Sony Ericsson slaps Walkman logo on X8, renames it W8
Take one Xperia X8, add a dash of color, paint a “W” on it and, voilà, you have the first Walkman phone running Android — the W8. We’re not seeing it on the US Sony Ericsson site yet, but a quick visit to the company’s German page reveals the decidedly low-end specs: a 3-inch, 320 x 480 touchscreen, a 600MHz processor, 168MB of RAM and Android 2.1. The W8 may not recapture the luster the Walkman brand enjoyed in its TPS-L2 heyday, but at least it’ll update your Twitter status. Gallery below.
Gallery: Sony Ericsson W8
[Thanks, Rich]
Sony Ericsson slaps Walkman logo on X8, renames it W8 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source code for Xperia X10 multi-touch update released
You’ve got to feel for Xperia X10 owners. They spent most of 2010 stuck on Android 1.6, and so far 2011 has brought the news that the device will never get an official update to Android 2.2 Froyo.
Some good news has emerged recently, however, with the publication of some new source code for the X10, X10 Mini and X8 on Sony Ericsson’s Developer World site. The code for the unreleased version 2.1.A.0.390, based on Android 2.1, includes an updated multi-touch driver allowing for dual-touch support, according to the resourceful people at xda-developers. This would be a first for the X10 series, as current touchscreen drivers for these phones only support pinch-to-zoom rather than full multi-touch.
Unfortunately, since the X10′s bootloader is locked, X10 owners will have to wait for Sony (and possibly their carrier) to approve this update before they can get it on their phones. Despite months of effort, the Android community has not yet succeeded in getting custom firmware loaded onto the X10. [xda-developers]
Source code for Xperia X10 multi-touch update released posted originally by Android Central
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Xperia X8 Eclair update begins
Android 2.1 updates for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 have started to roll out, and no, SE didn’t surprise anyone with Froyo. Android 2.1-update 1 is rolling out in stages, based on the "SI-number" located on the label on the back of your phone. Sony Ericsson has a list of all the SI-numbers that are being given the update now, and they will update that list accordingly. See the source link for the list.
Interestingly, SE again mentions that software updates are not under their complete control:
…the final timing of when each kit comes is depending on different local and global approvals and therefore we don’t really have a detailed plan per kit but rather release them as soon as all needed approvals are in.
All manufacturers need carrier approval for their software, but it appears the Sony Ericsson really wants us to remember that. If I can offer a suggestion — stop shipping phones with Android 1.6 on them and you wont have to make so many excuses. Just sayin’. [Sony Ericsson Product Blog] Thanks Sam!
Xperia X8 Eclair update begins posted originally by Android Central
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Sony’s roadmap leaked for its Xperia X10 line of phones (hint: No Froyo)
A leaked roadmap for Sony’s Xperia X10 line of phones has been found, showing some of the future updates for the devices. According to the document, there will be three major firmware releases upcoming: 1.6, 2.1 and 2.1x. The Xperia X10 is set to get 2.1 shortly (we have been hearing that for a while), and this update will bring:
- 720 video recording with continuous autofocus
- Five homescreens
- HTML5 support
- A social phonebook that will linke Facebook and Twitter with your Contacts
The X10 Mini, X10 Mini Pro, as well as the X8 are also due to receive the 2.1 OTA. With this update, small updates are given including:
- An incremental change in the four corner navigation
- Bluetooth 2.1
After 2.1, Sony is preparing 2.1x, which is there renewed and alledgly improved UX platform to Timescape and Mediascape.
The bad news is that there was no mention of Froyo (2.2) in the roadmap, leading us and users to question whether the X10 will ever be getting the latest OS version.
No word on dates from the roadmap; we have been hearing that the X10 will be updated so often that anyone’s guess to when that will be is as good as ours. [Xperiax10 via Se-nse]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Hands-on video shows Xperia X8 looks like … an Xperia X8
Take a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, shrink it down, and you get the Xperia X8. And there’s the X8 above (on the left). The guys at SE-First got a hands-on with a prototype, and there’s pretty much nothing there you wouldn’t expect. It’s a smaller X10. Or a larger X10 Mini. Your call. Turn your speakers off (don’t say we didn’t warn you) and check out video after the break. [SE-First via MobileCrunch]
Posted originally at Android Central
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The Xperia X8 is officially announced by Sony Ericsson
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 was officially announced today, bringing a mid-size, mid-spec Android phone to the Xperia line. The particulars:
- Android 1.6 (Donut) with Mediascape and Timecape user interfaces.
- 3-inch capacitive touchscreen at 320×480 (HVGA).
- 600MHz processor.
- Quad-band EDGE (850/900/1800/1900), dual (900/2100) or quad-band (800/850/1900/2100) HSPA.
- 3.2MP camera.
- aGPS.
- WiFi.
So, a mid-level phone, it is. Question remains whether it’ll be the first to break through to the American carriers. Full presser after the break. [Sony Ericsson]
Posted originally at Android Central
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Sony Ericsson Shakira is the Xperia X8
What’s bigger than the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and larger than the X10 Mini? Meet the Xperia X8 — a mid-size model previously known as the Shakira. No other real details just yet, though it appears to be keeping the same three-button styling, along with the Timescape and Mediascape user interface atop Android. No word on if or when it’ll make an appearance, or if it’ll be stuck with the same Donut version of Android as its older siblings. [Unofficial SE Blog]
Posted originally at Android Central
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