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LG Optimus Black vs. Galaxy S II and Xperia Arc... fight!
It's time for us to welcome yet another contender in the battle for world's slimmest Android phone: the LG Optimus Black. This 9.2mm-thick handset made its debut to oohs and aahs of admiration at CES earlier in the year, and is now on the very precipice of a global release. Admittedly, it's not quite slender enough to knock the 7.7mm-thick NEC MEDIAS N-04C off its perch as the absolute thinnest, but it is sufficiently slender to give Samsung's Galaxy S II and Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc a good fright. That pair of smartphones offer thinner proportions on the spec sheet, but when rested on a flat surface they sit ever so slightly higher than the Optimus Black. This is because, unlike its tricky contemporaries, the Optimus Black keeps to the same thickness along its full length (don't laugh), which, technically speaking, makes it the thinnest Android handset on the European market. Check it out in the gallery below or video after the break -- and hold tight, we'll have a full review for you in the coming days! %Gallery-122723%
Verizon doc suggests BlackBerry PlayBook, HTC Trophy and Xperia Play 'coming soon', prices LTE tablet data and intros 4G netbooks
What happened to the HTC Trophy, long overdue on Verizon 3G? How about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, mysteriously missing a Verizon release date long before Japan's catastrophe? Will Verizon commit to carrying the BlackBerry PlayBook this year? Just how much will LTE data cost for the Xoom and its tablet friends? We may finally have some of the answers, thanks to Verizon's fancy new online catalog. RIM's tablet, the PlayStation Phone and the HTC Trophy are all listed as "coming soon," and that's not all -- both the BlackBerry Bold 9650, Curve 3G 9330 and the Droid 2 Global are all "while supplies last," suggesting successors may be inbound. Meanwhile, tablet LTE data plans look like they're going to cost the same as 3G ones -- $20 for 1GB, $35 for 3GB, $50 for 5GB and $80 for $10GB as usual. LTE netbooks will only be able to take advantage of the two highest-priced plans, but there are a pair of them on the way, including the 11.6-inch HP Pavilion dm1 (with a 1.6GHz AMD Fusion chip) and the 10.1-inch Compaq Mini CQ10 with an Intel Atom N455 processor. Mind you, the catalog's URL explicitly mentions "2011 Winter," so it's quite possible that "soon" won't be as soon as you'd like, but to get a peek at all the goodies, check out the gallery below or shoot on over to our source link. %Gallery-122603% [Thanks, Thump3rX17]
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-122011% [Thanks, Rich]
Sony Ericsson's Q1 profit falls 48 percent on weak sales, low supplies
We knew Sony Ericsson's supplies were tight following the recent natural disasters in Japan, but in retrospect it's clear the phone maker was already having a rough quarter. The company released its Q1 earnings today, and reported that its profit fell 48 percent to €11 million ($15.8 million) due to weak sales -- a shortfall compounded by higher taxes and quake-related supply constraints. To be fair, at this time last year, the company earned money after a sweet tax benefit, so its profit wasn't completely built on strong sales. All told, it sold 8.1 million phones in the most recent quarter -- down 23 percent from the same period a year ago, though the average selling price for handsets ticked up 5 percent. In particular, smartphones accounted for 60 percent of the company's sales, though by the company's own estimate, it's only snagged 5 percent of global market share. And, it seems, Sony Ericsson's management team isn't getting too ambitious -- it forecast just a "modest" uptick in overall phone sales in 2011.
Sony Photo Movie Creator app builds video collages, vacation slide enthusiasts applaud
Nothing brings back the memories of your wedding, family reunion, or Bar Mitzvah quite like a sappy four-minute slideshow video with the soothing sound of John Mayer over it. Thanks to Sony, Android and iOS devices are on the receiving end of a new video app that will let us capture these cheesy memories easier than ever. Dubbed Photo Movie Creator, this app grabs your desired photos plus music, and then cranks out a cute little movie using one of the 18 preloaded themes. What's more, you can then share your slideshows on Facebook, as we're sure your friends would absolutely adore every precious moment as you do. Head over to the Android market now for this $2.49 app (free trial available), or you can wait for the iOS version due May. Demo video after the break.
