Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play edition is now $200 cheaper

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play edition is now $200 cheaper

Anyone still in the market for a Sony Z Ultra from the Google Play Store? You might want to hop on it now, as Google has decided to slash its price by $200. That makes the device just $449, which will get you a massive 6.4-inch 1080p display, a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, an 8 megapixel Exmor RS rear camera, 2GB of RAM and more.

Sure, this thing’s massive bezel probably makes it closer to a tablet than a phone, but if you feel like bigger is better and you need your main cellular device to be bigger than the rest, this isn’t a bad way to go. Head to Google Play and order one for yourself if you’re interested.

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Report: Android Silver to replace Nexus program next year

Even more rumors are coming out corroborating early reports that Google is looking to do away with the Nexus line. Originally, they were thought to be doing that with Google Play Experience devices, but the Android Silver train seems to be gaining more steam.

So what is Android Silver? It’s a new device initiative Google will be launching to help bring premium handsets with pure, unadulterated versions of Android to carrier and retail store fronts. There are a few different components to this that make it a bit different up against the existing Nexus and Google Play Edition lines:

• Android Silver handsets can either be existing versions of OEM smartphones or smartphones made specifically for Android Silver.


• Android Silver handsets’ software will have little to no OEM or carrier customization.


• OEMs who offer Android Silver handsets will commit to timely updates.


• Google will put up the marketing dollars for carriers and retailers to promote the handsets alongside their usual offerings.

Basically, it sounds like it’s going to be the Nexus program we’ve always wanted — affordable, available, and with Google actually trying to sell these things at high volume instead of just catering to developers and enthusiasts.

Other staples of the existing Nexus program — such as great hardware at very affordable rates — might or might not carry over. That story has yet to be told, and we likely won’t have a clear answer on it all until everything’s official. All of it is looking to go down next year if rumors are accurate, with Google said to be putting up more than $1 billion to get OEMs and carriers on board.

[via The Information]

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