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.

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For anyone that has seen the new Sony Ericsson Xperia home launcher on the yet to be released Xperia Ray handset and been curious as to when it might become available for the current Xperia handset range, then news of the leak of the home launcher itself may be welcomed.

Working on the Xperia X10, Xperia Arc, Xperia Play and the Xperia Neo, the home launcher can be installed using a file manager to transfer and install the leaked .apk file. It adds quirky new features to the current home launcher including the ‘floating’ widgets when in the widget screen and shaking the phone – the widgets move around the screen, activated by the movement. Also featured is the ability to uninstall apps more easily.

The home launcher .apk file can be found here for anyone that wants to experience the new home launcher for themselves.

Sony Ericsson have now released the Android 2.3.3 update for this year’s range of Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets, the Xperia Arc and Xperia Play. Depending on your region, the update will also be available for the Xperia Neo.

The update has begun rolling out and is being done the same way as the X10 2.1 update, with it being released in “kits”. Meaning depending on your region and handset sim lock or branding, the update may not yet be available to you. Here in the UK, the update has been released to O2 branded handsets, unlocked handsets and Vodafone branded handsets.

The update has also been released in China, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonisia, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Polan, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Sweden. These are confirmed countries to have received the update (list courtesy of XDA).

The update can be performed over the air, via SEUS or PC Companion. As well as bringing the Android version up to 2.3.3 from 2.3.2, the update adds the recently announced Facebook inside Xperia, which provides a deeper intergration between your handset and Facebook.

As well as the announcement of two new handsets, the Xperia Mini and Mini Pro, Sony Ericsson have also announced a new feature called “Facebook inside Xperia”. Facebook inside Xperia will be on the Xperia Mini and Mini Pro at launch, while other 2011 Xperia models will receive an update to include this new feature. It doesn’t look like the 2010 models will be receiveing Facebook inside Xperia though.

Facebook inside Xperia provides a deeper intergration on your phone with Facebook. With one single login, you can then use this for the Facebook app and Timescape and any other apps that require a Facebook login, as opposed to the current system, where you need to login to Timescape and Facebook app individually. If you sync your contacts, there will now be more info that you can access about your contacts, such as photos, likes and status. You can also sync your calander with Facebook so you can see upcoming birthdays and events.

Other new stuff includes being able to see your Facebook photos in your phones gallery. While listening to music you will be able to “Like” it, which will post it on your wall. Or if you’re stuck for ideas on what to listen to or watch, the Media Discovery widget shows you what your friends have recommended from Youtube, Spotify etc.

Sony Ericsson have previously announced that they will indeed be working on releasing handsets powered by Windows latest mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. It would also make sense for at least one of the WP7 handsets from Sony Ericsson, to be in the Xperia range, following on from the Windows Mobile 6.0 powered Xperia X1 and the Windows Mobile 6.5 powered Xperia X2.

A document has been leaked, which puts a Windows Phone 7 handset as being the Xperia X7. Again, this would be a very logical move and very possible. It also wouldn’t be the first time Sony Ericsson have gone down a model number in the Xperia range, with the Xperia X8 being revealed and released after the Xperia X10 had been released. Read the rest of this entry »