A sincere apology later and those of us that are waiting [im]patiently for the release of the Android Ice Cream Sandwich update to roll out on the Xperia S are back doing just that, waiting.

We recently reported that the ICS update would be coming to the Xperia S a little earlier than previously expected. The original date which was perhaps June or July for the update was cut down to a late May, early June release as one of the Sony representatives on their official forums said this would be the case.  However, this staff member was mistaken and has retracted his statement, instead saying that the Android 4.0 update will come to the Xperia S in the latter part of Q2 this year, as expected originally (before he said otherwise basically).

Again, even when Ice Cream Sandwich/Android 4.0 does start to roll out for the Xperia S, it will still take a little extra time to get the software update to all customers across different regions and networks but, it is still scheduled for a release in the next few months at least.

Mobile phone buyers in India will soon be able to pick up the dual core Sony Xperia P handset in their country as Sony plan to release the Xperia P in India at the end of May.

The Xperia P is actually already available in India to preorder from e-tailer Infibeam and is priced at 25,500 Indian Rupee, the equivalent of $469 US Dollars on their website. The black model is the only colour available currently, for this retailer at least.

Specifications of the Xperia P include the 1GHz dual-core processor, a 4 inch display and an 8MP camera. This handset also comes with 16GB built in storage however, it is one of the few Xperia handsets that does not offer expandable memory support ie there is no microSD slot and no way of increasing storage on the Xperia P.

Sony are releasing the handset into the Indian market with 2.3 Android preinstalled and are suggesting that Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich will arrive for the Xperia P in June in India.

The Xperia U handset is the latest Sony smartphone to be released, this time in the Middle East, a press release from the company has announced.

Director of marketing for Sony Mobile Communications in the region Mr Gousetis was at hand to praise the features of the handset as the company announced the arrival of the Xperia U saying “The Xperia U is an extremely stylish phone that delivers the best in Sony’s iconic identity design philosophy. Packed with a range of distinctive features such as xLoud and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology, it offers a complete smartphone experience.”

The Xperia U will come with Android version 2.3 (aka Gingerbread) installed with an update to Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich) on the cards for a release in Q3 of this year. Colour options available for the handset are the standard black and white and the Xperia U with its 3.5 inch display, 1GHz dual core processor and 5 megapixel camera which is capable of recording HD video and taking both 2D and 3D panoramic photographs.

Pricing is set at Dh1,199 which is equivalent to roughly US$325.

As well as announcing the Sony Xperia P, Sony have announced the Xperia U which also features the Sony Xperia NXT Series design. The Xperia U will feature a 3.5″ display making it the smaller of the NXT series which includes the Xperia P and the previously announced Xperia S.

The Xperia U will feature a 5 megapixel camera, a step down from the 8 megapixel camera found on the Xperia P. Sony have also included a 1GHz dual core processor on the Xperia U. Unlike it’s bigger brothers, the Xperia U doesn’t feature NFC technology. Both the Xperia U and Xperia P should be available from the middle of Q2.

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.

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.

Over on the Sony Ericsson blog, news was released that a deal with cloud-based storage company Box had been reached and that an application was available to download from the Android Market exclusively for Xperia owners which would give them 50GB of free storage on the Box network. However, Sony Ericsson later retracted that story and the app was nowhere to be seen, despite many users searching for it.

The latest news is that the blog post was made in error as Sony Ericsson aren’t quite ready to go live with the deal although, they are aiming to bring the free 50GB of storage through Box, to Xperia users, soon. A spokesman for Sony Ericsson explained the error and indicated that the promotion will be available in the near future and advised Xperia owners to ‘stay tuned’ for further information. I’m sure many of us will be doing just that for 50GB of free, secure storage.

Sony Ericsson released the Android 2.3.4 update slightly earlier than expected when we saw the Android update hit Nordic handsets. However it took a little while longer for the update to be rolled out globally, which Sony Ericsson have now done.

The update is going out globally but, as always the ability to update is more than just region dependant, if your handset is network branded you will need to wait for the network to release the update to your phone.

The update brings Android up to version 2.3.4 from 2.3.3 which includes Google Talk with video chat for handsets with a front facing camera such as the Xperia Neo. Unfortunately because the Xperia Arc doesn’t feature a front facing camera, it will not get that part of the update. What it will get however, along with the Neo is 3D and 2D Sweep Panorama. You can now take panoramic photos in either 2D or 3D and view them on your TV through HDMI. You will also be able to connect USB peripherals, such as a keyboard, game controller or mouse through the Sony Ericsson LiveDock, turning your Xperia smartphone into a mini mobile PC.

Other new features include:

Updated Facebook inside Xperia
16x video zoom
Swipe to type
WiFi DLNA
Screen capture

To see if the update is available for your phone yet, head on in to the settings menu. From there select “About phone”, you’ll then be giving the option to do a “Software update”.

As previously reported, the newly released Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is available to buy in the UK. The handset has now been picked up by at least three of the major UK mobile carriers, namely Orange, O2 and Vodafone who have the Ray listed for sale on their respective websites.

The listing on the O2 website itself shows the Xperia Ray as in stock and it is available to buy on the network if purchasers go through third party sellers such as the Tesco phone shop. It is available from £15.50 a month which offers a free handset over 24 months.  The Xperia Ray is also available on the O2 £10.50 a month tariff but, costs £79.99 upfront to purchase that way. The Orange website is now showing the Ray as ‘coming soon’ but, is confirmed as coming to the network for the first time and is expected to be available on a variety of contract options and with a pay as you go deal too. Vodafone have the phone listed as available to buy and the handset is free with their £26 a month, 24 month contract.

A representative from Sony Ericsson confirmed to SoMobile that the 2011 range of Xperia models will receive an update to Android Ice Cream sandwich, aka Android 4.0. Google recently announced that Android 4.0 would be out in October or November.

Sony Ericsson’s timeline for Android 4.0 isn’t known but, they have already promised the Android 2.3.4 update to Xperia owners and that’s due out around October time. The 2.3.4 update will also add a 3D panoramic feature to the camera, allowing you to capure photos in 3D and view them on a 3D enabled TV.

via