Xperia Neo Previewed

The rate at which Sony Ericsson handsets are leaking out, it'll be surprising if they'll have anything to show on 13th at MWC. Techradar has managed to get their hands on the Xperia Neo (codenamed Hallon), which is a brilliant Android handset with a Vivaz esque design.

Like the Arc, it will come with a 4 inch LED backlit LCD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. It will be powered by a 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM and an Adreno 205 GPU, just like the Xperia Play. It has an 8 MP camera with an Exmor R sensor and LED flash and also supports 720p video recording. It also has a nice secondary camera, either a 1.3 MP or a 2 MP one, for video calls.
It will be powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest version of the Android OS. It will have the Timescape UI too, and will also offer HDMI out.

Read their Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo Preview

Xperia Play Preview video

You can never get enough of leaks can you?

Even though the Xperia Play hasn't been officially outed, the leaks are pouring and it's actually getting tougher to keep up. The latest being a video, showing someone playing Resident Evil 2 and Rage Racer on the device. Like the previously leaked photos, the device has slide-out controls, featuring both a D-pad and the familiar PlayStation buttons.

MWC is where the Play is slated to be announced. Till then, enjoy the video :)

The PlayStation Phone: Yes it's Real

Finally, the wait is over.

For years, fans have been clamoring for the device, known as the PlayStation Phone, and Sony Ericsson has finally blinked.

The pictures you are looking at were posted on Engadget yesterday. The device is said to be running the latest version of Android i.e. Gingerbread. The actual release date might be the end of this year but it's more likely to be in 2011.

Other specs include:

1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon Processor
512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM
Screen - 3.7 to 4.1 inches
microSD support

The particular model in these shots is still a prototype. As such, the unit doesn't have a custom skin (not even SE's Timescape design seen on the Xperia devices), and is said to be rather buggy.
But am sure Sony Ericsson will iron out all the flaws before the actual launch.

Updated Timescape, Social Phonebook with Android 2.1 update

The Android 2.1 Eclair update for the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 family is still in the works, but their product blog is letting us have another taste with another video of the new firmware running on an X10 and all the goodies that it brings.

The video first shows the updated Timescape. It's reportedly more responsive and now auto-scrolls the text in tiles (e.g. Facebook), so you don't have to open up the dedicated app just to read longer messages. Android 2.1 itself brings goodies - Live Wallpapers. Quick Contacts and the SNS-enabled phonebook are the stars of this show.

More on the XPERIA X10 mini

The XPERIA X10 mini has been getting a lot of attention of late, something which it truly deserves. Well, the folks at Esato have give the device a spin and initial impressions are extremely positive.

There is no doubt in my mind that the X10 Mini will be Sony Ericsson's best seller this year. It will probably be even more popular than the T610, K750 or W995 was when they hit the market. The selling price of approximately 300 Euro is even lower than the price of a W995 are today. A bargain in my opinion. The W995 and X10 Mini display has the same pixel resolution and are of almost the same size W995's 2.6 inch vs 2.55 for X10 Mini. Some of you might prefer hard keys and the X10 Mini Pro coming in a couple of weeks will be the one for you. The X10 Mini is the same phone, but with added sliding QWERTY keyboard. I am waiting for the X10 Mini myself as I am fan of hardware QWERTY keyboards.

Read more here.
My friend Michell has also posted a nice video preview of the X10 mini, and as usual, like all his other work,this one's a treat to watch too.

Xperia X10 mini preview event

My friend Michell attended a X10 mini event in Denmark, managing to rub shoulders with the bigwigs at SE and extracting some valuable info on these devices from them.

An X10 update will be available soon, which will mainly enhance stability and performance of the phone. It’ll be delivered over-the-air. They’re also still on track with the much anticipated and considerably larger Android 2.1 update which is due for Q4 this year. This update will include new functionality such as HD video recording and added DLNA support. The Timescape and Mediascape applications will also be updated with better support for third party services, such as Spotify or even operator services.

Also worth mentioning is that the guys would not confirm or bust the possibility of upgrading to the recently announced Android version 2.2. But they would however say that they’re looking at version 2.2.

Read more here

Xperia X10 mini Preview

The folks at Phone Arena have posted a nice video preview of the small yet powerful Android device.

Spiro and Zylo - Hands On

The folks at SE-First got a chance to play with these new Walkman devices. The 9 minute preview shows the UI, Facebook and Twitter client and how it matches up to other devices design wise. Enjoy!

XPERIA X10 Previewed

Our friends over at SE-blog have just posted a neat video preview of the X10, focusing mainly on Timescape and Mediascape.Definetely worth a watch if you're thinking this Android powerhouse.

