Sony Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet Now Receiving Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update

While Sony released its PS4 Remote Play feature via a dedicated app for the Xperia Z3 family of devices on October 27, the Japanese consumer electronics giant has on Tuesday rolled out the same functionality for the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet as well alongside the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the devices.

The Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 tablet started rolling out to users over-the-air (OTA) from Tuesday, and introduces several new features apart from support for the PS4 Remote Play feature and DualShock 4 Controller compatibility.

"With the PS4 Remote Play launch for Xperia Z3 series here, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet will now also be "PS4 Remote Play ready" with full DualShock 4 Wireless Controller compatibility... ready to act as a remote screen to connect and control your games on PlayStation 4," stated Fredrik Ekstrand, Head of Software Portfolio Planning, Sony Mobile, in the company blog post. He added () that PS4 Remove Play for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV is set to reach Europe starting November 14.

PS4 Remote Play for Xperia devices was announced alongside the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact in August during the company's pre-IFA event this year. The feature lets users play their PS4 games remotely on their compatible handsets and tablets. The PS4 Remote Play app can be downloaded from Google Play.

The Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet, as a part of Android 4.4.4 KitKat update, also received support for PCM and DSD audio files along with a USB Hi-Res playback function. Sony's own DSEE HX technology is now also included in the Sony Walkman app to enhance the audio (MP3s and AACs) and songs purchased from Sony Music Unlimited service. The option to select customised settings for each headset is also included.

On the camera front, the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet now supports the latest Xperia Camera apps like Sound Photo, AR Fun, Multi Camera, and Face In, all of which were previously available for Xperia Z3 devices. The Battery Stamina mode also comes as a part of the Android update. The Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet users can additionally utilise the Ultra Stamina mode, which is said to let the device stay in standby mode for more than a week.

While the new Smart Screen rotation feature will prevent unwanted screen rotations on the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet, the new Record Screen function lets users record a video of what they are doing on the screen. Lastly, the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet now includes Bluetooth unlock functionality that unlocks the two devices when the user - wearing a paired Sony Smartband, SmartBand Talk or SmartWatch 3 - comes in close proximity to the smartphone.

Notably, Sony had announced the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for its "entire premium" range of Xperia Z devices last month, including the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

The company said the Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition devices will be the first to receive the update, while it will start rolling out the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to the other Xperia Z devices in early 2015, beginning with the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 flagships. Sony said, "We've been working hard to bring this major update to as many of our Z Series devices as we can, as quickly as we can."