Sony Xperia Z3+ receives processor boost to battle Galaxy S6

Sony Xperia Z3+ receives processor boost to battle Galaxy S6

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Sony has given its sleek, powerhouse flagship phone an update to help it joust with the new flock of smartphone big boys, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4.

The new version is called the Z3+ and as the name suggests, it's very much an evolution of the existing Xperia Z3, rather than a totally overhauled new flagship. It has the same 5.2-inch, full-HD display, the same 20.7-megapixel rear camera and the glass-and-metal waterproof design looks almost identical too.

So what exactly is new? Well, it's slimmer, the front camera has been boosted from 2.2 to 5 megapixels and it has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor at its heart, with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The Z3+ is due for a Europe-only launch in June, but here's where it gets just a little confusing: Sony has already unveiled the Xperia Z4 for Japan. Although the name suggests the Z4 is a new flagship altogether, it is in fact identical in all but name to the Z3+. It seems that Sony is simply selling the phone with different names for different regions.

Sony has yet to say whether the Z3+ or Z4 will make it to the US or Australia, and at the time of writing, pricing details aren't known, but we'll update this article with more information when it becomes available.

Design and display

Even up close you won't be able to tell any real difference between the existing Z3 and the Z3+, as they're almost identical. There's a glass front and back, with a metal band running around the edge and protective Nylon corners. There are some changes however.

Sony boasts that the Z3+ is the "slimmest Xperia Z series smartphone" to date, measuring only 6.9mm thick, making it 4mm thinner than the standard Z3. It's not a life-changing reduction by any means, but the phone does feel very slim and thoroughly luxurious to hold, and the stark, minimalist aesthetic still looks gorgeous.

The Z3+ also retains the Z3's waterproof credentials. It can not only withstand a spilled drink on a night out, but can be fully submerged in water up to 1.5 metres deep for up to 30 minutes. That makes it a great phone for underwater photos on those sunny beach holidays. Better yet, Sony has added waterproofing to the Micro-USB port, meaning it no longer has a rubber flap over it that has to be removed and replaced every time you charge it.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The display, measuring 5.2 inches on the diagonal, is both the same size and resolution (1,920x1,080 pixels) as the standard Z3's. In my hands-on time, it seemed every bit as bright, bold and crisp as the Z3, but I'll leave my final verdict on the display quality for the final review. The Z3's screen was excellent so I have high hopes.

Processor and software features

The phone will arrive with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software on board, with Sony's usual custom interface over the top. I quite like Sony's interface as it's neat, makes it easy to organise the app tray into custom orders and isn't so bloated as to slow the phone down. Sony does tend to throw a fair few of its own apps into the mix, which can make it seem a bit cluttered right out of the box, but hopefully it hasn't gone overboard here.

The processor is one of the main areas that's been updated from the Z3. The Z3+ packs Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 810 processor -- a 64-bit octa-core chip -- along with 3GB of RAM. That's a potent lineup, and I expect it to deliver a blistering performance for gaming, photo editing and everyday social networking. I will of course be seeing exactly how it stacks up against its rivals and its predecessor for the full review.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Camera and battery life

The rear camera specs remain much the same as the predecessor, with a 20.7-megapixel sensor, but the front camera has been boosted from 2.2 to 5 megapixels, which is a hefty serving of pixels to add clarity to those selfies. The front camera also apparently has an improved automatic mode, as well as HDR shooting for more even exposures.

The battery has shrunk slightly from 3,100mAh to 2,900mAh, presumably as a result of the phone being made slimmer. On paper that's not great, but Sony still reckons you can get two days of careful use from a single charge, thanks to software and processor optimisation. I found the Z3's battery to be among the better you'll find in a lot of top-end smartphones, so I'm hoping for similarly good battery life in the Z3+.

Outlook

If you were hoping for a full refresh of the Xperia Z3 then you will be disappointed. The Z3+ is very much a minor update to the existing phone, instead. Still, a slimmer body and upgraded processor are nothing to be sniffed at and may be worth a look if you're hoping to upgrade from one of the older Z-series phones.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A is cheap, but not that cheerful

Samsung Galaxy Tab A is cheap, but not that cheerful

Samsung

Want a tablet for you to enjoy some Netflix on the sofa, but is cheap enough that you don't mind you kids playing with it when you're all on holiday? Don't risk getting your pricey new iPad smothered in cake, take a look instead at the new Samsung Galaxy Tab A.

