We previously heard by way of a tipster, that AT&T were to discontinue the Xperia X10, presumably to make way for the Xperia Arc and Xperia Play. At the time however, this wasn’t confirmed but, none the less, left many Xperia X10 owners with AT&T, worried that their handset would not receive the Android 2.1 update which was first released back at the end of October. This has now been further called in to question, as AT&T are no longer selling the Xperia X10. Well not brand new models any way.

The AT&T site shows that only refurbished Xperia X10 models are available, meaning that it seems AT&T are pulling the plug on Sony Ericsson’s first Android powered handset. This also means that the network carrier may not approve or release any further updates provided by Sony Ericsson for the Xperia X10, including the already released Android 2.1 update, not to mention the dual touch update. A petition has been started urging AT&T to honor their upgrade promises with regards to the Android 2.1 upgrade on the X10.

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In the past, flashing your handset has been a bit fiddly, as has rooting. The FlashTool for the Xperia X10 however changes this. Not only does it work with the X10 but, also the X10 Mini, Mini Pro and X8. With the FlashTool from XDA, you can flash Android 1.6 and 2.1 on to your handset. You will need to download the firmware for your handset though to do so. This also works on the Xperia X10a, so allows those in the US to run Android 2.1 on their X10 before AT&T release the update.

As well as being able to flash Android 1.6 or 2.1, the FlashTool also easily allows you to root your handset. Once rooted, the FlashTool also lets you install BusyBox, or remove default apps such as Moxier with just a few mouse clicks. If updating one version of Android 2.1 to a future update, you do not have to wipe user data, however if upgrading from Android 1.6 to 2.1 you should back up your data before proceeding as you will need to wipe the user data for 2.1 to work properly.

One of the downfalls to the Xperia X10 when it launched, apart from not having multi touch, is that the handset also came with an outdated OS upon release. When announced, Android 1.6 was fine but, by the time Sony Ericsson released the handset, Android 2.1 was out, with Android 2.2 coming soon. Or if you were in America, Android 2.2 was already out, while the X10 still shipped with Android 1.6. The OS has since been updated to Android 2.1 although many were hoping Sony Ericsson would skip 2.1 and head straight to Android 2.2, or at the very least update soon after to 2.2. Android 2.3 is out now though and there’s still no sign of Android 2.2 on the X10.

Sony Ericsson have confirmed that the Android 2.2 will not be making it’s way to their Xperia X10 range of devices, this includes the full size X10, as well as the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. The Xperia X8 will also remain on Android 2.1 and not see a further upgrade. While the handsets won’t receive any further Android updates, Sony Ericsson have said they will continue to release minor firmware upgrades to the handset, such as the multi touch upgrade which is on it’s way.

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Despite some regions, the US included, to not have received the Android 2.1 update for the Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson are rolling out the Android update to their Xperia X8 handsets. The roll out is being performed in pretty much the same manner as the X10, where it will be rolled out by regional kits. To start the updates off, Russia are one of the first countries are confirmed to have the updates.

Reports are also filing in that some Mid East countries have received the update, namely Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. The update has also reached India and Sweden. As before, unfortunately Sony Ericsson are unable to give any specific dates as to when a particular region, or network will receive the Android 2.1 update on the Xperia X8.

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Since Sony Ericsson released the much needed Android 2.1 update for their Xperia X10, many users have been asking, “when will my AT&T branded X10 get the update?”. Until now, Sony Ericsson haven’t really said much, other than that they can’t confirm specific releases. While they still haven’t provided us with a date, they have provided further information regarding the update and why it’s not been released for the US already.

Firstly, as the Xperia X10 was released in the US 5 months after it was released in many other countries, the Android 2.1 update will also roll out in much the same way, with the initial launch countries having received the Android 2.1 update for their X10 handset, while the US, who had to wait longer for the handset, are still waiting for the Android update. However, even when Sony Ericsson release the US Android update, it still needs to pass through rigorous testing in the US and also AT&T’s own testing, which we’ve seen with other networks throughout the world. Unfortunately, the testing process in the US however, can take months to finish, so we may not see the update Stateside any time soon. You can check out Sony Ericsson’s USA Facebook page here for full details on the ‘delay’ of Android 2.1 for the X10 in the US.