XPERIA X10 mini previewed

The folks at GsmArena have previewed the small yet powerful - Xperia X10 mini and they're pretty impressed. Here's what they had to say:

When you're experimenting you want to make sure you minimize mistakes. Well, the first thing about the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini is it just can't be a big mistake. In fact, the only way for it to go wrong would be the price. The pint-sized package may be taken to imply half price. Let's be clear though: it may be a dwarf droid but it still is a full-featured smartphone.
So, this experiment could well be a success. They tried to create a mini handset without sacrificing performance and they simply nailed it.
The touch-optimized interface makes great use of the limited screen estate and the performance is excellent. As snappy as they get, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini only has a few things missing on its specs sheet.
That's why it's a particularly easy handset to recommend - if you are happy with the specs, you might as well go ahead and buy it - the phone will deliver. There won't be any nasty surprises and the handset even has a trick or two up its sleeve.
To make it even simpler - the XPERIA X10 mini is not burdened with the kind of responsibility the original X10 will have to deal with. Instead it brings all the smartphone basics, garnished with a snappy CPU and served in a body that every pocket can take.
It may be that Sony Ericsson have found an empty niche in this busy market. The XPERIA X10 could be too unusual to catch on, too small to get noticed but certainly not afraid to make a stand.

Read their entire preview of the Xperia X10 mini

Sony Ericsson Vivaz Previewed

My friend Michell over at se-blog.com has just posted a neat preview of the Sony Ericsson Vivaz. It's definetely worth a read if you're waiting for the device. Hit the link below to read the complete preview.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Vivaz Preview..

And although I am yet to hold the Vivaz in my hands, its slim, candy-bar design is appealing. The tapered ends give it a streamlined look, and I like the four color choices (cosmic black, moon silver, galaxy blue, and Venus ruby). Its most prominent feature is a 3.2-inch touch screen that supports 16.7 million colors and 360x640 pixels. The back of the handset resembles a standalone camera with a prominent lens and a flash.
Not surprisingly, multimedia is a key theme. Features on the device include an 8.1-megapixel camera with video recording, a music player, assisted GPS, a speakerphone, messaging and e-mail, PC syncing, USB mass storage, stereo Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, TV-out connection, a personal organizer, 3.5 mm jack, and (thankfully) a microSD card slot.

Xperia X10 previewed, disappointing?

Eldar Murtazin, the famous editor of Mobile Review has managed to post an exhaustive preview of the Xperia X10. And as usual, he's back to bashing Sony Ericsson, something which has become quite a ritual of late.

I do agree that Sony Ericsson is at fault and the excessive delay will hamper the potential audience. However the previewer finds the device cheaply built, the screen ordinary and the OS version redundant. I beg to differ.

The X10 has been previewed quite a few times, featured in loads of hands on videos, and not once has there been a complaint about the build quality, which according to me should be stellar, keeping in tune with previous Sony Ericsson handsets.The 4.0 inch capacitive touchscreen sports a 480 x 854 pixels resolution! Pity that any non AMOLED screen nowadays isn't even given a second glance by some. What's the point of having the latest tech ( read AMOLED) if you're not able to use it outdoors due to poor sunlight legibility?

And as far as the Android OS is concerned, X10 will indeed be shipping with version 1.6. Some may find this as not so great news but Sony Ericsson has done the hard work and added most of the functionality delivered in OS version 2.1 in the X10. Coupled with the Timescape and Mediascape apps, the X10 will be able to hold its own easily. Besides, Sony Ericsson has confirmed that they'll be updating the device to a newer OS version eventually so why the fuss?

Anyway, you can check out the preview for some 'light' reading and the plethora of screenshots. Looks pretty promising to say the least.

Sony Ericsson Hazel previewed

 After the Elm preview, the folks at GsmArena have posted a preview of the Greenheart Hazel.

Sony Ericsson must be quite serious about their GreenHeart lineup. The Elm and the Hazel look like the right phones to give it a fresh kickstart. Perhaps there will be more to follow - in the lower segments and with different eco-friendly twists. The point of the Hazel (and the Elm) though is to show that green handsets don't need to be functionally crippled niche devices.

Sony Ericsson Elm previewed

The folks at GsmArena have previewed the 'Greenheart' Elm and here's what they had to say:

The Sony Ericsson Elm isn't a revolutionary device but it sure has a front spot in the company's feature phone lineup. It's arguable whether GreenHeart will be as compelling as Cybershot or Walkman, but the Elm is certainly not limited to an eco-friendly niche. Right the opposite, together with the Hazel, it ventures to take charge of the Sony Ericsson midrange at a moment when the company is radically reshaping its portfolio.

With top-notch connectivity, good 5 megapixel imaging, the green commitment and new approach to social networking, the Elm has a strong enough identity that goes well beyond GreenHeart. A small, lightweight and feature-rich phone, with a distinct design, sounds like a good recipe for success.