Although Samsung has yet to set a price for the UK, the slate has already gone on sale in the US for $300, which equates to only £190. Australian prices and availability are not known at the time of writing (about AU$371 converted).

That cheap price tag does come with a a set of compromises however, including a very low screen resolution, and rather uninspiring design.

Design and display

Samsung clearly hasn't wasted wads of cash on looks for the Tab A, as it has a very plain design. It's an all-plastic slate, with a plain back panel, broken only by the Samsung logo and camera lens at the top. At 242mm long and 166mm wide, you probably won't be able to squeeze it into your jeans pocket, but its skinny 7.5mm thickness should let it slide into your backpack next to your books without any trouble.

It's available in three colours -- grey, white and blue, the latter of which adds at least some visual interest. The tablet comes with 16GB of internal storage as standard, but you'll find a microSD card slot around the side, which lets' you expand the storage with cards up to 128GB in size.

Samsung

The 9.7-inch display has a 1,024x768-pixel resolution, which is really very low. That equates to a pixel density of 131 pixels per inch, which is significantly lower than you'll find even on budget phones. By comparison, even the cheap and cheerful 5-inch Motorola Moto G has a pixel density of 293ppi. On paper the screen doesn't impress, but I'll reserve final judgement for the review.

Features

The tablet arrives with the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software on board, over which Samsung has applied its TouchWiz interface. It comes with features like a kids mode -- in case you're planning on keeping your little 'uns quiet with some games in the car. Samsung also boasts that it comes with various of preinstalled software. Samsung has a history of filling its devices with a lot of needless clutter, so I'm hoping it hasn't gone overboard here.

It's powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, backed up by 1.5GB of RAM. That's not a powerful engine by any means, but should be sufficient to keep Twitter, Facebook and your web browser ticking along nicely. On the back is a 5-megapixel camera, and there's a 2-megapixel camera on the front for video calling over Skype or Google Hangouts.

Providing the juice is a 6,000mAh battery, which should hopefully be capacious enough to let you watch a film or two when you're on a long, unbearably dull plane journey.

Outlook

With its plain design and poor screen resolution, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A doesn't impress on paper, but its affordable price does go a long way to making that bitter pill easier to swallow. We'll be seeing what this slate can really do in the full review soon.

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Explaining water and dust resistance ratings for your gadgets

Explaining water and dust resistance ratings for your gadgets

Water-resistant doesn't mean waterproof. Here's how to find out just how rugged your smartphones, tablets, activity trackers and smartwatches really are.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Many companies are advertising smartphones, tablets, activity trackers, smartwatches and even some wireless speakers as being "water-resistant," but what does that actually mean? Can your gadgets be used in the rain? What about in the shower, or even the pool? The information these companies provide can be misleading, but I'm here to help break things down for you.

IP rating

The first thing you need to look for is a device's International Protection Rating, more commonly referred to as an IP rating. Rating codes do not include hyphens or spaces, and consist of the letters IP followed by one or two digits. Two common ratings for consumer devices are IP67 and IP68. Read on to find out exactly what that means.

IP codes are a standard set forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). According to the organization, the codes are designed as a "system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment."

The first number in the rating code represents the degree of protection provided against the entry of foreign solid objects, such as fingers or dust. These protection levels range from 0 to 6.

The second number represents the degree of protection against the entry of moisture, with protection levels ranging from 0 through 8.

An IP code with an "X" in place of the first or second number means that a device hasn't been tested to protect against the entry of solid objects (the first number) or moisture (the second number). For example, a device with the rating IPX7 is protected from accidental submersion in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes, but it has not been tested against the entry of dust.

Below you will find a chart that outlines all of the protection levels set by the IEC.

SOLID PROTECTION

IP Code	Protection	Object size
0	No protection	N/A
1	Protection from contact with any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part, such as a finger	Less than 50mm
2	Protection from fingers or similar objects	Less than 12.5mm
3	Protection from tools, thick wires or similar objects	Less than 2.5mm
4	Protection from most wires, screws or similar objects	Less than 1mm
5	Partial protection from contact with harmful dust	N/A
6	Protection from contact with harmful dust	N/A

As an example, an electrical socket rated IP22 (typically the minimum requirement for electrical accessories designed for indoor use) is protected against insertion of fingers and won't be damaged by vertically dripping water. Since we are talking about our gadgets, however, you only need to pay attention to IP ratings above IP5X or IP6X (for resistance or protection from dust).

