Sony on Tuesday announced the Xperia sola, the latest addition the company’s Android portfolio. The handset is equipped with a 3.7-inch Reality Display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, NFC and Android 2.3 Gingerbread with an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich promised for the summer months. The Xperia sola also features “floating touch” navigation, which enables “magic” web browsing without physically touching the screen. “Xperia sola comes with the power of Sony and a sense of magic with floating touch, giving consumers a fun new way to browse the web and latest technology to show off,” said Calum MacDougall, Sony’s Head of Xperia marketing. The device also comes with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box, which owners can use to launch a pre-configured profile on their smartphone. The two SmartTags included with the handset can be personalized with up to 10 commands. The Xperia sola will be available worldwide in black, white and red in the second quarter of 2012. Hit the break for Sony’s press release and a video showcasing the Xperia sola.

Xperia sola from Sony – the smartphone with a sense of magic

· Introducing “floating touch” navigation for magic web browsing without touching the screen
· Easily open apps and launch actions in an instant with NFC and Xperia SmartTags
· Reality Display with Mobile Bravia engine and fast capture camera boosted by a powerful dual-core processor

13 March, London, United Kingdom – Sony Mobile Communications today announced Xperia™ sola* as the latest addition to its portfolio of Android powered Xperia smartphones. Complete with Sony technology, premium entertainment and innovative floating touch™ navigation, the NFC enabled Xperia sola comes equipped with Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone’s settings and applications to fit their lifestyle in an instant. Xperia sola will be available to consumers globally in black, white and red in the second quarter.

A floating touch of magic

Making its smartphone debut exclusively on Xperia sola, Sony’s unique floating touch lets consumers navigate the web by hovering their finger above the screen so it acts like a moving curser, without actually having to touch the screen. Once the desired link is found it can be highlighted and a simple tap will load the page. Floating touch will evolve with new user functionality and applications through software updates and engagement with developers.

Calum MacDougall, Head of Xperia Marketing for Sony Mobile Communications, commented; “Xperia sola comes with the power of Sony and a sense of magic with floating touch, giving consumers a fun new way to browse the web and latest technology to show off. With Xperia SmartTags out of the box and access to the latest content through Sony Entertainment Network, Xperia sola is perfect for consumers looking for ease of use and the best in entertainment in a smart and innovative smartphone.”

Simplify the everyday with SmartTags

Xperia sola is NFC enabled and comes with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box as standard to simplify consumers’ everyday smartphone experiences. By touching an NFC Android smartphone on a SmartTag, a pre-configured profile in the smartphone will launch. The two SmartTags included with Xperia sola can be personalized with up to 10 commands. Out of the box they are ready for the living room to turn on Wi-Fi™ and launches Google™ news and weather apps, or for the bedroom, which turns on the alarm and switches to silent mode. Xperia sola supports NFC pairing, allowing consumers to enjoy great connectivity with other
NFC smartphones, applications and services by tapping their smartphones together.

Powerful entertainment anytime, anywhere Xperia sola boasts razor sharp clarity with Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, xLOUD™ and 3D surround sound audio technology delivering crisp and loud sound, and a 1GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance. Xperia sola also comes with fast capture to take the camera from sleep to snap
in a little over a second with a single key press.

Consumers can also access premium entertainment experiences with Sony Entertainment Network**, where they can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on Video Unlimited or listen to millions of songs*** through
Music Unlimited.

Key features for Xperia sola
• Floating touch navigation for an easy web browsing experience
• NFC enabled and Xperia SmartTags in the box to enable quick app loading and easy content sharing
• 3.7″ Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine gives razor sharp clarity
• Powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor for super fast browsing
• xLOUD and 3D surround sound audio technology for crisp and loud listening
• Direct access to Sony Entertainment Network* with pre-installed Video and Music Unlimited** apps
• Launches on Android platform 2.3, upgrade to Android 4.0 during summer 2012

Sony has no plans to launch smartphones with more powerful quad-core processors this year, a Sony Mobile Communications executive confirmed on Wednesday. Speaking with CNET Asia, Sony Mobile product marketing manager Stephen Sneeden said he believes Sony will wait until 2013 to launch smartphones powered by quad-core processors like NVIDIA’s Tegra 3. ”We’re going to join quad-core when we feel that the performance matches the battery efficiency,” Sneeden said. “Because right now we don’t feel that is there. What we are going to be doing in the second-half of the year is moving to the Cortex A15 architecture, which we feel outperforms the current quad-core architecture.” While smartphone vendors like HTC, ZTE and others were busy unveiling quad-core Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich phones at Mobile World Congress this past week, Sony took the wraps off two new dual-core Xperia smartphones that will launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. ”You’ll see in 2013, as we’re evaluating the quad-core performance where it makes sense, where you’re not suffering in quality and the performance truly is there, and there really is something that demanding applications need,” Sneeden added. “That’s when we make the right move to quad-core.”

