Sony Ericsson Xmas marketing push to focus on Xperia ray and Xperia arc S

by XB on September 9, 2011

in News,Xperia arc,Xperia ray

Sony Ericsson UK will focus its marketing efforts on the recently released 3.3-inch Xperia ray and upcoming 4.2-inch Xperia arc S in the run up to Christmas. UK marketing director David Hilton recently told Mobile that the “Xperia Ray will get the biggest amount of investment, including a TV campaign. It’s got everything the Arc has in terms of power and technology, but with a more compact design”.


He went on to say that the “Xperia arc S and the Xperia ray will give us two very strong products that will appeal to the high-end and mainstream audiences. The mid-tier is not that well serviced with affordable, but very high-quality smartphones, so the ray will allow us to compete better in that market.” At £300 the Xperia ray does look like good value for money, especially since it only lacks a HDMI and some screen real estate from the Xperia arc S.

Xperia ray manual now available

by XB on September 12, 2011

in News,Tips & Tricks,Xperia ray

Now that the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray has just started to ship in some territories, we thought the early adopters may want the manual to get the most out of the phone.

Sony Ericsson has just released a full extended manual (119 pages) which you can download here [PDF]. It’s well worth keeping a copy handy for future reference.

Xperia comparison tool released

by XB on September 12, 2011

in News

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed the ‘Comparison‘ tab at the top of the website that went live over the last few days. We decided to amalgamate all of the main specifications for all of the Xperia Android smartphones released to date. The table should give you easy and quick access to the specs of the phone you are looking for and will be updated as new phones are released. Do check it out and please let us know if you have any suggestions to improve it even further.

3D Sweep Panorama pictures - first look

Thursday, 25 August 2011 06:48 | Written by rog
source: se-first.com

3D Sweep Panorama is a new camera functionality that Sony Ericsson will provide to a number of Xperia smartphones. We took this cool new feature on a test ride - sample photos right after the break!
Sony Ericsson once more made use of a Sony technology. The 3D Sweep Panorama feature is already in use for quite some time in some of  Sony's compact camera models. It is a way to take 3D pictures using only 1 camera module. Other 3D solutions need 2 camera modules which take pictures from 2 different angles simultaniously. The 3D Sweep Panorama uses the sweep motion to take a large amount of pictures in a row, then stitches them together and calculates 2 single pictures which represent the very same scenery from two slightly different angles. These files are then combined into one .mpo file (Multi Picture Object) which can be interpreted by 3D capable devices such as 3D TVs. Confused? So are we :-) Let's just move over and have a look at the result of all this.

Below are a couple of sample pictures shot using the (3D) sweep panorama function on an Xperia ray. Please be aware that this is still preliminary software, so things might change until the final release. However, we think this works already quite amazingly. The red/cyan stereoscopic images were generated using an Android application called "3DSteroid", which can convert the .mpo-files that the camera on the phone generates into pretty much any 3D format. If you have a 3D capable TV, you can directly have a look at those 3D pictures from the phone via the HDMI out connector (if available on the phone).

Alright, grab your red/cyan 3D glasses and have a look (click on the images for the original file)!

The 3D Sweep Panorama feature is part of a software update for all 2011 Xperia devices and will be rolled-out starting in October 2011. We will cover all of the other new features (Android 2.3.4, Facebook Inside upgrade) of that update later on, so stay tuned.


Here is the 2D representation of the picture.
Here is the stereoscopic 3D representation of the picture for red/cyan glasses.

Here is the stereoscopic 3D representation of the picture for red/cyan glasses.

Here is the stereoscopic 3D representation of the picture for red/cyan glasses.

Exclusive: Sony Ericsson Nozomi landing in March 2012 with a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core, 4.3-inch 720p screen.

by XB on September 2, 2011
in News,Rumours

One of our insider Sony Ericsson sources has been in touch recently to give us some more details on what will be the company’s hero phone for 2012. Nozomi will be armed with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB internal storage and a monster 4.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution. This would give it a pixel density of 342 PPI, above that of the iPhone 4 at 326 PPI.

Nozomi will be the first Sony Ericsson phone to come with a micro-SIM and will have no memory card options. It will also come with NFC and a 1750mAh battery. The phone is currently scheduled for a March 2012 release , which would make sense as this is when the company normally launches its new ‘Hero’ phones i.e. the Xperia X10 was launched in March 2010 and the Xperia arc / PLAY was launched in March 2011.