MOISTURE PROTECTION

IP Code	Protection	Test duration	Usage
0	No protection	N/A	N/A
1	Protection against vertically dripping water	10 mins	Light rain
2	Protection against vertically dripping water when device is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees	10 mins	Light rain
3	Protection against direct sprays of water when device is tilted at an angle up to 60 degrees	5 mins	Rain and spraying
4	Protection from sprays and splashing of water in all directions.	5 mins	Rain, spraying and splashing
5	Protection from low pressure water projected from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter opening in any direction	3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters	Rain, splashing and direct contact with most kitchen/bathroom faucets
6	Protection from water projected in powerful jets from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter opening in any direction	3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters	Rain, splashing, direct contact with kitchen/bathroom faucets, outdoor use in rough sea conditions
7	Protected from immersion in water with a depth of up to 1 meter (or 3.2ft) for up to 30 mins	30 mins	Rain, splashing and accidental submersion
8	Protected from immersion in water with a depth of more than 1 meter (manufacturer must specify exact depth)	Varies	Rain, splashing and accidental submersion

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is certified with an IP67 rating, this means that it is fully protected from dust (6) and can also withstand being submerged in 1m of static water for up to 30 mins (7).

Devices aren't required to pass every test leading up to the highest rating they achieve. Therefore a smartphone rated with IP67 hasn't been tested against dust protection levels 1 through 5, or water protection levels 1 through 6. Since the Galaxy S5 doesn't include the IPX5 or IPX6 rating for withstanding water coming from a jet, you shouldn't take the it in the shower or run it under the sink.

The Sony Xperia Z3, on the other hand, is certified with an IP65 and IP68 rating, which means it is protected from dust and against low-pressure water jets, such as a faucet, when all ports are closed. The company also specifies that the Z3 can be submerged in 1.5m (4.92ft) of fresh water for up to 30 mins.

Water pressure

If anyone ever tells you that a watch is waterproof, it's a lie. No watch is truly waterproof, and in fact theInternational Organization for Standardization and Federal Trade Commission prohibit watches from being labeled as being "waterproof." While a watch may be able to withstand a certain degree of water exposure, there is always a limit to how much water pressure it can handle before it begins to leak. The term "waterproof" implies that a device will remain unscathed under even the most difficult of circumstances.

To help regulate and explain water resistance in watches, the ISO has set standards that have been adopted by many traditional watchmakers. Most smartwatches and activity trackers, however, don't actually adhere to these standards and therefore aren't ISO-certified. Consumer electronics tend to follow the IP code, although some companies, such as Garmin, Pebble and Polar, independently test their products to determine how much pressure they can withstand.

Pressure tests are measured in ATMs, which stands for atmospheres, and then converted to water depth to make the measurements easier to understand. Each ATM is equivalent to 10 meters or about 33 feet of static water-pressure. Below you will find a chart that outlines that basic water-resistance levels.

WATER PRESSURE

Water Ratings	Protection	Usage
1 ATM	Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 10 meters	Improved resistance to rain and splashes. No showering or swimming.
3 ATM	Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 30 meters	Rain, splashing, accidental submersion and showering. No swimming.
5 ATM	Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters	Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, surface swimming, shallow snorkeling
10 ATM	Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters	Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming and snorkeling. No deep water scuba diving or high-speed water sports.
20 ATM	Withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 200 meters	Rain, splashing, accidental submersion, showering, swimming, snorkeling, surface diving and water sports. No deep water diving.

Unfortunately, because there is no universal testing method, real-world usage is different for every device. For example, the Pebble and Garmin Vivoactive both have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM. Both companies state that the watches can be worn in the shower and while swimming in a pool (surface swimming), however Fitbit recommends Surge users to remove the device before swimming, despite being rated 5 ATM.

It should also be noted that even though 5 ATM is rated for a certain depth, that depth is measured in static pressure. Water pressure can change quickly, such as when you move your arm to begin swimming. While you may only be in 10 feet of water, the pressure created from your arm movement could be equal to that of a couple ATMs.

