Paul Simon performs onstage during The Nearness Of You Benefit Concert at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on January 20, 2015 in New York City.
Ilya S. Savenok | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Sony Music Publishing announced Wednesday that it acquired Paul Simon's entire song catalog, which spans his six-decade music career.
The deal includes iconic songs such as "The Sound of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson," which were released when Simon was part of the music duo Simon & Garfunkel, as well as songs Simon released on his own such as "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and those on the "Graceland" album.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
"To be entrusted with his songs and recorded music is a privilege of the highest artistic order for the Sony Music Group worldwide," Rob Stringer, Sony Music Group's chairman, said in a press release.
Simon joins a number of other music artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks to recently strike deals to sell their catalog of songs.
Simon will be joining other musicians that are under Sony Music including The Beatles, Carole King, Queen and Michael Jackson.
"I began my career at Columbia/Sony Records and it feels like a natural extension to be working with the Publishing side as well," said Simon in a press release.
Since its inception in 1964, Simon & Garfunkel released five studio albums and has sold over 100 million records. After the group split in 1970, Simon began his solo career and collected 16 Grammy awards for his work in the music industry. He is a two-time inductee at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and also the co-founder of The Children's Health Fund, a nonprofit that helps underserved communities receive access to health care.
Sony Corp. on Thursday renamed itself Sony Group Corp. in the first name change in over six decades, focusing on performing headquarters functions of the conglomerate encompassing financial services, gaming and entertainment.
The name change represents Sony's diversification of portfolios from its well-known electronics segment that rolled out Walkman portable music players and TVs that symbolized the "It's a Sony" slogan.
People pass by Sony Corp.'s headquarters building in Tokyo on Feb. 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Sony Group will seek to maximize synergies among its group companies and foster growth areas. Sony Electronics Corp. will carry the name of Sony Corp. from Thursday.
Sony has been buoyed in recent years by the successful PlayStation game consoles and robust demand for its image sensors that are used in cameras and smartphones. Anime is another area that Sony is increasingly focused on, with subsidiary Aniplex Inc. being a co-distributor of a blockbuster film based on the "Demon Slayer" manga series.
In the run-up to the structural overhaul, Sony made its profitable financial unit Sony Financial Holdings Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary last year.
The landscape for the electronics industry has changed dramatically in recent years as the likes of Panasonic Corp. and Sharp Corp. faced fierce competition from rivals in China and South Korea.
Sony got about a third of its operating profit from the gaming segment in the first nine months of the business year that started in April last year, helped by pandemic-induced demand, while about 16 percent came from the electronics segment.
The group expects a net profit of 1.09 trillion yen in the full business year that ended Wednesday, which would be the first time for the Japanese firm to top the 1 trillion yen mark.
The previous name change from Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corp. to Sony Corp. took place in 1958. Sony made its name globally known with its electronics but lagged behind in the development of digital products such as liquid-crystal display televisions and was outpaced by Apple Inc. of the United States in the area of portable digital music players.
Sony saw huge losses in the years after the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers that caused the global financial crisis in 2008. As part of restructuring, the company sold its Vaio-brand personal computer business in 2014 and the lithium ion battery business in 2017.
The PS5 has a major problem with how it displays non-HDR content — and there's currently no fix available for it.
While many games and videos these days are designed to be viewed in high dynamic range (HDR) format, it is possible to disable the HDR function on the PS5 and instead view content in SDR (standard dynamic range) format. However research by Alexander Battaglia and John Linneman of tech analysis brand Digital Foundry has found that doing so will lead to less than optimum results.
The problem is that in SDR mode, the console renders darks at a significantly higher brightness than it should. The best example of this issue we have comes from YouTuber Tim Rogers, whose OLED TV looks more like an LCD TV when playing Demon’s Souls on a PS5 set to display in SDR mode.
(Image credit: Time Rogers)
According to Linneman, responding to Rogers' tweet about it, the issue is that the PS5 uses a reduced color space when operating in SDR mode — and that could explain why the darks look particularly bad when not rendered in HDR. Why the console does this remains a mystery.
