When we set out to revamp a Sony Store, we do so with you in mind. Developed with a laser focus on the guest experience, Sony’s award-winning new concept store design features a light, bright and flexible layout that makes it easy for you to enjoy Sony’s latest products—all in one place. Fashion Valley is the seventh store, to date, to undergo a full conceptual refresh.

Here’s a sneak peek:

If you’ve been waiting to check out our new 4K TVs in person, they are prominently showcased in the new store. And our smaller gadgets like cameras and VAIO® models are set up throughout the center of the store for easy access – so you can touch, feel and experience them, first hand.

What’s cool about this particular store is that the layout lends itself to the addition of an immersive listening environment featuring Sony’s ES Premium Home Theater line. Fashion Valley is one of only two stores, nation-wide, with this elevated auditory perk.

A series of events were set up to celebrate the grand opening of the newly refreshed store, including a ribbon cutting and commendation ceremony on Friday, May 17 and an all-access public grand opening event on Saturday, May 18 – get details on Facebook!

Keep checking the Sony blog for information about this store and others. To see what people are saying about Fashion Valley and other Sony Stores by following @SonyStore #SonyStore and #Sony619 on Twitter.

For all you developers out there, of course this means you can now access the software and contribute to this project. And this is all before the tablet is even available in the US. A special thanks to our Sony Mobile team for helping us create the package early and a huge thanks to the Android developer community for all your support. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do with the code. As usual, we must emphasize that the purpose of this project is not to make stable software suited for daily use. The AOSP for Xperia Tablet Z project starts off in a very similar state as the current status of AOSP for Xperia Z. Check out the code on our GitHub for the latest technical status.

Want to participate?

All collaboration and contributions will be handled through the GitHub tool, so just head over to the project you’re interested in on GitHub. In the readme files over at GitHub, you will find all instructions needed to compile and build the project. Make yourself familiar with the code, and feel free to have a look at the issue list to see where you might be able to help out. And just as before, all contributions will be managed by Björn Andersson and Johan Redestig who maintain the gits for all our AOSP for Xperia devices. We hope to see a lot of developers engaging in these projects!

Now, check out the below video to see how the software looks when running on the Xperia Tablet Z.
For more information on this project, please visit Sony Mobile’s Developer World site.

Well, we’ll share the full details of the commercial with you when it comes out, but for now, we thought we’d have some fun letting you tell us what you think is happening through  a good old-fashioned, “Caption This” contest. So prepare your wittiest remarks now and you may be one of two crafty peeps to win their very own Sony NEX-3N camera.

Haven’t read up on the 3N yet and want to know more about what you’re spending valuable minutes captioning for? Here’s the scoop.

The NEX-3N is our newest in the NEX line of mirrorless cameras, and it is our smallest and lightest one yet. Although tiny, the camera still has the same size sensor as a DSLR, meaning your photos are the same quality as something shot by the pros. Good stuff, right? With this camera, you’ll be able to see details in photos you’d never catch with a phone and we thought it made a nice metaphor for how a 4K TV changes the way you see television. Plus, it’s just a sweet prize.

You probably know how these “Caption This” contests work by now, but should you need a refresher, here’s how to play.

1. Take a look at the below picture. Normal, right? It was taken on Miranda Beach in New Zealand, on the set of our Sony 4K commercial shoot.
2. Formulate a witty and/or insightful remark about said photo.
3. Include your caption below in the comments (along with your email address so we can contact you)   

OR

3. Tweet your caption to @SonyElectronics using the hashtag #Sony4K. (hint: Make sure to follow us so that we can DM you if you win).
4. Wait to find out if you are one of the winners. Contest starts now and ends May 21^st at 11:59 A.M PST. We’ll holler at the winners before the end of the month.

And there you have it. If you are someone who likes to read the official rules, you can find all the info on the Sony 4K Commercial Caption This Contest here. Good luck and happy captioning.

The Innocence Game by Michael Harvey

Three classmates at Northwestern’s prestigious journalism school are catapulted into their darkest assignment yet: find a real killer. The Innocence Game is an ambitious stand-alone cold case with master plot-twisters and a gritty Midwestern setting that make this an irresistible, harrowing suspense.

