Sony Ericsson X10 can do multitouch after all, will get Android 2.1 in September?

So, was all that hubbub for nothing? British retailer mobiles.co.uk -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of giant Carphone Warehouse, for what it's worth -- is claiming a "man on the inside" as saying that the X10 actually can do multitouch after all, despite word from a Sony Ericsson product manager to the contrary. In fact, not only can it do multitouch, but it will do multitouch through a software update in the second half of the year, the source goes on to say. This all ties in nicely with the dude's claim that the X10 will see an official update to Android 2.1 in September, a window that dovetails rather nicely with Sony Ericsson's official line of 2H 2010. Of course, by the time September rolls around, we can only assume that Froyo will be alive and well, so the ultimate question of relevancy for Sony Ericsson's very first Android venture remains to be answered.

[hdawggy Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:09PM]

Honestly I think thee xpheria phones are the nicest phone out thier currently.

[Gavin M Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:14PM]

REALLY Sept??????

Yo i love android ( IPhone 3gs user since 1st gen), but this update shit is getting out of hand, I really would like a sound reason why the handset manufactures cant get the updates faster. i understand if they are running skins and need to optimize the code, but shit i think Google should have a date where they push the code to developers and manufactures and set a firm release date! I understand that the same argument can be made about IPhone os 4.0, where the 1st gen will not be upgradeable. Companies are not obligated to update the os on your device, yadda yadda yadda.... but this is the new mobile climate consumers are now used to, and expecting updates to their smartphone os. the manufactures need to realize that to sale handsets successfully they need to upgrade them quickly to stay competitive, and profitable.

sorry for the rant.

[Hydra Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:18PM]

The problem is with this special UI on top, this phone will be the last to get real updates

Like the htc hero phones

[saltorio Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:23PM]

I just got my X10 on Wednesday through Rogers, and am loving it. The screen is beautiful and it's both fast and responsive.

I blame Sony for sending out review units with bad pre-release firmware. Those negative reviews due to the firmware hurt sales, as did the announcement that the hardware was not multi-touch capable. If the latter proves to be a false claim (as this story states) then I'm ecstatic though I wonder why the statement to the contrary was made and then verified by SE.

[kardo Posted Apr 16th 2010 11:01PM]

@saltorio
Hey man, I just got mine from rogers as well and I'm quite happy with it. One question though, did you notice anything wrong with the included headset? Mine had one part of the cable very short, and the one connecting to the other ear was very long. I just wanna confirm if it's defective or just weird by design.

[saltorio Posted Apr 16th 2010 11:26PM]

@kardo
Ya, that's normal. The cable to one ear is short, and the other ear longer so it has room to go around your head. Plugs into the mic cable. All normal.

[aodmisery Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:14AM]

@saltorio
i was wondering if they updated the whole messaging thing. with the rogers version on how you couldnt go landscaped with the keyboard on sms messages.

[aodmisery Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:15AM]

@kardo
i was wondering if they updated the whole messaging thing. with the rogers version on how you couldnt go landscaped with the keyboard on sms messages

[TareG Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:27PM]

So while all the Androids will sport 2.5 and 3.0 by September, the X10 will get 2.1? Fail.

[MrWomble Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:27PM]

ok there's pro's and con's everywhere - first off, timescape and mediascape were written with 1.6 in mind, so updating the handset OS to 2.1 before launch may have caused more delays - but on the flipside if google weren't releasing so many versions of Android in the first place detailed below, thats 5 official versions released in the space of 9 months

On 30 April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) released.
On 15 September 2009, the 1.6 (Donut) SDK was released.
On 26 October 2009 the 2.0 (Eclair) SDK was released.
On 3 December 2009 the 2.0.1 SDK was released.
On 12 January 2010 the 2.1 SDK was released.

So lets ask the question - if you bought a car, a blu-ray player etc etc etc - would you as a consumer be happy if you had to keep changing the hardware of that product so often - i myself begrudge taking the car to the garage every year for a service.

or would you expect the manufacturer of that car to supply you with the slightly better engine every 2 months free of charge ???

Get a grip, its not essential that you have the 2.1 update in the X10 right now, it can wait.

[ChicagoPete Posted Apr 16th 2010 4:23PM]

@MrWomble

Having owned a G1, and now the N1, I agree that you don't need to have the latest and greatest right away. But a new engine is not a good analogy here because we're just talking about firmware. I know I'd love to have my blu-ray manufacturer provide firmware upgrades as quickly as possible. I'd also bet that Toyota customers wouldn't mind a quick firmware update as well!

[MrWomble Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:21PM]

@ChicagoPete

well technically it is the same, as even in the firmware market, sometimes the latest updates don't actually do anything worthwile.

but as far as 1.6 - 2.1 debate goes, what does it actually offer the end user that is massively beneficial ??

here are a few things taken from Android Developers on 2.0 as they say there's no actual user features between 2.0 & 2.1

1) multiple email account - seriously 1 address is enough
2) messaging search option - maybe a LITTLE useful
3) camera extended support - ha sony already improved on Android
4) virtual keyboard - oh, just download from the Android Market

so far all that the 2.1 would offer on update is a search option for messages ?? now thats not gonna get me wanting the update now, sure there's more underlying features such as the web browser. but the main thing to remember is that Sony have not used the "STOCK" 1.6

they have added there own User Experience, which has already taken the performance of the phone up to 2.1 in the form of the Bluetooth, Contact Exchange (moxier), we have a better contacts app, much better media app - though no equaliser and have we forgotten TIMESCAPE ??