Yeah, it’s been a real issue for us. That said, in this case, it’s likely a full/limited RGB issue as PS5 typically crushes darker shades rather than increase the black floor.March 28, 2021
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Playing games in HDR is one of the biggest selling points of the PS5, and most televisions released in the last few years include the feature as standard, so this might not be an issue that will impact most PS5 gamers.
What's more, the PS5 automatically enables HDR even for content that doesn’t support a high-dynamic range, so unless you actively go looking for this issue, you shouldn’t encounter the problem.
However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be times when some PS5 owners will want to play in SDR mode. Several streaming and recording services don’t capture in HDR, so this issue could be a particular headache for content creators.
Hopefully, this is an issue that can be resolved via a system update, as opposed to a hardware issue that would only be fixable with a console refresh. So far, Sony has been rather slow to address any PS5 system software issues, so we could be waiting a while for a fix.
While this is definitely an issue, we doubt it will impact the current demand for the PS5. Sony has been struggling to meet the overwhelming demand for the console since launch, so make sure to keep tabs on our where to buy a PS5 guide if you’re still looking to secure one for yourself.
Sony has been a major player in the TV world for decades, and it's no surprise that the company's 2021 TVs are hotly anticipated. And with plenty of new sets and features coming for 2021, Sony's position as a leading TV manufacturer is perfectly safe for the coming year.
Admittedly, Sony seems to be playing it a bit safe this year, with announcements focused not on major innovations but rather on iterative updates to existing models. But don't think that the Sony TV family is getting smaller or any less impressive. With 8K and OLED models and a move from Android TV to Google TV, the latest Sony TVs promise better performance than ever, and some of the smartest features yet.
There are many, many sets in the Sony 2021 TV lineup, ranging from super-expensive 8K models to competitively priced 4K OLED televisions and down to reasonably affordable 4K LED offerings.
To help you choose, here's our run down of every set in the Sony 2021 TV lineup, plus what you need to know about the new tech inside them.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Android TV becomes Google TV
(Image credit: Sony)
The biggest change coming to the Sony 2021 TV lineup is the move from using the standard Android TV interface to the newer Google TV software platform seen on Google's latest Chromecast devices. These are the first TVs with Google TV built-in, providing a new entertainment experience that enhances the underlying Android TV technology with better organization for apps and subscriptions and more curated recommendations for movies, shows and live TV.
Google TV also prominently features Google Assistant and Google Home voice interaction, and several of Sony's new TVs feature far-field microphones that enhance this capability with room-listening mics that let your TV function more like an always-on smart speaker. The result is hands-free voice interaction, instead of having to speak into the TV remote like a CB radio handset.
The onscreen presentation is improved with the ability to bookmark shows and movies into a watch list, along with personalized recommendations based on what you've watched and what services you use.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Cognitive Processor XR
(Image credit: Sony)
The beating heart of any modern smart TV is the processor, as TV capabilities blur the line between computer and media consumption device. With that processing chip handling everything from video processing such as motion handling and color adjustments to smart features and streaming, TV manufacturers are focusing more than ever on the silicon behind the smart TV.
All the sets in the Sony 2021 TV lineup are powered by the cognitive processor XR, which Sony is touting as using new processing methods that replicate the way humans see objects and images and hear sound and dialogue. Sony calls this new suite of optimizations "cognitive intelligence", but it's mostly marketing for the company's proprietary blend of picture and sound tweaks.
(Image credit: Sony)
In practice, it means that in addition to analyzing picture elements like color, contrast and detail individually, the new approach divides the screen into numerous zones and detects where the "focal point" is in the picture. It then applies several enhancements to the different sections of the screen at once. The result should be a more lifelike picture and a better viewing experience overall.
While that sounds like a lot of vague promises to make, Sony's video processing is routinely at the forefront in the TV industry, and we expect similar performance in these new 2021 Sony TVs.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: XR Sound — Positional sound and 3D Surround Upscaling
Sony's processing extends to sound as well as video, with what it's calling XR sound, a suite of audio tweaks designed to make the Sony 2021 TV lineup sound better than other sets. Included in this assortment of optimizations is XR Sound Position and 3D Surround Upscaling.
