Sony Ericsson releases SDK for Xperia X1 Panel Interface, panel download service in the works (updated: video)

We know what you're thinking -- it's Windows Mobile 6.1 fool, we've got the developers kit already. True, but not the SDK that allows developers to create custom, interactive panels for the touchscreen QWERTY's Panel Interface. Sony Ericsson claims that, "The Xperia X1 will offer the richest mobile user experience, putting the world at the fingertips of the user." In other words, the expectations have been set, developers, so you'd best get to downloading the free SDK -- you've got your work cut out for you. Sony Ericsson will offer a panel download service in the future, showcasing all the panels built by you, Google, and other partners.

The Panel Applications are meant to be simple, rich, and fully-interactive allowing quick access to your data -- eMail, calendar, multimedia, games, IM... you name it. But don't take our word for it, SE explains the new panel ecosystem in the video posted after the break.

Update: Screenshot of the rudimentary, "Get More Panels" interface after the break.

Read -- SDK download
Read -- Press Release

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 8:35AM]

Anyone for buzzword bingo? That video was cringeworthy.

[freediverdude Posted Sep 3rd 2008 8:39AM]

The time for Sony to release this has almost if not already passed them by. If it was going to compete with the current devices, they should have released it a few months ago, with lots of custom panels now coming out for it. As it stands now, it will be competing with next year's devices, and little scroll bars and stylus-requiring menus aren't going to cut it with the likes of next year's HTCs, LGs, and iPhones.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 9:30AM]

Adderz Sony Ericsson have had symbian touch screen phones out in the market place for years! They have lead the way with touch screen tech NOT Apple and BTW they out perform the Iprone to an incredible degree can you cut and paste yet?!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 11:29AM]

My advice for these "me too" companies is to not provide video of their products in operation. Compared to the fluid highly polished UI of the iPhone, their version is so many years behind. They should be embarrassed for showing it.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 4:13PM]

Really? I find this very funny that you keep claiming all of these companies as "me too" companies, even though there were great touch screen phones since before the iPhone. One could say the iPhone is a "me too" product from the biggest "me too" company of them all: Apple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0UjU0rtavE

(thank's Saad Rabia, that video is the best)

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 3rd 2008 7:27PM]

I am really looking forward to this phone coming out... I'm still curious why it's limited to 9 panels... why not have more than 9 where they're on another page and you just have move your finger across the screen to get onto the next page... oh, like the iPhone!

I'm resisting getting an iPhone until the X1 comes out... I don't want to convert my files to apples format...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2008 10:31AM]

Xperia is awesome but it's no rival to iPhone 3g, anyways it would be cool choice for Apple haters. :)
By the way, you can leave your vote for xperia or iphone in this poll: http://www.requests.pikaba.com/7585.aspx