Event Coverage

Sony Ericsson Announces Updates and New Devices

By Seow Tein Hee - 16 Jun 2010

Sony Ericsson Announces Updates and New Devices

Sony Ericsson Announces Updates to Xperia Series

Sony Ericsson is definitely putting a lot of hopes on the Android platform. Looking at just the Xperia smartphone series, you'll notice a bulk of it running on the Google Android platform, starting from the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, to its smaller offshoots, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and X10 mini pro. During the Sony Ericsson regional event, the company also announced the upcoming update for these three devices onto the Google Android 2.1 platform by Q3 2010 in selected markets. Further to that, the X10 will also receive an update to its Timescape and Mediascape applications, HD Video recording, and a feature that allows you to wirelessly connect to TVs and display its content.

The earlier Xperia X10 devices will get an Android 2.1 update in Q3 2010 within selected markets, and the X10 itself will get an upgrade to its Timescape and Mediascape applications.

Following the prospective updates to its existing lineup, Sony Ericsson announced three new upcoming devices, Xperia X8, Yendo with Walkman, and the Cedar. We give you a short video runthrough of all three of these new devices in this clip and following that are close-up pictures and comments for each phone:-

 

Hands-on with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

Sony Ericsson revealed yet another Android device loaded with its unique Timescape interface - the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8. Built as an intermediate offering from the larger X10, to the petite X10 mini and X10 mini pro, the X8 is equipped with a 3-inch screen at a display resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. It shares a similar user interface to its X10 mini sibling. What was surprising is the downsizing of its camera sensor to 3.2-megapixel, in a bid to bring its price point lower.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 will be available from Q3 2010, with a variety of colors including White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, Silver/ White.

Similar to the X10's human curvature design, the X8 comes with a smaller 3-inch screen at a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels.

A user interface with four shortcuts situated at the corner of the screen.

The X8 opts for a more affordable 3.2-megapixel camera without LED flash, which should put it a lower price range.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

Key highlights of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

  • Google Android 1.6
  • Timescape
  • 600MHz processor
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  • HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
  • 3.0-inch capacitive screen, 320 x 480 pixels
  • 3.2-megapixel camera

 

Hands-on with the Sony Ericsson Yendo with Walkman

Dubbed as the Sony Ericsson Yendo with Walkman, it is also the company's first Walkman phone to utilize a full touchscreen user interface. Likewise, the Yendo will bear some similarity to the user interface of the X10 mini and X10 mini pro, i.e. having the four shortcuts at the 2.6-inch screen's corner. As such, you can also customize your homepage and park some of your most frequently used features on the four shortcuts for easy access. Social networking will also be available on the Yendo, which links you up to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Sony Ericsson Yendo with Walkman will be available from Q3 2010, in the following colors: Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver, White and Yellow.

The Yendo sports a similar user interface to the earlier X10 and X10 mini pro, with its four shortcuts located at the corners.

A 2-megapixel camera resides at the rear of the device, and you get multiple color choices with the interchangeable covers of the Yendo.

Sony Ericsson Yendo with Walkman

Key highlights of the Sony Ericsson Yendo with Walkman

  • First Walkman with full touchscreen interface
  • Social network applications: Facebook, Twitter, Orkut
  • 2.6-inch TFT touchscreen, 240 x 320 pixels
  • 2-megapixel camera

 

Hands-on with the Sony Ericsson Cedar

Last on the list for the Sony Ericsson event is the Sony Ericsson Cedar, a basic entry-level device. Unlike the earlier two devices, the Cedar will be running on Sony Ericsson's proprietary software. Nonetheless, social networking will be one of its main focus, with its Widget Manager 2.0 that displays your Facebook and Twitter feeds on the homescreen via widgets. And as part of its eco-initiatives, the Cedar falls under Sony Ericsson's GreenHeart portfolio, which includes the use of recycled plastics and low power consumption charging.

The Sony Ericsson Cedar will be available by Q3 2010 in two colors - Black/Silver and Black/Red.

Like the earlier Sony Ericsson Elm and Aspen, the Cedar is built under the GreenHeart initiative, which promotes the use of recycled plastic and low power consumption chargers for this series.

Sony Ericsson Cedar

Key highlights of the Sony Ericsson Cedar

  • GreenHeart device
  • Social network applications: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace
  • Widget Manager 2.0
  • HSDPA
  • 2.2-inch display, 240 x 320 pixels
  • 2-megapixel camera

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