On Wednesday Sony Ericsson announced that it has launched its own channel in the Android Market. The firm says it will use the channel to recommend specific apps and games, provide original content like Timescape plugins, offer exclusive gaming titles, and to help promote apps developed by partners. The channel sounds a lot like the custom area of the Android Market that many U.S. wireless carriers use to recommend applications, and it should be a useful option for owners of Sony Ericsson Android handsets. There’s one caveat: the update is carrier dependent, which means it won’t be available to all of Sony Ericsson’s customers. Hit the jump for more info.

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As Google prepares to release a fresh new version of Android, Sony Ericsson has announced that it will finally push out an OS update for three of its smartphones… to Android 2.1. No, the Xperia X10 family won’t be gobbling down Gingerbread any time soon, or even feasting on FroYo. Instead, the Xperia X10, Xperia X10 mini and Xperia X10 mini pro will all be stuck eating Eclair beginning Sunday, October 31st. Oh and if you have an AT&T-branded X10, you’ll have to wait until some time in November for the update. Sony Ericsson has delayed this Android 2.1 upgrade several times and now that it’s almost here, it seems like way too little, way too late. As for when the X10 crew might see a more modern build of the Android OS, don’t hold your breath. Hit the jump for a rundown of changes X10 users can expect starting this weekend.

Xperia X10:

• HD video recording with continuous auto-focus for high quality videos
• Upgrade of the Android platform to Android 2.1
• New back up and restore application, with extended content back up
• 5 homescreens for apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders
• Social phonebook which automatically syncs contact pictures from Facebook and shows when your friends are online

Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro:

• Improved Bluetooth functionality with support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more
• New backup and restore application with extended content back up
• Automatic synchronization of your contact pictures between Facebook and your phone book
• Improved ways of handling pictures, audio, text and numbers in your messages
• Upgrade of the Android platform to Android platform 2.1

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Feeling the Xperia X3 too small and the Xperia X10 too large, yesterday Sony Ericsson announced what we like to think of as the Goldilocks handset in the Xperia X8. Better known as the Shakira, the X8 comes with a 3″ HVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, A-GPS, Wi-Fi, 128MB of internal memory, 600MHz processor, and Android 1.6 with UX UI. We can’t say for sure if the Xperia X8 will arrive on U.S. soil, but the fact that there is a quad-band version with the 850 and 1900MHz bands of UMTS/HSDPA means it’s a definite possibility.

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Any burning questions you’ve ever had about the upgrade path for the XPERIA X10 family of products can now be put to rest, as Sony Ericsson has finally gone public with its intentions. As of Q4 2010, all three phones — the X10, X10 mini and X10 mini Pro — will be upgraded to Android 2.1 aka “Eclair”. Not only that, but after the update, the X10′s 8.1 megapixel camera will be able to record videos in HD. Throw in enhancements to the Timescape and Mediascape applications, as well as DLNA, support and you’d almost think Sony Ericsson genuinely believes it’s going to win over the hearts and minds of Android lovers by updating what will then be a year-old product that doesn’t even support multi-touch. But we digress…

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According to one of Engadget’s “trusted sources”, AT&T is forging ahead with plans to have the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 on store shelves in time for week 30 of the fiscal year. In plain English this means we could very well see Sony Ericsson’s first real attempt at releasing a smartphone in co-operation with a U.S. carrier go on sale during the last week of July/first week of August. It seems there’s a possibility that the launch could be either delayed or scrubbed all together depending on AT&T’s general mood, but for the sake of all the neglected Android aficionados on AT&T we’re hoping this isn’t the case.

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It’s not available in stores, through the phone, or online just yet, but Rogers has officially launched the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. In an email memo sent out minutes ago, Rogers announced to its employees that the Android smartphone is now shipping from their warehouses and should arrive within the next three days. Want one? That’ll be $149.99 on contract or $549.99 without. Just keep in mind this phone lacks multitouch as you stand at the till, okay? We wouldn’t want you getting a case of buyer’s remorse.

Alright, Canada, the time has come. You can now pre-order the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 from Rogers Wireless. To be available in both Sensuous Black and Luster White, the XPERIA X10 will set you back $149.99 on a 3-year contract. Definitely not bad for a phone with a 4″ WVGA display, 8.1 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, HSDPA and sexy UX UI overlay, but we can certainly see the lack of multitouch and the fact it currently runs Android 1.6 being a deal breaker for many. Rogers won’t give in and tell us the release date, but the whole “Hurry! Offer expires April 14th” leads us to believe we’ll see this sucker drop the day after that. Bonus: All pre-orders will net you a free Bluetooth headset and a chance to win a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Shouts to South Africa.

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Although interest in it seems to have declined, thanks to this week’s official confirmation that multitouch will never be a feature of the device due to a hardware limitation, that’s hardly going to stop Rogers from aggressively pushing the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. According to MobileSyrup, a site that has a pretty squeaky clean track record, Rogers has narrowed down the release window for the Android smartphone to the week of April 7th to 14th and assigned tentative pricing — which could be as low as $149.99 on contract. Rogers had previously stated it would offer pre-orders, something which has yet to happen, but with a release that is potentially within six days we’d think they better get a move on it before peoeple’s eyes start to wander elsewhere.

