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One of the best parts of LineageOS (and its predecessor, CyanogenMod) is that it can breathe life into older devices. Some phones and tablets can end up with several more years of Android updates thanks to the ROM community. Since we last looked at LineageOS, a whopping 10 more devices have been added, most of which are a few years old at this point.
Some of Sony's older hardware (well, relatively speaking, anyway) is getting updated to Lollipop today. If you own an Xperia Z (LTE model), Xperia ZR (LTE model), Xperia ZL, or Xperia Tablet Z, all released in 2013, check your status bar for an over-the-air update. According to Xperia Blog and the always-reliable XDA, all four of these devices are being upgraded as of now. As usual, it may take a few days or even a week or two for the rollout to reach you.
Sony has announced that the latest version of KitKat is now rolling out to many of its Xperia products with Z in their name. That includes the Z, the ZL, the ZR, and the Tablet Z. For the confused, no, I'm not talking about smearing chocolate all over a Wii U controller. Sony just really likes the final letter of the alphabet, and it's now delivering Android 4.4.4 to four devices all bearing Z in their names. The software version is number 10.5.1.A.0.283.
When you gather all these devices together for an update, there's no doubt Sony really loves the letter Z. Apparently it also loves KitKat, because all these devices are about to get their Android 4.4. KitKat updates. It's more than a number in this case – Sony has made some substantial tweaks.
While the Nexus elite have since moved on to KitKat, there are still a lot of devices just getting by with some flavor of Jelly Bean. At least Sony is keeping its promise of updating devices to the latest version of that sweet-themed platform. Android 4.3 is beginning to make its way to the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, And Xperia Tablet Z.
When Sony released the Xperia Tablet Z back in May, it turned out to be a surprisingly good tablet. Only six months have passed since then, and while numerous alternatives have come out in that time, it's still a solid piece of hardware. Now, listen close. If you don't have any qualms about using pre-owned hardware, you may be pleased to know that you can currently get this 10-inch tablet for just $235, a price that is significantly lower than its $499 launch price and only marginally more expensive than a Nexus 7. Just head over to CowBoom.com and enter coupon code Xperia50 at checkout.
Whenever there is a new version of Android, everyone starts wondering when (and if) their phones will be updated. Sony is getting out in front of the questions by clarifying its plans for a number of phones and tablets. The updates will start flowing soon, but not for all devices.
What kind of barbarian would take the living room tablet into the bedroom? Or the bedroom tablet into the den? Outrageous! You need to have a tablet for each room if you want to be a civilized human being. Sony gets that, which is why it has announced the Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition. It's the regular Tablet Z, but with some cooking-oriented accessories (and a higher price tag).
Xperia Tablet Z WiFi owners, the time has come for you to make the jump to Android 4.2.2. The latest firmware update, version 10.3.1.C.0.136, updates the six-month tablet to the next version of Jelly Bean and brings with it a slew of features worth salivating over, such as support for 64GB SD cards, and some that may be more subjective, such as the transition from a tablet UI to a phone UI. This means that the soft buttons (back, home, and recent) are now centered at the bottom of the screen, and the notification bar has been shifted to the top. Like the update that previously rolled out to the LTE version of the tablet, some elements of the UI still differ from that found on Nexus devices.
When I checked out the WiFi-only version of the Xperia Tablet Z I was surprised by how solid it was. One of my main gripes was the old software and the UI that came with it. Well, the first variant of the Tablet Z is now getting an update to Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2, and it changes the interface to a hybrid of the old UI and new UI used on the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.
It's been less than 24 hours since Google announced Jelly Bean 4.3 and published the new code to the Android Open Source Project, and Sony is already talking up their plans for phone updates. That's what I call customer service! In a short blog post, Sony confirmed a 4.3 update for six of their latest phones and (one) tablets:
CyanogenMod 10.1 Support Added To Galaxy S4 International LTE (i9505) And Cricket Models, Sony Xperia Tablet Z WiFi
In their never-ending quest to bring CyanogenMod to every Android device on the face of the planet (or at least all of them with unlocked bootloaders,
In their never-ending quest to bring CyanogenMod to every Android device on the face of the planet (or at least all of them with unlocked bootloaders, modern hardware, and a big user base - not all that many, in fact, forget I mentioned it) the CM team is expanding the 10.1 build to three new devices this weekend. The unlocked international LTE version of the Galaxy S4 (GT-i9505) and Cricket's branded variant both get new nightly builds of the ROM, as does the WiFi-only version of Sony's Xperia Tablet Z.
