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With Z3, Sony brings phones to US faster

By WTOP Staff

ANICK JESDANUN
AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Sony is launching its new Xperia Z3 waterproof smartphone through Verizon and T-Mobile. The phones are hitting U.S. stores on the heels of their unveiling last month at a trade show in Berlin, as Sony ramps up efforts to expand its tiny market share by getting to the American market faster.

Its Xperia Z1 phone took months to arrive, by which time it felt old. Sony never found a U.S. wireless carrier for the Z2 this spring.

The Verizon phone comes out Oct. 23, just a month after Apple’s new iPhones and a week after the Oct. 17 release of Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 4. A release date for the T-Mobile version hasn’t been announced.

THE PHONES:

T-Mobile is carrying the standard version. For the Verizon model, dubbed Z3v, Sony is adding the ability to charge the phone wirelessly with an optional accessory, without needing to plug in a traditional USB cable. It’s a capability coming to many smartphones, but often requires buying a special back cover on top of the charging accessory. The two models have slightly different dimensions, even though both screens measure 5.2 inches diagonally.

Both versions let people play Sony PlayStation 4 games through the phone while on the porch or in another room from the TV. The phones can withstand drops in the swimming pool and have 20.7 megapixel cameras capable of recording video in ultra-high definition, or 4k.

The Verizon version will sell for $200 with a two-year contract, or $600 without one. T-Mobile pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

THE LANDSCAPE:

Sony has had a tough time breaking through the highly competitive smartphone market. Sony’s market share doesn’t even rank in IDC’s lists of top 5 smartphone makers. In the trend-setting U.S. market, Sony has suffered further from late releases.

Technical and feature requirements tend to be stricter in the U.S. And it took time for the Japanese electronics company to figure out what U.S. customers and carriers want, said Ravi Nookala, president of Sony Mobile Communications’ U.S. business. Getting the endorsement of Verizon, the nation’s largest wireless carrier, should help.

THE PROSPECTS:

Target customers in the U.S. include owners of Sony TVs, headphones, cameras and PlayStation game consoles, along with those familiar with Sony movies such as “Spider-Man.”

“Especially in the United States, … we are very strong in entertainment,” Kunimasa Suzuki, the worldwide president and CEO for Sony Mobile, said in an interview.

Suzuki said larger Verizon stores will have displays showing how the Xperia phone works with PlayStation systems, setting it apart from rivals. He said Sony is also including digital copies of some Sony movies with Xperia phones. Verizon will sell a variety of accessories in stores, including $60 PlayStation controllers and $40 mounts to attach them to the phones. Suzuki said that in selling the Sony experience rather than just the phone, the company is hoping to take advantage of its brand strength in the U.S.

Sony executives also have emphasized 4k video recording, something that hasn’t come to other leading smartphones yet.

But those aren’t necessarily top priorities for customers, and getting them to switch from Apple or Samsung devices will be tough. Nookala admits that gaining market share will take time.

“We are here for the long play,” he said. “It’s not that we just launch one phone and disappear.”

WHAT ELSE IS COMING:

Sony is also releasing a third-generation smartwatch. Unlike previous models, the SmartWatch 3 will have GPS capabilities for more accurate tracking of outdoor fitness activities.

The SmartWatch 3 will sell for $250 and will run Google’s Android Wear system. That means the software experience will be similar to many rival watches, but it paves the way for a wider range of apps to extend the watch’s functionality.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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