Android 5 for Ultra Z Google Play Edition - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Post your thoughts on how this latest version of Android will make the Z Ultra a better device (or worse) ......................
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470422,00.asp?mailingID=AC913D3C61FEB18EA49B78DC15CCA2EC?mailing_id=1051491
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TravisBean said:
Post your thoughts on how this latest version of Android will make the Z Ultra a better device (or worse) ......................
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470422,00.asp?mailingID=AC913D3C61FEB18EA49B78DC15CCA2EC?mailing_id=1051491
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about run better, but it will be Sexy as f#ck on my white ultra.

Nexus 6 has a 6 inch screen, and they also released the 9 inch tablet, so i hope they've adapted some new or old elements to the bigger screen sizes. Also, Material Design should be responsive, as in it'll resize properly to a device's screen size like a modern responsive website (like Droid-Life and The Verge).
Also, a video previewing the new Nexus tablet hit the web today, and it looks like Google will update the launcher soon. White floating app drawer (like a folder).
Edit: Mentioned video of the tablet.

I just hope they improved the interface.
As it is now, the z ultra still has the interface of a device with a smaller screen size and all the parameters adjusted accordingly ( swipe sensitivity and related). This doesn't work well.
It's too small for a tablet and too big for one-handed operation... but so far there are only two general modes of operation in android: "phone" and "tablet".
Optimally, the z ultra (and related devices, in size) would use an appropriately adjusted UI, something not exactly like "phone" neither exactly "tablet"... sadly, i doubt there will be any development in that direction.
interesting tidbit: the z ultra processor scores higher 7z benchmark score than an amd k II neo processor...

tsiros said:
I just hope they improved the interface.
As it is now, the z ultra still has the interface of a device with a smaller screen size and all the parameters adjusted accordingly ( swipe sensitivity and related). This doesn't work well.
It's too small for a tablet and too big for one-handed operation... but so far there are only two general modes of operation in android: "phone" and "tablet".
Optimally, the z ultra (and related devices, in size) would use an appropriately adjusted UI, something not exactly like "phone" neither exactly "tablet"... sadly, i doubt there will be any development in that direction.
interesting tidbit: the z ultra processor scores higher 7z benchmark score than an amd k II neo processor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the Nexus 6 has a 6 inch screen, we can already tell how Lollipop will look and behave on the Ultra. We'll have to wait and see if Sony changes anything. I'm guessing the GPe version will run at 400 DPI like today's 4.4.4, while the official build will run at 320 DPI, making UI elements a little smaller.
I don't care though, since it's easily changeable with a tiny build.prop edit.

I'm interested in seeing how the Flashlight quick settings button will function on the Z Ultra, since it doesn't have an LED flash. Hopefully Google will be smart about it and have it work like the Flashlight quick settings tile in PA and CM (Turn screen white and maximize brightness).

ApertureAndroid said:
I'm interested in seeing how the Flashlight quick settings button will function on the Z Ultra, since it doesn't have an LED flash. Hopefully Google will be smart about it and have it work like the Flashlight quick settings tile in PA and CM (Turn screen white and maximize brightness).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony will add X-Reality and their DSP to the GPe build (like they did with the current build), and i'm guessing that they'll also remove unnecessary features, like the flashlight toggle, but we'll see when the time comes.

Hopefully they switch to 320 dpi instead of that crappy 400 dpi in the current GPe ROM.
Sent from my Sony Xperia Z Ultra

I am more interested in wifi calling because I have T-Mobile.

tsiros said:
I just hope they improved the interface.
As it is now, the z ultra still has the interface of a device with a smaller screen size and all the parameters adjusted accordingly ( swipe sensitivity and related). This doesn't work well.
It's too small for a tablet and too big for one-handed operation... but so far there are only two general modes of operation in android: "phone" and "tablet".
Optimally, the z ultra (and related devices, in size) would use an appropriately adjusted UI, something not exactly like "phone" neither exactly "tablet"... sadly, i doubt there will be any development in that direction.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont want to silence your opinions but what you wrote was completely subjective.

