Generic question about Sony Phones

[zuben el genub]

No model in particular, that's why I'm asking here.

Sony has had trouble with DRM and proprietary devices since day 1. They tried to make a CD playable in only one device and a few other bits of chicanery. They've been blasted for their game system and I know they bought a sound editing program and won't let you use the serial number to access the new version.

How does this attitude apply to their phones? I see they are popular and look good at times, but the proprietary attitude is something no one discusses. I'd like to know and it's never discussed in reviews.

 

[El Presidente]

I had a Sony Z1, linked to my Sony account. I was able to view any of the movies/media/games etc on any device my Sony account was linked to.

I tried on a PS & Mrs Presidentes Xperia Z.

The only DRM issue with Sony handsets is when you unlock the bootloader. That wipes the TA partition (which is where the DRM keys are stored).

Where did you see they were blasted for their game system? When the PS4 was announced they were widely praised for their attitude towards game sharing/trading in etc. MS were heavily criticised because they were the exact opposite.

 

[Slug]

How does this attitude apply to their phones?

As EP has already mentioned, unlocking the bootloader erases the DRM keys required for several proprietary features, presumably to protect their IP. However as all but the most recent devices can be rooted without unlocking the bootloader it's not a huge issue. For those who wish their device unlocked, they simply enter their IEMI in a form on the Sony Developer site, receive the unlock code for their device and then use "fastboot oem unlock" to do the deed.

Sony make their own source code available on Github, actively contribute to AOSP projects, have Android 6.x source and device-specific binaries available for download to allow devs to compile Marshmallow for their device(s), and even have a fully-functional Android 6.x build available for users of certain devices to test. They're actually considered one of, if not the, most developer-friendly and open members of the OHA.

 

[zuben el genub]

I had a Sony Z1, linked to my Sony account. I was able to view any of the movies/media/games etc on any device my Sony account was linked to.

I tried on a PS & Mrs Presidentes Xperia Z.

The only DRM issue with Sony handsets is when you unlock the bootloader. That wipes the TA partition (which is where the DRM keys are stored).

Where did you see they were blasted for their game system? When the PS4 was announced they were widely praised for their attitude towards game sharing/trading in etc. MS were heavily criticised because they were the exact opposite.

http://ps4daily.com/2013/06/sony-changed-playstation-4-drm-policy-after-xbox-one-outrage/

 

[zuben el genub]

As EP has already mentioned, unlocking the bootloader erases the DRM keys required for several proprietary features, presumably to protect their IP. However as all but the most recent devices can be rooted without unlocking the bootloader it's not a huge issue. For those who wish their device unlocked, they simply enter their IEMI in a form on the Sony Developer site, receive the unlock code for their device and then use "fastboot oem unlock" to do the deed.

Sony make their own source code available on Github, actively contribute to AOSP projects, have Android 6.x source and device-specific binaries available for download to allow devs to compile Marshmallow for their device(s), and even have a fully-functional Android 6.x build available for users of certain devices to test. They're actually considered one of, if not the, most developer-friendly and open members of the OHA.

That's good to know. It's never mentioned in any other places except development for those who want to know about the rest of the apps without the posts on how to root or delete. I'm just tired of all the glowing praise for new phones and tech with none of the drawbacks posted. It's hard to convince me the general population is either that much "I don't care" or dumb or possibly only seeing convenience.

I don't buy on glowing reviews alone. I like to know almost everything pro and con and will bug a forum until I can find an answer. I don't do entertainment, but I do want speed and efficiency in a phone. Decent storage. I'd like to get birding apps open before the damn bird flies away and apps keep adding more and more bits and pieces that will slow them down on older tech.

 

[Slug]

I'm just tired of all the glowing praise for new phones and tech with none of the drawbacks posted.

That's at least partly due to the fact that it's rare to see a long-term review of a device; most are written based on a day or two with a demo handset courtesy of the manufacturer. Even worse are those based on a few "hands-on minutes" at a launch event.

That's why places like AF are so valuable. Real users, real experiences.

 

[mikedt]

I've not seen much in the way of Sony phones myself. Sony cameras and TVs are very popular though, see lots of those. Last Sony I actually owned was a Vaio laptop about 10 years ago, it was OK once I removed all the crapware, but I don't think Sony makes PCs now and discontinued the Vaio brand.

 

[Hadron]

I see a fair number of Sony handsets in use - they are clearly quite popular with people commuting by train in my corner of the UK.

 

[zuben el genub]

We've got an old Sony Handicam. The thing uses the memory duo sticks. You need an adapter. I got all the kid's videos off by hooking it up to the Toshiba DVD recorder via Firewire cable. A lot of the pets she recorded had gone over the Rainbow Bridge and she wanted her memories.

I bought Sound Forge from the original company. We used it in the office for editing radio commercials. You had to buy a codec to convert from CD to MP3. I bought it, Sony bought Sound Forge, and refused to honor the purchased codec. So I've tangled with Sony on that one. Sony also ordered me to send in a PDA that they needed to fix.
They sent the box with the RMA without asking me.

Discovered that Linux has stuff just as good for sound editing.

While I love my Oppo, TMO is messing with frequency. They are trying to do VOLTE over their band 12 (700). Dish or Direct TV bought a lot of 600 Frequency and whichever one bought it is now reported as wanting to sell. I can't tell which frequency is AWS or PCS, (the Oppo has band 17 (700)
Some reports of shutting down HSPA which as far as I know is 3 or 4G in Calif, and I thought TMO was repurposing Edge or 2.

If someone would only put out the specs on frequency as PCS 17oo/1900/2100 (whatever) and then put down that it would be reused for LTE, I'd know which end was up. The fora I do look at are all boasting about download and upload speed on certain bands. TMO just spouts the company line.

Daughter is still using my old Nokia C-6 which only performed on Edge here. I need to get her another phone and am looking at every unlocked option for here and the UK.

I'm keeping all options open for a bit. I won't switch carriers. I like TMO.

Also to be honest, quite a few phones do have features that I like. But I do need to know if it will do things the way I prefer without a lot of hassle. It also has to be unlocked.