xperia

Sony Ericsson eyes fresh Android start in 2011

Like many of you, I've watched the rumors of a PlayStation Phone spread across the Internet over the last few weeks. After a so-so 2010 for Sony Ericsson, this is exactly the type of device that could cement Sony Ericsson as a top Android contender. That is, if they get it right. Ask any Android enthusiast about last year's Xperia X10 and you'll likely hear gripes about how badly the company missed the boat.

Once expected to be one of the premier Android phones on the market, the Xperia X10 arrived with muted fanfare. Though eventually it was successful at a couple of carriers around the world, it never took off in the United States, even though it landed at AT&T.

What was the primary reason for this missed opportunity? Outdated software, of course. Even with its 1GHz processor, 4-inch screen, and 8.1-megapixel camera, the phone was hampered by Android 1.6. That inability to run many of today's better applications turned many potential consumers away. And even now, as some Android handsets are getting 2.2 or even 2.3, Sony Ericsson is just pushing Android 2.1 out to various regions. Thankfully, however, the future looks much brighter.

As of right now, the PlayStation should come branded under the Xperia umbrella, possibly carrying the Xperia Play moniker. Although branding it specifically as the PlayStation Phone could be a better move, it will be easier for the company to fold it into the Sony Ericsson portfolio. What's more, listing it with the Xperia name ties it to its other efforts, notably the new Xperia Arc. … Read more

Android in 2011: Bigger, faster, thinner, lighter

After taking a few days to decompress and wrap my head around the Android news from CES 2011, I started to notice a couple of trends with the new devices. Not only are these phones getting substantially faster with bigger screens, but they are growing thinner and lighter at the same time.

As expected, the next Android phones are going to be much faster than today's handsets. We have dual-core smartphones like LG's Optimus 2X and the Motorola Atrix 4G on the horizon, and companies such as Samsung are pushing out single-core processor handsets with impressive 1.2GHz speeds.

And when you factor in 1GB memory capacities, you have two ingredients for 2011's "superphone." Well, at least for the first half of the year. At the rate things are moving, it's pretty difficult to forecast beyond six months.

Displays With screen size, big is in. What started with HTC's Evo 4G continues this year in force. In fact, it appears that the minimum display size for touch-screen phones now hovers around 4 inches or higher. Not only does a quick look show that some of the key handsets announced at CES have screens of 4.3 inches or larger, but Samsung's Infuse 4G is headed for AT&T with a 4.5-inch screen. Anything larger and we'll be into Dell Streak and tablet territory.

It's really funny considering that last summer, plenty of people balked at the Evo because it was considered too big. Was the success of the Sprint phone a driving factor in the new designs, or are handset makers simply moving the needle whether we like it or not? … Read more

A closer look at the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Sony Ericsson released just one phone at CES, but the Xperia Arc is nothing to ignore. The hardware, to be frank, is stunning. The handset has a great feeling in the hand; we love the sleek profile; and the display is a looker.

The features are also impressive. We're particularly glad to see the device running Gingerbread--remember that the Xperia X10 ran OS 1.6 when it debuted--and the idea of the Bravia engine powering the media player is something we hadn't expected. We're still ambivalent about Timescape, and we hope it won't interfere with future … Read more

Sony Ericsson unveils Xperia Arc

LAS VEGAS--Sony Ericsson kicked off its CES experience today by announcing a new Android smartphone, the Xperia Arc. Though it's not the long-rumored PlayStation phone, the Android-powered handset offers an impressive load of features and a sleek candy bar design in midnight blue or misty silver.

Front and center on the Arc is the 4.2-inch, 16.7 million-color touch screen (854x480 pixels). Sony Ericsson is no slouch when it comes to displays so we're expecting a stunner here. The capacitive display also has an accelerometer, a multitouch interface, and a Sony Bravia engine.

Exterior features include three physical controls (back, home, and menu), a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headset jack. The Arc has a trim profile at 0.342 inch, but we're glad to see Sony Ericsson isn't trying to push it as "the world's thinnest smartphone." And even if it did, that race changes almost every day. … Read more

PlayStation phone may carry Xperia branding

A handful of new PlayStation phone rumors surfaced this week, adding to a long list of unconfirmed reports surrounding the device.

The latest gossip concerns the smartphone's eventual name. According to information uncovered by Pocket-Now, Sony Ericsson has registered for trademarks on Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Arc. It's possible that the Xperia Play could refer to the device itself or an umbrella of services related to the phone.

The Unofficial Xperia X10 blog also discovered that a Sony Ericsson PR firm had registered the XperiaPlay.com, XperiaPlay.net, and XperiaPlay.org domain names. Again, … Read more

First Look at presumed Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 successor

The first images and preliminary details for Sony Ericsson's presumed Xperia X10 successor have made their way online. And according to the source that passed on the tips to the Unofficial Xperia X10 blog, the device is "very, very slim."

Codenamed Anzu, or X12, the handset should feature a 4.3-inch screen and HDMI output, two increasingly common smartphone characteristics. Given the "HD" markings on the back of the phone, the video camera should record in 1080p resolution. The X10 has an 8.1-megapixel camera, so I would assume this phone has at least that … Read more

Sony Ericsson delays Android 2.1 for Xperia line of handsets

Sony Ericsson used its official product blog to let fans know that it is delaying the release of Android OS 2.1 for their Xperia line of handsets. Originally listed for a September rollout, the company is now looking at late October and beyond.

Sadly, the Xperia X10 will still be nearly a year behind the competition when it finally does see Eclair. While other phones like the Motorola Droid have gone from 2.0 to 2.2 in the same span of time, Sony Ericsson has been behind the curve since day one.

I was a huge fan of … Read more

Sony Ericsson UK: Android 2.1 coming to Xperia X10 in September

If you own a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, you're probably not too fond of the fact that it's stuck running Android 1.6. Sony Ericsson's projected Q4 release for an Android 2.1 update doesn't sit well either when other devices are already getting Android 2.2, but there might be some good news on the horizon.

Responding to one of its Twitter followers, Sony Ericsson UK said that the Android 2.1 update is due for release before the end of September, ahead of the original Q4 timeframe. The company didn't provide any further … Read more

Dialed In 139: A phone of Epic proportions

The T-Mobile G2 is coming! Uh, about time. Plus we discuss the Nokia N8, the viability of Symbian OS, and the titular phone, the Samsung Epic 4G. We also review the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, the Motorola Droid 2, and more.

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News T-Mobile G2, first HSPA+ smartphone coming soon Nokia N8 preorders begin, ships end of September Samsung: GPS fix for Galaxy S series coming in September U.S. Cellular harvests BlackBerry 9650 Plantronics reveals M100 New smartphone testing

Reviews Samsung Epic 4G BlueAnt Q2 … Read more

AT&T snaps up Sony Ericsson Xperia X10

Of all the major U.S. carriers, AT&T's lagged a bit on the Android front but has recently beefed up its selection of phones with the HTC Aria, the Samsung Captivate, and now the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.

Long rumored for AT&T, the Xperia X10 will finally be available starting August 15 for $149.99 with a two-year contract. Much like the unlocked version, the smartphone has a 4-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen with Sony Ericsson's User Experience Platform, which includes the Timescape and Mediascape apps. The former acts as a feed for all … Read more