Sony Mobile

Sony Ericsson Brings Android 2.1 Update to AT&T Xperia X10 Owners

by Sohrab Osati | May 31, 2011 | 3 comments

Do you have a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 running on AT&T? If so, good news for you. Sony Ericsson has just released a new update for your smartphone, bringing it now to Android 2.1. So there you are folks, a free update for you to consume! But fret not, despite Sony’s earlier statements that the Xperia X10 would go no further then Android 2.1, Sony Ericsson a few months back had a change of heart and will be releasing Android 2.3 for the X10 at a later date.

Are you an X10 owner? Let us know your experience with the device in the comments section below.

[Via Sony Ericsson Blog]

Intel to Make Custom Chips for Sony?

by Sohrab Osati | May 29, 2011 | 6 comments

Usually when it comes to writing articles, I don’t like to stretch out and look for information that isn’t there but the truth of it is, that when the head of a company speaks out, you should listen. Upon that, usually nothing is said without some form of meaning or angle behind it. This brings us to Intel’s CFO, Stacy Smith who recently during an investors meeting discussed the possibility of the company moving beyond their x86 chipset platform and creating custom chips for their clients.

A little backstory on this entire topic will further guide your thought process to that of mine. The x86 platform is the chipset and design in which Intel creates their processors for. Like the Pentium 4, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo and i7 processor of today, all these are designed within a certain design structure and standards and x86 is exactly that. You cannot simply take a i7 processor and attempt to place it on let’s say, Sony’s upcoming S1 and S2 tablets. The flip side of this equation is that you also cannot take Apple’s A4 and A5 custom chips and expect them to power a laptop or at least note yet but that’s an entirely different story and we’re not an Apple blog. Sony has long been a partner of Intel, having first dibs on many of Intel’s newest processors on the PC side. As far back as I can remember, when the Pentium 4 came out or the Pentium M which was Intel’s first mobile processor, Sony was given access to them first, and then the likes of Dell, Gateway and HP would follow. Sony has also used Intel processors exclusively till two years ago when the company decided to use AMD processors in some of their lower offering models.

But today is no longer the computing world of 10 years ago, or even three years ago. Instead, todays hot sectors is mobile computing and I don’t mean laptops. Instead, smartphones and tablets are the real growth sector and the future of computing. This of course does not mean that the laptop or desktop won’t be around in 10 years, but that less people will need them for their everyday use. With exponential growths in that segment, thanks largely to Apple’s iPhone and iPad and now the slue of Android smartphones and tablets, Intel is left in the cold. You see, the x86 platform was never designed for such use. Instead companies like Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and Apple’s custom A4 are powering the mobile scene. This then brings us back to Stacy Smith’s comments.

“If Apple or Sony (SNE) came to us and said ‘I want to do a product that involves your IA (Intel architecture) core and put some of my IP [intellectual property] around it’, I wouldn’t blink,” said Smith. “Then you get into the middle ground of ‘I don’t want it to be an IA core, I want it to be my own custom-designed core,’ and then you are only getting the manufacturing margin, (and) that would be a much more in-depth discussion and analysis.”

The comment of Apple is an easy one to consider, seeing how Apple has been the true growth creator of the mobile segment and continues to push the largest volumes of any mobile device creator. However, Sony comes as a surprise to us, seeing how the company has always been a premium product maker in the PC world. It’s really only been as of late where the company has started to put together a smartphone strategy and we won’t be seeing their tablets till later this year. This then makes me wonder if Sony has hinted at future products like their tablets which will need a custom solution and started to look else place for chips and this is Intel’s way of bringing the company back to the negotiation table.

[Via Barron’s]

Sony Announces New Ultraportable VAIO SA

by Sohrab Osati | May 26, 2011 | 23 comments

Are you in need of an ultraportable and powerful laptop that can have 15 hours of battery lifetime? Yea, so are we and thankfully, Sony has the cure. Meet the Sony VAIO SA, an ultraportable 13.3-inch magnesium-and-alloy chassis laptop. Despite being only 0.95 inches thick, the VAIO SA packs some serious power with,

Intel Core i7 Processor
AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics and 1GB of video memory
1600 x 900 resolution
LED Backlit Keyboard
Intel Wireless Display 2.0 (for video streaming to your television)
Mic/Camera with Face Tracking and Exmor Sensor (allows the camera to automatically adjust focus and follow you as you move around while video chatting.)
500GB hard drive
Fingerprint reader (perfect for those who want a little extra security)
Blu-ray drive (reader and writer)

For those who want a little more out of their VAIO SA, Sony will allow you to custom order one with a dual channel solid-state drive which if combined with their sheet battery upgrade ($150), will let you achieve 15 hours of battery lifetime. The SA series start around $1,350 and will be available this June.