Xperia Acro images leaked, Arc's Japan-bound sibling puts on a little weight at the circus
If you'll remember last week's funny when Sony Ericsson accidentally outed the Xperia Acro on their PC Companion software, we were at an utter loss for quality shots of the device... happily, that's now changed. Yes, dear readers, we present you with a multi-angle look at the Acro, and if it appears decidedly similar to the Arc, you're close to understanding Sony's intent. As expected, this Japanese Xperia has bulked up after tossing on NFC, IrDA and DTV features. If this weren't enough, SE's show-off gets another bonus over its svelte sibling and is expected to ship with Android 2.3.3, (you know, for all that NFC-writing you were planning).
Sony Ericsson's Android bootloader unlocking site goes live, modders rejoice
As promised, Sony Ericsson has just flipped the switch for its Android bootloader unlocking service, meaning those with an unbranded Xperia device from 2011 and onwards -- Play, Arc, Neo, and Pro so far -- will be able to try out custom ROMs and other dirty mods with ease. All that's required here is your phone's IMEI number, which in return gives you the unlocking key to go with the Android SDK's fastboot program -- all will be clear once you've read the instructions at the source link. But remember: SE does warn that this service may void your warranty if all goes pear-shaped, so just be careful, won't ya?
Sony Ericsson sets up its own channel in Android Market, relegates 'My apps' link to a menu item
Open up Android Market on your Android device today and (most of) you will see a familiar set of three headings -- Apps, Games and My apps -- bidding you welcome. Do the same on your Sony Ericsson Android phone, however, and the last item in that list might no longer be there. That's because SE has decided to introduce its own "channel" to the Market, wherein you'll find a load of Xperia handset-specific junk software and other specially curated bits that your smartphone is adjudged to be in need of. The change means you'll need to open up your menu to get at your own apps, but that shouldn't be an entirely unfamiliar activity for Android users. Sony Ericsson may be the first manufacturer to pull this switcheroo, but it's following in the well-worn footsteps of Verizon and T-Mobile in the US. And speaking of carriers, Sony Ericsson says this change is operator-dependent, so if you're nice and lucky, your operator won't bother to roll this out. Sadly, our Xperia Arc has already been infected.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo delayed to Q3, Arc and Play facing limited supply due to Japanese quake
There hasn't been much good news coming out of Japan lately and this sadly keeps up with the unhappy trend. Sony Ericsson has officially bumped the broad launch (it's already available in limited quantities) of its Xperia Neo handset to at least July, explaining the delay as the result of "supply chain disruptions." Additionally, the Xperia Arc and Play devices, two other members of the company's new Android Gingerbread family, will be available in smaller volume than expected, at least for the near term. We guess that might go some way to explaining why the Xperia Play failed to reach some UK carriers in time for its April 1st launch date. Skip past the break for a statement from Sony Ericsson, who promises to be more explicit about the situation when it delivers its latest quarterly results on April 19th.