XR Sound Position uses Sony's sound-from-screen technology to make audio match the position of objects and people on screen, so that dialogue appears to be coming from the actors relative to their position in the shot. It also tracks objects with their associated sound, such as the rumble of a motorcycle or the roar of a jet plane as they move across the screen.
3D Surround Upscaling seems more complicated (and processor-wise, it may very well be), but it's easy to understand as a step above and beyond mere stereo sound. In simple terms, the upscaling aspects will upmix standard 2.0 and 5.1 audio to a virtual multi-channel format like Dolby Atmos (5.1.2), which all of the new Sony models also support. As a result, all audio should sound better and provide a more immersive experience on the 2021 Sony TVs.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Upgraded features — HDMI 2.1, ATSC 3.0, Netflix and IMAX
Other upgrades coming to models across the Bravia and Master Series model lines include HDMI 2.1 compatibility, hands-free voice functions, smart speaker compatibility, and new options that Sony promises will better deliver the creators intent regardless of format.
HDMI 2.1 connectivity puts the latest HDMI standard on all Sony 2021 TVs. In addition to carrying standard 4K signal picture and sound, the 2.1 standard expands the bandwidth available over HDMI, allowing higher frame rates and higher resolutions. On 4K TVs that means you can now get 4K picture at 120Hz, and 8K sets can now get full 8K resolution over HDMI.
Other HDMI 2.1 features include variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), two superb convenience features that gamers will love, as well as eARC, an enhanced version of ARC that simplifies connections to soundbars and other sound systems.
Sony also offers new ways to get the best picture and sound with Netflix Calibrated mode and IMAX Enhanced mode. Sony is one of the notable abstainers from the popular filmmaker mode that's been added to LG and Samsung TVs, which removes a lot of the video processing and motion smoothing to present movie content in as pure a form as possible. What Sony has instead is a Netflix Calibrated mode, which is designed to offer the best mix of settings for displaying streaming titles from Netflix, and was created with cooperation from Netflix's engineers and technicians. It also has IMAX Enhanced mode, which offers similar optimizations for the less popular IMAX Enhanced format, and includes both HDR and brightness standards as well as some unique audio standards.
Finally, Sony is offering the largest number of TVs with the new ATSC 3.0 tuner built in. From the premium 8K set to the 4K OLED models and even several 4K LED smart TVs, the majority of the Sony 2021 TV lineup has ATSC 3.0 tuning built-in, making it ready for the Next Gen TV, including 4K over broadcast. If you want to future-proof your antenna setup, these are the TVs to get.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Bravia CORE streaming service
In an exclusive service for Sony TVs, Sony Pictures Entertainment has a new streaming service to deliver premium and classic Sony movies to Bravia and Master Series TVs. The service is called Bravia CORE (which stands for Centre of Real Entertainment), and Sony is promising the highest streaming picture quality through it. With streaming up to 80 Mbps (four times the throughput used for streaming 4K movies through Netflix and similar services), Bravia CORE promises lossless 4K picture, complete with HDR and IMAX Enhanced picture and sound, essentially giving users a library of streaming content that is equal to UHD Blu-ray quality.
The service is coming as a pre-installed app on the Sony 2021 TV lineup, and the purchase of the TV provides you with credits you can use for new movies. A library of classic movies is also available for unlimited streaming, provided you have a registered account. Streaming is free for the first 12 or 24 months, and more premium TVs have a longer period and different credit allotments, giving you more access to premium movies if you bought a more expensive set.
According to Sony's official Bravia CORE FAQ, the app is not set up to process payments at this time, so it's entirely a freebie to add value to purchasing a Sony TV. However, that will likely change in the future, with a pay-as-you-go or single-purchase option for newly released movies in the near future.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Sony 8K TVs
Though Sony has been fairly aggressive about launching 8K TVs in the past, there's only one 8K set lined up for 2021: the Sony Master series Z9J, an LED TV that will be available in 75- and 85-inch sizes.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony Master Series Z9J 8K LED TV
Like the rest of the 2021 Bravia line, the Z9J 8K uses Sony's Cognitive XR processor and boasts three 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports. It also has 8K upscaling, which obviously wouldn't be useful on a 4K set. An anti-reflective layer is used to minimize glare and reflections in the large screen.
Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio are both supported, and hands-free microphones let you use the built-in Google Assistant without speaking into the remote. Sony also has outfitted the TV with Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, which uses an array of speakers inside the TV chassis and embedded in the frame to produce rich sound that seems to come directly from the screen.
The larger-sized 75 and 85-inch Z9J TVs will also have a three-position stand, with wide and narrow stand positions to offer more flexibility in setup and using a soundbar with the TV.
Sony Master Series Z9J 8K LED TV
Model number
Screen size
Price
XR-75Z9J
75-inch
Price TBA
XR-85Z9J
85-inch
Price TBA
Pricing for the Z9J 8K TVs has not yet been announced, though we hope to hear official news in the coming weeks.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Sony 4K OLED TVs
Sony is also bringing back its excellent OLED TVs for 2021, with the Sony Master Series A90J and Bravia A80J 4K OLED TVs.
Sony has added contrast tuning to the OLED models to bring out the best picture quality on the panels, adjusting the brightness and deep blacks for better HDR performance, as well as boosting the color across a wider palette to better handle subtle color differences. If past experience is any indicator, Sony's video processing often provides a slight edge over LG's OLED TVs, even though both use LG-manufactured OLED panels.
Each of these models offer two HDMI 2.1 ports out of the available four HDMI connections, giving you full support for 120Hz refresh rates, ALLM and VRR for gaming.
Both OLED models also feature Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which uses the glass panel of the OLED display as the sound-emitting surface for the TV, producing true sound-from-screen audio that can track audio to objects and actors on screen. This is only available on Sony's OLED TVs, and it's consistently been one of the standout features offered by the premium sets.
Finally, both the Master Series A90J and Bravia A80J have three-position stands that let you choose between wide and narrow-set feet, or a middle position that's sized to fit a Sony soundbar.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony Master Series A90J 4K OLED TV
The top model in Sony's 4K collection is the Sony Master series A90J 4K OLED TV.
Available in 55- and 65-inch sizes as well as an extra large 85-inch set, the A90J is Sony's top-of-the-line 4K set, and offers a range of premium features, such as a seamless micro bezel around the OLED panel, built-in cable management and one feature we wish came standard with all TVs — a backlit remote control.
The 55- and 65-inch sizes of the Sony Master Series A90J 4K OLED TV are already being sold through Best Buy and Amazon, for $2,999 and $3,999 respectively. The 83-inch model has not had a price announced, but is expected to arrive in stores sometime in the April-May timeframe.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony A80J 4K OLED TV
The next step down in Sony OLED TVs is the Sony A80J 4K OLED TV, but it's not looking like it's a big drop in features or performance.
The Bravia A80J OLED offers almost everything the Master Series A90J does, from the Cognitive Processor XR chip and Acoustic Surface Audio+ to Sony's new Google TV interface and hands-free interaction.
The only notable differences seem to be the lack of backlight on the remote, and a step down in audio power: the A90J uses four speakers/drivers with a pair of 20-watt primary speakers, while the A80J uses three speakers/drivers, with all three powered at 10 watts.
The Bravia A80J will be available in 55, 65 and 77-inch screen sizes, but not the larger 83-inch size offered by the Master Series A90J.
Sony A80J 4K OLED TV
Model number
Screen size
Price
XR-55A80J
55-inch
Price TBA
XR-65A80J
65-inch
Price TBA
XR-77A80J
77-inch
Price TBA
The Sony Bravia A80J is not yet being sold, and Sony hasn't confirmed pricing details, but we expect the 55 and 65-inch models to come in at a lower price than the Master Series A90J models do.
Sony 2021 TV lineup: Sony 4K LED TVs
The lion's share of the Sony 2021 TV lineup year will be found in the 4K LED TV line, with models ranging from budget-friendly (well, as budget-friendly as Sony's TVs get) to premium 4K smart TVs.