NUFF SAID !!

(oh and sorry, in the case of toyota they only need the update due to faulty parts)

The X10 - at the minute, does not seem to be faulty - so as the phrase goes, if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[jeifei72 Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:37PM]

Damnit I just got the HTC magic from rogers. Oh well at least ill get 2.1 sooner than September (hopefully)

[Ruthless Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:43PM]

It's good to see Sony Ericsson moving forward with their development. But, are they not too late to the party? I've had multi-touch for over two-years now, and I'm not sure if I can survive without it. IMO, a phone is not smart if it does not support multi-touch or have a capacitive screen.

[agkulcz Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:46PM]

Sony Ericsson, we guarantee to be at least one step behind...

[jaffreywali Posted Apr 16th 2010 3:48PM]

Sony Ericsson has some really nice styling. My wife has always owned SE phones from the W880i to her current C902. Also, in my case I used to own the Xperia X1. The build quality was so good and going from the X1 to the Tilt2 was a big disappointment. Unfortunately, Sony's software support was so bad for the X1 that I promised I'd never get a Sony mobile phone again!

Apart from their phones, I have ton of Sony gear from multiple Vaios to an Alpha 300 DSLR....I really like thier combination of styling, features and hardware quality. The X10 looks nice!

Perhaps Sony should also line up to buy or OEM WebOS and focus on a nicely differentiated platform. Android is a brutal market where they will be competing with free Android phones that are subsidized by the carriers. Carriers know that with Android they can get vendors to compete with each other to squeeze margin....in that market HTC has a distinct advantage over anyone else.

[OrsonX Posted Apr 16th 2010 4:23PM]

X10:

- too big
- too pointy
- too burgundy

[Bankai123 Posted Apr 16th 2010 4:25PM]

I have an X10 and its great. The hardware is very sturdy and great to look at. The software, even though is not 2.1, is still very good. I think people just cry about it because they like having the latest even if most don't really know what to do with it. Also love the fact that it can run T-Mobile 3G in NYC with the 1700/2100MHz bands. Before bashing the phone please try it. You won't be disappointed.

[OrsonX Posted Apr 16th 2010 4:29PM]

- too late

[vladon Posted Apr 16th 2010 7:11PM]

Found this in the customer review section of X10 ( the white one ) on Rogers' web site:

Response from Rogers:
By RogersMary, Social Media, April 16, 2010
Hi there - as you know, the device will be shipped with OS 1.6 but Sony Ericsson has told us the X10 will be upgradeable to later releases of the Android OS later this year

[Inspector Gadget80 Posted Apr 16th 2010 8:07PM]

will the X10 come to AT&T another? YEAH RIGHT. This phone will NEVER BE ON AT&T Another phone I'm dying for. SO SCREW X10 AND DESIRE. NO GOOD PHONE ISN'T COMING TO AT&T.

[Luxury Guy Posted Apr 16th 2010 10:07PM]

@Inspector Gadget80 I'm also on AT&T, and the tragedy is if you don't want the iPhone, their really are no high end offerings except for technology deficient Blackberries. Our only choice is to buy unlocked...

[vkelman Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:33AM]

@Inspector Gadget80 - There is already Nexus One on AT&T 3G. Excellent phone, you just have to buy it unsubsidized, like I did.

[DallasB Posted Apr 16th 2010 9:21PM]

Now that I know that the X10 can have multitouch I actually want it. Fuck the iPhone.

[Troyb0y29 Posted Apr 17th 2010 12:04AM]

Multitouch guess who might be suing. Here's a hint it's not orange

[FC1032 Posted Apr 17th 2010 12:09AM]

This is so annoying... I was considering this and the nexus one, but i chose the nexus because it had multitouch... And it was said by SE that X10 will not have multitouch.

Now i have to reconsider AGAIN!

Any input on this? X10 or Nexus? Will be buying at end of the month!

[poisonivy Posted Apr 17th 2010 3:03AM]

@FC1032

Just my two cents, I'd go with the Nexus One. It's Google's own phone and doesn't have any custom UI so it will probably be the first to get any updates to the Android OS.

But, you know, if you really don't mind an outdated OS, the x10's pretty good too, nice hardware, camera, and UI. It'll probably appeal more to other persons who never really update their phone's firmware. I know a lot of people who are still on the 3.0 version of iPhone coz they always ignore the iTune's prompt for update. :)

[FC1032 Posted Apr 17th 2010 3:17AM]

@poisonivy

Thanks, thats one of the reasons i was considering the nexus one... because it SHOULD be getting the most attention from google.

But considering this is from a "man on the inside", i'll stick with my decision with the nexus until its actually shown or confirmed again.

Thanks again!

