An update was recently released by Sony Ericsson for the Xperia Arc and Xperia Neo. The update brought the build number up to 4.0.A.2.368 and added a few new apps to the handsets, as well as themes and a new feature called xLoud. Among the new features came the ability to use zoom on the camera up to the full 8 megapixels instead of up to 2 megapixels. Surprisingly the update wasn’t released for the Xperia Play at the same time.

However users are reporting that the update is now available and one region is the UK, where unbranded handsets have received the update. Though if you’re checking on your phone, you may think the update still hasn’t been released. According to SE-Xperia the update doesn’t show on the phone, instead you need to plug the phone into your computer and check using PC Companion or the Sony Ericsson Update Service. They also go on to say that zoom hasn’t been added to the Xperia Play camera and is still the default Android camera application, rather than implementing Sony Ericsson’s camera software.

A new update has began rolling out from Sony Ericsson for the Xperia Arc and Xperia Neo. The update has been made available for a few countries already and even network branded handsets. Over in the UK, the update has been released for unbranded handsets but, users with Orange branded handsets are also reporting being able to update.

Firmware 4.0.A.2.368 adds several new features to the Xperia handsets, including the ability to zoom on the camera. The DLNA media server has been renamed to Connected Devices and there are several themes to choose from, instead of the default blue background which we first saw on the Xperia X10. The update also includes the latest home launcher which we recently saw leaked.

Other features include:

xLoud: Audio is enhanced during playback via speakers
Landscape mode: The homescreen is now available in landscape mode
Stereo recording: shoot video with high quality stereo sound
Data monitor: Monitor how much data you are using on your phone during the month
New apps: Xperia Hotshots, Extension search, Qriocity video, Neo reader, Get apps, Get games, Update center, UEFA.com
Widgets: TimeScape widget has been updated. There is also a new weather widget

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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Various readers have tried contacting O2 themselves about the update from Sony Ericsson. With Three finally releasing the update, this has put O2 UK as the last network to support the Sony Ericssons update which improves battery life and there still isn’t an timescale for how long users will have to wait. While looking to see if O2 customers had been made happy yet, I of course found they haven’t, well the UK ones haven’t anyway. Upon further inspection of the situation, it seems that both O2 Ireland and O2 Germany have approved and released the update for the phone, making the wait for O2 UK users seem even more ridiculous. One O2 user send the company a message via Twitter. Unfortunately, all they could say on the matter is that “a new software version will be appearing very soon on the SE site”. To confirm they were on the same wavelength, the user sent a reply asking them to confirm this was the Sony Ericsson update they were talking about and not the Android update. Unfortunately, they haven’t responded to that yet.

I’ve also tried contacting them and have just had a response back, saying it’ll be another week or two and again, to keep an eye on the Sony Ericsson site.

While it’s been longer than expected, Sony Ericsson have finally released the update, R2BA020, which is supposed to fix problems with the battery and improve overall battery life. While the Sony Ericsson blog doesn’t specifically say this, other users are reporting improved battery life performance since updating. According to Sony Ericsson the update improves the general performance of the handset, as well as improving speed and responsiveness which X10 owners have echoed. One member on the AndroidForums says he’s noticed that the menus and unlock screen are smoother, while the screen is more responsive. The update also adds a built in back up and restore app and the ability to use themes within Timescape. At the moment the themes are limited to different colors.

The update is being rolled out across the market over the coming weeks. Folks in the UK have confirmed the update although if the handset is branded, the network may not have released the update yet. The update has also been confirmed in Canada on Rogers however, it can only be performed via PC and not “over the air”. Selected markets, premium apps and games have also been added to PlayNow.

Despite the X10 previously being dubbed as not being able to support multi touch due to hardware, a source of Mobiles.co.uk has confirmed that multi touch is indeed capable on the Xperia X10. The multi touch support will come in the form of an update, due to be released some time in the second half of 2010, most likely around September. Their source also goes on to say, that the Android update to 2.1 will also be available around the same time. One of the main complaints of the X10 at the moment, is that the OS is outdated and an update would make it a brilliant phone. However by the time September rolls around, Sony Ericsson could still be playing the Android catch up game, with Android 2.2, aka Froyo, most likely released by then.

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When the Xperia X10 launches, it will come loaded with Android 1.6 but, with 2.1 in the works many prospective buyers are worried that the X10 will be stuck at 1.6. Fortunately, Sony Ericsson have confirmed this won’t be the case. At some point after it’s launch, the update will be available, allowing users to upgrade giving users the “complete Sony Ericsson User Experience Platform based on newer version of the Android OS.” Unfortunately, there’s no time line as for when the update will roll out.

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Another ROM update has been released for Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X1. Unfortunately it doesn’t bring with it any goodies from the leaked R3A ROM. What has been noticed with the new ROM is that the boot time of the X1 is better but there doesn’t seem to be much else. Over at Xperiancer, the leaked custom ROM which includes Xtrakt is favoured over the official ROM from Sony Ericsson. To update your Xperia, download the ROM from here.

We recently reported on the firmware update for the Sony Erisson Xperia X1. Unfortunately some users have received a message saying their firmware is already up to date and have been left wondering when the update will come. This isn’t the case though and it seems to be an issue with the Sony Ericsson Update Service software. Fortunately PocketNow have a solution posted up. If you “continue anyway” when the error pops up, it should download the new ROM and install it. If not you can download it from XDA-Developers and install it.

We also now have word on what the updated firmware brings. A Google search bar can now be found in the Today screen which ties into the Opera Mobile browser. The X1 also appears to load quicker and it appears to have fixed the bluetooth bug.

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