Review: Sony Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact

Text and photos by Alex Davies

The Z3 Compact is still the BEST small Android phone you can buy today. It shares the same premium design and powerful specifications of its bigger sibling, but in a more compact frame with a screen that is more reasonably sized. It too now runs Lollipop, so benefits from all the additional features of Google’s latest OS, including Android for Work.

Introduction

I'm here to tell you why the Sony Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact are two of the most underrated Android phones currently available. In the smartphone market, at least in North America (and especially in the US), Sony can’t seem to catch a break. Its Xperia range of Android phones are great devices, but just aren’t as popular as handsets from Samsung and HTC. 

In contrast, when I was in Europe recently I saw a lot more people with Xperias. Sony’s phones are more popular in Europe, and I don't understand why they haven’t caught on in North America. Though when compared to the US market, they have been more successful in Canada.

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Imaginary Friends come to life for kids

By Sonya Davidson

Reading just got cooler for kids with the launch of new kids book series that blends print, onine and real life. Imagine reading a storybook and suddenly was able to launch into the world online. Even as adults we've sometimes wished we could be living the moment from the pages we read. That would be pretty amazing!

Imaginary Friends is an interactive book series targetted to 8 to 12 year olds that takes reading to another level! The company has just launched a kick-starter campaign today. And it's definitely on my radar as I'll be testing out the concept in the coming weeks. 

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OnePlus teases June 1st announcement of their "Two" flagship

At long last, OnePlus is finally shedding some light on their next sure-fire hit, the Two flagship. Oppo (makers of the OnePlus) has set the launch to Q3 of this year and will offer the same invite-only availability guidelines.

In true new media form, OnePlus took to Twitter to tease us at the aforementioned announcement is sooner than we think. Along with the not-so-subtle "it's time for change" verbiage, OnePlus announced that they are “always looking for ways to shake up the tech industry” and posted an image of what could be its forthcoming device.

While the details are sparse, OnePlus says that the official availability announcement will come on June 1st.

Google tipped to release two Nexus phones this year, no tablet in sight

Last year's flagship Nexus, the Nexus 6

We won’t be getting a Nexus tablet this year but two Nexus phones, if rumours are to be believed, that is. Android Police spoke to an unnamed source claiming there will be two Nexus smartphones this year, one made by LG and another by Huawei.

The LG model is codenamed Angler and will feature a 5.2-inch screen, run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor (similar to the LG G4), and have a 2,700mAh battery. The Huawei version is codenamed Bullhead and will sport a 5.7-inch display, run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, and have a 3,500mAh battery. Again, these are still rumours so they should be taken with a grain of salt. These devices aren’t making their debut at Google I/O and would most likely be released around October, which is the usual time frame for new Nexus devices.

Source: Android Police | Via: CNET