[irispen Posted Apr 17th 2010 12:48AM]

No one said that they will update it to 2.1,the person who said that did not really said it was android 2.1! screw engadget!

september is too far away, i dont think SE will update the x10 to just android 2.1.. as far as i know, in some site they are claiming that SE are going to skip the 2.1 update.

[exsonic Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:09AM]

who can tell me, the multitouch tech on smart phone is Apple patent or something very hard to acquire?

[atc9000 Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:32AM]

I'm doing this on my x10, people claim its to big, strange as its no bigger than a iphone 3g, U know the wifes got one, I did have the 3GS but wanted to change away from the buy nice apps then dont use them. But went for a dumb nokia 5230, but was talking to rep and got the x10. As wanted sat nav lol.

Its not the fastest mobile or should I say as smooth as an iphone. But god can it multitask
Timescape is a joke, but rest not to bad, and a few priblems with microSD card and phone saying uts flat when its not.
but apart from that not to bad is it goes, its growing in me.

IF Sony support a mobile right for a change they could have a winner on there hands at last

[MrWomble Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:28PM]

@atc9000

please tell me you're allowing TIMESCAPE to update before trying to slide through the spline ? or is it just the whole interface that you have a problem with ?

[atc9000 Posted Apr 18th 2010 1:58AM]

@MrWomble NOt that if you touch the screen and have your finger there for a fraction of a second to long. it brings up the delete box.
And to be honest you said about loading the new ionfo. the APP's take are made for the twitter and facebook update faster and you can do more. Saying that the Facebook is not as good as the iphone/touch version.

But I do like the Phone. And I do not think that They should be making changes like adds ons to the normal OS. so at least if a New Version comes out you can update it yourself without waiting another 6 months to get any sort of hope of an update.

I think Sony has a winner on there hands if they can Support it. unlike the Satio..

[MrWomble Posted Apr 18th 2010 9:39AM]

@atc9000 don't get me started on the Satio - mine's currently with Carphone Warehouse in the UK awaiting an exchange under their amended policy (due to handset issues they will exchange all satio's to another handset at any time during the contract)

which is good news for me as i am exchanging it for a 2nd X10 on tuesday which the wife will use as she's so impressed with mine, which i'm sorry to say, means the iPhone loses a user as thats what she'll be giving up

[domyoji Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:53AM]

HA! Eat it, everyone who called me a liar when I said they had multitouch on the display at DoCoMo.

Also @angermeans
In Japan we only have two android options ATM: HTC Magic and the X10. So I am putting my chips on the x10. I can import one of the other phones from HTC or get a Moto Droid but they are more tricky to set up than just slipping in a SIM unless you get a iPhone or Android SIM from Softbank or Docomo. Even then, if you cant get it to work or they find out that you are using an unauthorized phone the customer service reps will tell you to go eff yourself.

[X10 Posted Apr 17th 2010 6:04AM]

This is what the SE rep over at the product launch blog is saying!

Rikard Skogberg says:
April 17, 2010 at 11:19 am
Hi all.
I think we’ve made it quite clear regarding lack of multi touch already. Don’t know where that Engadget thing comes from but as far as I know there’s nothing new and it’s not true.

[MrWomble Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:39PM]

@X10

funny, just loaded the blog up and can't find that comment anywhere

[MrWomble Posted Apr 17th 2010 4:43PM]

@MrWomble never mind, found it - before you all call be a dumbass

[Information Central Posted Apr 17th 2010 2:10PM]

Because multitouch is soooo useful.

[skywise Posted Apr 18th 2010 8:48AM]

@Ardroid 01 you ought to be called arse-droid 01. really.

[iakona Posted Apr 18th 2010 10:38AM]

Why didn't they state this earlier as many people based their buying decisions on this feature?

[zbot Posted Apr 19th 2010 12:29AM]

X10 = another SE mega-fail.

[MAlshoaiby Posted Apr 19th 2010 11:14AM]

I knew it! I was at Axiom Telecom in Dubai the other day trying to decide between this and the iPhone 3GS. The only thing that stood in my way was the multi-touch on the iPhone that I wasn’t sure was available on the X10. I ended up buying the X10 anyways, and now I know that my purchase was the right one.

[jimmy1 Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:47PM]

September!!!!! Good luck selling this against Desire.....jeez

[Matrix9 Posted Jul 10th 2010 8:15PM]

I personally believe if Sony really wants to make their flag ship phone the (X10) a strong competitor in the wireless arena they would really consider upgrading to the Android 2.2 Froyo. The problem I feel is with the wireless industry evolving so rapidly and new devices coming into the market with enhanced technology, it may be a little to late, and wont be in Sony's best interest to invest the time and money to release an updated OS for this product. I would rather have Sony release a 2.2 Froyo by the end of the year than have to wait for multiple upgrades and not really know weather they are going to release an updated OS that will give this flag ship product cutting edge advantage. I feel they may just upgrade it to the 2.1 and release a new product line for next year for competitive advantages instead. Other than my opinion, I personally feel the X10 is a fantastic product and Sony just has to upgrade her to the latest OS platform.