New Xperia neo V announced – cheaper than Xperia neo with 5MP camera [Video]

by XB on August 25, 2011
in News,Videos,Xperia Neo

Sony Ericsson announced a new handset this morning, the Xperia neo V, along with news of the Android 2.3.4 update. However, before you get too excited the Xperia neo V (MT11i) is basically near enough identical to the current Xperia neo but will sport a weaker camera sensor (5MP versus 8MP Exmor R in Xperia neo) and will launch with Android 2.3.4 in Q4 2011.

Now you may be wondering why Sony Ericsson has made this move. Well price is one good reason -- it means Sony Ericsson should be able to disseminate the phone to an even wider audience at a cheaper price. How cheap you may ask? Well according to Mobil.se, it could be 500-1000 Swedish Krona (€55 to €110 at current exchange rates) cheaper. Not too shabby. However, we have been told that the main initiative behind this was down to component shortages following the Japan earthquake earlier in the year. You can find the white paper for the Xperia neo V here. See a video of the Xperia neo V after the jump.


SE Android 2.3.4 新軟體 + Xperia neo V 同步登場
Sony Ericsson 發表新款 Xperia neo V MT11i 智慧手機與 Android 2.3.4 新版軟體，除加入更強大的 Facebook inside 社群分享、Google Talk 視訊聊天、手機螢幕擷取圖片和支援 USB OTG 的 LiveDock 底座應用，也為手機新增 3D 全景攝影功能，可拍下 3D 全景相片並透過 HDMI 輸出到 SONY 3D 電視上欣賞。

Xpeira neo V MT11i 預計第四季推出，有白、銀、漸層藍三色；Android 2.3.4 軟體則在 10 月起陸續於市場中推出更新 (2011 Xperia 機型)。

 

Xperia neo V MT11i 其實可以看作是 Xperia neo MT15i 的小改版，外型、配置和主要規格保持不變，但通過新增的 3D Sweep Panorama (3D 全景拍攝) 軟體功能，讓只具有單鏡頭的 Xperia neo V，在按下快門時以平緩的弧度移動相機後，便可以拍攝 3D 相片並透過 3D 電視觀看。這項技術是來自於 SONY 開發，類似的功能稍早也出現在幾款 SONY Cyber-shot 數位相機上，可說是 SONY 影音技術和 SE 手機設計的另一項結合。

Xperia neo V MT11i 延續今年年初原版 Xperia neo 的主要特色，融合最新的 Android 智慧手機軟體與 Sony 的極致娛樂體驗，包括搭載 Mobile BRAVIA Engine 的 Reality Display 顯示效果，功能更豐富的 Facebook inside Xperia，加強按讚、分享及探索的功能，也同樣配備 3.7 吋 480x854 畫素 TFT 螢幕，不過相機由原先 neo 的 810 萬畫素降至 500 萬畫素。Xperia neo V MT11i 採用 Android 2.3.4 系統，內建 Qualcomm MSM8255 1GHz CPU 及 Adreno 205 GPU，並擁有 512MB RAM / 1GB ROM。同時 Xperia neo V MT11i 也支援 3.5G HSDPA 網路和更快速的 Wi-Fi 802.11n 無線上網規格，並內建 xLOUD 音效、TrackID、DLNA、3.5 mm 耳機孔。

 

Android 2.3.4 新版軟體功能總覽：
• 2011 Xperia 智慧型手機將升級至 Gingerbread 平台 2.3.4 版本，其中有配備前置鏡頭的智慧型手機將可使用Google Talk 的視訊通話 Video Chat 等新功能。
• 功能更豐富的 Facebook inside Xperia，加強按讚、分享及探索的功能。
• Xperia 系列手機加入由 SONY 開發的 3D 全景攝影 (3D sweep panorama) 功能。
• 軟體升級後，使用者只要將支援 USB on the go 的周邊連接裝置（包含滑鼠、鍵盤或遊戲主控台）連接 Sony Ericsson LiveDock 多媒體底座，Xperia 智慧型手機便可搖身一變成為一台迷你行動電腦。透過 HDMI 將智慧型手機連接至電視，即可輕鬆享受大螢幕的觀賞樂趣。
• Swipe 文字輸入法 － 藉由指尖在字母間滑動，即可輸入文字 (在國際鍵盤輸入方式下)。
• Screen capture 擷取螢幕畫面－使用者可隨意擷取手機上任何操作或功能畫面。

※ 自 2011 年 10 月起推出的 Xperia 新機，將全面提供新版軟體。

You can see more pictures here.

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.

Sony Ericsson txt pro, says it has five best friends.