About the Book:

From Michael Harvey, Chicago’s best-known crime writer and author of the popular Michael Kelly series, comes something different: a leap forward into a dark world where the lines between innocence and guilt disappear altogether. They’re young, brilliant, beautiful . . . and naïve enough to believe they can make a difference.

“Harvey does for the Windy City what Michael Connelly did for Los Angeles…” – Chicago Tribune

For three graduate students, the exclusive innocence seminar at the nation’s most esteemed journalism school is supposed to teach them how to free the falsely accused from prison. Little do they know the most important lesson they’ll learn is how to stay alive. The first day of class for Ian Joyce and Sarah Gold starts like any other, until a fellow student, Jake Havens, pulls a wrinkled envelope from his backpack. Inside is a bloodstained scrap of shirt from a boy murdered fourteen years ago and an anonymous note taking credit for the killing. The only problem is the alleged murderer is already dead. Suddenly, the class has a new assignment: find the real killer.

As the case unfolds, the bodies and questions begin to pile up. Why are innocent men being framed? Who’s been getting away with murder? Drawn into a web of deceit and corruption, the students realize they, too, are being hunted. Ian, Sarah, and Jake are smart . . . but are they smart enough to stay alive? From Northwestern’s idyllic campus, to the grittiest corners of Chicago, to the frigid depths of Lake Michigan, The Innocence Game is irresistible, harrowing suspense from a writer at the top of his form.

Click HERE to find the book at Reader Store!

For Fans of:

• Michael Connelly
• John Grisham

Similar Reading:

• The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• The Closers by Michael Connelly

The Closers by Michael Connelly

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason

About the Author:

Author Michael Harvey

Michael Harvey is the author of The Chicago Way, The Fifth Floor, The Third Rail, and We All Fall Down, and is also a journalist and documentary producer. His work has received numerous national and international awards, including multiple news Emmys, two Primetime Emmy nominations, and an Academy Award nomination. He holds a law degree with honors from Duke University, a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in classical languages from Holy Cross College. He lives, of course, in Chicago.

Praise for Michael Harvey:

“Michael Harvey should be read by all.” –John Grisham

“Jolting. . . . Harvey’s feel for Chicago ramps up the fast-paced, grimly realistic action.” –New York Times Book Review

“Harvey does for the Windy City what Michael Connelly did for Los Angeles: He commandeers it, warts and all, and wrangles it into his fiction.” – Chicago Tribune

In this ambitious stand-alone from Harvey (The Chicago Way and three other Mike Kelly PI novels), three Northwestern journalists—Ian Joyce, Jake Havens, and Sarah Gold—enroll in a special course that requires them to investigate cases that strongly suggest the accused were wrongfully convicted. One case concerns the murder of 10-year-old Skylar Wingate. The man convicted of the crime has long since died, but new evidence supports the theory the real killer is still alive. On a visit to the site where Skylar was found buried the three students discover the body of another boy in a cave. When their search for the killer brings them in contact with the corrupt underbelly of the Chicago police, they realize they must solve the crime—not only for the sake of justice but to save their own lives. Although Harvey makes some far-fetched connections in the wrap-up, the suspense remains high throughout. – Publishers Weekly

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Finally, it’s here: the long-awaited cinematic remake of The Great Gatsby. And if you’re anything like us, you’re going to need some Roaring ‘20s stories to satiate your hunger after seeing the classic come to life (Daisy dressed all sultry, a soundtrack to die for, and let’s not forget… LEO). So carpe diem, and read all the juicy jazz-age fiction you can get your hands on until the party’s run dry.

Here are our roaring recommendations:

• The Other Typist
• Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
• The Obituary Writer
• The Gin Lovers
• The Beautiful and the Damned
• The Flappers Series
• Beautiful Fools
• Hemingway’s Girl
• Parlor Games
• The Paris Wife

Visit the entire Roaring ‘20s Collection at Reader Store.

And don’t miss our author spotlight on Therese Anne Fowler, author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald where she talks about capturing the age of the not-so-innocent.

Friday, May 31

5:00pm – 6:00pm | Sherry Lansing Theater
Shooting Documentaries with Sony’s NEX-FS700, F5 and F55.