We had such a nice time with it we may be tempted to overstate its sales potential. It may be too much and too early to call it a bestseller but it's all cheers on Elm street at present.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Preview

The folks at PhoneArena have just posted a small preview of the Xperia X10, and they're mighty impressed. Here's what they had to say:

If the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 was to be released on the market today, it would be a smashing hit. It comes with great design, eye-pleasing interface and proper integration of social networks and services. Moreover, the X10 has what it takes to win over its rivals in terms of hardware – 4-inch screen, fast 1GHz processor and 8.1-megapixel camera. All this sounds truly impressive, but when do we get to see it hit the shelves? Officially, the Xperia X10 is expected in Q1 2010. We do hope that Sony Ericsson manages to roll out the phone on schedule, because delays equate to an increased number of strong rivals. As of today, however, things are looking good for Sony Ericsson´s first Android device and its future seems serene.

Read their complete Xperia X10 Preview

XPERIA X10 Preview

GsmArena has posted a preview of the upcoming Android Monster - the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. In case you're still clueless about it, I suggest you take a look at its specs below, which'll help you understand why the world is going ga-ga over this device.

• General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/1900/2100 MHz, HSDPA, HSUPA
• Form factor: Touchscreen bar phone
• Dimensions: 119 x 63 x 13 mm, 135 g
• Display: 4" 65K-color TFT capacitive touchscreen, 854 x 480 pixels
• Platform: Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon 1 GHz processor
• OS: Android 1.6 (Donut)
• Memory: 1GB storage, 256MB RAM, microSD card slot, 8GB card included in the retail box
• Camera: 8 megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash and face detection; touch focus, WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) video recording at 30fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack
• Misc: Sony Ericsson Timescape and Mediascape UI, built-in accelerometer 

You like what you see don't you? ;)

Anyhoo...here's what they had to say:

 The display contrast is nice and the sunlight legibility is the best we have seen on a Sony Ericsson handset. In fact out there in the bright sun, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 is as good as the Apple iPhone. 

All the homescreens, lockscreen, menus, submenus, notifications areas and internal buttons have been redesign completely by Sony Ericsson. As a result, X10 brings a completely new underwater-like blue interface and looks completely different from it Android siblings.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 takes pretty good photos with excellent detail and colors even at this early pre-production stage. There are no visible problems with the lens or processing algorithm. There are some things here and there that need polishing, but we are more than satisfied with the results.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 is far from official release but it's clear it's full of potential. It has among the currently fastest ticking hardware platform. The 4-inch screen is as big as you can fit on a mobile phone without hampering usability. So yes, the XPERIA X10 is one great package that will take on the competition with no hesitation.
Choosing Android is smart move by Sony Ericsson, since the OS is still new and developing, with free open-source code and a growing App Market. And most importantly, it's not plagued by the Windows Mobile or Symbian legacy.

The Timescape and Mediascape interfaces allow for a completely new user experience on the Android platform. HTC Sense UI will definitely get a run for its money.
Unfortunately, there are at least two and a half months to go before Sony Ericsson release the XPERIA X10 and they still have a lot of work to do and a lot of edges to polish. Chances are we'll be getting a real treat in February 2010.

Xperia X10 Hands-On

Michell attended a local Xperia X10 event yesterday where he managed to play around with the X10 for a while. Quite a bit of new info and loads of nice pictures. Here's an excerpt:


"I simply love the Timescape application. It seems to work brilliantly. Note that it’s a separate application developed by Sony Ericsson and that the default home screen is the ordinary Android home screen. You can however set Timescape to be your home screen, if that’s what you want. An awesome thing is that it’s modular, meaning you can check which tabs to show and you’ll even be able to install plugins to add additional tabs."

"Face recognition seems to be an excellent feature, capable of tagging people in the photos you take and receive on your X10."

"The phone does come with a built-in magnometer (compass), and coupled with the GPS you can use augmented reality applications. I was shown one application in which you could add several different layers on top of the camera view."

"It’ll be released with Android version 1.6, but a future firmware update will introduce Android 2.0. The major improvements in 2.0 have however already been added to the X10 by Sony Ericsson, i.e. Bluetooth file transfer, Exchange support and social media services support.The pricing of the X10 will be roughly the same as the launch price of the Satio."


Read his complete Xperia X10 report

Sony Ericsson Kurara Previewed

Eldar Murtazin, the man- the legend behind Mobile-Review has done it again. A preview of the Sony Ericsosn Kurara has been published at Mobile-Review, with loads of pics and Eldar's own views. If you're looking to lay your hands on the Kurara, this preview is certainly worth a look.

