NTT DoCoMo launching its own version of Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10

WinMo and Android handsets from HTC, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and others that are designed for global reach typically don't find their way into Japan for a number of reasons: localization, carriers' draconian control over handset specs, unique market needs, the list goes on. Every once in a while, though, one'll break through -- take the Xperia X10, for example, which has now been announced for release on NTT DoCoMo simply as the "Smartphone Xperia," making it the first major carrier anywhere to announce a branded deal on the set. It looks to be a pretty faithful carry-over of the same custom Android skin Sony Ericsson is launching elsewhere and features 7.2Mbps down / 2.0Mbps up, WiFi, an 8.1 megapixel cam, and availability in "Sensuous Black" and "Luster White." It'll be hitting in April -- right about the same time we suspect it'll be launching elsewhere.

[glenskey Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:10AM]

sensuously lustering, no?

[smartmouth Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:16AM]

@glenskey

Unless you can only see in black and white, yes ;)

[B3astofthe3ast Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:14AM]

Is that a camera on the white one?

[smartmouth Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:18AM]

@B3astofthe3ast

It's a retinal eyescanner.

[Herr Synnberg Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:48AM]

@B3astofthe3ast Front camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor.

[shu Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:27AM]

way to work in global time Chris! :)

[YpoCaramel Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:45AM]

Does it need / have custom software to use popular functions in Japan, such as i-mode or QR scanning or payment? How useful are these functions, and if not present in XPERIA, will people forgo them to use Android?

[MegaJapan Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:47AM]

Super special awesome!
Now let's discuss on how we get twist it in the states :)

[Saja Posted Jan 21st 2010 2:54AM]

that white one is sexy

[NeoSeer Posted Jan 21st 2010 3:07AM]

Sexy? Cool? Yeah yeah yeah!!! Let's see if you hear about the handsets and if they get support and further development 9 month after release. Sony just does again and again...

Yes I own a iPhone and no I am not a fanboi and no I don't think it is the saviour of the mobile world or perfect but at least i will get credible firmware upgrades have a glut of apps to make it even more usable and even options to safely jailbreak it and make it my own device in a very personal way...

[eka Posted Jan 21st 2010 4:09AM]

beautiful phone. but its not official android google's phone = late update on new android OS, no google support etc etc Nexus is much better for all android user.

[tmrkztr Posted Jan 21st 2010 4:10AM]

I decided to buy the Xperia (SO-01B).

[MikeZ Posted Jan 21st 2010 5:32AM]

Great decision! Their customer get more features and the design looks better in white.

[hfm Posted Jan 21st 2010 8:37AM]

Hey, that's the combination on my luggage!