tsiros said:
I just hope they improved the interface.
As it is now, the z ultra still has the interface of a device with a smaller screen size and all the parameters adjusted accordingly ( swipe sensitivity and related). This doesn't work well.
It's too small for a tablet and too big for one-handed operation... but so far there are only two general modes of operation in android: "phone" and "tablet".
Optimally, the z ultra (and related devices, in size) would use an appropriately adjusted UI, something not exactly like "phone" neither exactly "tablet"... sadly, i doubt there will be any development in that direction.
interesting tidbit: the z ultra processor scores higher 7z benchmark score than an amd k II neo processor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I bought the Xperia Z Ultra over the GPE. I read an excellent comparison and the author stated that he usually chooses the GPE version of a device over the non-GPE, but in the case of the ultra he preferred the non-gpe for the reason stated in this post. The vanilla ui does not take advantage of the large screen .

jaj324 said:
This is why I bought the Xperia Z Ultra over the GPE. I read an excellent comparison and the author stated that he usually chooses the GPE version of a device over the non-GPE, but in the case of the ultra he preferred the non-gpe for the reason stated in this post. The vanilla ui does not take advantage of the large screen .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's also the same reason I got a non gpe device. Wouldn't it be the same or better when we flash a gpe rom and change to 240 dpi?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk

Leechoonhwee said:
That's also the same reason I got a non gpe device. Wouldn't it be the same or better when we flash a gpe rom and change to 240 dpi?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
320 DPI. The GPe version runs at 400, while the regular one runs at 320. Yes, you can simply change thr DPI to 320 or whatever you'd like.

I don't know anything about DPI, i do know that the Sony UI is scaled to use the larger screen more efficiently.

jaj324 said:
I don't know anything about DPI, i do know that the Sony UI is scaled to use the larger screen more efficiently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's right, but it can easily be done on the GPe version too.

H. E. Pennypacker said:
Yes, that's right, but it can easily be done on the GPe version too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say "easy" do you mean by rooting and installing a custom ROM?

jaj324 said:
When you say "easy" do you mean by rooting and installing a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By rooting and either setting it manually by editing build prop, or with an app.

Yeah, that's not what most people would call easy. Easy is just buying the Xperia model with all the Sony bells and whistles. I disabled what i don't use and enjoy the rest. Did you know that the Xperia model actually outperformed the gpe model in performance benchmarks? Vanilla is more of a drag than the sony skin.

jaj324 said:
Yeah, that's not what most people would call easy. Easy is just buying the Xperia model with all the Sony bells and whistles. I disabled what i don't use and enjoy the rest. Did you know that the Xperia model actually outperformed the gpe model in performance benchmarks? Vanilla is more of a drag than the sony skin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is easy and it literally takes 30 seconds once rooted. It is easy, but i take from your reply that it isn't the solution you're looking for, which is a different matter. If you want everything that Sony brings to the table, then the most logical thing would be to buy the Xperia model and not the GPe. Simple as that.
Regarding benchmarks, we have really no idea what's going on. The Ultra is not the only device that's reporting low numbers on KitKat (that's running AOSP, i.e stock Android), but i guess it all boils down to optimized drivers etc. You should not care about benchmarks. The GPe ROM actually runs better (smoother) than the stock Sony ROM even when it scores lower on Antutu. It actually scores the same or higher than the Sony version in other benchmarks (GPU benchmarks etc.)
TL;DR: Just buy the regular Ultra.

My biggest concern with 5.0 is achieving root. There are a few apps that are must-haves for me that require it (arliberator for my car stereo is the #1). I'm not sure we'll get root soon or at all with 5.0. .. and that makes me a sad panda.