All of the 4K models boast Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, and have Google TV, but the models are differentiated with features like hands-free interaction and Acoustic Multi-Audio, which aren't available on every Sony LED TV.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony X95J 4K LED TV
For an excellent LCD panel with all of Sony's bells and whistles, there's the Sony X95J 4K LED TV. With full array backlight and features like Dolby Atmos and Acoustic Multi-Audio sound, as well as a backlit remote, this is the best option among Sony's more affordable 4K sets.
Available in 85-, 75- and 65-inch sizes, the TV features a minimalist design with Sony's Seamless Edge bezel, which shrinks the borders around the screen down to a fraction of an inch. A three-position stand gives you several options for set up with or without a sound bar — but the smaller 65 -inch model only has a two-position stand.
Sony X95J 4K LED TV
Model number
Screen size
Price
XR-65X95J
65-inch
Price TBA
XR-75X95J
75-inch
Price TBA
XR-85X95J
85-inch
Price TBA
The Sony X95J 4K LED TV will be available in 65, 75 and 85-inch sizes. Pricing and availability details have not been announced.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony X90J 4K TV
The next step down is the Sony X90J 4K LED TV, which still features Google TV and HDMI 2.1 support, but loses some of the finer touches seen on the more expensive X95J models.
A more traditional looking stand raises the TV up more, but has two position options for more flexibility when putting the TV on a shelf or entertainment unit.
The X90J loses the remote control backlight and has less powerful contrast enhancement, but is in other respects very similar to other Sony models, with Acoustic Multi-Audio, HDMI 2.1 compatibility and both Netflix Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced modes.
However, it is worth noting that the X90J does not have hands-free capability or the room-listening mics that feature entails. If you're looking for a slightly less invasive smart TV, this is the one to get.
A related model, the Sony X92 4K LED TV, boasts the same feature set and capabilities, but in a 100-inch screen size.
Sony X90J 4K TV
Model number
Screen size
Price
XR-50X90J
50-inch
$1,299
XR-55X90J
55-inch
$1,499
XR-65X90J
65-inch
$1,799
XR-75X90J
75-inch
Price TBA
Sony has revealed pricing for some (but not all) models of the Sony X90J 4K TV, starting at $1,299 for the smaller 50-inch model, the 55-inch set selling for $1,499 and the 65-inch size selling for $1,799. Pricing for the 75-inch model and the 100-inch X92 have not been announced.
None of the sets are available for purchase yet, but Sony assures us that they are "coming soon." We'd estimate a possible launch in April for the sets with pricing, and May or June for the larger models.
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony X85J 4K TV
One of Sony's more affordable sets, the Sony X85J 4K TV is notable in that it comes in the widest range of sizes. With screen sizes ranging from 43 to 85 inches, it's got more size options than any other model in the Sony 20201 TV lineup, and features HDMI 2.1, Google TV and
Unlike the other models above, the X85J does not have an ATSC 3.0 tuner.
Sony X85J 4K TV
Model number
Screen size
Price
KD-43X85J
43-inch
Price TBA
KD-50X85J
50-inch
Price TBA
KD-55X85J
55-inch
Price TBA
KD-65X85J
65-inch
Price TBA
KD-75X85J
75-inch
Price TBA
KD-85X85J
85-inch
Price TBA
Sony hasn't announced pricing or availability for the Sony X85J 4K TV, but it will be sold in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 85-inch sizes.
Sony X80J 4K TV
Rounding out the more affordable end of the Sony 2021 TV lineup is the Sony X80J 4K TV.
It's Sony's most affordable model, but that also means it's got fewer advanced features than any other Sony smart TV listed here. While the X90J offers Google TV and support for formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, it has only 60Hz refresh rates, no HDMI 2.1 ports (all four ports use the HDMI 2.0b standard), and a standard TV tuner.
Sony has pricing for the Sony X80J 4K TV listed on the product page, but as of this writing, retail availability is very limited for most models. Only the 55 and 65-inch models appear to be available for purchase.
After launching on the new Chromecast last year, Google TV is seeing its first expansion. Sony Bravia TVs are now available in the United States with Google TV on board.
Sony has been using the Android TV platform since 2015 on its high-end Bravia lineup, both on LED and OLED models. At CES earlier this year, the company was the first to announce its intention to adopt the newer Google TV UI, and now, it’s the first TV maker to launch with it.
