No Windows Mobile 6.5 update for the X1

Users of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 who have been wondering if their smartphone will be upgraded to Windows Mobile (WM) 6.5 can finally stop obsessing over it. Putting the matter to rest, a Sony Ericsson spokesperson confirmed that there will not be an official update.

Some of you may be rightfully upset by this, as the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 has been one of the more expensive handsets of recent times, and while ROM’s are available on XDA-Developers they are not blessed with official updated drivers, meaning they would have issues not present in an official release.

Via: CraveAsia

New Firmware for X1

According to SEMC Blog, Sony Ericsson is planing to release the new firmware version for the Xperia X1. It is likely to include BlackBerry connect among other fixes and updates. The new firmware probably will starts with index R3 and it will be released in June 2009. You can update your Xperia X1 to the new firmware using Sony Ericsson Update Service.

Two new UIs available for XPERIA X1

A while ago, the guys over at PointUI had released the beta version of their new home-2 software. Now the pro version is available although there's no trial. However it lacks the ability to use the keyboard to search through your contacts which might act as a big deterrant for some.

SPB shell 3.0, which came out last week, is pretty good. It’s impossible to compare it to the free panel version which comes with the Xperia as it does so much more, including, incorporating a similar 2.0like interface which it refers to as the “professional” desktop. A vertical swipe down the touch screen switches between the professional and lifestyle desktops. You can read the excellent review by Xperiancer. Hit the link below to download.

Download the 15 day trial

Sony Ericsson enters Korean market with Xperia X1

Sony Ericsson today announced the launch its business in Korea. Sony Ericsson will cooperate with SK Telecom, who will be carrying the XPERIA X1 smartphone. SK Telecom, who will be the distributor of the phone, has decided to customize the X1 with the local Korean customers in mind. This means that there’ll be three new panels - “My smart panel”, “DAUM panel” and “My PC panel” - in addition to the regular panels.

The “My smart panel” is an Internet service for smartphones developer by SK Telefom, and it provides users access to online services, such as e-mail, Messenger and Internet browsing. The “DAUM panel” is a panel by Sony Ericsson that provides users with instant access to services found on the DAUM portal, including e-mail, web search and T-story. The last of the three panels, “My PC panel” will allow users to use media services by connecting the handset to the content and software of a PC through WiBro.

Our vision for the Xperia X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile web communication and multimedia entertainment in a distinctive stylish design,” said Hirokazu Ishizuka, Corporate Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific Region of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. ”Customised panel interface on the Xperia X1 means that our customers will be able to live their lives to the fullest by enjoying the premium experience of energised communications in their own way.

We are very excited to establish Sony Ericsson’s presence in Korea and firmly believe that we have the right product to offer to Korean consumers,” said Hirokazu Ishizuka, Corporate Vice President and Head of the Asia Pacific region. ”Working closely with our strategic partner, SK Telecom, we will build the Sony Ericsson brand awareness and increase our mindshare within the marketplace.

"Xperia X1 is truly a personalized phone which offers smart-phone users an innovative yet premium mobile multimedia experience,” said Youn-hee Han, Head of Sony Ericsson Korea. “Worldwide, it is the first time that the Xperia X1 has been customized with four panels to suit a local market needs, and it is a clear indication of Sony Ericsson’s commitment to the market.” “As the strategic partner for Xperia X1, we are honoured to support the launch of Sony Ericsson in Korea, and to mark this milestone in the local telecommunications industry. With its full touch, unique customizable panel interface, we believe Xperia X1 will prove to be popular with sophisticated Korean mobile phone users,"said Joon Dong Bae, Executive Vice President of SK Telecom.

The Korean X1 will enter the market with a 4 GB MicroSD card, preloaded with the Spiderman 3 movie. The first 1,000 customers to buy the X1 will also get their names engraved on their X1, as well as a luxurious leather phone case - all for free.

