A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Feb 2017 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay

Hi Friends, 

February is the month of love and product launches as there are so many new smartphones launched at MWC and various new technological gadgets. Every new gadget is a product of numerous amount of hard work along with the intent of making it as smart as possible. Processing powers of devices are increasing day by day. What I studied in my Electronics engineering (1997-2001) 17 years ago is old now as new technologies and innovations have taken their space. You need to be on your toes always with the latest technologies if you want to understand and work on them too.

1. Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra Brings Superior #Camera Quality #SonyMWC @SonyXperiaZA - http://www.thelifesway.com/2017/02/xperia-xa1-and-xa1-ultra-brings.html - Sony is one of the companies I have always admired as their range of products is so big and I have so many products available with myself which I have bought over the years. From ebook reader to noise-cancellation headphones to iPod dock - I had it all. I recently reviewed the XA1 Ultra and liked the features of this mid-range smartphone. 

2. Music Streaming: The Now of Digital Marketing @EclipsePR - http://www.thelifesway.com/2017/02/music-streaming-now-of-digital.html - Music is an integral part of everyone's life and how this is impacting the world of digital marketing was the focus of this post. Music and Books are the most sold items other than the groceries which is required us to live. 

3. #UberEATS Prospers In South Africa @Uber_RSA - http://www.thelifesway.com/2017/02/ubereats-prospers-in-south-africa.html - Uber Eats is an app which has taken the world by storm but when I tried to use it for some food items to buy - I found that the price is little higher set by restaurants for the same item as compared to dine-in offered in the restaurant and then there will be some R10 to get it delivered. I always thought that the takeaways shall be cheaper than the dine-in's. I have not been able to part of this trend because it's not cost effective for me but considering the travel cost and petrol prices - it's worth looking at and hoping to do so this year.

4. World’s First Super #SlowMotion Video in @SonyXperiaZA XZ Premium #SonyMWC - http://www.thelifesway.com/2017/02/worlds-first-super-slowmotion-video-in.html - Recently Samsung also launched their S9/S9+ with slow-motion video capabilities at MWC18 to which when Sony launched their latest XZ devices mentioned that they already had 960fps video capabilities launched last year at MWC17 and all the journalist present at the event laughed to their heart desires. Great use of anecdotes in real life is the basics of using smartness can bring laughter to any launch event.

5. Genuine, Quality Devices are #Gifts that Keep on Giving @SamsungMobileSA - http://www.thelifesway.com/2017/02/genuine-quality-devices-are-gifts-that.html -Samsung has been the front-runner of technology and I still remember when it was my time to buy my first mobile phone, I had a choice between Alcatel and Samsung. Alcatel offered so many features but Samsung was unibody and it worked for its life and I am happy that I chose Samsung at that time. Again, when I was in London, I bought again another Samsung phone which has the full keyboard (Blackberry type) on this phone while the market was flooded with latest Galaxy S1 launched. Since the last 2 years, Samsung SA is giving out devices (S8 and S9) to journalists/bloggers attending their launch events and these have been the years I am not invited to those. I have otherwise been part of many previous launch events and got earphones and pen drives etc. This thing has pained me a lot and gave me sleepless nights whenever this thought comes to my mind but life goes on...

Always bet on those who bet on you and don't fall for any traps unless your demands are met. If you are doing so, you are already in the vicious circle where they will rotate your n number of times till either you are tired or you succumb to their pressure. 

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate on paid/sponsored campaigns. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra! Check my influence and book me via https://webfluential.com/TheLifesWay

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Product Review - @SonyXperiaZA XA1 Ultra #Android #Smartphone #XperiaXA1Ultra

Hi Friends, 

Sony recently launched the second versions of the hit series of smartphones enhancing their capabilities and in some places changing the whole design of the smartphone as compared to the last year's version of the phone. I loved the Sony Xperia XA Ultra smartphone last year and there are a lot of images I shared on my instagram channel using the smartphone. 

This year I got the review unit for 2 weeks and it came in dashing Gold color which looks amazingly beautiful. I totally fell in love with the same and it was heart breaking to let it go back to the PR company. But anyhow, here are some of the features of the smartphone which I really liked and loved. I thing I observed is that all smartphones from Sony in this range has USB Type-C but still has a headphone jack intact.

I feel I am attracted to the devices which have 6 inch display screens and XA1 Ultra has Full HD (1080p) display which acquires the whole property of the smartphone. The six inches of screen covers edge to edge and only top and bottom portions have some metal on this Sony's marvel design.

Low Light Photo at Water Circus Show at Silverstar Casino

This really looks wonderful when you are playing HD games or watching some Youtube video's at 720p or 1080p resolutions as this also includes  the Sony's trademark image enhance technology. The best part is that this smartphone is only 8.1mm thick and display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 2.5D. The text and images both looks great and sharp.