As always, hit the jump for the official press release and more pictures. What do you guys think? Do you fancy smaller more powerful laptops or do you prefer a larger screen with all that power?

Sony Ericsson’s Canadian Store Hacked, 2,000+ Account Data Taken

by Sohrab Osati | May 26, 2011 | 28 comments

We hate to be right on the subject matter but it is indeed another day and another Sony website has been hacked. This time, it’s Sony Ericsson’s Canadian store that has seen intruders illegally break in and steal customer information. More than 2,000 Canadian Eshop customers data were taken this but again, just like the previous attack, there is good news. Sony has stated that customer passwords were all encrypted, thus making them useless to the culprits and no credit card data was accessed. As Naked Security put it in our last article:

when this is over, Sony may end up being one of the most secure web assets on the net.

I think it’s important to note with all these hackings is that Sony is not the party to blame and instead, the real anger should be towards those who are stealing your information. As I wrote an extensive piece on this before, no matter how you view the company, it’s in their best interest to have events like this not occur but at the end of the day, the criminals are the hackers.

[Via BBC]

Sony Ericsson Xperia Acro Announced. We Have Specs

by Sohrab Osati | May 9, 2011 | 5 comments

Before anybody gets overly excited about this, we have to point that this phone is intended for Japan only and you can probably blame that on the lack of infrastructure offered in your country. The Xperia Acro, not to be confused with the Xperia Arc which will have a global launch, is Sony Ericssons new flagship phone for the Land of the Rising Sun. This Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone will carry a 4.2-inch touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine to offer some of the most crisp and vidid viewing experience to be found on a handheld device. This is partially due to the entertainment value that the Acro will carry, seeing how the phone has built in Mobile TV functionality, enabling live TV viewing on the device, which is different from video streaming off of a 3G network. The Acro will also come equipped with a 8.1-megapixel camera with Exmor R sensor which also allows for 720p video recording. Both recording modes are optimized to offer low-noise and function under low light quality which is a welcome feature for most cellphone owners. For those of you who are looking to share you content, no need to worry as this 1GHz CPU, Adreno 205 GPU will also come with HDMI out. Besides the TV tuner functionality, another reason why we won’t see the Acro make it to the West is due to the built in mobile wallet (NFC) which allows your Xperia Acro to function as a credit card. With no standard and support system in the United States and Europe, these two features would mean a higher priced phone with a locked out functionality which of course does not make sense. Seeing how easy it is to purchase Starbucks with my iPhone app, this is a feature that I cannot wait for to make its way to the West. This would make running into the store and being out, that much more convenient while requiring me to have one less thing on me. No price point has been announced for the Acro at this point but look for the unit in Black and White by the end of Summer.

Hit the jump for the official press release from Sony Ericsson. While you are there, what do you think about the Acro? How about NFC technology? Is that something you would like to see implemented in your country?

Sony Announces New Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

by Sohrab Osati | May 5, 2011 | 7 comments

Sony really wasn’t kidding when they said that they wanted to get in on the Android smartphone action and become one of the top Android handset makers. Though that dream might not happen this year, especially due to the delays from Sony Ericsson, because of the tragic events that unfolded in Japan nearly two months ago, the company has a bright future ahead with the slew of phones that they are releasing this year. In addition to the Xperia Play, Arc, Neo, Walkman W8 and rumored Acro, the company today unveiled two new Android 2.3 Gingerbread based smartphones.

The Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro which are slated for a global Q3, 2011 launch are meant to fill in Sony Ericssons gap of lowered end Android phones. Still, don’t automatically think to yourself that lower end means lower quality. Instead, both phones offer some unique features which might just be perfect for a lot of users out there, especially those who might not need a large phone or if media consumption isn’t there thing. You see, both the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro come with a 3-inch, multitouch, scratch-resistant display which powered by Sony’s exclusive Bravia Engine for smartphones. Both units will also give you a 1GHz processor, 720p HD video recording camera and 5 megapixel photo camera and of course, have access to the Android Market, seeing as they run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest from Google.

If you want to know the difference between these two models, there isn’t a whole lot is the simple answer. The obvious one is that the Xperia Mini Pro (pictured above) also features a slide out keyboard while the Xperia Mini relies on touchscreen input. The second and only other difference is that the Xperia Mini Pro also has a front facing camera for taking photos and videos of yourself and for the of course, video chatting usage. So what do you guys think about these two new phones? They are still a few months away but they should fit nicely into Sony Ericsson’s portfolio. Would you get one or know somebody who would?

As always, hit the jump for an official press release and for a shot of the Xperia Mini.