Available right now at Best Buy, the Bravia X80J and Bravia XR A90J series are available starting at $949. On the lower end of the spectrum, you’ll get LED panels of 55-inch or 65-inch sizes, both with Google TV out of the box. Alternatively, there’s the Bravia XR A90J series that is available at the same sizes, but with OLED tech for more contrast. Those TVs, though, are more expensive, starting at $2,999.
These 4K TVs support HDR10 and Dolby Vision and use Sony’s X1 4K HDR Processor to “cut noise and boost detail.” The X80J also supports 4 HDMI ports, a 60Hz refresh rate, and has an included remote with Sony’s usual style. There’s a dedicated apps button as well as shortcuts for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. There’s also a button for Google Assistant complete with the logo.
The Bravia XR A90J bump up to OLED, hence the price increase, and also go to 120Hz. Two of the four HDMI ports are also capable of HDMI 2.1, good news for PS5 owners.
As far as we can tell, these new TVs have only been on sale for around a week, but they should be available at Best Buy locations nationwide within the next week or two. Online orders are showing with deliveries as soon as Thursday, April 1.
Sony Bravia X80J
Sony Bravia XR A90J
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A large section of PlayStation history will go offline later this summer.
Sony announced this week that it will shut down access to the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita storefronts on the PlayStation Network Store. The PSP store will close July 2, while the PS3 and Vita stores will close Aug. 27. Sixteen years of digital games will disappear overnight.
Owners of those specific pieces of hardware will still be able to re-download and play any games they’ve purchased through the PlayStation Store — for now. Users will also still be able to redeem voucher codes for games and PlayStation Plus. Any cross-buy purchases, such as titles available on the Vita and PlayStation 4, will still be accessible through the Download List on their respective devices. There are questions, however.
While Sony did specify that the store closures will not affect any user’s PlayStation Now subscription, or access to PS3 and Vita games claimed through the PlayStation Plus subscription, the Japanese electronics giant would not confirm what would happen to access to those titles should a PlayStation Plus subscription lapse. Granted, the last time a PS3 or Vita title was available through the premium subscription was February 2019. But Plus did start on the PS3, and some of its best games were available on the service during its several-year run.
Once those deadlines arrive, all new purchases will be prohibited and players will no longer be able to redeem gift cards through those devices. Sony is essentially closing the book on that chapter of the PlayStation’s storied life — for better or for worse.
From a monetary standpoint, it’s hard to argue with Sony’s stance in this situation. The PSP hasn’t been manufactured since 2014. The PS3 went out of production in 2017, and the Vita followed two years later. These are legacy consoles in an industry that is always facing forward and advancing into the future. Not to mention, despite their overall market success, these were still the three biggest disappointments in Sony’s gaming hardware history. Sony could be simply wanting to move on and milk the waning success of the PlayStation 4, while diverting most of its attention to the newly released PlayStation 5, which is still almost impossible to find.
Sony has always been a company focused on specific hardware generations, going so far as to make it a marketing tactic at the start of this generation while Microsoft embraced cross-generation offerings. But the PSP and PS3 were the first generation of Sony consoles to embrace online gaming and digital purchases, and cutting off access to those storefronts seems a bit problematic.
Microsoft has committed itself fully to its gaming legacy. Anyone who owns an Xbox Series S or X can play the newest next-generation games alongside launch titles for the original Xbox from way back in 2001. The Xbox Series S and X are the only titles on the market that can play four generations of games over that 20-year span. Only the Nintendo Switch comes close with its NES Online and SNES Online offerings, though those libraries are still extremely anemic and require an ongoing subscription.
With this store closure, Sony has essentially abandoned its legacy hardware — locking many those games on dead platforms with no hope of resurrection. Preservation efforts will be limited solely to physical copies, which have become more rare as the years progress. Having the ability to purchase those games digitally — even on original hardware — was a nice way to help maintain support. It would be nice for Sony to expand its backward compatibility offerings, and allow PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PS3 games on next-generation hardware. But it seems Sony isn’t interested in that path.
