The fancy Bulgari Hotel, London hosts not one, not two but three Sony product launches-- the company reveals the Xperia Z Ultra phablet, the SmartWatch 2 and the SBH52 Bluetooth Handset hands-free calling accessory.
The first Sony step in smartphone/tablet hybrid territory, the Xperia Z Ultra is a massive (6.4-inch!) device with sleek "OmniBalance" stylings based on those of the recent crop of Xperia devices. The display handles 1920x1080 resolutions and features Bravia TV technology, while the tempered glass casing is 6.5mm fat and weighs 212g.
Inside are a quad-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable via microSD), 3000mAh battery and an 8MP rear-facing camera. The OS of choice is Android 4.2.2, "enhanced" with Sony UI and app additions.
Perhaps realising most customers find making calls on such a gargantuan device slightly awkward in the least Sony offers a companion accessory-- the SBH2 Handset, a Bluetooth receiver one can either clip on clothing or hold like a regular mobile phone.
It pairs with most smartphones via NFC or Bluetooth, features an OLED display for easy call log and text messaging functions and Sony says it is splash-proof.
The company also took advantage of the event to introduce a second attempt at wearables-- the aptly SmartWatch 2. Like the first Sony SmartWatch it allows users to do like Dick Tracy and answer calls, read emails and messages, snap photos and control music from their wrists, only with a bigger 1.6-inch (220x176) touchscreen inside an aluminium casing.
Connectivity comes through Bluetooth 3.0 and NFC (meaning it is compatible with Android 4.x devices), and the battery promises up to 4 days of "moderate" use.
Strapping all to the wrists is a stainless steel band replaceable with any other 24mm strap.
The above-mentioned Sony offerings should be available from Q3 2013.