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We were only able to spend a few minutes with Sony’s new Xperia P smartphone as we rushed from Sony’s press conference to HTC’s press conference on Sunday, and we didn’t get any time at all with the Xperia U. Thanks to a slightly lighter event scheduled on Monday, we were able to make it over to Sony’s booth and spend some quality time with its new smartphones. These are the first smartphones that will be launched by the new Sony Mobile Communications unit that picks up where Sony Ericsson left off, and to be frank, we’re a bit concerned. This pair of Android phones is well-made and we like what Sony has done to its UI atop Android 4.0, but we’re still seeing some things that concern us. Check out our hands-on photos in the gallery linked below, and then hit the break for our initial impressions of the Xperia P and Xperia U smartphones.

First and foremost, these smartphones will hit the market in a very Sony Ericsson-like fashion. They will both launch running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and Sony has stated that the Xperia P and Xperia U will each receive an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich some time in the second quarter. Slow software updates have historically been a big issue for Sony Ericsson’s Android phones, so this definitely isn’t a great way to instill confidence in users who might still have a bad taste in their mouths.

The devices themselves are solid phones, however. They share a very similar design identity that includes the transparent light bar near the bottom of each handset, and they also sport Reality Displays that make use of Sony’s Bravia engine.

The larger of the two phones is the Xperia P, and it features a 4-inch display with “WhiteMagic” display technology that Sony says is ultra-bright and power efficient. After spending some time with the phone we can definitely confirm that the screen is extremely bright, and colors don’t get washed out at all as the brightness increases. The 1GHz dual-core processor doesn’t really do Android 4.0 justice on this handset, but hopefully things will be a bit smoother in the release version of the software.

The Xperia U features a significantly smaller form factor and a 3.5-inch Reality Display. It’s powered by the same dual-core processor and it it suffers from the same occasional hiccups that we saw with the Xperia P. The display isn’t quite as impressive as the panel on the Xperia P unfortunately, but beyond that the two phones are very similar.

We’re looking forward to spending some more time with these phones but in the mean time, be sure to check out our hands-on gallery above.

We’re here in sunny Barcelona, Spain on day 0 of the annual Mobile World Congress trade show — yes, several companies couldn’t even wait for day 1 to hold their press conferences — and Sony’s media event has just wrapped up. In case you missed it, Sony unveiled two devices at this year’s show, one of which was the sleek new Xperia P smartphone that will launch in the second quarter. The handset’s design is reminiscent of earlier Xperia handsets, but like the other members of the “Xperia NXT” family, it features a clear strip near the bottom of the phone that adds a variety of unique lighting features to the device. The phone’s 3.5-inch display leaves a bit to be desired compared to market leaders like Samsung, and colors weren’t nearly as vivid as they are on phones like the Galaxy S II or Galaxy Nexus. The Xperia P will also launch with a dual-core 1GHz processor while the competition is rolling out devices with NVIDIA’s 1.5GHz quad-core chipset, and the difference is noticeable; the Xperia P isn’t laggy per se, but moving around Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich feels a bit slow compared to some other phones. We weren’t able to spend much time with the Xperia P — or any time at all with the Xperia U — but check out a few photos in the gallery below and tune in for HTC’s press conference, which is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. EST / 11:30 a.m.

We’re reporting live from Sony’s Mobile World Congress 2012 press conference where the company has just taken the wraps off its new Xperia P and Xperia U smartphones. The Sony Xperia U features a 3.5-inch Reality Display, 1GHz dual-core processor, and five megapixel camera capable of 2D and 3D image capture. Sony’s Xperia P rocks a 4-inch “White Magic” display that Sony says offers up twice the brightness of a regular screen while still being perfectly viewable outdoors in direct sunlight. Other features include a 1GHz dual-core processor, 8 megapixel camera with HD video recording, NFC, HDMI-out, and aluminum case. Sony promises an Android 4.0 upgrade sometime after launch

Mobile World Congress doesn’t officially get started until tomorrow, but a handful of technology giants couldn’t wait that long to kick off the show. Among them is Sony, formerly Sony Ericsson, and it looks like the struggling smartphone maker could have quite a show in store for us this year. Sony Ericsson posted a €247 million loss in the fourth quarter as its smartphone market share continued to decline. Now that the former joint venture is wholly owned, Sony is planning a renewed attack on the smartphone space that will likely be fueled by Ice Cream Sandwich and deeper integration with Sony’s wide range of consumer electronics devices. We’re certainly in store for a few new Xperia phones at today’s event, but will they offer the differentiation Sony needs to make a dent in today’s market? Sony’s press conference is set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST (7:00 p.m. local time in Barcelona), so hit the jump for all the action as it breaks.

11:34AM:Just pulled up into the line. Not a ton of folks here just yet but the queue is certainly growing!

11:38AM:Sony picked a beautiful venue for their event. The Palau San Jordi is amazing

11:39AM:Now if only they'd let us inside...

11:50AM:Still waiting here in line. Let's go, Sony!!

12:10PM:Annnnd we're in!

12:12PM:Appetizers all around. Lots of folks milling about, and there don't seem to be nearly enough seats...

12:13PM:Entrance music is not good, but we'll give Sony a pass for now

12:15PM:We're gonna party with some stuffed olives and wait for this thing to get moving

12:20PM:Sony sure knows how to keep a crowd in suspense though, again, the olives are a nice touch. Let's hope the new Xperia announcement(s) can top these Tapas

12:27PM:This room is turning into the press-conference equivalent of a clown car. How many people do they expect to cram into this space??

12:40PM:Don't worry, we haven't left you! Still waiting on Sony to get this thing moving

12:46PM:Tick, tock, tick, tock...

12:54PM:"The presentation will begin in 10 minutes..." ok...some progress!

12:56PM:5 minutes and counting...

1:00PM:The lights have dimmed! We're off!

1:02PM:This video intro certainly took a cue from Epcot Center. Cue motion sickness pills...

1:02PM:Bert Nordberg CEO and President on stage now

1:04PM:Stressing that this is the first press conference as Sony

1:04PM:Kazuo Hirai taking the stage

1:05PM:They're welcoming Sony mobile as part of the "One Sony" team

1:06PM:Hirai is talking up the strength of the digital imaging and gaming divisions, and noting that they're going to be leveraging this experience into their Experia line

1:07PM:"Working tireless to deliver a unique user experience"...buzz words are awesome, aren't they?

1:09PM:He's talking now about the integration of Sony Entertainment network content into their hardware line, in addition to the integration of their imaging and gaming knowledge. Looks like they're getting ready to unveil some gaming-centric handsets

1:09PM:Annnd we're back to Bert Nordberg!

1:11PM:Xperia users will continue to have exclusive access to the Video Unlimited service, allowing cross-platform content delivery

1:11PM:

1:11PM:Additionally, beginning today, Sony will offer access to Music Unlimited for Xperia users

1:14PM:2012 recap: Xperia NX Launch in Japan, Xperia Acro HD, and the Xperia Ion launched at CES as the intro of the Sony Mobile brand to the US. Announced today, the Ion will be available outside of the US in the Summer of 2012. The Xperia has begun shipping around the world, available now in Sony Stores across Europe

1:14PM:Announced today are the Xperia P and the Xperia U!

1:15PM:These two handsets are part of the Xperia NXT series. The S is the big daddy, the P the middle pup, and the U is the baby

1:16PM:Sony is stressing their minimalist design approach to the nxt series, emphasizing the transparent bar at the bottom of each handset

1:17PM:Imaging technology will allow capture of 2D and 3D images, Xperia media players, and advanced gaming features

1:17PM:The two new handsets will, of course, feature dual-core processors

1:18PM:"The Xperia S is the smartphone that lets you experience everything in HD"...

1:20PM:Talking now about the integration of Playstation suite gaming features into the Xperia line

1:22PM:The Xperia P features Sony's new "White Magic" display technology, that theoretically provides adaptive display brightness that should provide better outdoor viewing experience. It features fast-capture technology that allows for 1 second camera start-up time. It also allows for tv connectivity via the additional smart dock station. This should allow for HD content mirroring on a tv screen. It also allows for a wireless mouse and keyboard connection, a la the Motorola Atrix Dock...when will these guys learn...

1:23PM:This new Smart Tags feature is actually cool, allows you to include certain applications and such into profiles, that give you a set of actions or macros to define by profile. IE profile 1 includes bluetooth on, music app launch, etc.

1:24PM:Annnnnd now we're on to the Xperia U, the "compact baby" of the group

1:25PM:Features personalized transparent element colors. You can change the illumination on the strip based on what app you're using, what photo is on screen, etc. I.E. a yellow-hued photo will change the strip to yellow. Cool, we suppose, but useful? Hmmmm....

1:26PM:Both new handsets launching Q2 of this year

1:27PM:Sony plans to launch their largest brand advertising campaign ever. "Engaging consumers in new and engaging ways". They really are stressing the "story" of these handsets, the "inspirational nature of the handests", etc etc

1:27PM:Annnnnnnnd we're done!

Sony will update the company’s Tablet S, Tablet P and Xperia line of smartphones to Android 4.0 in the spring, according to The Verge. Both tablets are already running Ice Cream Sandwich and are currently being tested behind the scenes. The company did not give a specific release date, however it plans to add “some really cool unique bits” to both tablets on top of the update. Last fall, Sony confirmed that its entire 2011 Xperia portfolio would receive an Android 4.0 update at a later date. Phones set to get the Ice Cream Sandwich update include the Xperia Arc, Arc S, Play, Neo, Neo V, Mini, Mini Pro, Active and Ray, as well as Sony Ericsson’s Live Walkman.

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Sony Ericsson on Wednesday posted a €247 million loss, blaming “intense competition, price erosion and restructuring charges” for its poor results. While the Swedish joint venture did continue to make headway in the smartphone market, noting a 67% increase in Android-based Xperia smartphone sales compared to the fourth quarter in 2012, the average selling price of its phones dipped 14% sequentially and operating margin plummeted to -10% excluding restructuring fees. Mobile phone shipments were down to 9 million from 11.2 million units in the same quarter a year earlier, and revenue slid to €1.29 billion from €1.53 billion in the fourth quarter 2010. ”Our fourth quarter results reflected intense competition, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and the effects of a natural disaster in Thailand this quarter,” Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg said. For the full year, the company reported an operating loss of €243 million on €5.21 billion in sales. Sony Ericsson’s press release follows below.

Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year results

19 January 2012

• Q4 loss reflects intense competition, price erosion and restructuring charges
• 65% year-on-year increase in Android-based XperiaTM smartphone quarterlysales
• 28 million Xperia smartphones shipped to date
  

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011 is as follows*:

	Q4 2010	Q3 2011	Q4 2011	FY 2010	FY 2011
Number of units shipped (million) Average selling price (Euro)	11.2 136	9.5 166	9.0 143	43.1 146	34.4 152
Sales (Euro m.)	1,528	1,586	1,288	6,294	5,212
Gross margin (%)	30%	27%	24%	29%	28%
Operating income (Euro m.)	39	38	-227	159	-206
Operating margin (%)	3%	2%	-18%	3%	-4%
Restructuring charges (Euro m.)	-3	-	-93	-42	-93
Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)	43	38	-134	202	-113
Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)	3%	2%	-10%	3%	-2%
Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)	35	31	-247	147	-243
IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)	39	31	-154	189	-150
Net income (Euro m.)	8	0	-207	90	-247

*All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP. 

Bert Nordberg, President and CEO of Sony Ericsson commented: “Our fourth quarter results reflected intense competition, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and the effects of a natural disaster in Thailand this quarter. We are aligning our business to drive profitability and to meet customer needs. In spite of these challenges, throughout 2011 we’ve shifted our business from feature phones to smartphones, and our Android-based smartphone sales in the quarter increased by 65% year-on-year. The Xperia portfolio, including the recently announced Xperia NXT series, will serve as a cornerstone of our smartphone lineup in 2012.”

Units shipped during the quarter were 9 million, a 20% decrease year-on-year and a 5% decrease compared to last quarter. The year-on-year and sequential declines reflect a significantly lower number of feature phones shipped, partially offset by an increase in smartphone shipments. Sony Ericsson has shipped 28 million Xperia smartphones to date.

Average selling price (ASP) for the quarter was Euro 143, up 5% year-on-year but down 14% sequentially. The year-on-year increase is due to the shift to smartphones and geographic mix. The sequential decrease in ASP is attributed to geographic and product mix, including declining prices of products launched earlier in the year, and the absence of new products introduced in the fourth quarter.

Sales for the quarter were approximately Euro 1.3 billion, down 16% year-on-year and 19% quarter over quarter. The year-on-year decline reflects the decrease of feature phone sales which was only partially offset by an increase in smartphone sales.  The sequential decline is due to geographic and product mix, resulting in lower sales of both smartphones and feature phones. Fourth quarter sales were negatively impacted by macroeconomic challenges in advanced economies contributing to weaker holiday sales, and certain component shortages from the flooding in Thailand in late October and early November 2011. Xperia smartphones accounted for approximately 80% of total sales in the fourth quarter.

The gross margin for the quarter was 24%, a decrease of 6 percentage points year-on-year and 3 percentage points from the previous quarter. The year-on-year and sequential decreases are attributed to product and geographic mix. Fourth quarter gross margin was also adversely affected by intense smartphone price competition which more than offset the benefit of royalty and other items.

Loss before taxes, excluding restructuring charges, was Euro 154 million for the quarter, compared to income of Euro 39 million for the same quarter last year and of Euro 31 million in the previous quarter.  The year-on-year and sequential declines are due to lower gross margin and increased operational expenses, including higher development and selling expenses.

In December 2011, Sony Ericsson launched a restructuring program including global workforce reductions to reduce costs and drive competitiveness. Restructuring charges for the quarter are Euro 93 million and the program is estimated to be completed by the end of 2012.

The quarter ended in a net loss of Euro 207 million, compared to a net income of Euro 8 million in the same quarter of the previous year, and essentially a break even result in the previous quarter.

Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was negative Euro 26 million. External borrowings were Euro 19 million during the quarter. Total borrowings were Euro 742 million at the end of the quarter. Total cash balances at December 31, 2011 were Euro 442 million.

Sony Ericsson estimates that its share of the global Android-based smartphone market was 10% in volume and 7% in value during the quarter and 10% in volume and 10% in value for the full year.

Sony Ericsson estimates that the global smartphone market for the full year 2011 increased by 60% in volume to 463 million units. Sony Ericsson estimates strong growth in the smartphone market in 2012.

In October 2011 Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”) announced that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s stake in Sony Ericsson and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony.  The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Xperia™ is a trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is a registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved and subject to change without prior notice.

During the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday we swung by Sony’s booth to get an up-close look at the Sony Xperia ion, an Android smartphone soon headed to AT&T. The Xperia ion is the first 4G LTE device from Sony and it’s equipped with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 4.6-inch reality display with a 720p HD resolution and Sony’s Bravia Engine, a 12-megapixel camera capable of recording 1080p HD video, a 720p front-facing camera for video chat and an HDMI-out port. We love the thin form factor and faux metal accents, which give it a more premium look and feel. The device currently runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) but will be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in the future. The Xperia ion is also PlayStation Certified, which means it can run gaming titles specifically approved by Sony that may not be available on other handsets. AT&T will offer the Xperia ion during the second quarter of this year but pricing still hasn’t been announced. We’re looking forward to seeing if Sony can get back in the U.S. smartphone game, and the Xperia ion certainly looks like it could be a good start.

Sony announced another addition to the company’s Xperia line at the Consumer Electronics Show late Monday, the Sony Xperia S. The smartphone features 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 display, 1GB of RAM, and a massive 12 megapixel rear camera, complete with Sony’s Exmor R backlit sensor. The Xperia S will be available in both 16GB and 32GB models, though unfortunately Sony has chosen not to include a microSD slot for expandable storage. Pricing is not yet available, but the Xperia S is due to start shipping sometime in March worldwide.

Sony and AT&T have announced the Xperia ion, a name we saw trademarked last week. The Xperia ion features a 4.6-inch 1280 x 720 HD Reality display with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and a massive 12-megapixel Exmor-R rear camera that can capture 1080p video. Additionally, the device sports LTE connectivity, 16GB of internal storage, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera that can record 720p video. The smartphone follows in the footsteps of the Xperia Play and comes “Playstation-Certified.” The ion will be released running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, in the second quarter of this year, with an Ice Cream Sandwich update in the future. Read on for Sony’s full press release.

Xperia ion revealed – first LTE smartphone from Sony available exclusively from AT&T

• HD powerhouse – two HD cameras, 4.6-inch1 HD screen and HDMI-out support
• Unmatched Android camera experience in the US with 12 megapixel rear camera
• Effortless sharing of content with easy connectivity across multiple screens within the world of Sony
• PlayStation™ Certified and access to entertainment services from Sony Entertainment Network

January 9, 2012, Las Vegas, Nev. – Xperia™ ion, the first LTE smartphone from Sony®*, was introduced today at the 2012 International CES and will be available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T in the second quarter.

Xperia ion from Sony enables easy connectivity with multiple screens for consumers looking to share and enjoy content on whichever screen they choose, whether it’s TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.

Xperia ion from Sony has a stunning 4.6-inch HD display (1280 X 720 pixels) that provides a visual brilliance for superior viewing experiences. For photo enthusiasts, Xperia ion features a new Fast Capture innovation to make sure life’s unexpected moments are not missed: the HD camera goes from standby mode to first shot in 1.5 seconds.1 The impressive images taken with the 12-megapixel rear camera are unmatched by any other Android smartphone.

Additionally, both rear- and front-facing cameras deliver HD recording capabilities.
“With Xperia ion, we’re bringing together several firsts that will take users beyond the smartphone,” said Paul Hamnett, President, Sony Ericsson North America. “Designed to deliver a seamless experience across the multiple screens we use to play, watch, listen, and share, Xperia ion is the gateway to entertainment when and – most importantly – where you want it.”

Xperia ion users will be able to access the richest entertainment experiences from Sony Entertainment Network. Music Unlimited offers a global catalogue of 15 million unique songs while Video Unlimited has the latest Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows from all major studios.

Xperia ion is also PlayStation™ Certified, guaranteeing a high quality smartphone gaming experience.

Key Features for Xperia ion: 4.6-inch HD Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine with HD resolution screen (1280 x 720), as well as rear (1080p) and front (720p) cameras for HD recording. 1.5GHz dual-core processor for fast browsing and content download, which can be stored on the internal 16GB flash storage. 12MP rear camera with Sony Exmor R™ for mobile with fast-capture to go from standby to first shot in less than two seconds. HD sharing through DLNA, HDMI and BRAVIA Sync to quickly and easily stream content on other screens.

It looks like Sony Ericsson’s secret has finally been revealed in the form of “Nozomi.” The company has been teasing the previously mysterious and unannounced device for the past week on Facebook. The vendor’s German Facebook page recently revealed another teaser image, clearly showing a sleek and slim RAZR-style smartphone. The Nozomi is set to debut at next week’s Consumer Electronics Show, but ITProPortal published an extensive walk-through with the device early Friday morning. The smartphone, which is referred to as the Xperia HD, features a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8660 processor and a 4.3-inch HD display with a 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. The Xperia HD will also sport 1GB of RAM, a massive 12-megapixel rear camera and will be running Android 2.3.7 with Sony’s custom user interface. Oddly enough, it does not include a microSD slot, leaving users with a mere 8GB of internal storage. Read on for an additional image of the Xperia HD and the company’s Facebook teaser photo.  

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In the coming year, Sony Ericsson plans to have more of an Android presence in the United States. Earlier rumors suggested that Sony is planning a high-end smartphone that will land on AT&T, code-named “LT28at.” Additionally, another high-end device code-named “Nozomi” is currently being tested by carriers in Hong Kong and could possibly make its way stateside. According to a recently filed trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Sony is looking to market a new device as the “Xperia Ion.” The trademark was filed shortly before the holidays on December 13th for use in connection with “mobile phones.” With the Consumer Electronic Show just around the corner, we could certainly see this new Xperia device revealed at the show in just over a week.

[Via The Next Web]

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Sony Ericsson announced on Tuesday that its Xperia arc S and Xperia neo V are now available unlocked in the United States from Sony Store locations. The Xperia arc S runs Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and is equipped with a 1.4GHz processor, an 8.1-megapixel camera, a 4.2-inch “Reality” display and support for 3D and 2D sweep panorama photography. The Xperia arc S is available in white, black, blue and silver for $529.99 without a contract. Sony Ericsson’s Xperia neo V also runs Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and has a 3.7-inch display, a 5-megapixel camera and a front-facing camera for video chats. It is available in white, silver and blue for $349.99 unlocked. Both phones will be available from other retailers, such as Newegg, beginning in early December. As a side note, Sony Ericsson also recently announced that its 2011 family of Xperia-branded smartphones will all be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) at a later date, so both the Xperia arc S and Xperia neo V should receive the update at some point. Read on for the full press release from Sony Ericsson.

XPERIA™ arc S AND XPERIA™ neo V FROM SONY ERICSSON ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.

WHAT: The Xperia™ arc S and Xperia™ neo V from Sony Ericsson are now available for purchase in the U.S. at the Sony Store. The Xperia™ arc S and Xperia™ neo V showcase an enhanced entertainment experience with the latest Sony technology and Android™ operating system, version 2.3.4 (Gingerbread).

The Xperia™ arc S and Xperia™ neo V feature Sony’s groundbreaking 3D sweep panorama technology, which enables image capture and viewing in 3D by connecting the phone to a 3D TV using the HDMI output, so you can show off those amazing pictures from your last vacation or that video of the flash mob you saw today to your friends and family.

This version of Android™ Gingerbread includes new functionality and features that allow you to benefit from improvements to Sony Ericsson’s unique Facebook inside Xperia™. Share, see, like and comment on all your favorite stuff – from tracks on your music player to photos from your gallery and even apps and games downloaded on your phone.

Xperia™ arc S Key Features and Pricing:

·         Android™ 2.3.4 operating system

·         1.4 GHz processor

·         8.1 megapixel camera with Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor

·         4.2” Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine® Engine

·         3D and 2D sweep panorama photography

·         Available in Pure White, Gloss Black, Midnight Blue, and Misty Silver

·         MSRP $549.99, unlocked

Xperia™ neo V Key Features and Pricing:

·         Android™ 2.3.4 operating system

·         3.7” capacitive, multi-touch screen

·         5 megapixel camera with 16x digital zoom

·         Front-facing camera

·         Available in Pearl White, Silver, and Blue Gradient

·         MSRP $349.99, unlocked

Android™ 2.3.4 – At a Glance*

·         Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D sweep panorama functionality powered by Sony

·         Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities

·         Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next

·         New features including Google™ Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras

Availability:

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc S and Xperia™ neo V are available unlocked, at Sony Store.  Additional availability can be found at other retailers such as Newegg.com starting early December.  Check for pricing and availability.

* The Android 2.3.4 upgrade is currently rolling out for select unlocked 2011 Xperia™ smartphones as an over-the-air update or through Sony Ericsson PC Companion

Sony Ericsson announced on Friday that its Xperia ray Android smartphone is now available unlocked in the United States for $429.99. It is equipped with Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread), an 8.1-megapixel camera, a VGA front-facing camera for video chats, a 3.3-inch Reality Display with an 854 x 480-pixel resolution, 512MB of RAM, a 4GB microSD card, an aluminum frame and a 1GHz processor. The Xperia ray can be purchased from Newegg’s website as well as through other online retailers. It is available in gold, black, white and pink. Sony Ericsson’s press announcement follows below.

SONY ERICSSON UNVEILS THE XPERIA™ ray TO THE U.S.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ ray is now available unlocked in the U.S. for $424.99.

Sony’s award-winning mobile imaging technology and rear-facing 8.1 Megapixel camera set a new standard for low light pictures and video. Think birthday dinners at your favorite dim Italian restaurant or capturing your favorite undiscovered band at a local dive.

With Sony’s Reality Display and Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, you get exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image, enhancing the overall entertainment experience of the device.

The sleek and slim Xperia™ ray design will have friends asking “What is that?” – and you can share your response socially using Facebook Inside Xperia™, a unique experience for greater social interaction available only from Sony Ericsson.

Additional Features:

• 1 GHz processor
• Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) platform
• 3.3 inch scratch resistant screen (measured diagonally) and integrated touch keys
• Weight: 100 grams & Size: 111 x 53 x 9.4 mm
• Aluminum frame
• Available in 4 different colors: gold, black, white and pink
• More than  200,000 apps available for download via Android Market™

Pricing and Availability:

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ ray is available now unlocked for $424.99 at newegg.com and other online retailers.