Sony Xperia Z Ultra Update To Android 4.3 Started Dec. 16; Timing & Availability Of New OS Will Vary By Market & Carrier Says Sony

Sony Xperia Z Ultra update: Users of the Android-powered phablet is now receiving the promised Android 4.3 update for the devices as the rollout began on December 16. According to PhoneDog, Sony has been informing Xperia Z owners of the coming upgrade since November.

Sony cautions that like with most Android update rollout, the timing and availability of the new Google OS for the Xperia Z Ultra will vary by market and carrier. The good news, however, is that the Android 4.3 update has started flowing into users’ devices is bringing with it a set of new features.

PhoneDog notes that the Xperia Themes feature is one of the interesting new thing from the update and would show how many UI packs Sony can put in an update and how big the differences will be.

The Android 4.3 update also extends to the Sony Social Smart Camera, which gives the phablets’ owners the ability to stream video live to Facebook and use image recognition technology to gain knowledge about objects around them. Xperia Z Ultra users can also use Timeshift burst to capture 61 images in 2 seconds.

According to Phone Dog, Sony is also rolling out the updated version of its entire native app catalog, which includes Messaging, Small Apps, Walkman, Album and Movies.

Digital Spy noted that the Japanese electronics giant has been lagging behind its Android rivals, especially now that Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One having already received Android 4.3