what the incoming handset will look like. Well today we have got a few more snaps for you as we take a look at the camera interface to the handset.
As the images show, Sony will be keeping much of the design aspects of the Xperia Z in the new handset with the two devices sharing the large glass screen with straight-edged design. The handsets stack up pretty similar to each other in size but the Honami is slightly longer than its sibling handset.

The shots also reveal some info on the much talked about 20 megapixel camera and the interface it uses. Still we haven’t been able to confirm if the camera is the rumoured 20 megapixel beast but the interface of the i1 does show some big changes.
First up is the picture mode selection screen which has features such as Superior Auto and Manual, which have featured on other Sony models. Timeshift burst is also detailed in an images, which looks like a feature which will be taking on BlackBerry’s TimeShift feature from BlackBerry 10.
 
Picture effect adds a host of filters and effects to an image and can be seen in an inventive selection screen.
But the most interesting of the features looks to be the AR Effect feature, which by the look of the images seems to superimpose an Augmented Reality situation onto your images – in this case a brilliant looking dinosaur-filled pre-historic landscape is overlaid on the viewfinder.

Other modes detailed but not captured include Social Live, which we’re told allows you to “Broadcast live video to Facebook”, Info-Eye which is apparently a Nokia LiveSight type of feature where you can use you camera and to see more information about your surroundings, and finally Sweep Panorama mode which is fairly self explanatory.
 source

Sony Xperia Z Ultra gets caught in the wild, UI is unchanged

The soon-to-be-announced Sony Xperia ZU (standing for Z Ultra) has appeared in a photo taken in the wild. That's not the first time we take a glimpse of Sony's first phablet, but it's the first time we see its 6.44-inch display turned on.
Just like the Xperia Z, the Xperia Z Ultra will have a Nexus-like trio of on-screen buttons at the bottom of its full HD display. The purported photo of the smartphone above might very well be fabricated, but it looks pretty convincing to us.
We've already seen Sony's hint of the Xperia Z Ultra (codenamed Togari) in the official press invitation, confirming the device will feature a really thin profile, but we don't yet know how the sheer size of the smartphone will affect its weight.
Regardless, the photo voids a rumor from yesterday, which suggested Sony is going to make some changes to the way its custom UI looked with Android 4.2. Seeing from the photo above, that couldn't be further from the truth, as the Xperia Z Ultra seems to look in line with previous versions of the UI.
 Source:Gsmarena

Sony Xperia Z LTE version’s system dump surfaces, ringtones and wallpapers extracted

Sony Xperia Z’s system dumps were inevitable to appear once the smartphone went on sale, but it actually surfaced ahead of the wide availability of the handset. A system image of the LTE version of the Xperia Z, has been made available for download courtesy of hush66 from XDA developers.

According to the author the image is from the C6603 version of the smartphone, running on Android 4.1.2 and having a build number 10.1.A.1.350.
The entire system dump file is available over here and those into cooking custom ROMs might find it worth leaks. Meanwhile, regular users might be more interested to also find out that the same user already successfully extracted the ringtones, notifications, alarm tones and wallpapers from the Xperia Z. You are free to download them from the by following this link.
As you might have noticed, Sony Xperia Z is already in our office and we already had some quality hands-on time with it.

Sony Xperia ZL to hit Europe in April, priced at €599

The Sony Xperia ZL is coming to the old continent this spring for €599.99, and is slated to be available in Germany first through retailer Phone House. It will be available both online and in-store in black and white (but not red) color variants.


The Xperia ZL is a flavor of the new Sony flagship, the Xperia Z, without the extra waterproofing protection, and with a slightly smaller but thicker frame.
While you wait for the newest flagship duo of the Xperia family to come to your region

Sony Xperia Z camera can do 999 pictures in 68 seconds

Sony Xperia Z has been the talk of the town ever since its announcement at CES. The smartphone has a powerful chipset, gorgeous screen, it’s waterproof and scratch-resistant, but its cool features don’t end there.

Sony Xperia Z’s camera is one of the strong performers in the package. According to Sony, the smartphone has the ability to take unlimited number of 9MP images at 10 frames per second, but a real-life test has shown it to do even better.