July 13th, 2011   by Peter

You may remember Sony Ericsson’s Facebook competition that asked its fans to do video reviews of the txt pro and the Mix Walkman. Today, we have the Sony Ericsson txt pro in our office and we thought we should take it for a quick spin on video too.

The txt pro is an extra tiny phone and it’s got its eye on messaging – and more specifically, social networking messaging. The slide-out QWERTY is more comfortable to use than you might think just by looking at it (it really is quite small), but it adds to the thickness of the phone, pushing it up to 18mm.

Still, the Sony Ericsson txt pro is light and the curved back makes it very comfortable to hold. And I don’t think anyone who wears tight jeans will be getting one of these (despite the “pro” in its name, the phone is quite youth oriented), so pocketability shouldn’t be a major issue.

Sony Ericsson txt pro

Disappointingly, the Facebook and Twitter icons in the menu are just bookmarks to the mobile sites of both social networks that open in the browser. Still, Facebook just released a Java app, so at least that’s covered (I installed it and it works). There’s Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can use SNS without worrying about data charges too.

The Friends app and the second homescreen offer extensive options to communicate with up to five of your friends – their SMS messages, but also Facebook and Twitter status updates.

Anyway, here’s the video:

It’s important to note that this is an early pre-production sample and the software isn’t finalized, so it lags quite a bit.

Sony Ericsson LT18i = next Xperia flagship?

by XB on July 16, 2011


Sony Ericsson has made public the latest UAProf (user-agent profile) for an as-yet unannounced handset with model number LT18i. The codename makes it likely that this handset could be the next flagship from Sony Ericsson following on from the Xperia arc, which has the model number LT15i. UAProfs are used to reveal a device’s properties for web page rendering and MMS exchange.

We have no idea whether this handset is the fabled dual-core Xperia duo that has been doing the rounds recently. The UAProf tells us that the LT18i will come with the same display resolution as the Xperia arc (480 x 854 pixels).

Little else is known about this model, however engineers at Sony Ericsson posted the first sample photo from the LT18i a few days back on Picasa. The photo has since been taken down although not before we managed to save the snap. The image was downsized to a 2MP image, so we have no idea what resolution the image was originally taken at. This could be running the same 8MP Exmor R sensor as the Xperia arc or perhaps something more powerful. Time will tell on that front, in the meantime check out the sample image below.

Sony Ericsson LT18i sample photo

Sony Ericsson Model Names

Xperia active – ST17i
Xperia arc – LT15i
Xperia mini – ST15i
Xperia mini pro – SK17i
Xperia neo – MT15i
Xperia PLAY – R800i
Xperia pro – MK16i
Xperia ray – ST18i
Xperia X10 – X10i
Xperia X10 mini – E10i
Xperia X10 mini pro – U20i
Xperia X8 – E15i

Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman – WT13i
Sony Ericsson txt – CK13i
Sony Ericsson txt pro – CK15i
W8 Walkman – E16i
Walkman WT18i
 

Hands-on pics of the Xperia ray in all four colours

by XB on June 29, 2011

in Xperia ray

Sony Ericsson announced the 3.3-inch Xperia ray aluminium-shelled handset last week. We think the company may be onto a winner, marrying most of the great features seen in the Xperia arc and Xperia neo (including screen resolution) into a tiny, sexy looking package.

Virgile Fontaine, Technical Support Manager for Sony Ericsson in France, was lucky enough to get some decent hands-on time with all four colours of the Xperia ray and posted the pictures to his Flickr page. This is one handset we’re certainly looking forward to. It’s currently penned for a Q3 release. You can check out a selection of the photos below.

Photos:

Introducing Sony Ericsson txt.

 22 June 2011

• Sony Ericsson txt integrates full QWERTY keyboard
• SMS shortcut key for faster messaging
• Friends application for greater social interaction

22 June 2011, Singapore – Sony Ericsson today unveils Sony Ericsson txt, an entertaining messaging phone. A sister phone to Sony Ericsson’s recently announced Sony Ericsson txt pro, Sony Ericsson txt has a full view QWERTY keyboard and a SMS shortcut key. The phone also features a “friends” application that enables users to see Facebook™ and Twitter™ updates at a glance from their top five friends.
Sony Ericsson txt is Wi-Fi™ enabled and comes equipped with a 3.2mp camera with video recording. The phone feels comfortable in the hand with a rounded back.
Quentin Cordier, Global Product Marketing Manager, Sony Ericsson said: “Sony Ericsson txt is the perfect phone for easy and fast messaging on the move. We wanted to give consumers that prefer a full view QWERTY keyboard an entry point into the world of Sony Ericsson.”
Sony Ericsson txt will be available globally in selected markets from Q3 2011.

