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Sony's new TV update goes social

A new firmware update for Sony's Bravia TV series has arrived, enhancing the built-in YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter widgets.

The YouTube experience on Sony's TV sets now has the ability to play HD video. Previously, the output was mediocre at best, but it should now should offer a crisp, high-definition image for videos with that capability.

Those accessing their Facebook accounts can now look at photos and videos in full-screen resolution. Posted URLs on Facebook are now accessible in the built-in Web browser found in most current Sony televisions. Unfortunately, that browser is somewhat slow and due to the lack of processing power, operates worse than the one included with the PlayStation 3. … Read more

Sony defends against another hack

BlackBerry data disruptions hit North American users, Apple devices can update to iOS 5 today to get iCloud, Wall Street protesters are leveraging a new messaging app, and Sony locks down accounts to fight another hack attack.

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

Sony locks down at-risk accounts BlackBerry data disruptions spread to North America iOS 5 available today Vibe app gains popularity with protesters Sony Bravia TV recall Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (HD) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS HD

AR tool lets you bring home a virtual Sony Bravia

Sony has joined Panasonic and Toshiba in releasing an augmented-reality tool that lets users "visualize" the panels in their homes. As with its competitors' systems, a marker has to be printed and positioned accordingly, though Sony is taking a different approach to displaying the superimposed TV.

Rather than showing the AR image on a smartphone's screen, a photo of the surrounding space has to be uploaded to a Web site, which will prompt the users for the Bravia TV's model and render the composite picture. Watch the video above to get a better idea of the whole process.

(Source: Crave Asia via Engadget) … Read more

Sony Bravia Internet Video on 2011 Blu-ray players review

They may be called Blu-ray players, but in 2011 they're as much about streaming-media services as they are about high-definition discs. With every manufacturer having a different collection of streaming-media services, we've been taking an in-depth look at each company's content portal for 2011.

Today, we're looking at Sony's Bravia Internet Video. Sony's content portal is significantly different than all of its competitors: there's no app store, nor are streaming services kept in a separate section of the user interface, and all the services--including Netflix--have an interface customized for Sony.

Sony's Bravia … Read more

Rumor: Sony readying pair of Android 3.0 tablets

For all of the great things that Sony Ericsson has debuted over the last few weeks, one device it has yet to show off is a tablet.

With LG and Motorola gearing up with their first push and Samsung readying a larger Galaxy Tab, Sony Ericsson would be wise to jump on the emerging market, and according to a pair of recent Engadget articles that's exactly what the company has been doing. If the rumors hold true, we'll see two Honeycomb tablets bearing the Sony brand in time for the holiday shopping season.

While neither of these looks … Read more

Sony expands its iTunes rival across Europe

Designed as a cloud-based alternative to iTunes, Sony's new digital music streaming service has added a few more European countries to its audience, with the U.S. potentially next on the list.

Already available in the U.K. and Ireland, the company's "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" service hit France, Germany, Italy, and Spain this past weekend.

Offering music from Sony's own label as well as from other publishers, Music Unlimited gives consumers the ability to stream songs to a variety of different Sony devices, including Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players, home theater systems, PlayStation consoles, … Read more

CES: Skype from your living room two ways

LAS VEGAS--If you've never engaged in a VoIP to your friend or loved one in real time on a 50-inch display, your luck could change two ways. First, Skype is extending its lineup of Skype-enabled TVs to include the Sony Bravia and Vizio Via. Those will show up later in 2011.

If buying an HDTV isn't your style, Skype has also announced deals with Panasonic and Sony to include Skype on select Blu-ray players. You'll still need a Webcam for this approach, but as we briefly saw in a Samsung press conference earlier today, Skype has a … Read more

Sony to be 'little bit' short of 25 million TV goal

Sony may not be able to meet its goal of selling 25 million TVs during its current fiscal year, the question apparently now being how far off the mark it will be.

Hiroshi Yoshioka, a Sony vice president, said today that the company would fall short of the 25 million target by "a little bit," according to a story in Bloomberg.

Overall, Sony's electronics sales are inline with those from the previous fiscal year in developing countries and have actually grown in emerging markets, said Yoshioka, who runs the TV business, added Bloomberg. But the TV division … Read more