As Garmin explains on its website, "even if a device is above a depth it's rated for, it might still suffer water ingression if it is subjected to an activity that creates pressure on it that exceeds that depth rating."

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No download needed: The rise of SMS-based 'apps'

No download needed: The rise of SMS-based 'apps'

Apps aren't going anywhere, but lately more companies are offering services through text messaging. Here's what you need to know.

Josh Miller/CNET

Before Messenger, WhatsApp and Snapchat, texting was the number one way to communicate, and according to the developers behind a new wave of apps, texting is still king.

In recent months, there's been an explosion of what I'm calling no-app "apps." These services use SMS to communicate with you and carry out actions that you would ordinarily do in an app. You send a text toa specific phone number and within seconds you'll get an appropriate reply to your question or request.

Meant to be as streamlined as possible, with no design or UI to navigate, there's hardly anything standing between you and the service, which span from personal assistants to money management.

Why not have an app?

Apps are huge part of our smartphones, so why would developers want to ditch them? In part because it's much easier just to build a service that interacts with you over text. Instead of pouring resources into designing and building a native app, developers can just focus on creating an amazing service.

Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Below I'll highlight four SMS-based "apps" that have been gaining attention lately, covering what they do and some of the downsides of them.

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Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Cloe

First up is Cloe, a personal assistant that knows your city inside and out. "She" can give you recommendations for restaurants, stores and services like hair salons or florists. Billed as a more personal version of Siri, you can ask Cloe for help deciding between businesses or just find local hot spots. Instead of just showing you a list of search results, like Google or Siri, Cloe will zero in on one particular suggestion and give you all the info you need.

In my testing, Cloe was fast, responsive and more engaging than just searching for an answer myself. She'll offer more human-like tips that you won't necessarily find elsewhere. The service is part bot, part human, so it can find you results fast, but also understand your more nuanced requests, like a tailor in downtown San Francisco open until 6pm tonight.

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Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Magic

While Cloe will help you find a place to go, Magic will help bring things to you. You can text the service to order food, purchase nearly any product and even book airline tickets.

Magic gets your payment information up front so it can make purchases on your behalf, with your consent. You don't get much control, especially when it comes to food, but that's the point; the service is supposed to cut out a lot of the work for you. For instance, if you want to order a pizza, you can simply tell it "I want a cheese pizza and a liter of Pepsi," Magic will find a suitable option, confirm the purchase price and send it to you.

While Magic has the potential to be a personal assistant that does everything for you, the real-world results are mixed. Writing for Wired, Brent Rose had a positive experience where Magic came through for all of his requests, while Jason Del Ray at Recode had some issues. I didn't get to try out Magic (I'm still on the waitlist), but I can't help but think that it's a lot like Kozmo.com, which flopped in the tech bubble.

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Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Ask Alexis

For guys who want advice to woo a lady, Alexis can help. You text Alexis for tips on date ideas and she'll give you recommendations for places to go, wine tips, style advice and more. I tested out the service and the advice I got was great, if a little delayed. My first query took several hours to answer, but once I made a connection with her, Alexis helped with my request.

I asked for tips for a low-key first date under the pseudonym Sean, and Alexis asked me how my date and I met and where the date would take place. After some back and forth, she gave me a suggestion for a dessert bar, with a description and website.

Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET

Digit

Unlike the personal assistant services on this list, Digit is all about helping you save money, without you noticing. You connect your bank account on Digit's website, using your bank's online portal, and then the service keeps tabs on your spending.

Over time, it figures how much you spend in a typical week and when your bills are due to identify how much money you can save without missing it. With your permission, Digit will save that money into a separate, FDIC-insured account that you can deduct from at anytime. I wish that Digit was able to save money for me in my own savings account, instead of a separate account.

Digit also texts you your balance every day and you can text it to get that information on demand, as well as your upcoming bills, recent transactions and savings balance.

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Surface 3 cuts the price, keeps the killer keyboard

Surface 3 cuts the price, keeps the killer keyboard

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March 31, 2015 6:02 AM PDT

In a crowded field of hybrid computers combining elements of laptops and tablets, Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 still stands out as a prime example of inventive design and expert engineering. But, starting at $799/AU$979 (and $999/AU$1,209 for a standard Intel Core i5 CPU), the 12.5-inch Surface Pro 3 is expensive, especially considering it practically requires a $129 keyboard add-on to be useful.