You can check out the website for Korean X1 owners. Pretty neat!

Evernote Panel now available for XPERIA X1

The Evernote panel is now available for download from the Sony Ericsson website. Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.

Via: Xperiancers

SE updates WM Panels SDK, adds OpenGL ES support

Just a few days ago, Sony Ericsson updated its Windows Mobile panels SDK to version 1.0.5. The updated version now adds support for the brilliant OpenGL ES, which means the XPERIA panels can now be hardware accelerated. Since the X1 has a powerful graphics processor, it'll be great see the results.

Here's the link from where you can download the SDK and get started!

Windows Mobile panels SDK


Via: Xperiancers

New XPERIA panels unveiled

Sony Ericsson today unveils four new panels for its Xperia™ X1 mobile phone. Available to download from mid-march March 2009, the latest panels enhance the unique user interface of the X1 that enables users to customise the handset, bringing the content and applications they want onto their active desktop.

* A new CNN panel keeps you constantly updated with the latest news, sport, or weather and a host of CNN content including access to CNN’s popular citizen journalism tool, ‘i-Report’. Browse information by category, personalise your experience or plug in your location and get instant updates for wherever you are in the world.

* A unique Skype panel brings quick access to Skype on the X1, telling you at a glance which of your friends are online. Browse easily through your contacts and call or instant message them in just a couple of clicks, or customise your handset using the evening, daylight or event based effects.

* For those who just want to have fun, a new Mytopia panel lets you play bingo and poker games with people around the world. With millions of users there is always someone online to play against or you can play by yourself. You can even collect virtual coins and improve your rank by winning live matches.

* For those always on the move, the specially developed ‘On the Road’ panel includes large touch icons and a simple layout. Offering direct access to your music playlists and tracks, navigation tools and easy to use call-handling, this panel will makes your driving convenient and entertaining wherever the road takes you.

Since its launch in Q4 2008, close to 420,000 panels have been downloaded onto X1 devices around the world with half a million unique hits for X1 panels on the Sony Ericsson Fun & Downloads service.

Full Press Release

XPERIA X1 Webinar

Sony Ericsson will host a live X1 webinar in about three hours (at 5 PM CET / GMT +1). The webinar will be about the pre-loaded panels and how you can personalize your XPERIA X1 by downloading new panels.

Sony Ericsson also recently released a new firmware update for the X1, dubbed R2, which speeds up the device and fixed bugs here and there.

Register for the Webinar

Sony Ericsson Parts Ways With HTC

Sony Ericsson has decided to ditch HTC in favor of a Taiwan-based company called Mobinnova in making their next-generation Windows Mobile device.

Mobinnova is actually a handset maker under Foxconn Electronics. A Chinese report from Commercial Times points to them as Sony Ericsson’s new partner in creating their follow-ups to the Xperia X1, which has been built by HTC.

Sony Ericsson’s Windows Mobile-based smartphone portfolio is set to grow, but it won’t be happening with HTC anymore, since according to reports, Mobinnova will take over SE’s WinMo phone production once the current run of Xperia X1 production gets finished.

We sure hope Mobinnova lives upto the expectations...especially since HTC did one hell of a job with the X1, which is one sexy smartphone.

Online XPERIA Panel Creator

Over at MySonyEricssonBlog.com they’ve got an excellent online tool for those of us with an XPERIA X1 or intentions of buying one. This tool is an online XPERIA panel creator that is capable of creating and compiling HTML panels that will work on the X1.

On the site is a rather extensive guide to how the panels are created and what you’ll need to do to create one yourself.

Here's a sample design created by one of the enthusiastic users.

So just click on the link below to start creating a panel for your X1. Have Fun!

