XPERIA junior - the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 - has joined the X10 party and getting the Android 2.1 Eclair update. Just like the X10 minis, there are some additional improvements to the X8 software. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 uses pretty much the same software package as the XPERIA X10 and X10 mini, so when they get updated, the update for X8 is close behind (and bringing the same improvements).
It was just a month ago when we first saw those pictures of a prototype Sony Ericsson PSP phone. Now more pieces of information lead us to believe that Sony Ericsson France is holding a special event on the 9th of December to announce something about a phone and gaming. We are sure the PSP fans are eager to know more about the rumored PSP phone. What we know so far is that the device has similarities with Sony Ericsson Vivaz design, but instead of a keyboard it should pack the typical PSP controls and a multi-touch trackpad.
This is to confirm that we are working on enabling Pinch Zoom for the XPERIA X10. The work with this has progressed and the plan is that this will be enabled through an over-the-air update of the X10 that for most markets will come in Q1 2011. For more information on background and what to expect please read the corresponding blog post at http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/product...
Sony Ericsson's Android devices are beginning to grow in numbers and still trying to keep up in the OS's race that Google starts with a new version every few months. So far all the XPERIA Android devices were relying more on their design and features rather than Android version in order to attract as many customers as they could. This approach was neither a successful nor a failed one since the sales generated from these phones where at least acceptable for the manufacturer's position on the market.
Here we have one of the next generation devices from Sony Ericsson that will try to fill the top end of their lineup for the first months of 2011. X12 or Anzu will hit the market with 2.2 Froyo and will probably be updated to 2.3 Gingerbread at some point in the late summer of 2011. At least this time, the device will come out with the Android version found in most other high-end devices and the majority of these phones will not be updated to Gingerbread yet. However, by the time X12 hits the market, there probably will be some new devices already available and running Gingerbread out of the box. Still for Sony Ericsson, being just one OS version behind the others on the release date of X12 is a step forward.
So where does the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 stand after the update? It didn’t quite manage to take over at the top of the smartphone food chain, but to be honest we never actually expected it to. One year is a really long time in this business and understandably competitors haven’t been standing still. However not coming straight from the R&D labs brings a huge pricing advantage to the X10. Indeed it can be found for nearly half the Desire HD price, which makes it a pretty decent bargain.
With Eclair virtually all the functionality is already there and compatibility with Android Market apps has been expanded greatly. The performance also takes a great leap forward and while it’s still not at Froyo levels, it’s good enough not to be bothering. So as a result you get a device that won’t give you bragging rights but will give you all that it promises and throw in a few nice surprises on top (particularly for video enthusiasts and social network lovers). Sounds like a package that’s good enough for us.
It's only been a week since the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 got its long awaited Android 2.1 update and now we get to meet its successor, the Anzu a.k.a. Sony Ericsson XPERIA X12. The first live shot of the rumored device has just been spotted in the wild and word is the smartphone is about to arrive in Q1 2011. As for the Sony Ericsson Anzu features, the things is said to be "very, very slim" and to pack a large 4.3" display, a secondary video-call camera, an HDMI port as well as a 12MP camera with 720p video recording.
Orange UK is going to offer exclusively a Fashion Edition of the smallish Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini. It's a standard black XPERIA X10 mini with two free fashion jackets and some style-oriented apps and wallpapers. The two extra jackets you get are pink and white decorated with fashion flower motives. The ladies are obviously the target of this campaign.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 is going to have a nice piano black version in addition to its white and white-dark blue models. And also, if you already own an X8, you should know that the Android 2.1 Eclair update will be released before the end of the year.
A few official pictures of the black XPERIA X8 have leaked recently, but it's just today when we see an actual black X8 in action. The front is matte black, while the back is glossy - think piano black.
First of all – sorry for this blog going and up and down lately, the traffic has been increasing more than expected and we struggle with keeping it online.
Regarding the update it is now out for the first kits, Nordics since yesterday and I’ve also seen that the generic trade kits for Russia, Singapore, Indonesia and many African countries should be up now since earlier today.
There are more kits coming this week and then it continues over the weeks after.
As said earlier I will unfortunately not be able to have detailed information in advance since it all depends on when the different approvals drop in. I will however try to give updates on this blog, probably both in the comments section and as new posts when there are a bunch of new ones available.
There has been several questions in the comments section here but because of the state of the blog I haven’t been able to answer as I would have wanted. I really apologize for not being able to be more active! I have focused on chasing more information around the update and keeping the blog servers online.