Here's what he had to say:

Although there is one area where it excels and that’s UI, for it’s the fastest Symbian-based smartphone to date, based on Cortex A8 with 256 Mb RAM.at this point, it’s said the Kukara will retail for 400 Euro at the minimum, which is simply too much for a product of this caliber. If it hits the market at this price point, it won’t have even a chance to make any sort of impact.

The U5’s production cost hovers at around 200 Euro, so by forgoing their lust for extra-high margins and opting to retail it for 300 Euro ( around Rs 21000), they’d be able to turn it into a milestone device and a true icon for its segment. In a way, it’d be more like the Sony Ericsson T610/K750 that shined on the market several years ago. Which route will they pick? We’ll see in a couple of months. If they fail to cut its price down to 300 Euro, the U5 will pass unnoticed.

Hope you're listening Sony Ericsson.

While made out of plastic, it feels pleasant in the hand. The back cover is so thin that sometimes it seems that you’d be able to pierce it with your finger. Yet, it feels quite sturdy and not loose by any means. The phone carries a microSD memory card slot, although there isn’t much bundled memory at all. The display seems to be pretty sensitive, as it’s similar to the one employed in the Satio. On top of that, the U5 boasts a 3.5mm audio jack at the top, as well as a microUSB socket. As far as its battery time is concerned, in our tests it lasted around one day, although we did give it a run for its money there. Its proprietary UI sports a twitter client, and a Satio-esque Facebook app.

The U5’s camera is nothing to write home about, and except for its 720p resolution for video. ( hope SE works on this!)

The product doesn’t offer any innovations that can make one open his mouth and say “Wow” – it’s a solid, likable phone, whose fate depends entirely on its price tag. At 300 Euro it’ll be a bestseller, make no mistake about that; however if they opt to charge a premium for the non-existent brand value, it won’t make any impact on the market. All in all, the U5 is a decent phone, but it needs a fitting marketing strategy more than anything else right now.

Read the entire preview of the Kurara

Sony Ericsson Satio video Preview

Our friend Michell over at se-blog,com has posted a 17-minute video preview of the Sony Ericsson Satio. I suggest you get a cup of coffee before you sit down to enjoy the show!

Xperia X10 Preview - Live Pics & Video

Rog has posted a huge preview of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 over at se-first.com. They have covered everything including Timescape, Mediascape, e-mail client, browser, messaging and camera app and there's also loads of pics for you to drool over.

The key features are:

• Android 1.6 (Donut)
• WVGA screen (480 x 854)
• Scratch resistant, 4 inches, capacitive TFT touchsreen
• Size: 119 x 63 x 13 mm, 135 grams
• 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 processor
• Sony Ericsson Timescape™ & Mediascape™ User Interface2
• HSPA
• 8 Megapixel camera with touchfocus, multipoint-focus, automatic scene detection, smile detection
• WVGA video recording
• Face recognition on pictures
• aGPS
• Exchange ActiveSync
• 3.5mm headset jack, miniUSB connector
• 1500mAh battery

Let's have a look at the newly introduced concept of Timescape and Mediascape, which basically represents Sony Ericsson's customization of the Android UI.

Timescape™ is - in short - a way of displaying a variety of interactions with traditional and social networks, ordered chronologically on a timeline. It includes events of the following categories:

• Incoming SMS/MMS
• Incoming mails
• Incoming calls
• Twitter Tweets of people you are subscribed to
• Facebook wall posts of your facebook account
• Camera pictures taken

Mediascape consists of three areas: Music, Photos and Videos. The music part features an overview where the upper part of the screen represents the music that is already available on the XPERIA X10 ('My Music'). The lower part shows a selection of recommended and new tracks from Sony Ericsson's music platform, the PlayNow arena. For those who don't like to get purchase proposals, the PlayNow-arena can be switched off, so that the phone shows local contenct only.
The video section features a video player that shows videos stored on the phone. It is capable of playing videos in landscape and portrait format. Not much more to say - other than that the videos look gorgeous on the large 4'' screen!

Since Android is a new platform to Sony Ericsson phones, the camera application also got a little makeover. Certainly the biggest news in this area is the face recognition - probably a direct benefit of X10's very fast 1GHz processor, since face recognition technology requires some processing power. Other novelties in the camera area are the multi-point focus and the touch recording for videos. Also nice: the last 5 videos/pictures taken are shown in a small strip at the bottom of the camera, for fast access to sharing or deleting the pictures just taken.

The camera shoots pictures in the following resolutions: 8MP (4:3), 6MP (16:9), 2MP (4:3) and 2MP (16:9)

Videos can be captured in WVGA, VGA, QVGA and optimized for MMS and the online video services YouTube, Flick and Picasa.