XPERIA HTML panel creator

Via: USEB

XPERIA X1 Review

PhoneArena has just posted its comprehensive review of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Here's what they had to say:

All in all we have to give the Xperia X1 high marks, especially for Sony Ericsson’s first attempt at a Windows Mobile device. Having HTC by your side definitely helps, but we like Sony’s innovative panel interface even if it isn’t quite as good as TouchFLO 3D. The screen is downright gorgeous, and the keyboard one of the better ones we’ve used. There is room for improvement though, and we eagerly await the X2.

Read their XPERIA X1 Review

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 Pictures

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 is based on Windows Mobile and features the new XPERIA panel interface which is a new vision of the interactive level that a touchscreen device must provide. The phone boasts a large 3” VGA display and underneath it a full QWERTY keyboard. The handset supports 3G and WiFi networks and GPS. Other characteristics include a large 400MB storage, memory card slot and 3.15 MP camera. Don't forget to press the thumbnails for the full view.

XPERIA X1 Facebook Panel demo

Intomobile has just posted this demo video which shows off the XPERIA X1's facebook panel. Enjoy!

Sony Ericsson launches new panels for the X1

We had recently told you about the new Facebook Panel launched by Sony Ericsson for the XPERIA X1. Besides that, Sony Ericsson has also launched a Dashwire and Windows Live Panel.

The Windows Live panel uses existing Windows Live ID to sync contacts held in the X1’s phonebook, and the panel will provide easy access to an intuitive Microsoft messenger interface, including Hotmail and Live Messenger, the world’s most widely used free instant messaging service. The panel will also give users access to the Windows Live Search function, which is tailored to mobile phones and can be voice activated and controlled. Other Windows Live services will be incorporated into the panel throughout the year.

Todd Peters, corporate vice president of marketing, Microsoft Mobile Communications Business said:

We're thrilled to partner with Sony Ericsson and deliver our Windows Mobile platform and Windows Live panel on the XPERIA X1. 460 million Windows Live users can step into the XPERIA X1 and tap into the Microsoft experience they already use everyday

The Dashwire panel seamlessly synchronises the X1 and the content it captures with a user's computer and the web. Dashwire's free service helps users automatically sync the contacts, text messages, photos, videos, calls, and settings from their phones to a private cloud-based account, providing them with access to their information when in front of a computer or on-the-go using their XPERIA X1, and making it easy for users to do things like backup their contacts, send text messages from the web, and share their photos and videos with friends and social sites like Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, FriendFeed, and Bebo.

Ford Davidson, founder and CEO of Dashwire said:

Panels open up an exciting set of opportunities for users to interact with their personalized experiences, and for developers to help bring them to life.By building out a custom panel, we’ve enabled our users to instantly access all of their photos stored in the cloud with just a flick of their finger.

Download XPERIA X1 Panels

Full Press Release

Xperia X1 launched in India!

India is fast becoming the launch pad for hi-end mobile phones. Sony Ericsson launched the Xperia X1 in India a good two weeks before the US launch.

The X1 has killer looks and an arc-slider design, with fully functional nine customisable panels, a 3-inch clear wide VGA display, a full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key and optical joystick navigation and a 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera within a quality metal-finish body. Phew!

It is SE’s first Windows Mobile handset and has the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi support.

Sudhin Mathur, General Manager, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications had this to say:

Xperia X1 is the first product under Sony Ericsson’s new premium sub-brand Xperia. Designed to meet consumers’ needs for a converged entertainment and mobile web communication experience, the Xperia X1 is an exceptionally stylish handset, enhanced by the striking arc-slider design, encased in real stainless steel, to provide quality and durability. It is supported by a powerful panel multimedia ecosystem

He further added:

XperiaX1 can be personalised through its nine panel user interface to suit the user’s moods and lifestyle. Users can access content quickly and directly through the touch screen, easily switching between applications by touching one of the unique customizable panels. The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. With Windows Mobile, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and Wi-Fi support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. Xperia is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience – anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone.

The X1 will lighten your pocket by a whopping Rs 44,000! But considering what you get in return, it isn't a compromise of any sort

Facebook releases XPERIA panel for the X1!

