We’ve previously heard that the update will be rolled out in stages based on the country and we know that network specific updates will be rolled out slightly later. Unfortunately the site doesn’t have further information as to what region the update is for, so it’s only speculation that the newer firmware model is for a different region, or network.

via

We’ve posted some of the apps which are considered to be the “top 10” apps for the Xperia X1 and now Mixu’s Blog have also posted a list of their favourite apps and tweaks for the X1.

Obviously some of the apps are sure to make everyone’s list. One’s we’ve already told you about, include; Xperia Facebook Panel, Finger Keyboard and Xperia Tweak. But others, such as KeePassSD, we haven’t mentioned before and deserve a mention.

Mixu have organised the list within categories, which you can view after the jump.

Entertainment

Slide2Play (S2P)

A simple but useful mp3 player: the best feature is, it activates automatically when you plug in the headphones and exits when the headphones are removed. Available for free from A_C.

Xperia Facebook Panel

Access to Facebook using an interface optimized for mobile use. Available for free from Sony Ericsson via the More Panels icon on the phone.

Productivity

Syncplicity mobile (m.syncplicity.com)

Syncplicity is a online backup and syncronization tool for computers; it keeps files in sync across computers and is awesome. They have a mobile interface (http://m.syncplicity.com/) which allows me to access files that I have on my computer on the phone (with no extra effort). Available as a subscription service from Syncplicity.

Internet Sharing (installed by default)

Shares the internet connection via USB cable with a computer, allowing you to browse the web on your laptop using your phone as a GRPS/3G modem. Already installed.

NuevaSync (Google Calendar syncronization over the air)

Syncronizes my Google Calendar with the calendar on the phone, no docking needed! Their website may look really bad, but the free syncronization service is really good. No additional software installed, since they use Microsoft Exchange protocols to sync the data. Worth the extra effort of installing once; after that you get all changes on your calendar synchronized back to your phone. Available for free from NuevaSync.

Gmail Mobile (http://mail.google.com/mail/h/)

By adding “h/” to the address when making a bookmark, you get the mobile version of Gmail by default, which works great. (Works with Google Apps for Your Domain as well.)

WordPress Mobile Package (WordPress plugin)

After looking at the various blogging apps available for the phone, I found that it is much nicer to use a web interface. This is a mobile adminstration and reading interface for WordPress blogs. Installed on the blog, not on the phone, but works quite nicely on the phone via the Opera browser. Available for free from WordPress.org.

Pocket Informant

Awesome calendar and to-do list for your phone, synchronizes with Outlook. Commercial software from WebIS.

Tools

KeePassSD

Encrypted, protected storage for passwords and other information. Synchoronizes with the desktop version of KeePass. Available for free from KeePass/SourceForge.

G-Watch

A useful and pretty timer application. Available for free from Ageye.

HTorch

Controls the LED light on the back of the phone – makes for a decent light at the summer cottage. Available for free via Xda forums.

Tweaks

FingerKeyboard2

Enlarges the keyboard so that it can be used without the stylus. Available for free via Xda forums.

FingerMenu

Enlarges the menus so that they can be used without the stylus. Available for free via Xda forums.

Slide2Unlock (S2U)

An awesome automatic keyboard lock, which can be opened by sliding the bar on the bottom. Also allows you to answer calls by sliding the bar, and shows appointments/SMS. Available for free from A_C.

XperiaTweak

Tweaks a large number of settings on Xperia. Available for free via Xda forums.

MrLeeche confirms that the update has made the Xperia bootup faster as well as the fish panel responding faster and the fish being visually bigger. Likewise, file exploring is also faster on the latest firmware.

With more and more apps being released for the Xperia X1, it’s hard to know what’s worth having and what’s not. While we can’t provide you with a list of apps to stay away from, not yet anyway, Pass the Word have complied a list of the ten must have Xperia X1 applications. The list isn’t exhaustive but does name some top apps, which fills some of the gaps in the key missing elements of the Xperia.