The engineering and design of the Pro 3 has now trickled down to a more mainstream-friendly model, called the Surface 3. Minus the "Pro" name, similar to Pro/non-Pro variations on Lenovo's Yoga line and Apple's MacBook line, you get a product that keeps many of the features and ideas from the more-expensive models, while cutting other features and specs to hit a lower price.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The non-Pro Surface 3 starts at $499, £420 or AU$699, and presents itself as very similar to the Surface Pro 3, just with a few budget-minded tweaks. It has an adjustable kickstand, although rather than the fully adjustable version in the Pro 3 or the two-angle one in the older Surface 2, the Surface 3 kickstand snaps between three different angles.

The touchscreen has a 1,920x1,280 native resolution, which is more than enough for a 10.8-inch display such as this. The 12.5-inch Pro 3 has a 2,160x1,440 resolution, and both screens have a 3:2 aspect ratio, which makes them feel more like writing on a pad of paper when held in portrait mode (a sold-separately stylus runs $49, £45 or AU$69).

Like every previous Surface, you'll want the optional keyboard cover. With large backlit keys packed into a very slim cover, and connecting via a magnetic hinge, it's the cleverest bit of engineering about the Surface line. Unfortunately, as with the previous models, the add-on keyboard costs a hefty $129, £110 or AU$180 (but comes in a variety of colors). And, as the Surface 3 is a different size than the older models, you'll need the new keyboard cover made specifically for this unit.

Sarah Tew/CNET

When you're adding a $129 keyboard cover to a thousand-dollar tablet, it's an added expense, but doesn't dramatically change the value proposition of the system. Adding the same $129 to a $499 product, however, raises the price by more than 20 percent, and you should really consider the combined cost before getting too excited about getting a low-cost Surface tablet.

Unlike previous non-Pro Surface tablets, the Surface 3 does not use Microsoft's much-maligned Windows RT operating system, which could only run specially approved apps from the Microsoft App Store. Instead, it runs standard Windows 8, and Microsoft says it's ready to upgrade to Windows 10when that operating system is available.

Sarah Tew/CNET

So, with design and features close the the more-expensive Surface Pro line, what's the catch? For those seeking a full-time productivity machine, note that this system is not powered by Intel's Core i-series CPUs, or even by the Core M chip found in some new ultra-slim laptops and hybrids. Instead it uses the latest version of Intel's Atom CPU, a chip that dates back the days of low-end netbook laptops that sacrificed power for portability and price. Newer Atom chips are much better, and work fine in many budget Windows tablets, although most of those are closer to $200-$300. The new Atom x7 (previously known by the code name Cherry Trail) is said to be the most powerful Atom CPU to date, and is even capable of playing back 4K video.

In our brief hands-on time with the Surface 3, the Atom processor provided for a smooth and lag-free experience when using the tile-based Windows 8 menu, as well as apps such as IE11. To Microsoft's credit, those parts of the Windows 8 experience are very well-optimized, and can run smoothly using nearly any processor, even a very low-power one. Your mileage with third-party programs, however, may vary.

Sarah Tew/CNET

In the hand, the Surface 3 feels like a surprisingly premium product, and very close in quality and construction to the Pro models, with the same magnesium outer case. It's only 1.37 pounds (without the keyboard; about 0.62kg), which makes it lighter than even Apple's upcoming 12-inch MacBook. One welcome change is the new Micro-USB charging port, which is easier to deal with than Microsoft's previous proprietary magnetic charging cable. The Surface 3 is not, however, moving to the new USB-C connection, as seen in the 12-inch MacBook and Google's new Chromebook Pixel.

That initial $499 gets you 2GB RAM and a 64GB solid-state drive. Adding $100, £80 or AU$140 doubles both of those specs. Surface 3 will also be available in some higher-priced variations with built-in 4G LTE antennas, adding an additional $100 premium. Carrier partners announced so far are T-Mobile and Verizon for the US, with LTE details for the UK and Australia still to come.

The Microsoft Surface 3 will be available to buy May 5 in the US, Australia and UK, and May 7 in many other countries.

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