Cinematographer and filmmaker David Leitner, whose talk at last year’s Cine Gear Expo about shooting documentaries with the NEX-FS100, NEX-FS700, and PMW-F3 generated tremendous interest, returns to Cine Gear to discuss his experiences in the field using Sony’s latest Super 35 cameras, including the NEX-FS700, the F5 and F55. Leitner will screen footage and explore solutions for handholding each of these cameras. Gamma settings and lens choices will be also be discussed, including control of Canon EF lenses on all three cameras.

David Leitner has over sixty Director, DP, and Producer credits in documentaries and dramas including eight Sundance Film Festival premieres.

6:15pm – 8:30pm | Paramount Theater
Opening night screening of “AFTER EARTH” in spectacular 4K. Special guests will join in Q&A panel discussion.

Admission to screening with Cine Gear badge ONLY. To register for Cine Gear, click here.
Your badge can be picked up at the main entrance during show hours or at the Bronson Gate, North Side of Melrose Avenue near the Paramount Theater starting at 6:00pm. Seating is limited.

Download the Film and Digital Times F65 “After Earth” edition

Saturday June 1st

10:15am – 11:15am | Screening Room #5
Alister Chapman presents the F5 and F55.

Blockbuster Quality, Documentary Practicality, Budget Friendly.

Alister Chapman is a UK based, freelance DP and DIT. He works on TV and Cinema commercials, documentaries and adventure programs. In addition he runs a high quality stock footage library supplying footage for use in feature films and documentaries. Alister has been shooting some extremely challenging projects in the cold Arctic winter, the heat and humidity of the Far East and severe storms and tornadoes in the Midwest with Sony’s F55 and F5 cameras, so he has an intimate knowledge of how to get the very best from these state of the art cameras. Thanks to 25 years of production experience and a strong technical background he has become a highly regarded expert on camera setups and technology. With a natural ability to explain complex concepts in a simple to understand way he is in high demand around the world as a trainer and educator. Alister’s clients include the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, NBC and he is represented by Getty.

4K, it’s for now.
      • Why shoot 4K, even for HD TV episodic production.

The F5 and F55 Sensors and what makes them special.
      • High sensitivity and dynamic range.
      • Color Accuracy.
      • Image Frame Scan.

The multitude of Lens options for the F5 and F55
      • The new Sony PL mount lenses.
      • Lens adapters and other lens options.

Color Gamut – the artists palette.
      • The importance of a broad palette for color grading.

Codecs – Now you have a choice!
      • XAVC – Built for the future, delivering today.
      • S-Log2, simple workflow, big dynamic range.

Raw – unleash the power of the F5 and F55.
      • What is Raw and why is it so good.

The differences between Custom Mode and Cine EI Mode.
      • How to use Cine EI to manage your dynamic range.
      • The film-like exposure behavior of the F5 and F55.
      • Practical exposure advice.

Workflow – Live 4K workflow on a laptop.
      • Managing and archiving your material.

2:15pm – 3:45pm | Sherry Lansing Theater
Art Adams and Adam Wilt present the Sony FS700 in the RAW, featuring the new 2K RAW High Frame Rate, and 4K RAW recording solutions. The seminar includes footage screening.

2:45pm – 4:00pm | Paramount Theater
Discussion panel with Affonso Beato, ASC, ABC featuring “Time and the Wind”, Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC, Fred Goodich, ASC, featuring “Kickstart Theft”, and Curtis Clark, ASC. The panel discussion includes 4K screenings of these productions.

4:15pm – 5:15pm | Screening Room #5
Alister Chapman presents the F5 and F55.

Blockbuster Quality, Documentary Practicality, Budget Friendly.

To register for Cine Gear, click here.
For more information on Sony’s complete lineup of Super 35mm Cameras, visit: sony.com/35mm.

Southern Cross the Dog by Bill Cheng

The week’s pick—Southern Cross the Dog by Bill Cheng—is a literary fiction debut that’s tough, lyrical, historical . . . great. It reminds us of an author that is near and dear to our hearts: Cormac McCarthy. Cheng writes with precision and engagement; the human relationships articulated through his story and characters are visceral and revealing.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the tradition of Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O’Connor, an epic debut in which the bonds between three childhood friends is upended by the Great Flood of 1927 in Mississippi and in its aftermath one must choose between the lure of the future and the claims of the past (from the publisher).