Sony S1 and S2 Tablet Size Comparison

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 29, 2011 | 6 comments

With two new Sony Tablets headed towards us for a Summer release, we all natural want to know about them, like specs and offerings. Though we have some information in regards to the S1 and S2 tablet, there still hasn’t been a whole lot of details released. However, one detail that we can indeed show you is the size of these devices. Many times, just saying that the S1 comes with a 9.4-inch screen or that the S2 will come with a hybrid, dual 5.5 inch display might be meaningless unless you actually saw it in use and not in just a press release shot. The above photo is of the S1 while after the break, you will find a picture of the more interestingly designed S2, which should give you a good idea about their size and form factor. What do you guys think about the new designs? Is the hybrid dual 5.5-inch screen interesting to you?

Meet the Sony Freestyle Hybrid Touchscreen PC/Tablet and the Ultimate Mobile PC

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 26, 2011 | 19 comments

If you thought last nights Sony Tablet surprises were the only thing out of the Japanese electronic giant, then you haven’t heard the whole story. After the tablet presentation was done, Sony also showed off two new concept VAIO computers that are going to be coming to the market sooner then later. Though spec are still unknown, what we do know is this. The first which is called the The Freestyle Hybrid PC is more a PC Tablet like device. With a full touchscreen display and Windows OS (though we are not sure which), this seems to be the answer for those who want to work on the go with a Tablet. The other is called the Ultimate Mobile PC that comes with a 13.3-inch screen and follows in a more traditional laptop design. Both units are believed to be utilizing Intels Atom Processors. If those details seem scarce, that’s because they are. There isn’t really a whole lot of information to go off of, beyond what we have just reported. More to come as Sony releases more information.

[Via ITMedia]

Sony Announces Two New Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablets, The S1 and S2. We Have Pictures, a Video and Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 5 comments

After much speculation, Sony during a press event in Tokyo announced two new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb, the build that Google actually deems ready for tablets) for a Summer release. Previously under the codename of S1 and S2 which they still hold until an official name is given, both tablets will be rocking the expected Wifi but will also come with a 3G and 4G variant. A front and rear facing camera is also standard on both models. These new media based tablets are going to be primarily powered by Sony’s services such as Qriocity for unlimited music and video streaming, as well as the PlayStation Suit which will bring PSone classics to the tablet and finally, Sony’s Reader platform which currently powers the companies eBook readers.

“‘Sony Tablet’ delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time. We’re aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including ‘Sony Tablet’ with content and network,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, Corporate Executive, SVP, and Deputy President of Consumer Products & Services Group.

As mentioned, Sony will be releasing two units. The S1 which is the more typical tablet design will come with a 9.4-inch screen while the S2, which is the more clamshell design will be sporting two 5.5-inch displays which can be used together as one large screen to “browse websites and more”. This dual screen will also allow users to multitask like never before be using one screen to watch a video, while typing on another or while reading an email while the bottom screen turns into a keyboard. Another interesting feature will be that both tablets will have infered ports, allowing you to control home A/V equipment, like a Sony Bravia television. Through DLNA, Sony’s tablets will allow users to stream music to wireless speakers and video to their television set. There’s currently no mentions of other specs and prices though we can expect that to change very quickly.

“Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. I’m excited about “Sony Tablet” as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for.” said Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile, Google Inc.

Hit the jump for one more picture and a teaser video of the device.

Sony Ericssons new Android Phone, the Walkman W8

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 25, 2011 | 9 comments

In order to survive in today’s market, you cannot simply target high end smartphone users who need the latest and greatest. Sony Ericsson, traditionally a company who offered a wide range of Symbian based phones has seen its bottom line take a hit as of recent, due to the fact that with their transition towards Android, they haven’t had a phone offering for those who wish for a little less. Now the company is looking to change that by releasing the Walkman W8. If the phone looks surprisingly familiar to you, that’s because the phone was previously released under the name of Xperia X8. Now with the company moving forward with much higher end phones like the Xperia Play and Arc, the company hopes that the fleet of Xperia X8’s that the company once produced can help it capture a different market share. The Walkman W8 which comes in many new fun colors has the following specs:

Android 2.1
3-inch, 320 x 480 touchscreen
600MHz processor
168MB of RAM
3G and Wifi
3.2 Megapixel camera

The new Walkman phone is currently announced on Sony Ericssons German page though we assume that the phone will make its way to the states as well. No price has been announced though you can hit the jump for some additional pictures. What do you guys think though? Great phone for those need something a little simpler, yet still want access to the Android market?

[Via Sony Ericsson]

Sony Ericsson Posts Small First Quarter Profit

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 19, 2011 | 7 comments

Of all the different handset makers out there, Sony Ericsson seems to be one the most interesting ones to follow when it comes to the companies financial side. The company which has previously seen huge losses was able to post a €21 million net income during the prior quarter, mainly thanks to tax benefits. With no tax benifits to aid the companies bottom line, the joint venture between Japan’s Sony Electronic and Sweeden’s Ericsson was able to bring in €
11 million ($15.7 million) for their first 2011 quarter which ended on March 31st. The companies operating income was €19 million which faired much better then a forecasted operating loss of €15 million.

