To date, we’ve only seen renderings of Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s upcoming Android handset, the XPERIA X3 (code-named Rachael), but today we’re seeing some of the first hands-on pictures, blurry as they may be. The gallery shows the phone app, on-screen keyboard, locked, and home screen, so there’s not much to write home about, but it’s reassuring to see a concrete device. If you’re looking for more eye candy, pictures of a white version have also surfaced, accompanied by renders created using screenshots from the supposed user interface video. One of our commenters suggested that UI is actually a separate app which can be turned off if you prefer the vanilla Android interface, which would explain why we’re seeing the basic home screen here. Combined with the fact that the default background on the proper device shots corroborate with the video, this Timescape UI may very well become a reality. Can’t wait to pick up this bad boy? The latest rumours are pointing to a January launch.
That whole “Put Your Ears in Control” thing we told you about last week was for the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) MH907 Motion Activated Headphones. They’re a bit special. Say you’re listening to music and a call comes in, simply remove one of the ear buds and boom, you’ve answered the call. Want to hang up? Just plug the other earbud back in. I’ll never use these things since 1: I don’t have a Sony Ericsson phone and 2: I hate headphones that you stick in your ears. I can imagine how the meeting took place to develop these things.
Japanese Guy: We need to be innovative and show the market how smart we are!
Swedish Guy: I feel like going to IKEA.
Japanese Guy: No seriously, we can invent something cool, like headphones that make using a mobile phone easier!
Swedish Guy: What are you saying? Sorry, I was listening to ABBA on my iPhone.
Japanese Guy: You took the earbud out to listen to me, I think you’re on to something!
Swedish Guy: Can we go to IKEA already? They have a sale on this couch I’ve always wanted.
Japanese Guy: Can we do karakoe afterwards with your hot Swedish lady friends?
Swedish Guy: No.
Japanese Guy:
The press release has no useful information such as the frequency response, price or release date. Maybe that’s because they know no one is going to buy these things?
Update: A review of the headphones on has been posted on Mobile Review, and yes, it is in English. Conclusion: “Wrapping it all up, I must say that I’m anxious to buy it already, and it’s been a while since the last time I said something along these lines about a Sony Ericsson branded product. However, I strongly recommend trying it out before purchase to see if these headphones will fit into your ears. Other than that, it’s an interesting, novel and likable headset.”
We’ve barely gotten used to the possibility that Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s upcoming XPERIA X2 will command a whopping $850+ dollars at retail, and now we’re hearing that the X2’s sequential successor, the XPERIA X3, will be going live in January of 2010. Mobile Crunch is reporting on an as-yet unconfirmed rumor that Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X3 will make its debut as the company’s first Android smartphone in time to usher in the new year.
The XPERIA X3 packs a 4-inch 800 x 400 touchscreen, 8.0-megapixel camera, 3G data, WiFi, GPS and a whole bunch of Androidy-goodness. If previous leaks pan out, the XPERIA X3 Rachel will also sport a slick, custom Android UI (custom user interfaces are coming left and right these days).
There’s talk that Sony Ericsson is thinking of ditching Windows Mobile altogether, which just might have something to do with SE’s expedited X3 launch window. But, keep in mind, this is all speculation. We’ll know more about the X3 in due time. In the meantime, drool over this X3 Rachel UI video:
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) has something big coming to market on September 21st. Just yesterday, Stefan mentioned that Sony Ericsson was preparing to “change the way you listen to music forever.” He speculated that the announcement would involve a new phone and an innovative new headset. Turns out, at least according to whispers and rumors, he may have been fairly accurate. Word has Sony Ericsson preparing a new headset that automatically starts playing music when you put them on.
Right, so we’re not sure if an auto-playing headset is anything that will change the way we do anything, but there’s something to be said for keeping a positive outlook.
We’ll see what the Japanese-Swedish phone maker has in store for us next week!
A note from a Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) exec through Facebook has revealed that, at least in Italy, the upcoming X2 will be priced at around 590 to 600 Euros (or between $US 865 and 880). Even for the upper crust of smartphones, that’s a pretty steep price tag, outdoing even the Touch Pro 2, but when you compare the specs, the X2 really only has bragging rights with the 8.1 megapixel camera. If money’s no object, the announcement said we can expect the X2 to hit store shelves in early fourth quarter.
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) is going to announce something on Monday, September 21 at 10:00 GMT. The URL for the webcast is http://www.sonyericsson.com/putyourearsincontrol/ so I’m assuming this is some new mobile phone that ships with a pair of Bluetooth headphones. I could be wrong, any guesses?
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) seems to be experimenting with unlimited music download service in the Netherlands. Along with the local branch of T-Mobile (NYSE: DT), the Swedish-Japanese handset manufacturer has launched PlayNow Plus, a buffet service which users can get for 9.95 EUR a month when paired with some data plan (starting at 9.95 EUR, as well). Sony Ericsson’s sexy W995 Walkman slider is picked as a testing device, and along with a purchase, you get 6 months to trial PlayNow Plus. The question what happens with your music collection after your subscription ends remains in the air, as well as whether you can transfer the songs downloaded over the air to your computer and elsewhere…
Some manufacturers are plum excited about the new version of Windows Mobile coming out in early October, but those dwindling numbers are apparently deterring others. According to the trusted head of Mobile-review, due to the projections for Windows Mobile, the X2 may very well be the last Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) smartphone to use Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s mobile OS. SE’s interest in Android is palpable, given the X3 XPERIA (a.k.a. Rachael), and the Satio is powered by S60, so there’s no shortage of alternatives. As for what will happen with the UI, it’s hard to believe the video of Rachael, since an SDK for the established Panels was just released, so who knows how future devices will be skinned. WinMo’s not dead yet, in any case – we have no hard and fast evidence of the move, and at very least 6.5 will be finding its way to the original XPERIA.
Windows Mobile 6.5 is looming for an early October release, alongside a slew ofnew devices to kick off the update, but older hardware will also be able to pick up the new operating system. itje, an active member on xda-developers, has claimed that he got his hands on an official Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM for the original Xperia X1, which hosts some drivers from the X2, as well as OEM drivers, “new XIP (real x1 nk), and new netcf 3.7 (final)”. What sets this apart from the ROMs that have been cooked up in the past with available Windows Mobile 6.5 assets by third parties, is that this one is fully official and will be publicly available shortly. Apparently the 2D rendering is spectacular on the new software – if you’ve got a mind for that sort of thing, check out the benchmark results, or these ones with Spb, just keep in mind that the numbers don’t always tell the whole story. There aren’t any new panels to be found in this particular software, but it might be made available prior to a release from Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) – we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled.
While most handset makers are in a rush to shove as many features as possible inside their devices just to add a few more bulletin points to their specification sheets, Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) is trying something new and making a phone that literally is good for nothing except calling and texting people. Some think this is madness. I think this is brilliance. While Sony Ericsson may not have announced the price of this device, it is attached to the XPERIA portfolio of devices so expect to chop off your right arm and slaughter your first born. For more pictures of the Pureness, make sure to check out Will’s blog post from last week.
To date, we’ve only seen renderings of Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s upcoming Android handset, the XPERIA X3 (code-named Rachael), but today we’re seeing some of the first hands-on pictures, blurry as they may be. The gallery shows the phone app, on-screen keyboard, locked, and home screen, so there’s not much to write home about, but it’s reassuring to see a concrete device. If you’re looking for more eye candy, pictures of a white version have also surfaced, accompanied by renders created using screenshots from the supposed user interface video. One of our commenters suggested that UI is actually a separate app which can be turned off if you prefer the vanilla Android interface, which would explain why we’re seeing the basic home screen here. Combined with the fact that the default background on the proper device shots corroborate with the video, this Timescape UI may very well become a reality. Can’t wait to pick up this bad boy? The latest rumours are pointing to a January launch.
We’ve barely gotten used to the possibility that Sony Ericsson (
Some manufacturers are 
Windows Mobile 6.5 is looming for an 