The Globe at Silverstar Casino

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra is equipped with 23MP rear camera with Hybrid Autofocus, Steadyshot and 5X Clear Image Zoom. I loved the Exmor RS mobile image sensor on this device as it had the capability of ISO to go upto 6400 which can help in low light photos. Talk about the front camera and you will be swooshed to the floor as it takes amazing selfies with its 16MP OIS enabled (Optical Image Stabilizer) and a smart selfie flash is added in the front too instead of screen going white to glow. As in all Sony Smartphones, this one also has a dedicated camera button to open the app in an instance and comes with all the extra apps that you can find in any of the Sony Xperia smartphone like AR effect, Creative effect, Sound Photo, Timeshift burst and Panorama as pre-installed.

Shot at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra is powered with MediaTek Helio P20 Octa Core 64bit (Quad Core 2.3GHz + Quad Core 1.6GHz) processor and 4GB RAM and internal memory on the review unit was 32GB which can be expanded upto 256GB using microSD card. This smartphone has 2700mAh battery which seems small on paper but it performs for a day's operation and can be quick charged using Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology powered by MediaTek Pump Express Plus 2.0.

Shot at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel

In the end, this smartphone weights only 188 grams and is a single SIM phone which takes Nano-SIM to connect you to 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The out of the box smartphone runs on Android v7.0 Nougat and offers amazing features. As in all Sony products, they are known for their audio and video capabilities, this one too doesn't need any introduction. I truly loved this one and here are some of the images I took with this smartphone. The smartphone is retailing at around ZAR 7000 and can be bought during the Black Friday sale if you are looking for a smartphone in that price range.

Selfie using front 16MP with flash ON

At one point of time way back in 2010-11 in London I used to have so many Sony products (from earphones to headphones, ebook reader to iPod dock, CD player to cassette player, mobile phone to Noise cancellation headphones) around me but currently I am not using even a single one. All of those were bought by me in London or gifted to me by my brother back then.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com to blog, share and influence about your products and services on all my Social Media channels #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra !

@SonyXperiaZA Delivers Its #Innovation Promise #MWC2017 #SonyMWC

Hi Guys, 

 

Sony Mobile Communications re-affirmed its position as a leading communications innovator and visionary, by unveiling product experiences that break new ground in consumer technology.

"Xperia Touch is the most revolutionary interface" said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO, at Sony Mobile Communications. “A year on from unveiling our new brand direction and vision for the future of communications, not only are we announcing Xperia XZ Premium, equipped with the most advanced technologies to enhance the essential features on smartphones, we’re creating whole new interactive communication experiences with our Xperia Smart Products.”

Acclaimed concept to commercial product: Xperia Touch, the interactive Android projector launches from Spring 2017
Xperia Touch is an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 23” HD touchscreen, with either horizontal or vertical ultrashort-throw projection. The interface is fast, fluid and responsive to physical touch - it’s built using Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, and touch is made possible through a combination of Infrared light and real-time detection via its built-in camera, at a rate of 60 frames-per-second.

Xperia Touch in action

Xperia Touch enables family and friends to gather around a table, kitchen island or flat wall to enjoy games, watch online video streaming services and communicate using messaging apps and social networks. The elegant home screen skin is engineered specifically for touch - designed to be both minimalistic and accessible in brightly lit or dark conditions. It provides real-time weather information, a memo board for doodles or video notes, calendar access and a Skype™ portal for video chat with colleagues or loved ones.

Not only is Xperia Touch compatible with PlayStation® 4 Remote Play1, it will run any app or game downloaded from the Google Play Store, setting a new precedent for the way hundreds of thousands of application experiences2 can now be enjoyed. And, the unique projection, touch capability and sensor architecture will provide developers with an entirely new platform on which to build and create. Xperia Touch availability and RRP is yet to be confirmed for South Africa.

Hands-free. Eyes-free. Ears-free: Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” is a next-generation Xperia Smart Product concept
Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” is based on 'open-ear' audio technology developed within Sony's Future Lab Program, an incubator that enables consumers to trial and shape prototypes from Sony’s R&D division.

It utilises Sony's acoustics research and leadership to deliver wireless 'open-ear' stereo headphones, so you can listen to music and receive notifications, whilst simultaneously hearing sounds from the world around you. Whether you’re listening to music during a workout or commute, it’s an unparalleled ambient experience.

Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” is built to completely reimagine everyday listening and communication - its two highly powerful spatial acoustic conductors and driver units work together to transmit sounds directly to the ear canal. And just as with Xperia Ear, Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” will be powered by Sony Agent Technology - a personal assistant that uses conversational voice interaction and head gestures to help you get things done, access information and communicate.

Sony Mobile will continue to develop new features to further increase the in-ear assistant capability. An example of this is ‘Anytime Talk’ - a new voice-chat service that will allow users to instantaneously start a group conversation in real-time without searching through contacts or needing to dial, with a simple single button press or head movement. The beta version will roll out for the first-generation Xperia Ear over the coming months.

