Sony has just released a new ‘Illumination API’ for developers to allow them to tweak and create innovative uses for the embedded notification light bars seen in many Sony devices.
Sony has released this as an experimental API with little information in terms of documentation. Developers shouldn’t expect much if any support from Sony for the new Illumination API. It allows for controls like LED color, pulsation, time between pulses. On certain models it is also possible to control the fading patterns. The Xperia SP gets added support for sound reactive lighting. The list of compatible devices is fairly large and includes popular devices like the Xperia SP, ZL, ZR, UL, A, U, L, SP, SL, P, Sola, Ion, Acro HD, Go, M and M Dual. We’ve always liked the addition of the illumination bar on Sony’s devices but felt that they were under used. With this move, developers should be able to plug the gap and make the devices that much more appealing.
[Via – Sony Developer Blog]