It goes without saying that we’d classify all of this firmly under the rumour category for now and our source says that some of the specifications are subject to change. We wouldn’t normally speculate without hard proof but this source has given some credible information in the past so we have no reason to doubt.

Thanks tipster!

Sony Ericsson unveils it's Faster entertainment experience with the new Xperia™ arc S

August 31st, 2011

Xperia™ arc is my current favourite phone and it has almost been glued to my hand for six months now. Apparently I’m not the only one finding it attractive. Xperia™ arc was awarded with EISA award for best European camera phone back in August  and has also won the prestigious red dot product design award. Today, in conjunction to the big IFA fair in Berlin, we are proud to present the new Xperia™ arc S – the fastest and most entertaining Xperia™ phone to date.

Xperia™ arc S comes with a 1.4 Ghz processor compared to 1 Ghz in Xperia arc. It also contains the new photo feature 3D Sweep Panorama presented last week . I’ve tried it out and it’s surprisingly cool! It’s easy to use to. You simply sweep the camera across the objects you want to capture and while you do it you’re guided in the phones camera interface. During the sweep movement the camera will take lots of pictures and then recompute them into a 3D picture. To view the picture in 3D you connect Xperia™ arc S to a 3D TV through the HDMI connector. We’ll try to provide you with a demo on how it works here soon, although in 2D:-)

Xperia™ arc S also comes with Facebook inside Xperia™ 2.0 out of the box. The most important updates from the current version of Facebook inside Xperia™ are that you’ll now be able share games and apps through Facebook, like music from FM radio and see the latest images uploaded by your friends in your phones gallery.

At the same stage in Berlin, Sony also just presented Sony Entertainment Network – a portal to entertainment services including music and movies from the major labels and studios and many independent ones to. Sony Entertainment Network will work across many different devices and for Sony Ericsson consumers (in the markets where the service is available) this means that you’ll get access to a catalogue of over 10 million music tracks from the cloud based subscription Music Unlimited service and all the latest movie releases from the on-demand Video Unlimited service in your Xperia™ phone.

We’ll be back with more info from IFA in Berlin.

Read more about Xperia™ arc S on our website.
As always, you can find the full press release here.

Written by Martina Johansson
Posted in applications, Events, Product Launches, Xperia arc S

 

• Xperia™ arc S has a powerful 1.4 Ghz processor delivering up to 25% faster entertainment compared to Xperia arc ™
• Winner of the EISA award “European Camera Phone 2011-2012”*

31st August 2011, Berlin, Germany – Sony Ericsson today unveiled Xperia™ arc S at Sony’s press conference in conjunction with IFA in Berlin. Taking the award-winning sleek design from Xperia arc*,the latest addition to the Xperia™ family has a processor upgraded to 1.4Ghz, Sony 3D sweep panorama technology and access to the Sony Entertainment Network services – “Music Unlimited” and “Video Unlimited”**. Xperia™ arc S features 25% faster camera start up and media conversion , along with 20% faster web page rendering compared to Xperia™ arc***.
Consumers with a 2011 Xperia™ smartphone are now able to enjoy “Music Unlimited” and “Video Unlimited” subject to market availability**:

• “Music Unlimited” has a global catalogue of over 10 million unique songs**** with access to your personal music library and ad free radio channels across multiple devices.
• “Video Unlimited” (currently exclusive to Sony Ericsson Xperia™) is the ultimate source for the latest Hollywood blockbusters, all-time classics, and TV shows from all major studios.

Nikolaus Scheurer, Head of Product Marketing at Sony Ericsson said:  “Xperia™ arc S is the fastest and most entertaining Xperia™ to date and it clearly demonstrates how the Xperia™ family are the best smartphones to experience great entertainment services such as Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited.”
In addition to these services, Xperia™ arc S includes best-in-class Sony technology such as 3D sweep panorama. 3D sweep panorama images can be captured and then viewed by connecting the phone to a 3D TV using the HDMI output.
Xperia™ arc S also has a visually brilliant 4.2” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, an 8.1mp camera with HD video capability and Sony’s award winning Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor that enhances still images and videos even in low light conditions.
Consumers also have access to a uniquely social entertainment experience of sharing and discovery with Facebook inside Xperia™, plus the extensive world of Android with over 250,000 applications.

