Xperia Z, ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z Android 4.3 update just around the corner

Just yesterday, we covered how Android 4.3 had begun rolling out to the Sony Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra. The release surprised no one, as we recently saw Android 4.3 leaks for the  Sony Xperia Z and the Xperia ZL, both of which were met with great user response. Now, Sony appears to be ready to continue this trend, with impending updates for the latter two devices (the Xperia Z and ZL), as well as updates for the Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z.

As discovered by Xperiablog.net, Android 4.3 (build 10.4.B.0.569) has just obtained certification by the PTCRB regulatory commission for the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, and Xperia Tablet Z. This certification is an essential step in OEM-issued updates, as it ensures compliance with 3GPP network standards.

There is unfortunately no official word regarding these updates and what new features they bring to the supported devices. Furthermore, no projected OTA timetable is currently available. That said, it’s only a matter of time now that the update has been submitted and approved.

Are you looking forward to 4.3 on your Xperia Z, ZL, ZR, or Tablet Z or are you really just looking forward to KitKat? Are there any features in particular from the Z1 and Z Ultra updates that you’re hoping to score on your device? Let me know in the comments below,

Android 4.3 update for Sony Xperia SP,Xperia T,Xperia TX, Xperia V real soon

The DLNA certified Android 4.3 firmware builds for a number of Sony Xperia devices earlier this week, hopefully implying that there are no delays to the rollout. Sony Xperia devices that passed DLNA certification on 10 December include the Xperia SP (C5302,C5303, C5306, M35h), Xperia T (LT30p, LT30a), Xperia TX (LT29i) and Xperia V (LT25i). There’s ten days left until Christmas, so let’s hope that we’ll start to see official Android 4.3 before then. 

Sony announces pen drives for Android smartphones, tablets

Sony has launched new pen drives that are compatible with smartphones and tablets, bringing USB on-the-go functionality to these devices. The flash drives are "2-in-1 devices" with both USB 2.0 and microUSB connectors. So, buyers can connect them to phones and tablets as well as laptops and desktops. This isn’t the first time that we’ve such a pen drive, earlier this year iBall had introduced a similar hybrid drive with both USB and microUSB connectors. 

Viviano Cantu, director of consumer media marketing, Sony Electronics, said, "These new drives combine convenience, peace of mind and performance and are perfect for mobile multi-tasking."

Pen drives for smartphones, tablets

The new Sony drives can be used with Android devices running on Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. The company says that it is working to bring support for devices running on the newest Android KitKat version. The pen drives can be used to copy data between devices, and also as additional or temporary storage for smartphones and tablets.  The connector comes with locking caps to avoid any kind of damage and the body can withstand everyday knocks and bumps, claims Sony. 

Sony's new pen drives for smartphones are priced at $19.99 (approx. Rs 1,232) for 8GB, $29.99 (approx. Rs 1,849) for 16GB and $62.99 (approx. Rs 3,884) for 32GB capacities. These pen drives are expected to release globally in January 2014.