Sony Xperia SL debuts, brings 1.7GHz Qualcomm S3, ICS

Sony is continuing the tradition of releasing small refreshes of its flagship smartphones in the second half of the year. After last year's Xperia arc S, now company has quietly revealed Xperia SL. The smartphone sports an overclocked processor, however the rest of specifications remain the same.

Sony Xperia SL was spotted at the company's official website over the weekend. There is no word on the exact availability, but according to the website listing, it is "coming soon."

Other features of the phone include 4.3-inch 720p display, dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 processor, Ice Cream Sandwich, 12.1-megapixel rear camera and front camera.

Xperia SL was earlier expected to be announced at IFA trade fair, but now as it is already official, we just need the pricing information.

Its predecessor Xperia S is a great smartphone marred by outdated software at launch (Read: Xperia S review), but with an overclocked processor and presence of Ice Cream Sandwich, company has fixed those issues in Xperia SL.

Key specs

• 1.7 GHz Qualcomm MSM8260 dual-core processor
• 4.3" touchscreen - scratch-resistant TFT with 1280x720 pixels
• Weighs 144 g
• Google Android 4.0
• 1GB RAM
• FM Radio with RDS
• 27.8GB of internal storage
• NFC

Sachin Tendulkar gifts BMW car to shuttler Saina

Saina Nehwal received a BMW car for winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics from none other than batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who said that the world is yet to see the best of the star shuttler.

The felicitation function was organised by Vice President of Andhra Badminton Association Chamundeshwari Nath, who honoured the city girl by buying her the luxurious car.

"I am sure that she (Saina) is happy but not satisfied. We are also not satisfied because we know that you can go to greater heights. You have that ability with Gopi's guidance. There are better days ahead and as a sportsperson, you always try to believe that your best is yet to come," the iconic Indian batsman said at the felicitation function.

While announcing a BMW car for Saina and a car each for her coach P Gopichand and budding talent P V Sindhu, Sachin said, "I am quite confident that your best is yet to come and you will emerge victorious across the world and that is what we want".

Heaping praises on Saina, Tendulkar said,"Whatever I have seen of her there is no drama involved, it's just quality badminton and that is what you expect from a sportsperson. After winning (bronze medal) also, she has not got carried

away and that's the beauty of being a champion sport person".

Saina gave India its first-ever medal in badminton at Olympics when her Chinese opponent withdrew from the bronze medal play-off after injuring her knee.

"This medal means a lot for India, I am sure this medal has not come without dedication, hard work, focus and having a vision," Tendulkar said.

Congratulating all the medal winners, he said it was "terrific" for India at London. "You all deserve praise and good things that are coming your way," he added.

Responding to the accolade, Saina said she had waited for her Olympic moment since her childhood days.

"I dreamt of being a Olympic champion at the age of 9... It is unbelievable to have won the medal. I am so happy. I should thank Gopi sir for making it possible. He really worked hard with me for many years.

"Myself winning the first medal will really change a lot of things for badminton in India and I am sure we shall have lot more medals in future. I hope badminton becomes one of the most popular games, though may not be like cricket, in our country," Saina said.