Sony Ericsson released a new panel for the X1 today - a Facebook panel! And its incredible!

The user interface is spectacular, easy to use and very fast, and the overall functionality of the panel is impressive. You can pretty much do anything you can normally do on a computer with this panel! This includes viewing profiles, sending and receiving messages, reading and writing on walls, checking out photo galleries, and even uploading your own photos.

You can change your status text and view other people’s status updates, as well as check your notifications.

The panel also includes a phonebook that actually lets you call your friends if they’ve added their phone number to the phonebook. That’s a really nice feature that can come in handy to a lot!

I must admit, Sony Ericsson does seem to have a winner in the X1 as the panel interface makes the device so much more customizable and user friendly. It also does well to cover the flaws of windows mobile, which isn't really the most friendly OS out there.

Download the Facebook Panel for your X1

Via: USEB

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Review

The folks at USEB have just posted their Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Review, with the X1 coming out a winner all through! Here's what they had to say:

The X1 really is a smart phone for the everyman; a combination of superb features, great panel interfaces, luxurious design, impressive battery performance and solid build quality make the X1 a handset that will appeal to everyone from the serious business user to the early adopting geek to the multimedia junkie. Sony Ericsson has outdone itself with the X1, and it will hopefully be the spark that sets of a renaissance in Sony Ericsson smart phone sin the years to come. In the present, consumers can look forward to owning a superb piece of technology.

Check out their Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Review.

XPERIA X1a to be released on November 28

It is now official that the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1a, the American version of this extremely stylish and powerful smartphone, is going to be released on November 28 this year. The X1a is said to be available exclusively at Best Buy and the official Sony Style webshop, where you can already pre-order the phone for about 800 USD.

XPERIA X1 gets reviewed!

No other phone in Sony Ericsson's history has attracted as much attention as the XPERIA X1, all of it being well deserved. We knew this one was a winner, right from the word go!

Engadget is the latest to jump into the fray and come out with their own review of this extremely slick handset.

In almost every other way, though, the XPERIA X1 shines. The battery life is stellar, the browsing in Opera is delightful, the VGA resolution is drool-worthy and the integrated camera isn't too shabby, either. This here truly is a case of matching up the pros and cons with your specific needs and determining which list outweighs the other. Now, if someone figures out how to get Android up and running on this thing, we wouldn't say a "wholehearted recommendation" would be too far from the realm of feasibility.

So go and get a cup of steaming hot coffee and enjoy reading their XPERIA X1 Review

Sony Ericsson X1 Xperia Pictures

Here are some new pictures of the highly acclaimed Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Press the thumbnails for the full 800x600 pixels view. Enjoy!

Just in case you've been living in a cave all this while, the XPERIA X1 is an arc-slider phone with the Windows Mobile 6.1 Operating System. It is Sony Ericsson's first mobile phone to feature Windows Mobile.

The phone features a three-inch touchscreen overlaying a QWERTY keypad which emerges when the user slides the touchscreen face upward, much as in the HTC TyTN II, although the X1's touchscreen slides out in an arc.

Its touchscreen is a 65,536-color TFT WVGA display. It has a 3.2 megapixel digital camera which records video at thirty frames per second in VGA (640x480) quality. There is also a secondary front facing camera for videoconferencing that is of QCIF format. Connectivity options for the phone include: mini-USB; wireless LAN 802.11b/g; Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, FTP, and HID; EDGE; and quad-band GSM, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, and HSCSD. The X1 has 512MB of internal memory (400MB free). The phone also features A-GPS for navigation.The X1 also ships with Opera Mobile pre-installed. Standard features on the X1 include push email, an RSS feed aggregator, and handwriting recognition.

The device is powered by Qualcomm's ARM 11 MSM7200A CPU, which runs at 528 MHz. The device's memory is 384MB RAM.

Via: DailyMobile