With the number of handsets shipped dropping to 8.1 million from 10.5 million of prior quarter, sales fell 19% year-on-year to €1.15 billion. Still, Sony Ericsson was able to pull out a 33% gross margin profit on each unit, versus the 31% from the year prior. With Sony Ericsson fully embracing the Android platform and releasing muliple smartphones, the average selling price of handsets sold rose to €141, up 5% year-on-year.

“On profitability, the results are better than we expected, but that’s because they sold fewer of the more basic feature phones. That explains the volume drop and the ASP increase,” said Hakan Wranne, an analyst at Swedbank.

Sony Ericsson Gains its Own Channel in Android Market

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 13, 2011 | 7 comments

Those of you who own a Sony Ericsson phone will as of today notice a change when you access the Android Market. Traditionally when opened, you would be greeted to Apps, Games and My apps category. Now, you will notice that My apps category is gone, instead replaced by a Sony Ericsson channel. First, no need to fear, those of you who liked the My apps category can still access it by simply pushing the menu button. So what is this new channel? Sony Ericsson has taken the first inititative among Android handset makers, though we believe many are/will follow shortly and created it’s own channel, only visible to those who own Sony Ericsson handsets. Within the channel, you will find special apps that are designed and catered to Sony Ericsson phones. As Sony put it:

– Provide recommendations to help you find the best games & apps that enhance your Sony Ericsson ‘most entertaining’ experience.
– Provide a way to easily find original apps from Sony Ericsson such as Timescape plugins etc.
– From time to time offer exclusive games & apps only available in this channel.
– Help our developer partners promote their apps & games giving them a highlighted market space to our consumers.

Those who own are looking forward to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play will probably see a lot of action here, seeing how the phone is gaining some exclusive games like Backstab from Gameloft and will have access to the PlayStation One library, long before other Android phones do.

[Via Sony Ericsson Blog]

Another Ad for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, Mixing Kittens and Crossbows

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 13, 2011 | 13 comments

Have you seen the previous ad for the Xperia Play? If not, your missing out on “stuff” blowing up. Now, here is another followup at, highlighting what makes the Xperia Play, with it’s exclusive games different from the rest of the Android gang.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Acro Leaked. We Have Details

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 11, 2011 | 2 comments

In both the Android and Sony Ericsson community, there has been a debate brewing if Sony is planning on introducing more phones this year, beyond the Xperia Play, Arc, Neo and Mini Pro. If no new phones are released this year, does that make the Xperia Arc, Sony’s flagship phone? If there will be more phones coming, will they rank up with the Xperia Arc and be flagship based models? Now, with the leaked images and partial specs of the Xperia Acro, we might have the answer to that. Much like the Xperia Arc, the Acro will be coming with Gingerbread, Android 2.3.3 and will sport the same 4.2-inch touchscreen display. What seems to have changed is the inclusion of a TV Tuner, infrared and mobile wallet (NFC).

Beyond these few tidbit, we don’t know much about this phone and those could very well be all the changes that will be going into this phone. If true, this could indeed be a phone only destined for Europe and Japan where NFC systems and Mobile TV have actual presence. Of course if all these are true and welcomed features, I wouldn’t deem them a Flagship based model as it likely won’t be coming to the US, nor a model that everybody would want. If everything holds together, look for a Summer European or Japan release though with recent events in Japan, we have seen delays from Sony Ericsson. Are the additional features something that interest you or if the Arc enough of a phone for you?

[Via AndroidGuys]

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo Delayed Till Q3

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 8, 2011 | 5 comments

The unfortunate tragedies that have recently struck Japan have not been limited to just the people of the country. As more damages begin to get assessed, many of Japan’s largest companies like Sony and Toyota are finding out that their facilities were more damaged then they previously thought which is leading to product delays and slow rollouts. On top of that, even if a companies own facilities were not harmed by the earthquake and tsunami, but a partnering supply companies was, this will still lead to product delays as companies are finding it harder and harder to get their hands on key components like batteries. Because of these “supply chain disruptions”, Sony Ericsson has announced that their Gingerbread based, Xperia Neo is receiving the bump and will instead now be launching in July as the company tried to find a consistent supply chain in order to have a proper product launch.

As Sony Ericsson continues to assess the impact of the situation in Japan on its business, we have communicated to our operator customers and distributors that some volume of Xperia arc, Xperia PLAY and Xperia neo phones has been affected. Xperia neo has already been introduced to the marketplace in limited quantities. However, due to supply chain disruptions resulting from the situation in Japan, we have shifted the timing of Xperianeo’s broader launch and it is now planned for early Q3.

We will address this topic at the time of our Q1 financial results announcement call that is scheduled for April 19, 2011.

[Via Sony Ericsson Italy Facebook]