Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription: Difference between revisions
gallery feature is broken, it doesnt see newly uploaded images, didnt have time to fuck with it to figure it out so i added the images without captions/descriptions individually, willc ome back and fix later maybe |
Saw your edit Louis, I figured out the gallery feature. Maybe you want to add the captions when you have time |
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Sony converted the External Monitor feature from a free, built-in function to a paid subscription service requiring $4.99/month, affecting phones already sold to customers. | Sony converted the External Monitor feature from a free, built-in function to a paid subscription service requiring $4.99/month, affecting phones already sold to customers. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
The External Monitor feature has been a big differentiator for Sony's Xperia smartphones since 2020, allowing the phones to work as high-quality displays for Sony Alpha cameras via USB-C connection.<ref name="helpguide">{{cite web |title=Using the External monitor app |url=https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-pro/v1/en/contents/TP1000380352.html |publisher=Sony Help Guide |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref> This professional-grade feature supported 4K resolution at 30fps with tools like waveform monitors, false color, & focus peaking. This helped justify the premium pricing of Xperia devices ranging from $1,299 to $2500.<ref name="notebookcheck">{{cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Sony annoys Xperia users by making previously free feature part of subscription |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Sony-annoys-Xperia-users-by-making-previously-free-feature-part-of-subscription.1102082.0.html |publisher=Notebookcheck |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-31 |title=At $2,500, the Sony Xperia Pro is so much more than a phone - CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-2500-dollars-sony-xperia-pro-is-so-much-more-than-a-phone/}}</ref> | The External Monitor feature has been a big differentiator for Sony's Xperia smartphones since 2020, allowing the phones to work as high-quality displays for Sony Alpha cameras via USB-C connection.<ref name="helpguide">{{cite web |title=Using the External monitor app |url=https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-pro/v1/en/contents/TP1000380352.html |publisher=Sony Help Guide |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref> This professional-grade feature supported 4K resolution at 30fps with tools like waveform monitors, false color, & focus peaking. This helped justify the premium pricing of Xperia devices ranging from $1,299 to $2500.<ref name="notebookcheck">{{cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Sony annoys Xperia users by making previously free feature part of subscription |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Sony-annoys-Xperia-users-by-making-previously-free-feature-part-of-subscription.1102082.0.html |publisher=Notebookcheck |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-31 |title=At $2,500, the Sony Xperia Pro is so much more than a phone - CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-2500-dollars-sony-xperia-pro-is-so-much-more-than-a-phone/}}</ref> | ||
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Users have discovered workarounds including installing Monitor & Control version 2.3.1 (the last free version) from APKMirror, or using the legacy External Monitor app version 7.0.A.0.8 for older devices.<ref name="apkmirror">{{cite web |title=Download Sony | Monitor & Control APKs for Android |url=https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sony-corporation/monitor-control/ |publisher=APKMirror |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref> However, these solutions lack ongoing support and compatibility with newer camera models. | Users have discovered workarounds including installing Monitor & Control version 2.3.1 (the last free version) from APKMirror, or using the legacy External Monitor app version 7.0.A.0.8 for older devices.<ref name="apkmirror">{{cite web |title=Download Sony | Monitor & Control APKs for Android |url=https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/sony-corporation/monitor-control/ |publisher=APKMirror |access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref> However, these solutions lack ongoing support and compatibility with newer camera models. | ||
== Gallery == | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Xperia-external-monitor-feature-is-now-subscription-feature-v0-5nqbxupcy6mf1.webp | |||
File:Xperia-external-monitor-feature-is-now-subscription-feature-v0-k1vy1qccy6mf1.webp | |||
File:Xperia-external-monitor-feature-is-now-subscription-feature-v0-pr0beowf07mf1.webp | |||
</gallery> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Sony Xperia]] | [[Category:Sony Xperia]] | ||