Leaked Android 4.0 ICS ROM hits Xperia PLAY [Video]

by XB on January 9, 2012

in Android,Firmware,News,Videos,Xperia PLAY

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY already has an Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich alpha ROM by ICX, however a newer and more complete ROM has become available to PLAY owners. The ROM, which is based on Android 4.0.3, was apparently leaked anonymously and therefore it is more fully-featured than the previous ICX ROM. Users have DooMLoRD from xda-developers to thank for turning the leaked ROM into something usable for end-users.

It’s not all perfect though as the camera is not working and the stock launcher does not allow anyone to add widgets to the homescreen. However, you can use the Trebuchet launcher to get round the latter issue. This ROM is pre-rooted and includes the ICS boot animation. See a couple of preview videos of this in action below.






Via xda-developers.
Thanks Guddu!

Xperia handsets get WebGL Android browser support [Video]

by XB on November 29, 2011

in News,Videos

Sony Ericsson added WebGL support for Xperia phones in the latest firmware update. What is WebGL you may ask? Well it basically allows you to generate interactive 3D graphics inside the Android web browser without plugins. Sony Ericsson says that they are the first manufacturer to add WebGL support. Developers will be able to start using the technology to produce future web-based apps.

To see some interactive demos for yourself, Sony Ericsson has provided three to test on your 2011 Xperia device (as long as you are running the 4.0.2.A.0.42 firmware update and beyond). You can choose between demos of the Sony Ericsson logo, Walt Disney and two Ninjas. Be prepared to wait though, they do take a bit of time to load. If you don’t have the latest update, then we’ve attached a short video demo of this 3D technology in action after the cut.



Via Sony Ericsson Developer Blog.

Android 2.3.4 heading to new Xperia range in October [Video]

by XB on August 25, 2011
in Android,Firmware,Imaging,News,Videos

Back in May, we reported that Sony Ericsson were planning to update the 2011 Xperia range to Android 2.3.4 starting from October 2011. Lo and behold this is exactly what they’ve announced this morning. Along with the Android 2.3.4 update, Sony Ericsson will include a new 3D panorama feature and further enhancements to Facebook inside Xperia.

One of the big new features of Android 2.3.4 is that it will allow video chat through Google Talk. If you already use Skype or some other service this is unlikely to mean too much to you. The new Facebook inside Xperia features include the ability to share apps and games with friends/family.

There will also be camera improvements in the form of 3D sweep panorama technology. This means that images can be both captured and viewed in 3D once connected to an appropriate 3D TV via HDMI. For a detailed look at this including some sample images check out SE-First.

Other software improvements include swipe text input (we assume this is Sony Ericsson’s version of Swype), screen capture (take a screen grab from anywhere in the phone) and the ability to control your phone via USB peripherals through the Sony Ericsson LiveDock as seen here. See a hands-on of the new firmware in the video below.