While some regions are still waiting for the Android 2.1 update for the Xperia X10 range of handsets, another way to see if the update is available has been made available by Sony Ericsson who have released the kit numbers. Sony Ericsson have provided kit numbers for the X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. If your handset matches one of the numbers in the list, it means the Android 2.1 update is available for your handset. This is particularly helpful as some users are reporting that PC Companion tells them they already have the latest update but, proceeding with repairing the handset in fact installs Android 2.1. Some users have also been told to just try if it says that. However with this list, there will be no guessing as to whether your handset is ready for the Android update.

The number uses your handset sales number, which can be found under the battery, next to the serial number. The sales number is a four digit number, followed by a line and a follow further four numbers, for example; 1232-4526. The number may end is an X, which for the purpose of the kit numbers, does not matter whether there is an X or not. You can view the full list of kit numbers released after the break.

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Sony Ericsson’s recent Android update for their Xperia X10 range of handsets has now been released in Canada, for those with Rogers branded Xperia X10 handsets. Those who own the Xperia X10, or the X10 Mini can now update their handset from the outdated Android 1.6 OS, to the more recent Android 2.1. Arguably it is still relatively outdated, considering most handsets now have Android 2.2 and Android 2.3 is rumoured to be just around the corner.

Despite that, the Android 2.1 update adds quite a few new features for the Xperia X10. Obviously with Android 2.1 installed, there is a wider range of apps to choose from on the Market Place, such as the official Twitter application, which is only available for Android 2.1 and above. For the Xperia X10, the Android 2.1 update brings the ability to record videos in 720p HD format. While the X10 Mini adds better bluetooth support for sending files, something which was previously very limited.

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According to a tip sent in to MobileSyrup, Canadian Xperia X10 owners are soon to receive the Android 2.1 update for their Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 handsets. The tipster has said that the update would be available from November 8th onwards, although as of yet there’s no sign of it.

Sony Ericsson Canada have also said that the update will be coming this month, although haven’t given any specific dates. Within the past few days however, the response from the Sony Ericsson Canada Twitter team is that, while they can’t provide a specific date, it is “very close”, so hopefully the update should be released over the next few days.

After almost a week of the initial released on Android 2.1 for Sony Ericsson’s first Android powered handset, the Xperia X10, the update has now been released in the UK. The update was plagued with delays from Sony Ericsson generally and again in the UK after Android 2.1 was released in the Nordic market for the X10. The reasoning behind the delay in the UK was due to UK laws and regulations and the update not being approved.

The update has now passed approval in the UK and been released for Xperia X10 handsets. The update for the X10 Mini and Mini Pro haven’t been rolled out at the same time and instead will roll out shortly after, hopefully before next week. Likewise, the update is only available for unbranded handsets at the moment in the UK. Owners of network branded handsets will have to wait until their operator releases the update for the handset after adding their apps to it.

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While Sony Ericsson may be taking their time to release Android 2.1 to other parts of the world, those with Nordic handsets have been able to upgrade since Sunday. A few other countries also gained the ability to upgrade to Android 2.1 on Monday but, since then there’s been no word on any other regions receiving the update and only information about the update being delayed in the UK.

Thankfully though, the guys at the XDA-Developers forums don’t work like this. For those who can’t wait for Sony Ericsson to release the update, over at XDA they’ve found a way to enable all owners of the Xperia X10i to upgrade to Android 2.1. All you’ll need is an Xperia X10i, not an X10a and for it to be rooted. The easiest way to root your phone is with the one click root app. Once rooted, you’ll need Root Explorer to edit a file to make your phone think it’s a Nordic handset. Once this is done, you’re phone will think it has Nordic firmware and you’ll be able to upgrade to Android 2.1 via SEUS or PC Companion.

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