While O2 UK may be struggling to get the last update out for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson have released another update for the handset. This time it comes in the form of “R2BA026″. The update has been confirmed for the UK and India so far. The update also brings the baseband up to 1.1.31.

There isn’t a changelog from the company this time but, users are reporting Timescape and Mediascape to have been improved and provide a better experience in terms of performance. This update was certified on July 12th but, it seems we may see another update roll out soon, with R2BA028 being certified on July 21st, so the update momentum is set to continue. Lets hope the carriers can keep up with the updates.

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With the major networks in the UK offering the X10, Virgin Mobile now have the handset in stock on contract and pay as you go. With Virgin Mobile, users have a choice of the standard 24 month contract, or can opt in for a shorter 18 month contract. Going for the 24 month contract, will set you back £35 a month, where as on the 18 month contract, to get the handset for free, the minimum tarif is £40 a month. You can also get the phone on a lower priced tariff but, the handset won’t be free. A £20 a month 24 month contract makes the handset £254.99. Or if you want the handset contract free, on pay as you go, the Xperia X10 is available for £459.99.

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After many months of waiting, the Xperia X10 is finally with us. In the UK, the handset is showing up in all the major shops, as well as online. Ordering from Orange no longer requires an eight day wait. While Mobiles.co.uk have the handset in stock on all the major networks. They have a section for 3 but, are showing the handset as not available on 3 while Virgin Mobile doesn’t get a mention at all. One of the best deals is with Vodafone, who from Mobiles are offering the handset free on a £30 a month contract with 5 months half price, redeemed by the company themselves. While they do have what look like great deals, it is always best to shop around though, as somewhere else, may be offering an even better deal.

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While Orange may have picked up an exclusive deal to sell the white Xperia X10, the company list the handset as coming soon. T-Mobile on the other hand, have the handset available to pick up on contract. It’s also not as expensive as expected. The X10 can be picked up for free on a £35 a month contract. The contract lasts for 2 years and includes 900 minutes, 500 texts, unlimited internet and a free “Flexible booster”, which is normally £5. With the booster, you can get unlimited texts, land line calls or T-Mobile calls. Alternatively, you can get an Europe call booster, including 60 minutes, or a USA and Canada booster, which gives you 120 minutes worth of calls. The booster package can also be changed each month.

While T-Mobile have the handset available to order, it can take up to 10 days for delivery.

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While Sony Ericsson and Vodafone might not have much love for the Xperia X2 in the UK, Tracy and Matt are offering up the chance to win an X2 handset. The handset in questioned, was picked up at Mobile World Congress, to be used in the competition. There are three ways you can enter the competition, the first is to become a fan of Tracy and Matt on Facebook, while the second requires you to retweet a Twitter message. Alternatively, they have a competition form set up for forum members. Check out the full details of how to enter here.

While Vodafone may have left the X2 high and dry in the UK, online retailer Play.com had put the Xperia X2 up for pre-order. Originally it was to be released on the 29th of January but, from then onwards for the next few days, the product listed said the handset was out of stock. The page has been updated again, offering the handset up for pre-order. This time the release date is expected to be the 17th of February. with rumors going around that the X2 has been cancelled in the UK altogether, it’ll be interesting to see if Play do ship this handset out, or whether the page will be taken down after the 17th. Hopefully Play will be able to release the handset unlocked to those in the UK who do want the Windows Mobile handset, over the upcoming Android powered X10.

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Vodafone may have cancelled the Xperia X2 from arriving on their network, it hasn’t stopped them from offering up the Xperia X10. The Android powered handset is due to hit Vodafone UK sometime in April. Hopefully there won’t be any delays but, with previous release dates pushed back, I wouldn’t set the April release date in stone just yet. There’s no tariff pricing information available either at the moment, but hopefully we’ll see this soon.

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The Vodafone page for the Sony Ericsson X2 may have stayed as “due November” for a long time, including December, but the website has now been updated. Unfortunately not to a due December notice, but rather a “due January” message.  The SE-Store on the other handset as December. A December released would be great but, I feel it may be next year before we see the handset. No word on whether this will affect the release of the X10, but chances are high that the X10 will also get delayed.

While the X2 is due for release this month in the UK on Vodafone, their website still shows a coming soon image, with no indication of what kind contract will bag you the handset for free. Fortunately, over at Nirave, they’ve been in contact with someone from Vodafone retail who has provided information on the tariffs available from Vodafone.

The graph below has been compiled from the information provided and hopefully, we’ll see the official Vodafone Retail System showing it soon. As you can see, adding Vodafone Mobile Internet for £5 a month, can make a great difference to the price of the handset. On the 600 minute tariff the handset is going to set you back £150, unless VMI is added, bringing the handset cost down to zero. Prices are reasonable for the handset, if they’re correct anyway. Hopefully this will stay the same when it’s officially unveiled by Vodafone.

It’s also been uncovered that, while the handset will initially launch on Vodafone as an exclusive, within 4 weeks it will also be available on other networks.

Sony Ericsson are planning to release the Xperia Pureness in the UK from November, in time for Christmas. However unlike other mobiles, it’ll be going direct to retail through Selfridges instead of through a network dealer. The lack of features compared to other Xperia handsets will still set you back just as much for the Purenesses transparent display. When the phone launches it will cost a whopping £530 sim free. So while it may be released in time for Christmas, it doesn’t leave all that much time to save up for the handset considering the current economical climate.

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