Related

[Q] REALLY interesed on Xperia Z Ultra

I consider this phablet as a very good option. This afternoon I was in the store and I was amazed about the size and design.
But I have two questions:
Can you tell me your user experience with the Xperia Z Ultra? You can tell me any bug present on the phablet too.
How I can replace the battery in damage situations? I am worried, the XZU has integrated battery, I have a device like this an device like this and it's life was of 6 months. And when I tried to find another battery, I only take this device to the trash, :crying: I don't find anything.
Are this type of phablets a good option? What life time it have?
Thanks in advance and good night.
Don Luciano said:
I consider this phablet as a very good option. This afternoon I was in the store and I was amazed about the size and design.
But I have two questions:
Can you tell me your user experience with the Xperia Z Ultra? You can tell me any bug present on the phablet too.
How I can replace the battery in damage situations? I am worried, the XZU has integrated battery, I have a device like this an device like this and it's life was of 6 months. And when I tried to find another battery, I only take this device to the trash, :crying: I don't find anything.
Are this type of phablets a good option? What life time it have?
Thanks in advance and good night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are batteries on the internet so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to change.
The biggest bug is that on stock ROM most (if not all apps) run in phone mode. The other is the, at best, average camera.
blueether said:
There are batteries on the internet so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to change.
The biggest bug is that on stock ROM most (if not all apps) run in phone mode. The other is the, at best, average camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bug? the rom is configured to run in phone mode
Yeah, that's not a bug. That's the way Sony made it
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
ok, over-sight then rather than bug
easily fixable with Xposed Framework - App Settings.
I absolutely love my XZU, by far the best phone I ever had. The one thing that is below average is the camera, but that might get better with future updates.
3mL said:
easily fixable with Xposed Framework - App Settings.
I absolutely love my XZU, by far the best phone I ever had. The one thing that is below average is the camera, but that might get better with future updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know that, and have it installed, but why should I have to root my phone just to do something that should be available to a near tablet?
blueether said:
Yes I know that, and have it installed, but why should I have to root my phone just to do something that should be available to a near tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You bought a phone not a tablet, no?
Root is easy, and should almost be something of a necessity on this device.
blueether said:
Yes I know that, and have it installed, but why should I have to root my phone just to do something that should be available to a near tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because Sony is defining the Ultra as a phone and not a tablet. The app "Pocket" though, defines it as a tablet and that's why we have the tablet UI. It's the same thing with "TV Show Favs" and "IMDb" too.
LordManhattan said:
That's because Sony is defining the Ultra as a phone and not a tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it's not about Sony and how they think it should be marketed, it should be all about the user and how they use the product. Sony would have known that the device will be used more as a tablet than a phone for a lot of users, would it have been so difficult to ad a toggle in display settings to switch between phone/phablet/tablet modes?
Next I'll want a toggle to swap between pocket size and tablet size - changing the physical form factor...
blueether said:
But it's not about Sony and how they think it should be marketed, it should be all about the user and how they use the product. Sony would have known that the device will be used more as a tablet than a phone for a lot of users, would it have been so difficult to ad a toggle in display settings to switch between phone/phablet/tablet modes?
Next I'll want a toggle to swap between pocket size and tablet size - changing the physical form factor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think sony took reasonable decision here. Because a tablet layout would be too horrendous for a portrait layout. Everything will be too narrow. It is clearly only for a landscape layout (which suits tablet z more appropriately) but yeah a tablet layout on landscape is still a possibility. But i think Android doesn't support such layout witch just by the rotation?
Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