Sony Ericsson txt at a glance.
*Please note that all services mentioned below may not be available in every market.
Colours

• White
• Black
• Pink
• Blue

Facts

• Size:  106 × 60 × 14.5 mm
• Weight: 95 grams

Camera

• 3.2mp camera
• Send to web
• Video recording
• Audio recording
• File container

Music

• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Media player
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™ service
• TrackID™ music recognition

Internet

• Web browser (Obigo™ Q7)

Communication

• Call list
• Conference calls
• Facebook™ application
• Friends application
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Twitter™ application
• Google Talk™
• Vibrating alert

Messaging

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

Design

• Keyboard (QWERTY)
• Picture wallpaper

Entertainment

• Java™
• Radio (FM radio with RDS)
• Video viewing
• YouTube™

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Notes
• Stopwatch
• Timer
• E-Manual
• Phonebook
• Setup guide

Connectivity

• Bluetooth™ technology
• Micro USB support
• WLAN (Wi-Fi®)
• MediaGo™
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• USB mass storage
• USB High speed 2.0 support
• USB support

Display

• 2.6 inches
• 262,144 colour TFT
• 240 x 320 pixels
• Scratch-resistant

Memory

• Phone memory (user-free): Up to 100MB
• Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32GB

Battery life

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 3 hrs 12 min*
• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 416 hrs*

• Music listening time: Up to 23 hrs
• Video playback time: Up to 5 hrs 15 min

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

Networks

• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

In the kit

• Battery (1000 mAh)
• Charger
• Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer, and user documentation.

Source by: Sony Ericsson Press Room

Get fit with Sony Ericsson Xperia™ active

22 June 2011

• Dust proof and water resistant smartphone powered by Android™
• Scratch resistant multi touch screen with wet finger tracking
• All the applications for your active life, including on-screen heart rate monitoring through ANT+

22 June 2011, Singapore –Sony Ericsson today announced Xperia™ active, a compact smartphone targeting consumers with an active lifestyle, in conjunction with CommunicAsia 2011 in Singapore. With a 3” screen and running the latest Android platform for smartphones (Gingerbread 2.3), the phone packs Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, a 5mp camera with HD video functionality, and a powerful 1Ghz processor. Xperia™ active is dust proof and water resistant* and uniquely incorporates wet finger tracking, to ensure the phone works perfectly when either the screen or a user’s fingers are wet.
The phone comes pre-loaded with sports apps that enable consumers to easily track their fitness levels. Users can set their ideal training route using the built-in GPS, Barometer and Compass. On-screen heart rate and pulse can be monitored in realtime (enabled by ANT+ wireless networking technology), while the iMapMyFitness app can monitor day to day performance.  Additionally, Facebook inside Xperia™ allows consumers to share their progress and experiences with friends.
Fredrik Månsson, Global Product Marketing Manager, Sony Ericsson said: “Xperia™ active is the ultimate smartphone for an active life. Not only is it packed with all the features and applications consumers need for a worry free mobile life, it also comes with a set of accessories that make it fun and easy for them to take it everywhere, whatever their daily plans are.”
Maria Sharapova, a three time grand slam winning tennis player added: “I love this smartphone because it perfectly fits both my professional and personal needs.  It keeps me in touch with my friends as I travel the world on the pro tour and tracks my fitness both on and off the court.”
Extras included in the box to further build the consumer experience:

• One extra exchangeable soft touch back cover
• Detachable ear hooks for the portable handsfree active headset
• Wrist strap to keep the phone close at all times
• An arm case for use during a workout
• 2GB memory card to save all your special moments
• Micro USB cable for charging and computer data transfer

*Water resistant – the phone can be kept under 1m of water for 30 mins.
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ active will be available globally in selected markets from Q3 2011.

Sony Ericsson Xperia active at a glance.
*Please note that all services mentioned below may not be available in every market.
Colours

• Orange band with black back cover – white extra cover in the kit
• White band with black back cover – white extra cover in the kit

Facts

• Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Size: 55 x 92 x 16.5mm
• Weight: 110.8 grams

Camera

• 5 megapixel camera
• 8x digital zoom
• Auto focus
• Aperture f/2.6
• Face detection
• Face recognition
• Flash/Photo light
• Flash/LED
• Geo tagging
• HD video recording (720p)
• Image stabiliser
• Red-eye reduction
• Scene detection
• Self-timer
• Send to web
• Smile detection
• Touch capture
• Touch focus
• Video light
• Video recording

Music

• Album art
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Media player
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™ service*
• Sony Ericsson Music Player
• TrackID™ music recognition*
• xLOUD™

