Who says Xperia X10 is the only Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) handset that can run Android. The original WinMo device, Xperia X1, can handle Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s mobile OS just as well. Ok, it’s not just as well, considering that X10 gets its power from Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s super-fast Snapdragon CPU, but it does manage to start most of the apps.
Anyway, here’s a video of Android 2.0.1 running on top of Windows Mobile on the Xperia X1. All I can add is my praise to a hacker behind this.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) recently revealed that the Xperia X2 won’t be supporting Windows Mobile 7, but they don’t seem to be having the same limitations for Android devices. according to a recent official blog post. Android 2.1 is alluded to at multiple points in the post, so we can assume that the X10 will eventually get that high, but they’re "not trying to hide from the fact that there are platform upgrades between Android 1.6 and 2.1".
The X10 is a high-end smartphone that will be shipping with Android 1.6, and a beefy 1 GHz processor, 4” WVGA touchscreen, and 8 megapixel camera. Without a doubt, it will give the other Android handsets out there a run for their money. The big key with the X10 is Sony Ericsson’s Timescape contact management and Mediascape multimedia applications. We’ve had some time to play with it, so be sure to check out our video if you’re curious.
The post goes into some detail about SE’s upgrade strategy, and highlights the fact that the custom-built user interface will be upgraded along with the OS. Timescape and Mediascape make up a lot for the supposed datedness of Android 1.6, according to the post, and I’m tempted to agree – are there really that many killer features in 2.0 and 2.1 that would be sorely lacking from the X10 at launch? Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps Navigation is available for 1.6, and the rest of the 2.0 features are small usability issues that Sony Ericsson addresses in their own way. Still, for those who burn for the latest and greatest, they won’t have to worry too much about being left behind when picking up the X10 sometime this spring.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) has recently revamped its developer portal to make it look like an integrated part of the main Sony Ericsson website. The updated portal reflects the handset maker’s new branding look and feel, while adding a number of functionalities:
Documents and tools are organized in a more intuitive way
Search facility in improved
Developer World accounts are now migrated to Sony Ericsson MyAccount so that users can access other services (such as Sony Ericsson Sync) from a single account
Nothing too startling here, but I suppose we shouldn’t be that surprised as Valentine’s Day approaches. Fido, Rogers (NYSE: RCI)’ discount carrier is set to offer a Pink version of the Sony Ericsson T715. I wonder how many pink devices we’ll see before Valentine’s this year? Any guesses?
The T715 features a 2.2″ display, 3.2MP camera with video, SMS, MMS, MP3 player, Bluetooth, speakerphone, FM radio, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Exchange ActiveSync support, and a lot more. For more on the T715 hit up Sony Ericsson… In the meantime, stay tuned for official word from Fido.
Note: Expect the pink variant to go for the same price as the current T715. $50 on a 2-year contract or $200 outright.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s Xperia X2 is being rolled out, and the fine folks at SE have shared their plans for software upgrades. Come March, Windows Mobile 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 upgrades will be released, and will include video calling, FM radio, faster GPS locking, and overall stability improvements. Then in May, the X2 will get Windows Mobile 6.5.3, which made its first appearance at CES last month. And what about the elusive Windows Mobile 7? Looks like X2 buyers will be out of luck – Sony Ericsson says that 7 won’t support the hardware. The new OS will run on an ancient i-Mate just fine, so why can’t the X2 handle it? Pre-release rumours even rumbled about the X2 being capable of the upgrade. Even without 7, the X2 is a pretty impressive device: 8 megapixel camera, 3.2” WVGA OLED touchscreen, custom-built Panels interface, and 512 MB RAM, it’s just that 7 really would have been the icing on the cake. Check out our hands-on for a closer look at the X2.
When the Sony Ericsson Vivaz was announced I largely ignored it because it looks downright hideous. Sure the spec sheet is nice, it’s the first 720p video recording mobile phone with continuous autofocus, but man, if I had to pull a Vivaz out of my pocket I’d feel embarrassed.
I’m still not going to buy one after watching the clips below, but those of you who love shooting video on the go, check out these YouTube HD samples:
Quick recap of the specifications: 3.2 inch screen, 640 x 360 resolution, S60 5th Edition, 8.1 megapixel camera, 720p HD video recording with continuous autofocus, 107 mm x 52 mm x 12.5 mm, 97 grams, quadband GSM/EDGE, dual band HSPA 900/2100 MHz, 3.5 mm headphone jack, microSD card slot, WiFi, GPS, and a teeny tiny 1200 mAh battery that has me worried about how many minutes of HD video this thing will record before shutting down.
I’m curious to see how big of a theme HD video recording will be at Mobile World Congress 2010; I’m hoping more manufacturers focus on bringing smartphones to the masses, rather than continuing a never ending race to have the craziest specification sheet.
The next few months are going to see quite a few new touchscreen devices appearing on Rogers (NYSE: RCI). Among them are the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) XPERIA X10, the LG Pop, Samsung CorbyPRO and LG KM555.
TheSony Ericsson XPERIA X10 boasts a 4″ capacitive touchscreen display, 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, 8MP camera, GPS, WiFi, micro SD and more. The last I heard, a custom Sony Ericsson Timescape UI was integrated into Android, and I have no reason to believe this won’t be on the Rogers model.
The LG Pop features a 3″ WQVGA touchscreen (240×400), a 3MP camera with video, and holds up to 16GB via microSD expansion.
Next is the Samsung CorbyPRO, which features a 2.8″ WVGA touchscreen, side-slider QWERTY keyboard, 3MP camera with video, 3.5mm headset jack, WiFi, and expansion to 16GB via microSD.
Finally, the LG KM555 is the last touchscreen slated to hit Rogers over the next little while, and this one comes complete with a 3″ touchscreen (at 240×400), 3MP camera with video, FM Radio, Bluetooth, WiFi, HSDPA support, and expansion to 16GB via microSD.
No pricing or release dates have been made available for any of these devices, but expect to hear more real soon.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) have just announced the Win-Mo powered ‘Aspen’. The device is the latest in its line of ‘GreenHeart’ eco-friendly handsets. For companies looking to make a more environmentally friendly decision, the Aspen will be worth a look. That is, if Win-Mo is their thing. Key features of the Aspen include a 3.2MP camera (with 4x zoom), Bluetooth stereo (A2DP), Exchange ActiveSync support, 3.5mm audio jack, A-GPS, micro USB, microSD expansion to 16GB, WiFi, 2.4″ 240×320 QVGA display and more. Oh, and it comes out of the box pre-installed with Windows Mobile 6.5.3. No pricing details have been released yet, but look for the Aspen to arrive in your choice of black or silver at some point in Q2.
Japan, China, and Canada, are all getting Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s latest Android endeavour, the Xperia X10, and now Germany can be added to the list by way of T-Mobile (NYSE: DT). Running a 1 GHz processor and OS 1.6, enjoying a whooping 4” WVGA touch display, Wi-Fi, GPS, and an 8 megapixel camera slapped on the back, the X10 is a fine device – check out our hands-on at CES to see for yourself. I had some playtime with the custom Timescape and Mediascape apps, and though they still had some kinks to work out, the overall experience was pretty enjoyable. T-Mobile Germany should be picking up the X10 in April according to the press release, but no mention of pricing – preliminary pricing in Sweden put it at about $860 unsubsidized (although Sweden typically pays a fair bit more for handsets than the rest of the world). Keep an eye on the T-Mobile Germany online store for an appearance. On this side of the pond, T-Mobile US might be busting out the X10 as soon as this month, so keep your fingers crossed.
AT&T (NYSE: T)’s Sony Ericsson W518a is now available in new color – Red, making the phone more appealing to the ladies. Specs wise, the Walkman clamshell remains unchanged — features include a 3.2-megapixel camera, Walkman 3.0 music player with shake control support, Facebook client, threaded messaging, Bluetooth and so on.
Additional details are available on AT&T’s website from where you can also grab the red W518a for free on a contract.