The sunsetting of these storefronts also calls into question the long term prospects of digital software ownership. Sony maintains these games will be accessible by anyone who owns a license tied to their account. But how long will that last? Games have been delisted and permanently removed before. I’m looking at you, “P.T.” How long before that happens to a PS3 game, or a PSP title? It seems to set a dangerous precedent for restricting access to titles customers have purchased. Digital ownership has always been a precarious arrangement, and this makes it even more off putting
Hopefully, at some point in the future, Sony sees how successful Microsoft’s backward compatibility initiative is, and attempts to do something similar. There are too many great games locked on dated hardware that might not ever be accessible again. Making those titles available to play and to purchase on the PS5 or additional future consoles would go a long way toward proper game preservation and consumer rights. Until then, just make sure you download everything you wanted, and make sure your PlayStation Plus subscription doesn’t lapse.
Josh Rouse lives in Lawton and writes a weekly gaming column for The Lawton Constitution.
New Live Gallery Feature for Socially Distanced Live Events
Visual Story Version 1.1's new Live Gallery feature allows professional event photographers to meet the growing demand for remote participation during the actual event. This enables the photographer's clients to share photo galleries with their friends, family and colleagues, to then view photos of their event, such as a wedding, corporate, school or sporting event, in real time to create a more immersive experience.
Live Gallery helps simplify a professional workflow by allowing Auto transfer while shooting with a compatible Sony Alpha brand cameraii, automated image selection using AI, and applying edit presets to all images within a live gallery at the same time. Live Gallery viewers can also like specific photos, which the photographer can use to choose final image selections to deliver to their client.
Upgraded Selection Options The newly updated Visual Story app also now includes an object detection filter to easily locate images focusing on specific items such as a cake, food, tableware and jewelry. The photographer can also choose images that are only included in a live gallery or those with likes.
Compatibility and Availability Visual Story Version 1.1 is available now for iOS in the App Store for free and is compatible with select Sony cameras including: Alpha 7C, Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 9, Alpha 9 II as well as Alpha 7 III (updated to firmware Version 4.0 or later), Alpha 1 and FX3i.
Sony's new Visual Story is available to download for free HERE, and development on additional platforms is under discussion.
A product video on the new Live gallery feature can be viewed HERE
Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with Sony's imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony α - Alpha.
About Sony Electronics Inc. Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.
Notes:
i Membership to "Visual Story" account and app on smartphone required with connection to Wi-Fi. See "Visual Story" terms and conditions/privacy policy for details. Download app at the App Store. Network services, content, and operating system and software subject to terms and conditions and may be changed, interrupted or discontinued at any time and may require fees, registration and credit card information. ii Please refer to the website for a full list of compatible models. Firmware must be updated on cameras to ensure compatibility.
One of the best features of the Sony PlayStation 5 is its support for 3D audio. Sony’s so-called Tempest Engine does all of the hard work so that any standard pair of wired headphones can deliver immersive 3D sound when plugged into the DualSense controller.
But what if you want to go fully wireless? Currently, the only wireless headset compatible with the PS5’s 3D audio feature is this, the official PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset.
Having just one option is rarely a good thing, but the Pulse 3D headset comes from good stock – its predecessor on the PS4 combined excellent core sound quality, excellent comfort and (limited) 3D audio to the tune of a five-star rating.
Comfort
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony has decided to visually tie the Pulse 3D headset to the controversial design of the PS5, opting for the same white finish for the headband as on the faceplates of the console. It is instantly clear that the two products are related, but the headset’s design may be too attention-grabbing to consider using it as a standard pair of headphones when out of the house.
The plastic band also feels a bit cheaper than the brushed metal of the Platinum Wireless Headset, but that can be forgiven because the Pulse 3D headset genuinely is cheaper by some margin. Besides, having now used the headset for several months, there’s no sign of the slightly cheap feel translating into flimsiness. We have no reason to believe that the headset won’t last for many years.
It feels comfortable, too. The earcups are firmer than some headphones, but they create a good seal around the ears and the headband provides just the right amount of pressure. There’s no obvious heat generated around the ears in use, either.