1. Blackstone Keyboard: The Xperia has a slideout keyboard but the touchscreen (Proprietary) Windows Mobile Keyboard is useless without the stylus. I would recommend the Blackstone Keyboard that you can find on the newer HTC devices like the Diamond for easy typing on your screen
2. Clear Temp: A light and invaluable  freeware developed by Vicott Wong that allows you to keep cleaning your device memory of Temp and other files that occupy precious storage space.
3. Custom ROMs: A lot of exciting work keeps getting showcased at the XDA Developer Forum. If you are brave enough to flash your ROM and install an all new ROM head straight to the XDA and choose from a host of options for your Xperia. Look for Custom ROMs developed by senior forum members like itje, gtrab and Kid_DC. You can choose from WM 6.5 previews and Touchflo 3D. You can upgrade to these ROMs at your own risk but most of the ROMs I have tried are extremely stable and actually improve the device performance. These ROMs probably dont belong in a list of apps but are on my 10 because of the all new ‘Xperiance’ factor!
4. Snaptu: Is a Java app that runs on all mobiles that support Java. It is a great app that brings together a lot of must have applications like Twitter, Picasa, Facebook and a Cricinfo widget (Live Scores etc).
5. Xperia Tweak: Handy app developed by Clifford that lets you make small yet useful tweaks like changing the default browser or disabling thread-style messaging.
6. SPB Mobile Shell 3: A huge improvement on the custom WM6.1 interface from SPB, one of the most innovative Win Mo app developers. Costs USD 29.95 (Read review) and has a host of great visual elements
7. Youtube: Now possible on your Win Mo device thanks to a host of innovative Youtube apps. There is a free Youtube Google app and then there is this brilliant app which you can find on XDA
8. Soft Reset: The Xperia’s Soft Reset Button is located rather inconveniently under the back cover. PHM reset is a simple app that allows you to soft-reset without any fuss.
9. SPB Insight: A good RSS reader is a great enhancement; At USD 19.95 SPB Insight is easily the best WM RSS reader I have used. You can also opt for Viigo which is probably the best RSS reader freeware.
10. Palringo: A great freeware that integrates all your chat clients and brings them together on a single app.

One thing I’ve wondered, is how users can capture apps and games in action, directly from the phone. One obvious way is to use another camera or camera phone, to record the software in use, which can also capture which phone it’s from. Downsides of that method though are it’s not possible for everyone to do this, if they haven’t got access to a camera or another camera phone. Also the screen can be quite blurry and not viewable, which is where an app that records from the device can be of benefit. I’m not alone in wondering this, as Revox over at the XperiaX1.net forums has posed this question to the community.

My Mobiler is an application which does exactly that. The application shows your Xperia screen on your desktop when connected and allows you to capture the mobile display as either a photo or a video recording. My Mobiler also allows users to cut, copy and paste text between the phone and PC, move files to the phone and even control the phone. My Mobiler is free to use and the website states it supports Windows Mobile 2003 as well as 5.0 and 6.0, but the application has been confirmed as working on the Xperia which runs 6.1, with no information on Windows Mobile 6.5 support.

Good news for Xperia owners out there, a couple of applications have been updated to include support for the X1. Fring, a VoIP and instant messaging application for Windows Mobile devices has been updated and now includes support for Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X1 as well as receiving other feature updates. The application also now allows file transfer on Windows Mobile devices as well as featuring improved navigation and functionality. The update also brings new add-ons to Fring.

HTC Touch HD Video Converter has also been updated to support the X1. Because of the likeness in hardware between the HTC Touch HD and X1, support was expanded to include the X1. The video converter converts videos to take full use of the powerful display and hardware acceleration of the devices. The PC application also allows users to select between Standard Definition and High Definition.

via via

In the panels video, Pocket Now highlight the benefits of the Panels, as opposed to the standard Windows Mobile Today Screen.

The video starts by highlighting that when the Xperia is switched on, the Today Screen is the first thing that is seen and how easy it is to open the panel display with a press of a button. With the Panels screen open, Pocket Now go over the details of the panels and how they can be selected as well as how to change the look of the panels to a shuffle menu.

Each Panel is explored and information is provided on what each panel does and how you might use it with particular emphasis on the multimedia viewing capabilities and the on screen fish. Emphasis is also placed on the Google panel, explaining what you can do from within the Google panel and how much quicker it is than using the start menu to launch Google.

The video also explains how you can change the Panels on the Xperia and what Panels are currently available to download. The panels also work great when the phone is switched to landscape mode with the screen readjusting automatically.

Part two of Pocket Now’s video looks at the Software included on the Xperia and the settings.

The video first looks at the main screen, explaining how to get to the task manager to end programs, either individually or ending all programs. What pressing the X button does it also looked at. Usually pressing the x button would hibernate the software but the Xperia comes with the feature set to close the program instead of hibernating it, which can free up space, but you do have the option of changing the action.

All the programs on the X1 open really quickly and overall the X1 is very fast with everything it does, even rotating the screen from landscape to portrait and back, or vice versa, which is demonstrated in the video. Opera Mobile 9.5 is also launched and we’re shown some usage of the browser on the handset.

The settings menu and layout is brought up and shows that the settings have three levels; Personal, System and Connections. At the beginning of the video, it’s pointed out that the battery life is not visible from the Today Screen or any of the panels. There is however a limited battery meter when you look at the clock. For a more accurate reading, selecting the Power setting from within System Settings will bring up the battery meter.

Other settings are also looked at, some with demonstrations, such as the notification lights. There are four lights on the side of the X1, which will light up a different color for notifications. A missed call will result in an orange light which blinks three times by default, with other notifications bringing different light colors and amount of blinks.

Via: SonyBrands & Pocket Now