Sony reportedly plans to retire its Xperia C, M, and E brands for Xperia X

Sony has been in the process of rebranding its smartphone efforts; thus, the release of the Xperia X line during MWC 2016. With the new line out, it was seen as the end of the Xperia Z line. However, it looks like that isn’t the only line of products getting cut by Sony. According to reports from Chinese media, even the Xperia C, M, and E brands will be getting cut, while the Xperia X will be developed all the way up to 2018.

The Xperia Z brand was considered the line of premium devices from the Japanese brand, while the C, M, and E brands were more budget-friendly and highlighted specific features like waterproof ratings or battery life. The Xperia X line is seen to expand beyond just smartphones and incorporate all the different consumer electronics Sony develops. Not only is this seen as a way to consolidate its efforts but to also give them room to diversify outside of smartphones and into the growing Internet of Things market as well. Speculation about upcoming Xperia C, M, and E devices will be that they’ll be renamed to fit into the Xperia X brand.

Source: Xperia Blog | Via: SlashGear

Netflix raising prices in Canada for long time users

Netflix Canada is telling long time users that they are raising the subscription price for the service to $9.99 a month. Originally pegged at $7.99, the rationale for the raise in pricing is that Netflix is making more original content available like Daredevil and Jessica Jones. This is a clear example of how a market leader without viable competition can dictate pricing and customers just have to take it or go cancel their membership if they are not happy.

Netflx hasn't really raised prices in Canada before so given exchange rates but given that Netflix has already annoyed various Canadian users by blocking border hopping or the use of VPN services to see shows unavailable to Canadian subscribers, the timing of the price increase is quite audacious. 

Windows 10 Mobile gets in on the new Instagram logo and UI

Windows 10 Mobile users can now join Android and iOS users in enjoying about the all-new Instagram app with a redesigned logo and new minimal User Interface. Just days after the new logo and updated app came to Android and iOS it is now available to Windows 10 Mobile users via the marketplace.

Instagram was one of the apps that Windows Phone users really wanted on their platform. I remember there was even a petition for a port of the popular photo sharing app some years ago. There have been similar apps like 6 Tag but a native Instagram app has always been on Windows 10 user's wishlist. Facebook, who owns Instagram has made updated versions of its Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram apps available on the platform.

Source: Windows Central

Starbreeze and Acer to form Joint Venture for the StarVR Headset

Starbreeze AB and Acer Inc. today signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture for the StarVR Virtual Reality (VR) Head-Mounted Display (HMD). The two companies aim to cooperate on the design, manufacturing, promotion, marketing and sales of the StarVR HMD to the professional- and location-based entertainment market.

“Acer is thrilled to join forces with Starbreeze in bringing the StarVR head-mounted display to the market,” said Jason Chen, Acer Corporate President and CEO. “We are devoting R&D resources across multiple aspects of the VR ecosystem for a coherent and high-quality experience, while just last month Acer announced powerful desktops and notebooks fully-ready for StarVR. Starbreeze and Acer share the same goal of delivering best-in-class VR applications, and we look forward to unlocking new VR possibilities together with this partnership.”

Click to read more ...