help me 2 understand plz

Hi all
when i bought the xperia Z ultra for the first time under the android 4.2, it had the best color rendering of the market. the colors vividness and the details on the viewed video's where incomparable.
I never updated till kitkat....but after the lastest updates, and that damned "white balance", the screen of my xperia Z ultra became identical to my old xperia Z, faded colors with white dominance.
do not tell me that i have just to adjust the white balance and it will be fine, it has nothing to do, and it will not change anything.
only people who have purchased or have seen the Xperia Z ultra at the time of the android 4.2 can understand me...
on this video:
youtube: panasonic beautiful girl :
at the 1:04 minute, I was able to clearly read the brand of shoe, as well as clearly see the sewing on the strings of the sandal. the colors from the beginning of the video until the end was very intence and vivid, up to turn the galaxy note3 jealous, but after updates, this is no longer possible
I thought moving from 4.3 to kitkat, sony would remedy this problem and take off this stupide "white balance" and return to the best work it has done at the beginning , but sadly, this is not the case.
are we supposed to wait for a new update that will fix this? or what is done now become our sad reality? because i bought the xperia Z ultra for it distinction against the xperia Z in colors vivacity on videos. i don't like the idea of having now just a larger xperia Z !!!
Plz can someone explain me what wrong ? Was the backlight + bravia Engin better then x-reality + triluminos ?
Ty in advance.....
Umm...Z Ultra had X Reality and Triluminos display from the start. That didn't really change you know.
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Sadman Khan said:
Umm...Z Ultra had X Reality and Triluminos display from the start. That didn't really change you know.
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. There was no change just the ability to adjust if wanted to.
Triluminos is hardware tech. One can't 'remove' it.
While I will agree that there is some difference in the display, most of it is for the good. Bravia/X-Reality on Sony and the AMOLED screens on the Samsungs make the screen oversaturated. Most probably, it is this oversaturation (not sure if this is a real word :silly you miss.
Sent from my C6802 using Tapatalk
warfareonly said:
Triluminos is hardware tech. One can't 'remove' it.
While I will agree that there is some difference in the display, most of it is for the good. Bravia/X-Reality on Sony and the AMOLED screens on the Samsungs make the screen oversaturated. Most probably, it is this oversaturation (not sure if this is a real word :silly you miss.
Sent from my C6802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, look for and turn on xreality (we never had bravia2 on the ZU) if you want [over] saturated colours
Have you unlocked the bootloader at any stage or rooted?
no never.
I have an Xperia Z ultra from Vodafone.
I can guarantee you that the difference in the display/colors on the Z ultra with the first android version is by far better VS when the mobile got "white balance" I have the old Xperia Z, and my brother has the note3, I never updated my phone from it's first version only when kitkat come.
before I update, my resolution was by far better than the Xperia Z, and for the first time, I complexes my brother who buys always samsung device (me Sony) in this area. I swear that the difference was so huge that even a colorblind will be surprised how it can be..
the Xperia ultra had better color, the RED/blue color was hilarious, all colors were more vivid and sharp vs super amoled. but now, they are exactly the same as on the Xperia Z, any difference at all, sometimes a little better on some picture, but nothing serious.
I did a side by side with an Xperia Z ultra 4.3...it had the same screen resolution as I'm now.
if someone had the opportunity of seeing the screen of the Xperia Z ultra on its first launch (when it was with black UI not white as now), he will certainly approve what I'm saying.
if only I could go back to the first 4.2 without bootloader :crying:
hi
i know that the triluminos is the new led blue color under the screen VS white used before on all TFT.
i just missed to say that i was talking about screen calibration after the 4.3/4.4 update (if u notice now the z ultra with triluminos VS the Z without it, they are no difference at all)
sorry for my bad english
hi
turning on/off x-reality does not make a big difference on all videos. on some who are full HD there is no difference at all.
I'm sure that on the 4.2, although written X-reality, it was bravia Engine2.
the real new x-reality was brough just after the update, before was only the name x-reality written to hide the old bravia engine.
X-reality doesn't oversaturate colours anymore like BE2. It only enhances the sharpness of the image and gives a little colour boost so that the colours don't seem false and hence "real"
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
can we have BE2 on the z ultra plz without root or botloader?
No you need Root or Unlocked Bootloader for it
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
but the function Triluminos, is also removed one after the root, I confirm that the audio + s-Force and all other functions for audio work properly. I could not try with the miracast and the mirror, having a compatible TV. I sincerely look a little duller colors of the icons, and seem less detailed, I have to check with another z3, I can just go to a store where it is exposed. can anyone confirm the loss of quality of the display even if the developer who did the root can give us more info about it

Daily driver Xperia Z Ultra?

I'm currently using a note 3 and I'm thinking of getting a Z Ultra,. Is the conversion from a Sony to GPE flawless meaning it'll be exactly the same? (like on the HTC one?) or will be slight differences in performance and battery life? How is the sony rom kitkat running on this thing? No more stuttering or lag?
The official Sony rom is better is my opinion. And you can always convert the Sony one into a GPe one. So it's better to get a stock Sony version.
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If you reboot your device every two day or so it will keep on going like a charm :good: ...im not a big fan of that. I have my device running as many weeks until it starts doing funny things.. like all linux machines tends to do when they run for months or longer without rebooting
SÜPERUSER said:
If you reboot your device every two day or so it will keep on going like a charm :good: ...im not a big fan of that. I have my device running as many weeks until it starts doing funny things.. like all linux machines tends to do when they run for months or longer without rebooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing linux wrong then
kingofthebraves said:
I'm currently using a note 3 and I'm thinking of getting a Z Ultra,. Is the conversion from a Sony to GPE flawless meaning it'll be exactly the same? (like on the HTC one?) or will be slight differences in performance and battery life? How is the sony rom kitkat running on this thing? No more stuttering or lag?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the conversion from sony to GPe is not a full one, it is just a custom ROM. Now @DooMLoRD has a GPe we might see a full conversion. Performance and battery should be the same between full GPe and the port. The Sony KK firmware is quite nice. The live wallpaper stutters once in a while though, but if you change it then all is good.
I was using GPE custom rom,simple and clean.If use Sony rom,4.3 would be better!
I would say this:
On 4.4.x, the GPe ROM or CM11/AOKP/PA/PAC is better choices of the simple reason that they can use phablet mode properly. I am talking about changing the DPI to 240 with separate notification/quick settings bars. On the other hand, Settings lacks tablet mode on 4.4.
The problem with the Sony ROM (4.4) is the loss of working notifications when the DPI is lowered. They have modded the notification bar with quick settings, which breaks down when something lower than 320 DPI is used.
On 4.3, the stock Sony works perfectly in phablet/tablet mode on 240 DPI.
I think 240 DPI is perfect for the Ultra, it uses the screen space very efficiently and enables phablet/tablet mode in different apps etc.
On GPe or CM11 et al, 240 DPI works perfectly. It is also worth to mention the fact that most Sony apps are ported and runs great on the GPe ROM. There's no need to use a Sony stock/based ROM just in order to get Album, Movies, Walkman or Sketch etc to work. Even the latest Z2 based versions of those apps run great on GPe et al ROMs.
This fact, paired with the problems caused by DPI changes result in this simple situation:
1. Sony based ROMs are better in 4.3 since they can handle phablet/tablet mode properly.
2. On 4.4, go for the GPe or other non-Sony based ROMs like PA or AOKP.
3. The Sony Edition of the device is more spread and gives more ROM options compared to the GPe one. It is therefore better to get it from Sony and then flash the GPe ROM.