Xperia™ arc S at a glance:

• Super fast 1.4 GHz processor
• 3D and 2D sweep panorama photography
• 8.1 MP camera with Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor
• 4.2“ Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
• Latest Android™ platform Gingerbread 2.3

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc S will be available globally in selected markets from Q4 2011.
For full details all products news, please visit the press room and the product blog:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/latestnews
http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/
* Xperia™arc S and Xperia™ arc are winners of the EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) award for European Camera Phone 2011-2012. Xperia™ arc is also the winner of the prestigious red dot Product Design Award 2011

** Availability of Sony Entertainment Network services:

• “Music Unlimited” and “Video Unlimited” are expected to become available on Xperia™ arc S and launch timing will vary by region. Customers will be notified when services are available.
• Markets for Video Unlimited: USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, UK, France, Australia, Canada and Japan
• Markets for Music Unlimited: USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, UK, France, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand

*** Based on internal tests.
****  The number of songs available from this catalogue varies by region
Colour

• Pure White
• Midnight Blue
• Misty Silver
• Gloss Black
• Sakura Pink

Facts 1)2)

• Size: 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm
• Weight: 117 grams
• Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)
• Processor: 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255

Camera

• 3D sweep panorama
• 8.1 megapixel camera
• 16x smart zoom
• Aperture f/2.4
• Auto focus
• Face detection
• Face recognition
• Flash/LED
• Geo tagging
• HD video recording (720p)
• Image stabiliser
• Red-eye reduction
• Scene detection
• Self-timer
• Send to web
• Smile detection
• Sony Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor
• Sweep panorama
• Touch capture
• Touch focus
• Video light
• Video recording
• Video stabiliser

Music

• Album art
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™ service
• Sony Ericsson Music Player
• TrackID™ music recognition
• xLOUD™ Loudness Enhancement Technology

Internet

• Android Market™
• Bookmarks
• Google™ search
• Google Voice™ Search
• Pan & zoom
• Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

• Call list
• Conference calls
• Facebook™ application
• Facebook inside Xperia™ 2.0
• Google Talk™
• Noise Shield
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Sony Ericsson Timescape™
• Speakerphone
• Twitter™ (Timescape™integration)*
• Vibrating alert

Messaging

• Conversations
• Email
• Google Mail™
• Instant messaging
• Multimedia messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Auto rotation
• Keyboard (on-screen, QWERTY)
• Live wallpaper
• Picture wallpaper
• Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
• Screenshot capturing
• Swipe to write
• Touch screen

Entertainment
* This service may not be available in every market

• 3D games
• Accelerated Adobe Flash Video
• Media browser
• Motion gaming
• Video  Unlimited
• Music Unlimited
• Radio (FM radio with RDS)
• Video streaming
• YouTube™*

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Document readers
• E-Manual
• Flight mode
• Google Calendar™
• Google Gallery 3D
• Infinite button
• Phonebook
• Setup guide
• Widget manager

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• aGPS
• Bluetooth™ technology
• DLNA Certified™
• Google Latitude™
• Google Maps™ with Street View
• HDMI support
• Media Transfer Protocol support
• Micro USB support
• Modem
• Native USB tethering
• Synchronisation via Facebook™
• Synchronisation via Google Sync™
• Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
• Synchronisation via Exchange ActiveSync®
• USB mass storage
• USB High speed 2.0 support
• USB OTG
• Wi-Fi®
• Wi-Fi® Hotspot functionality

Display

• 16,777,216 colour TFT
•  Capacitive multi-touch
•  4.2 inches
•  854 x 480 pixels (FWVGA)
•  Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant mineral glass

Memory

• Phone memory (user-free): Up to 320MB
• Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32GB

Networks

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

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

Battery life

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 7 hrs 25 min*
• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 460 hrs*

• Talk time UMTS: Up to 7 hrs 35 min*
• Standby time UMTS: Up to 460 hrs*

• Music listening time: Up to 37 hrs*
• Video playback time: Up to 6 hrs 25 min*

In the kit

• Xperia™ arc S
• Removable battery
• Stereo portable handsfree
• 8GB microSD™ memory card
• Charger
• Micro USB cable for charging
• Synchronisation and file transfer
• User documentation

*According to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique. Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configurations, and phone usage