Visitors take photos of the new Sony Xperia XZ on display during the Mobile World Congress 2017. David Ramos / Getty Images
Visitors take photos of the new Sony Xperia XZ on display during the Mobile World Congress 2017. David Ramos / Getty Images
Visitors take photos of the new Sony Xperia XZ on display during the Mobile World Congress 2017. David Ramos / Getty Images
Visitors take photos of the new Sony Xperia XZ on display during the Mobile World Congress 2017. David Ramos / Getty Images

Sony launches Xperia XZ Premium – the world’s first smartphone with 4K HDR screen


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Sony has launched the world’s first smartphone with a 4K HDR screen – the Xperia XZ Premium – e​ven as the amount of high-quality content it can display remains slim.

The smartphone also comes with a predictive capture camera system that uses motion tracking to take pictures before the shutter button is pressed, theoretically enabling better action shots.

The phone’s 5.5-inch screen is the first of its kind to mimic the displays of high-quality 4K HDR televisions like the Samsung KS9500 and Sony’s recently announced XBR-A1E Bravia.

It marks the Japanese firm’s second foray into 4K smartphone displays, following the launch of the Xperia Z5 Premium in 2015.

The Xperia XZ Premium is due to go on sale this spring, with pricing details not yet disclosed.

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Mobile World Congress coverage

■ Review: Well-loved Nokia 3310 phone returns as a modern classic

■ In pictures: The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

Samsung reveals new tablets, confirms launch of Galaxy S8 phone on March 29

Nokia 3310: Say hello (again) to the phone with the everlasting battery

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4K, otherwise known as Ultra HD, has long been touted as the future of broadcast television, but has struggled to find mass adoption in the UAE due to a lack of content options from broadcasters.

BeIN launched the Middle East region's first 4K satellite receiver last May, offering Euro 2016 games in 4K, while du and OSN have announced plans to offer 4K TV services by end-2017.

Netflix offers a large 4K library for UAE-based subscribers, albeit for those that have internet connections of 25 Mbps or faster.

4K HDR content is in even shorter supply, mostly confined to Netflix series such as Daredevil, Marco Polo and Chef’s Table.

Sony also announced the official launch of its Xperia Touch home assistant, first unveiled in concept form in Barcelona last year.

The Xperia Touch, which runs on Android, projects on to any vertical or horizontal surface, offering tablet-like functionality via a series of cameras and sensors.

The device will go on sale this spring, priced at around €1,499 (Dh5,825).

jeverington@thenational.ae

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Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea