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.

During the CommunicAsia trade show in Singapore on Wednesday, Sony Ericsson officially took the wraps off of three new devices: the Xperia ray, the Xperia active, and the “txt.” The Android 2.3-powered Xperia ray sports a 9.4mm thin profile, a 3.3-inch “Reality” display with an 854 x 480 resolution, an 8.1-megapixel Exmor R camera, and a 1,500 mAh battery. The Xperia active also runs Gingerbread and offers a smaller 3-inch 480 x 320 Reality display and a 5-megapixel camera capable of recording HD video. It’s also dust proof and water resistant. Lastly, the txt is a budget-friendly feature phone with a relatively simple set of specs. It offers a 2.6-inch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. All three phones will launch during the third quarter of this year in select markets around the world. Hit the jump for images of the Xperia active and txt along with videos.

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An image of the unannounced Sony Ericsson Xperia duo has been leaked in what appears to be a Sony Ericsson promotional poster. While most of the specs remain unknown at this point, as its name implies, the device is largely expected to pack a dual-core processor. The image also indicates that the phone may feature a forward-facing camera and more subtle menu buttons below the display than most other Android phones. There’s no word on just how big the screen is, either, but it looks like it’s definitely bigger than 4.3-inches. HTC, Motorola, LG, and Samsung all have dual-core smartphones on the market, too, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony Ericsson try to get this out the door quickly.

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Sony Ericsson confirmed in a blog post on Monday that its developers have been working hard on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the Xperia X10, and that the roll-out will begin in early August. The company confirmed that it will keep the original camera UI as found in the Eclair version of the phone, and that the Facebook Inside Xperia functionality in the newest Xperia family of phones will be available on the X10 as well. Unfortunately, SE  said that it will not add DLNA support to the X10, as adding that would “jeopardize the time schedule.” Generic trade phones will get the Gingebread upgrade, which was announced in March, but Sony Ericsson did note that “some of you will not be able to upgrade your customized version of Xperia X10.” In other words, we seriously doubt AT&T users will ever get it. Hit the jump for a video of a prototype running Gingerbread in action.

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On Friday AmazonWireless announced a pretty stunning mobile phone sale. It’s now offering the HTC ThunderBolt and Motorola DROID X 2 for $99.99, the Samsung DROID Charge and LG Revolution for $149.99, the HTC Incredible 2 and HTC Trophy for $49.99, and the PlayStation Certified Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY for just a penny. The sale ends on June 8th, so if you’re a Verizon Wireless subscriber looking to save some money for summer barbeques, here’s your shot.

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As we prepare to finally get our first taste of Sony Ericsson’s Xperia PLAY here in the U.S., we can’t help but think back and remember Sony Ericsson’s hilarious Web-only spots starring Kristen Schaal. We laughed, we cried, and we even readdressed them in a feature covering gaming as a differentiating factor for Sony Ericsson moving forward. It has been a couple of months since the spots first ran but they’re still racking up hits on YouTube, and we’re happy to report that BGR has managed to obtain a blooper reel containing outtakes from the filming of these promo spots. As funny as Schaal was in the videos, we’re sure there are hours of hilarious outtakes hidden away in a studio somewhere. While we do our best to hunt down all the footage, hit the break for a quick compilation of outtakes from the Schaal promos.

According to a report by CVG, Android Market downloads of games specifically designed to run on Sony Ericsson’s Xperia PLAY handset have been extremely low. As evidence in its case, the report hones in on five Play titles that all have under 1,000 total Market downloads: Cool Boarders 2, 100–500; Destruction Derby, 500–1,000; Jumping Flash, 50–100; MediEvil, 100–500; and Syphon Filter, 100–500. Despite this, the handset’s creator is undeterred. “There’s no concerns, it’s a revolutionary device, it’s shaking up the market, we’re very pleased with it,” said Dominic Heil-Dwyer, head of market development at Sony Ericsson. “In terms of getting the PlayStation Certified program out, generally, we’re very happy. I think we’ll make a full assessment of if it has achieved our expectations fully, further down the line, so we’re very happy.” Launched in early April, the device pairs classic gaming controls with the now familiar large-touchscreen smartphone form factor. The Xperia PLAY is scheduled to make its Stateside debut on Verizon Wireless in the coming months.

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