Stuff magazine have been lucky enough to spend a little time with Sony Ericsson’s newest upcoming Xperia handset and the review is largely positive for the Android handset however, the reviewer believes that a software update will be needed to get the best out of the handset – the X10 will be released running the older 1.6 (Donut) version of the android software.
One of the most applauded features is the ‘infinity button’ which allows users of the phone to use Mediascape, for easy access to music and media stored online and Timescape on the handset which basically allows the user to perform tasks on social networks and includes an animated 3D tile feature for notifications.
The X10’s 4 inch screen gets a positive mark too, along with it’s potentially fast 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, although again, because of the limitations of the Android 1.6 software, the processor apparently doesn’t perform as well as it could. However, the 8mp camera on the X10 scores highly in the review with the reviewer claiming that the X10 camera is the “Best Android camphone” – even with the lack of Xenon flash on this model.
Score wise the Xperia X10 recieved 4 out of 5 stars in the review, almost perfect and with a few tweaks to the software along the road by Sony Ericsson, the perfect Android handset could be within their grasp it seems.
Over on the O2 website, the Xperia X10 has made an appearance leading to further speculation that the carrier will be providing the Sony Ericsson smartphone at some point in the future.
The X10 has previously been spotted on the O2 website by coolsmartphone when the model appeared in the accessories section of the site and now the X10 has appeared on the O2 ‘smartphone hub‘ page, in image form at least but, with UK carrier Vodafone already due to offer the X10, these little teasers from O2 are giving the impression that the android handset will indeed be available on O2 in the UK.
A source of BoyGeniusReport has stated that the Xperia X10, is definitely headed to AT&T. The earliest we’ll see it is April but, it may possibly be May. It’s very likely that the handset will be $199 but, information on tariff price and length are unknown. There’s also rumors that it could be free on a 2 year contract. However the monthly cost will probably be substantially higher than if paying $199 for it. Hopefully we’ll receive correct tariff and pricing information soon. It’s also rumored that the X10 Mini and Mini Pro are due to be launched around the same time as the Xperia X10.
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.
We recently announced that the Xperia X10 would be released in April in the UK on Vodafone. We now know that the handset will also be launching in April in Germany. The handset will launch on T-Mobile there. Pricing information is unknown at the moment. The handset will support quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and triband UMTS/HSPDA/HSUPA at 900/1700/2100.
Hopefully we’ll be able to confirm release dates of other countries soon along with pricing information.
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.
Ericsson Labs have created an API that allows viewing of maps in 3D. The imagery is powered by Saab spinoff (a defense firm) C2 technologies, which uses satellite maps and renders them into 3D. The 3D maps are in high quality and realtime, making it perfect for a GPS app. Ericsson have demoed the 3D maps on the Snap Dragon powered Xperia X10. It’s unlikely we’ll see this on retail units on launch but, hopefully it will be made available over time. You can view the video of the 3D maps in action on the X10 below.
The Xperia X10 from Sony Ericsson is to arrive in Canada Q2 of 2010. The handset will be an exclusive to carrier Rogers. So if you’re hoping to get your hands on the X10, are you willing to switch carriers if not already on Rogers? The Xperia X10 will be the first Android powered handset released by Sony Ericsson. Elsewhere in the world, the expected release date of the handset is February, within Q1.
With all the set backs of the X2, it comes as no surprised that the target release date of February won’t be fulfilled. SEMC Blog are reporting that the Android powered handset has been set back to March. The one upside of the X10 coming out a month later, is that it may include Android OS Eclair 2.0 instead of Donut 1.6. UK online retailer Play however, still have the release date as February but, 9 days later than the 10th February announcement.
An image of an unannounced Sony Ericsson handset has surfaced, which looks very much like the upcoming Android powered Xperia X10. The “mini X10″ is codenamed Robyn and first impressions lead us to believe it could be an X10 mini. Robyn also runs on Android like the X10 and features a downsized touch screen. The screen of Robyn measures almost a full inch smaller than the X10 at 2.6″. We can also confirm the handset features a 5 megapixel camera and comes in a choice of black, white, pink or yellow. Other specs are currently unknown but, there should be an official announcement at the MWC event on February 14th.
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