Sony [Ericsson] have unveiled a swanky range of 3 new accessories for NFC or Bluetooth capable Android-running smartphones. The ‘Smart Extras’ include NFC tags (which will also come bundled with the Sony Xperia S handset) called Xperia SmartTags, a SmartWatch and the Smart Wireless Headset Pro.

SmartTags will work with any NFC enabled Android smartphone and will enable the user to change settings on their phone to a pre configured ‘profile’ simply by swiping the phone against the tag. It is also possible to configure the tags to open apps on touching the phone. For example, it is possible to use a SmartTag to switch a handset to a configured night time profile where by on swiping the tag, the phone automatically turns an alarm on or perhaps turns the phone to silent mode, all done by touching the SmartTag with the handset using NFC technology.

Anyone that has used the Sony Ericsson LiveView will recognise some of the features of the SmartWatch. The watch displays updates from social media outlets such as  Facebook and Twitter, shows emails and text messages and can show caller ID. The SmartWatch can also play music and is scratch proof and ‘splash proof’ too making it ideal for using in the gym. TheSmartWatch also features multi touch on the display.

The Smart Wireless Headset Pro is a bluetooth headset that can also be used as a stand alone FM radio and MP3 player when not connected to a mobile handset. It features a crisp black and white OLED display which shows call lists, caller ID, media information and can display text messages too.It will also be possible to download apps from the Android market to customise the headset.

Full specifications and details of all three of the Sony Smart Extras can be found on the Sony Ericsson website.

Sony haven’t taken the floor for their press conference yet but, that hasn’t stopped one of the Xperia handsets being announced. AT&T have held a press conference today and announced several new phones that would be making their way to the company’s mobile network. One of the handsets on the list was the Sony Xperia ION.

The Xperia ION features an HD 4.6 inch Reality display, with a 1280×720 pixel resolution. As well as the impressively large screen on the front, there’s also a 1.3 megapixel HD camera which can record in 720p. Round the back, there’s a 12 megapixel camera with Sony’s Exmor R technology and an LED flash. The camera is capable of recording at 1080p.

Specifications include a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory and LTE technology. The phone will be exclusive to AT&T in the US and will make use of AT&T’s LTE network. Other specifications include PlayStation Certification and Android 2.3.

The Xperia ION drops the Ericsson branding and just carries the Sony name. AT&T will release the handset some time in Q2 2012. Pricing is currently unknown.

Ahead of Sony’s press conference later today at CES, ITProPortal have received some hands on photos of the Sony Ericsson Xperia LT26i, aka Nozomi. The images were sent from a trusted source and also included some benchmark results.

The benchmark results give us some more information about the handset and confirm some of the rumored specifications. One such detail is that the LT26i features a HD screen with a resolution of 720×1280 and a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8660 1.5GHz processor. The processor is dual core but, the screen shots only show the one core in use.

Also confirmed is a 12 megapixel camera, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal memory and Android 2.3.7. Unfortunately there is no microSD support which limits the storage options and in turn, if there is a 16GB or 32GB Nozomi model, will increase the prices of such handsets, more than buying a micro SD card separately. Also confirmed is a microSIM slot. Currently the Apple iPhone 4 and 4S support MicroSIMs, along with the Nokia Lumia 800 and Motorola Razr.

CES is taking place in Las Vegas this week and Sony are holding an event today at 5pm GMT. At the event, Sony are dubbed to announce not just one new Xperia model but, several. The most likely handset to be announced is the Sony Ericsson Nozomi, which is also known as the Xperia Arc HD, or LT26i.

How many models Sony will announce though, is currently unknown. As is whether it will be a Sony Ericsson announcement or, just a Sony announcement as the company bought Ericsson out of the joint venture a couple of months back. Leaked photos we’ve seen of handsets suggest that the handsets will still carry they Sony Ericsson branding.

You can watch Sony’s press conference over on the Sony CES blog here.

Sony announced that they would be releasing the PlayStation Suite to all PlayStation certified devices, namely their recently released Android powered tablets, the Sony Tablet S and Tablet P as well as the Sony Ericsson Play. At the time, they also announced that a few of the PlayStation certified devices would get access to the PlayStation Store. Unfortunately, the Xperia Play was excluded from this list.

However, over at XDA-Developers, the PlayStation Store apk has been ported from the Sony tablet for the Xperia Play. The Xperia Play’s controls and resolution is already supported in the apk which, has led many to question whether Sony will actually be updating the Xperia Play to include the PlayStation Store.

Whether they are or not though, you can download the PlayStation Store apk and install it on your Xperia Play. You do need to be running Android 2.3.4 on your Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and the app only supports Japanese PSN accounts. The post on XDA indicates that you need to have your Xperia Play rooted but, Xperia Gamer have confirmed that you can just install the apk with no problems, rooted or not.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S has been out for a little while and now the handset is available in the US. You can  purchase the souped up Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S from the Sony store. Pricing is $499.99 for an unlocked handset. Unfortunately no carriers have announced that they will be subsidizing the handset, which isn’t that surprising as the original Arc also arrived Stateside with no carrier. The Xperia Arc S comes with an improved processor over the original, packing a 1.4Ghz single core processor compared to the 1GHz single core processor found in the original Arc.

The Xperia Arc S will come preloaded with Android 2.3.4 which has recently been released for the Xperia devices and is available in either Midnight Blue, Glossy Black, Pure White or Misty Silver. Head on over to the Sony Store to plaace an order for the Xperia Arc S.

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There has been rumors for a few years that Sony were looking to buy Ericsson out of the Sony Ericsson joint partnership which was created 10 years ago. It has now been confirmed by both Sony and Ericsson that Sony have paid Ericsson for full ownership of the venture.

Sony have paid €1.05 billion to Ericsson for their 50 percent stake in the company. As well as giving Sony full control over the franchise, Sony will have a cross licensing agreement, along with ownership of five patent families which are described as essential. The move is set to be finalised in January 2012, pending regulatory approval.

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Sony Ericsson have teamed up with Sony Style to offer 10 people the chance to blog for Sony. To enter, you need to tell them in 200 words or less, why you should be the Sony Style X10 Blogger, by entering here. You’ll need to be a US citizen over 18. Ten finalists will then be selected after the deadline of May 7th 2010. Each of the 10 finalists will not only win the Android powered Xperia X10 but, also a Sony PSP GO with FIFA 2010. Then 10 days later, each of the finalists will blog for 10 days, where a winner will be chosen. The grand winner, will receive more Sony goodies, a Sony Reader Pocket Edition and an α330 DSLR Camera but, not only that, the winner will get an assignment, to cover the FIFA 2010 World Cup semi finals and finals game in South Africa. Which means, Sony will be sending you (and a friend) to South Africa to see the games.

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Sony have released information on their financial report for the last financial year, 2008-2009. In it Sony admit that due to lack of demand for consumer electronics the company lost $1 Billion as consumers turn to less named brands for a cheaper cost in this economical time. Sony will have to cut costs and look at cheaper ways of producing their products, otherwise they could lose even more this financial year. The main culprit behind Sony’s loss is the PS3, which is expensive to buy compared to the Xbox 360 and Wii, expensive to produce and are losing Sony money. So far in a bid to cut costs, three production plants in Japan have already been shut down.

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The Financial Times has published an article reporting that Sony Ericsson have recorded a Q1 net loss, it’s first loss in more than five years.

Sony Ericsson have suffered as sales of handsets have been lower and considering the ‘financial crisis’ in the world currently which has created a lack of consumer confidence, Sony have managed to come through the period less damaged than they could have been due to their cost reducing methods.

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