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Ordinarily, looking at FCC filings are about as fun as discussing the history of blotting paper, but we have a rare exception in the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. While the standard fare external pictures offer nothing we haven’t already seen, the filing contains a wealth of teardown photos that are sure to please both phone junkies and anyone fascinated with design. But it gets better. Not only do we have a slew of test reports (exciting!), but the entire 40-page user manual which not only gives a great overview of the device itself, but Sony Ericsson’s custom Android overlay, Nexus. Of course we’ve already broken down Nexus for you when we went hands on, but let’s just keep that our little secret, okay?

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There is word floating around that Sony Ericsson is planning on two variants of the XPERIA X10. While it’s far from confirmed, it appears as though SE’s plan of teaming with U.S. carriers to subsidize this bad boy is working out. Both versions will have 3G support for their respective carriers, which means the T-Mobile version will have support for the 1700MHz band. SE is also saying it plans to have this phone out in early 2010, so we’ll find out sooner than later. We’re just wondering what pricing will be like since this device will have to be heavily subsidized to come down from its $700+ price tag. Hit the jump for some device specs.

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Today we hit up Sony Ericsson’s shindig in NYC for some one-on-one time with its XPERIA X10, and so far (it’s a non-retail prototype) it looks like SE has a decent device on its hands. Of course, we all know the X10 is running Android 1.6, but SE has created its own UI, or UX as it prefers to say (short for User Experience), called Nexus. Like other UI overlays for Android, Nexus focuses on social media integration, entertainment and simplifying contact info by aggregating user information. Two very unique applications that SE has integrated into Nexus are Timescape and Mediascape. Timescape is much like viewing your contact information on HTC’s Sense UI and Motorola’s MOTOBLUR: you can view your contact’s email, SMS, Facebook and Twitter updates all in one place. Mediascape allows you to access photos, video and music from your phone as well as YouTube and PlayNow, SE’s music store. The great thing about Timescape and Mediascape is that they recognize connections between your contacts (like facial recognition), music and media and it makes suggestions on how you can communicate or get a guide to new media. Now that we’ve got the software aspect out of the way, hit the jump to see not only what think of the device itself, but quite a few pretty pics and a video overview!

Our initial impression of the XPERIA X10 is mixed. The screen is a vivid and crisp 4″ capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 854 while the device itself is both light and thin. It also packs smartphone basics like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, 3.5mm headset jack and a rather impressive 8.1 megapixel camera. The device feels nice in the hand, although those with small hands might think it’s rather large. Still, it’s not cumbersome by any means. When running through the screens, we did experience a bit of lag even though the X10 is running the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. And while SE has added its own UI over Android 1.6, it still feels like a bare-bones Android device. The UI is very functional and it gets the job done, but it’s not as attractive as HTC’s Sense UI. We’re not quite sure what it is about the XPERIA X10, but we’re just not feeling that “wow” we got with the Droid, for example.

SE says it’s working with U.S. carriers to get the XPERIA X10 subsidized in the States, but in the even that doesn’t happen it could be another expensive device that might be overlooked in the Americas – we’ve got our fingers crossed that AT&T or T-Mobile will pick this up. There’s no word on when this will be released, but with all the press and fanfare we’re thinking it shouldn’t be much longer.

And yet another manufacturer has officially entered the Android game as Sony Ericsson has formally announced the XPERIA X10. Powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and running on Android 1.6 “Donut”, the X10 boasts a 4″ WVGA capacitive touchscreen display, an 8.1 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS and two flavors of UMTS/HSPA — one of which supports T-Mobile, the other, AT&T — in addition to quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE. Regrettably there is only 1GB of built in memory, although an 8GB microSD card ships in the box. In terms of UI customization, the X10 comes with the UI overlay UX called Rachael (user experience) which extends into two premier apps: Mediascape — the media player which we’ve already seen twice — and Timescape, which more or less is SE’s answer to a MOTOBLUR type skin. Pricing and countries of availability has yet to be announced, but the XPERIA X10 will be available in Q1 2010 in Sensuous Black and Lustre White (yes, we LOL’d, too). Hit the jump for a promo video and a press release.

03 November 2009

Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X10 introduces an open and integrated world of social media, communication and entertainment

• XPERIA™ X10 is the flagship phone in a family of phones coming to market during the first half of 2010. The XPERIA™ X10 will be available in Q1 2010
• New UX (user experience) platform lets consumers organise everything and discover more with the most open, human and intuitive user experience yet

London – November 3 2009 – Sony Ericsson today unveils the XPERIA™ X10, the first phone in a family of phones to deliver a consistent user experience where communication truly becomes entertainment. Building on Sony Ericsson’s entertainment heritage and combining rich graphics with intelligence capabilities, the XPERIA™ X10   introduces a new UX platform that will evolve across the product portfolio and expand over time continuously introducing new features and capabilities.