Sony Mobile is also exploring the collaborative possibilities with Sony Agent Technology on Xperia Smart Products and the new cloud AI platform from LINE Corporation, the company behind the popular LINE messaging app, to develop and co-create a new integrated voice experience.

All-new Xperia smartphones; Flagship Xperia™ XZ Premium and super mid-range Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra
Sony Mobile also announced additions to its popular X-series enhancing both the premium and mid-range models - further ensuring that the range offers a variety of features to excite consumers and ensuring that Xperia is available at each key operator tariff point in markets around the world.

Hideyuki Furumi, EVP, Global Sales & Marketing, at Sony Mobile Communications said: “We’ve continued to evolve and transform our smartphone portfolio, with an unwavering focus on delivering the most advanced technology in elegantly designed products. Whether it’s a memory-stacked camera system capable of super slow motion capture or the world’s first 4K HDR smartphone display, we’re delivering experiences that connect with users in emotional and meaningful ways like never before.”

Xperia XZ Premium showcases Sony’s new Motion Eye™ camera system to enable advanced features and excellence in picture quality, as well as the world’s first 4K HDR display4 (5.5”). Motion Eye camera provides 960fps super slow motion video capture and playback, four times slower than any other smartphone5. Xperia XZ Premium availability and RRP in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.

Building on the success of the Xperia XA models launched last year, Xperia XA1 and the 6” large screen Xperia XA1 Ultra feature a beautiful borderless design with edge-to-edge screens. Both will surpass camera expectations with high-end rear camera specs including 23MP sensors and low-light capabilities, whilst XA1 Ultra has been designed specifically for selfie lovers with its superior 16MP front camera. Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra availability, colours and RRP in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.

 

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com if you want me to attend your launch events. Send me press drops/samples/products to blog and share on all my #socialmedia channels #TheLifesWay !

Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra Brings Superior #Camera Quality #SonyMWC @SonyXperiaZA

Hi Guys, 

Sony Mobile Communications unveiled two stunning super mid-range models in its refreshed “X” series, Xperia XA1, and its 6” screen big brother Xperia XA1 Ultra. Building on the success of last year’s XA models, the XA1 and XA1 Ultra feature a beautiful borderless design to make the most of the edge-to-edge screen, cameras that are worthy of a high-end premium status and octa-core processors.

Take pictures that exceed your expectations
Camera expertise are taken from Sony’s digital camera division to deliver a leading rear camera for both Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra that offers 23MP high resolution with a large 1/2.3” Exmor™RS for mobile sensor, bright F2.0 lens and superior lowlight capability. You’re guaranteed a superfast journey from launch to capture in 0.6s and incredibly fast and accurate Hybrid Autofocus, so even the most spontaneous moments are always in focus.

Front cameras are the backbone of the selfie world and the 8MP, 23mm wide-angle lens on Xperia XA1 will let you capture all the action even in a group selfie without missing anyone out. The Xperia XA1 Ultra features a 16MP front camera with Optical Image Stabilizer to eliminate the effects of handshake and improve low-light selfies, plus a smart selfie flash to naturally illuminate your face. Both models allow you to capture the perfect selfie easily with just a wave via the ‘Hand Shutter’ camera feature.

Sony Xperia XA1

Edge-to-edge Beauty
The beautiful borderless design introduced in 2016 has been refined to create the illusion of a seamlessly never-ending surface whose curvature aids the perfect fit in your hand. The edge-to-edge HD (720p) 5” screen on XA1 and Full HD (1080p) 6” screen on XA1 Ultra are supported by display technologies to deliver a crisp, sharp viewing experience.

Sony craftsmanship is clear to see with the diamond cut-like finish on top and bottom, along with the choice of materials such as the aluminium sides which create a rich feel in the hand.

Creating performance that lasts a lifetime
With their power-efficient Mediatek octa-core processors you get a quick and smooth experience, whether you browse the web, watch a video or play your favourite game.

Both XA1 and XA1 Ultra are designed to ensure a longer lasting performance over the smartphone’s lifetime. Qnovo Adpative Charging monitors the battery’s health and adjusts charging current accordingly to avoid damage and maximise lifespan whilst Stamina Mode keeps your battery going for longer when you really need it the most by disabling some of the functions and extending the lifetime. Sony’s Smart Cleaner cleverly manages the performance and memory of your device by clearing the cache and unused apps automatically in order to attain the best speed and performance without degradation over time. Additionally, both models support quick charging to give you hours of power in just a few minutes charging.

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra

Making life easier
Xperia Actions is a new addition to the latest Xperia range including XA1 and XA1 Ultra that aims to learn your usage patterns to simplify your daily life by suggesting customisable settings and personalised recommendations. For example, when you go to bed your Xperia can learn your bedtime routine and automatically adjust the screen brightness and call volume.

Availability
Availability, RRP and colour for the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra is yet to be confirmed.

 

Cheers!!!

 

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com if you want me to attend your launch events, blog and share on all my#socialmedia channels #TheLifesWay or to be a #Ambassador for your products and services!