Multitasking side by side

I've just gotten a Z Ultra and I'm digging the screen's real estate. I've been using a G2 for the past few months and developers implemented side by side multitasking that supported every app you had installed. This would be outstanding on the Z Ultra.
I'm ready to unlock and root, is there any ROM or hack to get this on the ZU?
sman789 said:
I've just gotten a Z Ultra and I'm digging the screen's real estate. I've been using a G2 for the past few months and developers implemented side by side multitasking that supported every app you had installed. This would be outstanding on the Z Ultra.
I'm ready to unlock and root, is there any ROM or hack to get this on the ZU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing close to that we have is Sony anak apps but it doesn't have every app.
sman789 said:
I've just gotten a Z Ultra and I'm digging the screen's real estate. I've been using a G2 for the past few months and developers implemented side by side multitasking that supported every app you had installed. This would be outstanding on the Z Ultra.
I'm ready to unlock and root, is there any ROM or hack to get this on the ZU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far only xposed module that supports such behaviour although still buggy. Btw, you can check my signature to get easier multitasking without split app functionality.
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Free mobile app
I know Mokee OS has a split screen view for two apps side by side. Pretty cool on the Ultra's screen. Overall, it's a great ROM.
Now, I think that feature was developed by the Omni team, so I'm guessing OmniROM (GPE) has it, too! Haven't tried this one myself, but I've heard it's great.

New Z Ultra user with questions

Hi,
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra and I'm very happy, but there are 3 things I am wondering about:
1. How do I separate a GPe device form a "normal"?
I'm quite sure that I own a normal one, but I want to be on the save side.
2. I have found some Android-L 5.1.1 ROMs here in another subboard for Z Ultra, even if there is no official 5.1 from Sony yet.
Which one of these released is most stock?
For now I would choose SlimLP, even if it is based on CM.
3. On my last device, there were out of box only 2 GB available for app.
But there was a app/tool with which one could increase that space.
As I have a lot of apps and 2 bigger games...Is there a way to increase app space on XZU?
/edit:
another question:
when unlocking the device via http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/ do I loose anything else, like it is said for the Z3?
For high-end devices running recent software versions, for instance Xperia Z3, the removal of DRM security keys may affect advanced camera functionality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CosmicBlue2000 said:
Hi,
I just bought a Sony Xperia Z Ultra and I'm very happy, but there are 3 things I am wondering about:
1. How do I separate a GPe device form a "normal"?
I'm quite sure that I own a normal one, but I want to be on the save side.
2. I have found some Android-L 5.1.1 ROMs here in another subboard for Z Ultra, even if there is no official 5.1 from Sony yet.
Which one of these released is most stock?
For now I would choose SlimLP, even if it is based on CM.
3. On my last device, there were out of box only 2 GB available for app.
But there was a app/tool with which one could increase that space.
As I have a lot of apps and 2 bigger games...Is there a way to increase app space on XZU?
/edit:
another question:
when unlocking the device via http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/ do I loose anything else, like it is said for the Z3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer number one. If it is Sony Z Ultra ( non GPe) it will say xperia towards the bottom on the back.
Thanks so far.
5.1.1 is set to drop sometime soon, from what I have ? read on other forums.
I believe you might have a total of 14 GB for games and apps. Check ☑ by going to your setting, and see what available storage you have, phone will tell you. You can move apps to SD, but I believe most of the app will still be in internal storage.
Sent from my C6806 using XDA Free mobile app

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