The UX platform builds on top of the Open OS and creates a unique Sony Ericsson user experience by combining best-in-class entertainment features with signature applications, unrivalled integration of social media services and a rich graphical user interface. The XPERIA™ X10 is the first mobile phone to truly humanise the way people interact with their phones.

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, “The XPERIA™ X10 and the family of phones launching in the first half of 2010 underpin our commitment to an open and multi-platform strategy that maximises choice for the consumer and delivers the best possible consumer experience. The reaction from our global operator partners to the XPERIA X10 has been extremely positive and we will be rolling out across the world including Japan from the first half of 2010.”

Rikko Sakaguchi, EVP and Chief Creation Officer, Sony Ericsson said, “The XPERIA™ X10 is a fantastic example of our make.believe philosophy because we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and demonstrating that anything consumers can imagine, we can make possible. With the X10, we are raising the bar we have set ourselves with entertainment-rich phones like Aino and Satio by making communication more fun and playful, multiplying and enriching opportunities to connect.”

Introducing signature applications like Mediascape and Timescape™, the XPERIA™ X10 lets consumers organise everything in their phone in an intuitive way:

• Sony Ericsson Timescape™ manages all your communication with one person in one place.  Browse through your conversations the bright way to check out your Facebook™, Twitter™, photos, emails, and texts all in one go
• Sony Ericsson Mediascape is the smart way to get all the music, photos and videos you want from your favourite friends and artists. It accesses content from everywhere – your phone, YouTube™, PlayNow™ – and presents everything for you

Intelligence capabilities, integrated into Mediascape and Timescape™, can automatically recognise connections between contacts, content and media. By recommending alternative ways to communicate or guiding to new media experiences, consumers can discover more in a truly open way. For example:

• Pressing the new “infinite button” guides you through the connected world, aggregating all your interactions with one person into one view
• Intelligent face recognition features recognise up to five faces in any picture, automatically connecting them with your social phonebook and all other related communications with that person.

Sony Ericsson’s open approach gives consumers maximum choice and with the XPERIA™ X10, users can download any application that they want direct from a wide variety of stores including PlayNow™ and the Android Market™, co-creating an experience that is entirely unique to them.

Sony Ericsson is also introducing the new Wireless Stereo Headset with FM Radio – MW600. Featuring advanced Bluetooth™ technology and a built-in FM radio, MW600 lets you stream music to your headset in high fidelity through sound-enhancing ear-buds. With a crystal clear OLED display, easy access controls and RDS radio station information, you don’t even need to take your phone with you to tune in to your favourite radio station.

The XPERIA™ X10 supports GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 900/1700/2100 and UMTS HSPA 800/850/1900/2100

The XPERIA™ X10 will be available in selected markets from Q1 in the colours Sensuous Black and Luster White.

Log on to The Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X10 at a glance

Camera

• 8.1 megapixel camera
• Up to 16x digital zoom
• Auto focus
• Intelligent face recognition features
• Geo tagging
• Image and video stabilizer
• Photo and video light
• Send to web (photo and video upload)
• Smile detection
• Touch focus
• Video recording
• Recent shot tray

Music

• Album art
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Media player
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™
• TrackID™

Web

• Bookmarks
• Google™ search (from standby)
• Web feeds
• WebKit web browser

Communication

• Sony Ericsson Timescape™
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert

Messaging

• Conversations
• Email
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Auto rotate
• Gesture control
• Picture wallpaper
• Touchscreen

Entertainment

• 3D games
• Media browser
• Infinite button
• Video streaming
• Video viewing
• YouTube™

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Infinite button
• Office suite
• Phone book with dialer
• World clock

Location-based services

• A-GPS
• Google Maps™
• Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation* (free trial version)

• *The service may not be available in every market. For more information, go to www.sonyericsson.wisepilot.com

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Bluetooth™ technology
• Micro USB connector
• Synchronisation
• USB support
• Wi-Fi™

Preloaded applications

• Sony Ericsson Timescape™
• Sony Ericsson Mediascape
• Sony Ericsson Home with clock widget
• Sony Ericsson Sync
• Android Market™ Client
• Gmail™
• Google Calendar™
• Google Maps™ with Street View
• Google Media Uploader
• Google phone-top search
• Google search widget
• Google Talk™
• Google Voice Search™
• Network Location Provider
• Set-up Wizard
• YouTube™

Screen

• 262,144 colour TFT touchscreen
• 4.0 inches
• 480 x 854 pixels (WVGA)
• Scratch-resistant

Accessories
In-Box:

• XPERIA™ X10
• Battery
• Stereo portable handsfree
• 8 GB microSD™ card
• Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
• User documentation

Optional:

• Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600
• Car Charger AN300
• Screen Protector ET902

Facts 1)2)

• Size: 119 x 63 x 13 mm
• Weight: 135 grams

• Phone memory: Up to 1 GB

• Memory card support: microSD™

• Memory card included: 8 GB

• Operating system: Google™ Android Donut, version 1.6
• Processor: 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ QSD8250

Availability and versions

• Networks

• UMTS HSPA 900/1700/2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

• UMTS HSPA 800/1900/2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

• Available in selected markets in Q1 2010

Colour

• Sensuous Black
• Luster White

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