The Japanese Sony has been carrying Xperia smartphones for years. The first device dates from 2008, but the Xperia X1 was released under the flag of Sony Ericsson. It took until 2012 before Sony would buy out its partner Ericsson. Xperia smartphones have a distinctive, contemporary design. Sony, therefore, tries to provide its devices with unique functions that you will not find on other models. This time the Japanese manufacturer seems to be looking for it in a new smartphone app.
Share smartphone screen with Sony UsNow
On 11 April 2019, Sony Corporation registered a trademark with the EUIPO for UsNow. The brand name was applied for by patent and law firm Müller Fottner Steinecke from Munich, Germany.
This company often acts on behalf of Sony, Müller Fottner established the trademark earlier this year for CinemaWide Display, the enormously long 21: 9 screen is used by the new Xperia 1 and Xperia 10 smartphones.
The trademark for UsNow is classified as Class 9, with the description; smartphone software for sharing the screen with others and simultaneously communicating via video chat.
The function as described is of course not entirely new. Among other things, Skype offers to share the screen. This helps in cases where if you want to discuss a project, and also if you want to show a nice holiday destination to your friends. However, with Skype, it works only via the PC, and therefore not from an Android or iOS device. Sony UsNow will offer a similar service, but for smartphones.
In the Google Play Store, you will also find various apps for screen mirroring, but these are only meant for showing your smartphone screen on a TV. And not so much from smartphone to smartphone, in combination with a video chat service.
It is as yet unknown when Sony will unveil its new UsNow smartphone app. We may have to be patient until IFA 2019, the annual tech fair in Berlin which will start from September 6. A new high-end Xperia smartphone is also expected by that time.