Build
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The Pulse 3D headset’s controls are located around the edge of the left cup. They include a rocker to adjust the balance between game audio and chat, a switch for turning monitor mode on or off (useful for ensuring you don’t speak too loudly), volume, mute and power on/off. Most button presses are accompanied by an on-screen notification, something you won’t get from third-party headsets.
Sony PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset tech specs
(Image credit: Sony)
Compatibility PS5, PS4 and PC (wireless), Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S (wired)
Wired Yes
Wireless Yes
Surround sound Yes
Battery life 12 hours
Weight 295g
There’s no button to enable or disable the 3D audio feature as there was with the Platinum Wireless Headset, but that’s because the tech is built in more at a system level.
Using the headset wirelessly involves plugging a dongle-like USB transmitter into your PS5 (you can use the socket on the front or rear) and from that point, the console will automatically output sound to the headset whenever you switch it on. Battery life is 12 hours, which isn’t huge by Bluetooth headphone standards but should cover even the longest of gaming sessions. Charging is via USB-C.
As well as the PS5, you can also use the Pulse 3D headset wirelessly with a PC or PS4, and there’s also an included 3.5mm cable for when you run out of batteries or want to use the headset with an Xbox, phone or tablet. The microphone works in wired mode, too, but you only get 3D audio when wirelessly connected to a PS5 or PS4.
The microphone picks up and projects your voice clearly, but it’s also prone to picking up background noise more than most, which will be of concern to anyone who plays online while there are others in the room. We understand why Sony would opt for a slick and minimalist appearance, but an optional stalk mic would be a nice touch.
Sound
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While you probably won’t be using the Pulse 3D headset primarily as a standard pair of wired stereo headphones, there’s value in benchmarking against models in this class to get a sense of the core sound quality of the headset.
Surprisingly, despite all of the additional tech on board, the Pulse 3D headset more than stands its ground against sub-£100 wired headphones in most areas. There’s energy, enthusiasm and a crispness to the delivery that’s foot-tappingly enjoyable. While some go deeper, there’s still more than enough bass here and it’s punchy and tuneful.
The treble, meanwhile, has a sparkle and zing that never veers into brightness, and the midrange is textured and clear, with vocals delivered directly. Dynamics are decent, too, with the headset able to convey subtle shifts as well as epic crescendos, and there’s more than enough detail for a pair of headphones costing this much.
But they fall down slightly on timing. When music tracks become particularly busy, the Pulse 3D headset struggles to maintain a complete grip on each strand, and that can make these sections a little hard to follow. Luckily, though, this timing issue isn’t apparent when gaming and the generally strong core sound quality translates well when you use the Pulse 3D headset for its intended purpose.
(Image credit: Sony)
Of course, the quality of the 3D effect depends on the way it has been implemented into the game, but opt for Spider-Man: Miles Morales or even PS4 game Ghost Of Tsushima and you get not only a sense of the direction that each sound is coming from, but also how far away it is. The sonic presentation becomes all-enveloping and it’s easy to audibly pinpoint effects.
Switch to Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and the 3D audio gives a real sense of the cavernous nature of the CIA safehouse, the distance of each character as they speak and the echo as their voices hit the interior walls of the warehouse. You get none of this when listening in standard stereo.
Though you can get 3D audio by plugging a pair of standard wired headphones into the DualSense controller, the crispness and precision of the Pulse 3D headset makes for a more engaging and exciting experience than is offered by most similarly-priced wired headphones. It feels as though the 3D audio delivery has been tailored for the official headset – there’s every chance that in some cases it has been – which is a benefit of having just one product on the market.
That’s not to say that the Pulse 3D headset is an adequate replacement for your surround sound speaker package. The Pulse headset is surprisingly accomplished at creating a 3D soundfield, but the placement of effects is even better with a properly calibrated home cinema system. Effects placed directly in front of or behind the listening position are a particular struggle for 3D audio via headphones, which is no issue with physical speakers in those positions.
Verdict
The Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is really the only option here, but it’s also particularly good at what it does. Those slight timing issues aside, it boasts an accomplished core audio performance that can take your gaming to new levels when combined with the PS5’s 3D audio processing.
If you don’t have the money, space or circumstances for a home cinema system, this is pretty much the next best thing as far as PS5 gaming is concerned, and that makes it a great buy.
