Software
We don’t expect Android 4.2 when Xperia ZL appears
too soon right after Z, and Sony doesn’t crush these expectations by releasing ZL
with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Unless you’re lust for the lock screen
utilities, there’s not much to pity for. Sony is normally slow with the
software upgrades, and we won’t expect a fast or continuous update strategy.
We
don’t expect Android 4.2 when Xperia ZL appears too soon right after Z, and
Sony doesn’t crush these expectations by releasing ZL with Android 4.1.2 Jelly
Bean
We’re mainly deal with the refresh of the software
load of Xperia Z, and that treats it with a lot of advantages as well as
disadvantages. Sony cooperates well with Jelly Bean with the specific code,
providing fast access to Google Now and lot of notifications. Luckily most of
the company software is functional instead of being an escape from the
available Android: we prefer the multi-tasking overview, which provides a
well-presented overview on the recent apps as well as a mini tray of apps which
can run on anything you’re doing, such as calculator, sticky note (note) or
timer. While these applets aren’t full of ambition as the multi-app tricks from
LG or Samsung, they’re good enough to handle a quick operation or remind you
when breakfast is ready.
An important addition for 2013 is Stamina
mode, extending battery life by stopping the apps from silently gobbling up the
data when the screen is sleeping. You can create exceptions for the apps that
actually need real-time updates, whether it’s the favorite email or social
network, and whatever standing between the processes will run until it’s
finished. The power-management zone of Sony provides the estimation about how
much power in the standby mode at whatever setting being used, though it’s very
optimistic about the effect of the Stamina mode: an estimation of 1 day 3 hours
in regular use suddenly jumps to 4 days 19 hours at the moment the Stamina is
activated. Just need to say that most of the owners, not even mentioned the
device reviewer, normally don’t let the device stay at idle more long enough to
test this declares.
However, as Xperia Z, the home screens on Xperia
ZL when just taking out of the box mainly play a role as a delivering means for
the Sony services. There’re prominent apps and web links for the Video
Unlimited store and Music Unlimited subscription; the Movies and Walkman (music)
apps brings you to these identical services. Even Sony can’t resist intruding
into the experience of the app store by placing the Sony Select port providing
the app recommendation based on Google Play which is familiar for the new
users. Though we highly appreciate the well-integrated platforms like anyone
else, the preloaded services on Xperia ZL mainly try to replace what Google and
the third parties have done – and don’t normally have clear advantages in terms
of features or price.
You
can create exceptions for the apps that actually need real-time updates,
whether it’s the favorite email or social network, and whatever standing
between the processes will run until it’s finished.
We have conversed back and forth between 2
Unlimited services for a short while to test their current status at this edge
of Atlantic ocean. Music Unlimited with the price of 10 Canadian dollars (also
10 USD)/month competes with the services such as Rdio or Slacker, though that
sets up a question: unless you have lots of Sony devices, why not using Rdio or
Slacker? Video Unlimited is also a small disappointment, because we have
struggled to find the movie or the TV program to buy or hire in HD format. Even
the “blockbuster” such as Django Unchained is stuck in standard
fidelity. How can we take use of that 1,080p screen if the content doesn’t have
full res?
The
power-management zone of Sony provides the estimation about how much power in
the standby mode at whatever setting being used, though it’s very optimistic
about the effect of the Stamina mode
Other preloaded apps provided by Sony are
more practical. We used to see the same load as on Z, even Dropbox, File
Commander tool, Media Remote control for the specific TV programs OfficeSuite,
Sony Car driving mode and Xperia Link for the broadcasting spots. Though, we
may not need Socialife. According to the theory, it combines the feeds from Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube and Google Reader so that all of them gather at a convenient
place. However, apart from nit spoiling the strong points of the of particular
services, Socialife makes the same mistake which Friend Stream of HTC and most
of the social unifiers acquired before: it loaded in the moment you followed
more than one group of people or news feed. We can see it convenient for those
who have normal interest to more than 1 service, but we’d love to recommend
those who like to make friends to the dedicated apps.
Prepare for some unwanted apps from the
carrier, at least if you buy the Rogers version of Xperia ZL. We were able to
count 10 related to Rogers on the phone, none of which could be uninstalled or
disabled – and three of which has the shortcuts on the home screen (luckily,
removable). We couldn’t remove the Gameloft software such as Shark Dash.
The games didn’t cram much of storage capacity, but they cram screen resources
and space which might be better taken use of.