Sony Xperia Tablet Z Review: A Surprisingly Good Tablet
Sony has taken a real beating in recent years. Even after shedding the dead weight of the Ericsson joint venture, Sony has yet to find its stride. The
Sony has taken a real beating in recent years. Even after shedding the dead weight of the Ericsson joint venture, Sony has yet to find its stride. The Xperia Z smartphone was a valiant effort, but other OEMs are overshadowing that device as 2013 drags on.
[Hands-On] Initial Impressions Of The Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony's first attempt at making Android slates was less than a rousing success. Not one to be discouraged, Sony is back with a new Android-powered tablet
Sony's first attempt at making Android slates was less than a rousing success. Not one to be discouraged, Sony is back with a new Android-powered tablet called the Xperia Tablet Z. This is the big brother of the Xperia Z flagship smartphone. I've spent a little time with the Tablet Z and I have some thoughts in advance of the full review.
Sony Releases The Xperia Tablet Z Worldwide Starting At $499, Available Later This Week On Amazon And Newegg
If an official AOSP build and CyanogenMod support have got you hot and bothered to try out Sony's latest entry into the tablet world, there's good news.
If an official AOSP build and CyanogenMod support have got you hot and bothered to try out Sony's latest entry into the tablet world, there's good news. The Xperia Tablet Z is now officially available through Sony's partner channels worldwide, according to a press release issued this morning. This much-anticipated 1080p tablet is the larger brother to the Xperia Z smartphone, in both design and hardware terms. Sony's US store still shows a pre-order doesn't list any retailers, but Amazon shows the 16GB and 32GB models at $499 and $599, respectively, arriving on Friday the 24th. Newegg has it coming in the day after.
CyanogenMod 10.1 Release Candidate Rolls Out For The Sony Xperia Tablet Z [Update: Nightlies Too]
Just a day after Sony threw developers a bone by posting the Android Open Source Project code for their flagship Xperia Tablet Z, the industrious folks
Just a day after Sony threw developers a bone by posting the Android Open Source Project code for their flagship Xperia Tablet Z, the industrious folks at CyanogenMod have one-upped them with a release of their own. Both a release candidate (RC) and a test build of CyanogenMod ROM 10.1 (Android 4.2) have been posted to the download site, ready and waiting for you to flash to your unlocked tablet.
Sony Posts Android Open Source Project Code For The Xperia Tablet Z To GitHub
There's a lot to like about Sony's latest generation of Android devices. One od the things that most people don't like is the custom interface that Sony
There's a lot to like about Sony's latest generation of Android devices. One od the things that most people don't like is the custom interface that Sony puts on pretty much everything. If you want to do away with it and get some sweet, clean Android Open Source Project code running on your shiny new Xperia Tablet Z, Sony is happy to oblige. They've posted an AOSP 4.2 build for the Tablet Z to GitHub, following their surprisingly open approach to other devices, most recently the Xperia Z flagship.
[MWC 2013] Hands-On (Video) With The Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Light, Thin, Waterproof - But Worth $500?
Sony's latest tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z, isn't exactly new. While it was announced for Japan last month, Sony fans have been waiting with bated breath for news on worldwide availability and pricing. Today, we have some more information on that front: the Tablet Z is slated to be released across the globe starting in Q2. Furthermore, the US version of the device (which is Wi-Fi only), will cost $499 for the 16GB version, and $599 for the 32GB.
Rumors have been bumping around the internet for a few days now, but Sony has finally put the speculation to rest. The Xperia Tablet Z has been announced, but only for the Japanese market at this point. The Xperia Tablet Z is the tablet counterpart to the recently announced Xperia Z phones, and it's running Android 4.1 at launch.