Click HERE to found out more at Reader Store

SIMILAR READING

• Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
• The Known World by Edward P. Jones
• Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Cheng received a B.A. in Creative Writing from Baruch College and is a graduate of Hunter College’s MFA program. Born and raised in Queens, New York, he currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife. Southern Cross the Dog is his first novel.

REVIEWS FOR SOUTHERN CROSS THE DOG

“With its evocative settings and rich McCarthyesque language, this Southern gothic packs a punch like a mean drunk.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Vividly imagined, frequently poetic. . . . It’s hard to resist the sweep of Southern history . . . the way [Cheng] makes the devil as palpably real as the natural world that he pervades. . . . A strong voice and a compelling achievement.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A novel in the great Southern tradition; think Cormac McCarthy or a 21st-century Faulkner. . . . This book is a winner for lovers of plot; tough, lyrical writing; history; and the trials of the deep South.”
— Library Journal (starred review)

Laser Light Source Projector

The newest Sony display and projection technology was on hand, including the brand new laser light source projector, as well as new 4K professional projectors and new consumer 55-inch 4K television. After a presentation and hands-on demo time, those that attended got a pretty good preview of what Sony will be showing at InfoComm next month.

Professional 4K Projector

The laser light source projector was a hot item, and we got to see a demo of how the new projector compared to other models. The difference in the brightness was very clear to see, and I would encourage everyone to go see it in person.

The two 4K professional projectors used to display Scalable Display Technologies‘ blended picture software also gathered a crowd. Using the 4K projectors in combination with the blending software created a large image that was still crisp and clear even if you were very close to the screen.

4K blended image using Scalable Display Technologies and Sony 4K professional projectors

Sony’s short throw projectors are still popular items, and they were demonstrated with an app that allows the user to control the projector remotely from a tablet or mobile phone all over a WiFi connection. You can even take a photo with the app from your mobile device and project it right away on the screen, a great application for teachers.

If you want to get all the details on the new products and technologies being shown, come visit the tour and meet our marketing team when it hits your area, click here for details:

Boston | Thursday, May 9
Philadelphia | Tuesday, May 14
Chicago | Friday, May 17
Phoenix | Wednesday, May 22
San Jose | Thursday, May 30

We hope to see you there! To learn more about our full projector lineup, visit: sony.com/projectors

The Sony Display Solutions Marketing Team (pictured below) from left to right: Sander Phipps, Rose Jersey, Mark Bonifacio, Dianne LaGuardia, Wally Mohri

Happy Birthday Sony!   Yes, it all began on May 7^th, 1946.  Wow, 67 years ago!  That’s a long time!  Just think about all the really cool, exciting and innovative products, for consumers and for professionals that Sony has created over the past 67 years.

Does anyone remember the first product Sony ever made?  Nope…..it wasn’t the Walkman®!

Hmmmm…… I bet you wouldn’t have guessed a rice cooker.   But yes, Sony’s first product was an electronic rice cooker.

Sony has made many leaps and bounds as a leader in the electronics industry over the past 67 years.  So, join me on a stroll down memory lane of some of my favorite Sony products.

Sony’s first electronics product: the TR-55 Transistor Radio in 1955!

1960′s

1970′s

1980′s

In 1981, Sony demonstrated the world’s first High Definition Video System for TV and motion picture production.

1990′s

2000

2005

The first 4K projector designed for commercial movie theaters.

2011

The F65 motion picture with an 8K image sensor.

And today…………

Xperia™ Tablet

Sony 4K Ultra HD TV

F55 and F5 4K Cameras

I hope you have enjoyed the stroll down memory lane as much as I did!

It’s amazing how much the technology in electronics has changed over the past 67 years, wouldn’t you agree?

So why not wish Sony a Happy Birthday yourself by sharing a photo or 2 of your favorite Sony products!

Happy Birthday Sony!

This new PC is “Fit” for everyone — from students to business users who are looking for a step up, but don’t want to break the bank. There are lots of new features and upgrades we’re excited to tell you about, be the first to know & get the details from SGNL by Sony: