Google Maps, Web Browser, Connectivity
Google Maps
The Google Maps for Mobile application comes pre-installed, and works just like every other Windows Mobile Google Maps client.
Thanks to the aGPS receiver that uses GPS satellite signals and cellular network signals in tandem, the XPERIA X1 serves up location information with the quickness. A quick double-tap on the screen zooms you in to a particular portion of the map. Likewise, the dedicated zoom controls help you make your way through Google Maps.
Google Maps for Windows Mobile doesn’t officially support Street View yet, but you get directions, nearby businesses, and one-touch phone number dialing.
Web Browser
Opera powers the integrated web browser and does a bang-up job of rendering web-pages with speed and accuracy. We’ve come to expect a lot from one of the biggest names in the mobile browser game, and the XPERIA X1’s Opera browser lives up to its expectations.
Double-taps are the easiest way to zoom in and out of full-HTML webpages that are rendered in their desktop-format. It’s nice to see smartphones sporting web browsers that deliver desktop-like browsing experiences.
If you’ve used Opera’s Mini or Mobile web browsers, you know that they’re about as good as it gets in the mobile world. If you haven’t tried them yet, do so… immediately.
Connectivity
The XPERIA X1 isn’t in danger of being dinged for having limited connectivity options. The quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM radio ensures that you’ll be getting wireless service in just about any country on planet Earth. The 3G data serves up wireless data at HSDPA speeds in most developed countries. The X1i, which we tested, sports 3G support on international frequency bands. The X1a, which will be made available in the US sacrifices the one of the European bands, but should still blaze through the mobile web on AT&T’s network.
When cellular networks are out of reach, there’s always the WiFi backup option. WiFi hotspots are available in any cafe worth its salt creamer, and works darn well as a backup data connection.
Just pop in your GSM SIM card and get to surfing whatever GSM network is available in your area.
Build Quality, Touchscreen and QWERTY Keyboard….