Sony releases experimental Firefox OS ROM for Xperia E

After announcing its commitment to Firefox OS for smartphones at MWC, Sony is now showing off the low-end Xperia E running a beta version of the OS, which creator Mozilla believes will be the third platform that carriers are looking for after Android and iOS have dominated the smartphone space. 

The Xperia E also happens to match ‘keon’ developer device almost spec for spec so it’s good fit for Firefox OS. Now this ROM is not meant for novices. It’s an experimental ROM it comes with its fair share of red flags that include voiding of the warranty.

However, if you still feel like a daredevil and want to breath some Firefox OS style fire, then head over to the Sony developer portal to download the ROM and installation instructions.

Sony Xperia ZL to launch in Russia next month

The Sony Xperia ZL would be a top-shelf model that any manufacturer would be proud to offer. But because it is has the bad luck to be coming out at the same time as the Sony Xperia Z, the Xperia ZL is being overshadowed by its stablemate. No, it doesn't offer the water and dustproofing that the Xperia Z does, but the Sony Xperia ZL does have a 5 inch FHD display and the 441ppi pixel density that is the hallmark of the current-generation of top-shelf smartphones. Toss in a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of native memory and a 13MP rear camera and the device defines high-end model. And while it is smaller than the Sony Xperia Z, this particular phone does have a claim to fame. Where most models have a screen to phone size ratio of between 60% and 68%, the Sony Xperia ZL has a ratio of 75% While Android 4.1 comes with the handset, Sony has promised an update to Android 4.2. 

We know that the Sony Xperia ZL is expected to be launching in April for Canadian carriers Bell, Mobilicity, MTS, Rogers, Videotron and WIND Mobile. That info came from Sony Canada. On Tuesday, Sony Russia said that the model would be available in that country next month at a price of 27,000 RUB ($886 USD). The Sony Z has already been released in more than 60 countries, but now here comes the Xperia ZL. Would you be willing to give up the water and dust proofing on the Xperia Z for the smaller form factor of the Xperia ZL?

Sony has Firefox OS device in the works

Sony has revealed plans to launch a Firefox-powered device in 2014. Bob Ishida - the company's deputy CEO confirmed that Sony engineers are currently working with Firefox OS Mobile and HTML 5 evolving technologies, which show great potential.

The news broke during a Sony and Telefonica joint event, where the Spanish carrier announced that it will offer the Xperia Z Android flagship and the Xperia Tablet Z. Telefonica, together with other Sony partner networks will also be involved in the development of a Firefox phone.

The announcement is great news for Mozilla. With Sony joining the likes of ZTE, Huawei, Alcatel, and LG, Firefox OS has better chances of carving a slice of the brutally competitive market.

Computing Brought to you by Sony’s New Xperia Z Tablet Is Crazy Thin And Waterproof To Boot

Sony rather likes the idea of its Xperia Z smartphone, so much so that it’s turning it into a tablet. Not just any tablet, though: one that’s waterproof and insanely thin.

The creatively-named Xperia Tablet Z was announced at Mobile World Congress tonight, and Sony is calling it the thinnest 10-inch tablet in the world.

The screen measures 10.1-inches, with the tablet measuring just 6.9mm at its thickest point. It weighs only 495 grams, and inside it’s packing a quad-core 1.5GHz asynchronous Snapdragon processor and 2GB of RAM.

The asynchronous processor means that each core fires up independent of the other cores for maximum power efficiency.

The Xperia Z Tablet will come in both cellular (4G) and Wi-Fi-only models, with the former packing 32GB of internal storage, and the latter 64GB. Both, however, will have expandable microSD storage.

The screen on the Xperia Z is right up there with the iPad 4′s Retina display. It’s got a 1920×1200 display with 324 pixels per inch and Sony’s Bravia Engine display tech at the back-end to make a pretty screen even prettier.

On the back you’ve got an 8-megapixel camera and up-front it’s packing a 2-megapixel camera.

As far as accessories go, you’ve got NFC, an infrared blaster for controlling your home theatre, four speakers for improved sound, a 6000mAh battery, Android Jelly Bean out of the box and it’s Playstation Mobile certified for all of your games.

On top of all that, you’ve got waterproof and dustproof certifications that mean you can leave it immersed in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes at a time.

No word yet on Australian pricing or a release date, but it’s fair to say we’re waiting on this one.

Update: Sony says the Xperia Tablet Z will launch globally sometime between April and June of 2013. 

Australian pricing details have not yet been released.