Internet

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

Communication

• Call list
• Conference calls
• Facebook™ application*
• Google Talk™
• Noise Shield
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Skype™**
• 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
• Four-corner Home screen
• Keyboard (on-screen, 12 key)
• Picture wallpaper
• Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
• Touch screen
• Live wallpaper
• Dust and water resistant
• Wet finger tracking

Entertainment

• 3D games
• Health mate
• Media browser
• Motion gaming
• Radio (FM radio with RDS)
• Radio (FM)
• Video streaming
• Video viewing
• Walk Mate
• YouTube™*

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Document readers
• eCompass™
• E-Manual
• Flight mode
• Google Calendar™
• Google Gallery 3D™*
• Infinite button
• iMapMyFitness
• Phonebook
• Setup guide
• Stopwatch**
• Tasks**
• Timer**
• Torch functionality
• Widget manager

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• aGPS*
• Bluetooth™ technology
• DLNA™ Certified
• Google Latitude™*
• Google Maps™ for Mobile
• Google Maps™ with Street View*
• Media Transfer Protocol support
• Micro USB support
• Modem
• Native USB tethering
• Pressure sensor***
• Synchronisation via Facebook™*
• Synchronisation via Google Sync™*
• Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
• Synchronisation with computer
• Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
• USB mass storage
• USB High speed 2.0 support
• USB support
• Wi-Fi®
• Wi-Fi® Hotspot functionality
• Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation*

Display

• Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
• 16,777,216 colour TFT
• Capacitive touchscreen (multi-touch) with wet finger tracking
• 3 inches
• 320 x 480 pixels
• Scratch-resistant mineral glass

Memory

• Phone memory (user-free): Up to 320MB
• Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32GB
• Memory card included: 2GB microSD™

Battery life

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 4 hrs 53 min*
• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 351 hrs*

• Talk time UMTS: Up to 5 hrs 31 min*
• Standby time UMTS: Up to 335 hrs*

• Music listening time: Up to 25 hrs
• Video playback time: Up to 8 hrs 30 min

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

Networks

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

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

In the kit

• Xperia™ active
• 1200mah removable battery
• Sport stereo headset
• Arm case
• Wrist strap
• 2GB microsd™ memory card
• Exchangeable cover
• Charger
• Micro USB cable for charging
• Synchronisation and file transfer, and user documentation

* This service is not available in all markets.
** This feature is not pre-installed.
*** Enhance your GPS navigation by for example measuring the height levels or to be used as barometer to provide you your local weather forecast.

Source by: Sony Ericsson Press Room

Sony Ericsson new aircraft last week, thousands of smart pixels

     Time flies, is now that we have ushered in the last weekend of May. With the year coming at the same time, the global mobile phone manufacturers will go all out to compete for market share in the second half. This week, we saw the Sony Ericsson with a 16 million-pixel camera, smart new rear light unit, the same 16 million pixel camera with Android smart phones – Hybrid 007SH Sharp’s debut.

     In addition, Nokia also will launch a new smart phone – Nokia T7-00 and Nokia Oro, which Nokia T7-00 also will be the first systems equipped with Symbian Anna 3G standard TD-SCDMA smart flagship. So in the next, we still will offer you the new machine this week’s top ten ranked heavyweight.

Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot brand new smart phone exposed

Sony Ericsson Walkman WT18i the official release, no doubt the company announced the Sony Ericsson’s music phone brand – Walkman brand’s strong return. Just recently, the Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot brand new smart phones also come to light out.

According to foreign news media exposure recently learned that Sony Ericsson will soon launch a new high-end Cyber-shot brand of smart phones. It is learned that will be powered by Android smart phone operating system, using all the current mainstream large-screen touch control design. One of the main selling point as a phone, its, or will be equipped with a 16 million-pixel camera, While this camera with Exmor R will also be back-illuminated sensor.

In addition, there is no more detailed information about this phone is disclosed. Sony Ericsson introduced a variety of previous Cyber-shot branded phones who have left a deep impression on us, so I believe this new high-end smart phones will bring us more surprises.

New Sony Ericsson handsets to be announced next week?

Take this news with a pinch of salt, but Taiwanese site ePrice is suggesting that Sony Ericsson will unveil three new handsets, with at least one to be announced next week. They even have an image with three different silhouettes , however we’re not sure whether the shapes are those of the actual new handsets or whether it’s just for illustrative purposes. If it is true, then the likely candidates could be the X10 mini pro successor, the SK17i Mango, which we’ve already seen lots of. The other handset is likely to be the successor to the X10 mini and we may even see SE’s dual-core handset announced. Click through for a larger image, however let’s wait and see if this turns out to be true.