Sony Ericsson's Acro leaked, shows up its older brother
Whoa there, Mister Clickety-click, contain that check-box excitement just a tick. Thanks to a keen set of eyes (and an overly-eager Sony Ericsson employee), we present SE's latest unreleased Xperia, the Acro -- a refinement to its recent Gingerbread-wielding Arc that you most certainly weren't meant to see. Duplicating the core specs of its sibling, Sony's future stuntman takes it a step further, performing infrared and NFC communication, while also showcasing its DTV reception skills -- you know, so the locals can get their fill of zany game shows on the commute. Like its kin, the Arc features a 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8255, 4.2-inch display and an 8.1 megapixel Exmor R sensor, just like the one you may or may not see in future iPhones. Even though the TV function is decidedly intriguing, we know you're just considering beaming bits of IrDA glory to your graphing calculator. Hey, there's no shame in that. Update: Based on the model number, we're pretty sure the Acro is destined for KDDI's au brand. [Thanks, Chris]
Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro successor spotted as SK17i, sports Gingerbread
Looking for your fibrous dose of gadget leak? Look no further than China which has, again and again, outed several spy shots of what appears to be the Xperia X10 Mini Pro's successor. Dubbed the SK17i and codenamed "Mango," this time we're looking at some proof of Android 2.3 on this little Sony Ericsson slider, along with a homescreen UI not dissimilar to that of the X10 Mini and X8 series. Other than that, we're not seeing anything new here, though we can't help but wonder if the unused Xperia Duo trademark has finally found its rightful owner -- you know, maybe Duo as in a two-part slider phone? As always, only time will tell. [Thanks, @Tehpriest]
Xperia X10 goes on sale for just a dollar on contract, Gingerbread-flavored future makes it appealing
Okay, so a couple of weeks back, we wouldn't have cared if Best Buy was willing to give us money to carry the Xperia X10, we still would have steered clear of its flawed UI and outdated software. But Sony Ericsson did a funny thing last Friday by promising to slap Gingerbread on this 4-inch sucker, which makes its current $1 contract price an eminently more intriguing proposition. We scouted out Best Buy's web outlet and couldn't find the X10 listed at all, so this could very well be a final stock clearance of the handset available on a store-by-store basis. If you're tempted to jump on what's looking like one of the cheapest Gingerbread devices for a while, you should be aware that the Android 2.3 update won't be dropping until the end of Q2 at the earliest, so there will be a modicum of patience required. [Thanks, Adam]
Xperia Play makes brief appearance at T-Mobile Netherlands, quickly pulled
Soon up for grabs in the land of bicycles, coffee shops and mayonnaise-laden fries, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play -- affectionately known as the PlayStation Phone -- was recently sighted gracing the storefront at T-Mobile Netherlands. As is the case with subsidized handsets, we spotted that the upfront cost of this elusive one varies based on the rate of your monthly plan and term of commitment. At €25 per month and a one year agreement, for example, this mobile gamer could soon be yours for €269. As if the fusion of old-school PSOne and Gingerbread weren't tempting enough, T-Mobile is sweetening the deal, offering four months of free internet with the device. The rollout of Xperia Play across Europe has seen a bumpy start, and we're hoping better luck for T-Mobile users in Holland. Keep checking the source -- we're guessing the doors will reopen soon enough. [Thanks, John]
CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected
There are few things we enjoy more than seeing the glittery innards of a device splayed before us in the name of science -- especially when it happens to be the CDMA version of Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. The Verizon bound phone made a cameo at the FCC today where it was subjected to -- and passed -- the usual battery of SAR tests before getting dissected. What's intriguing about the pictures in the FCC report is that the CDMA model features the same combination SIM / microSD card slot as its GSM sibling. While some are theorizing that Verizon's gaming handset might support LTE, we think it's more likely that the Xperia Play uses a dual-mode CDMA / GSM radio and that the SIM slot will either remain empty and disabled in firmware or that the Xperia Play will be one of Verizon's global offerings. Take a look at the gallery below and judge for yourself. %Gallery-120248%
Rogers puts Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Arc up for pre-order
Well, it's not yet confirming the "late April" launch date that leaked out yesterday, but Rogers has now just started accepting pre-orders for both the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Xperia Arc, each of which will run you $99.99 on a three-year contract (there's no indication of off-contract pricing). It does say, however, that the current "offer" will expire on May 2nd, which could possibly be an indication of an actual release date, or just the beginning of a different offer. What's more, Rogers has also revealed a small surprise of another sort -- it turns out that it will be carrying both the black and white versions of the Xperia Play. Hit up the link below to get your order in if you're interested. [Thanks, Caleb]
Rogers' Xperia Arc and Xperia Play launch details leaked
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee -- in this case "we" being the Xperia Arc imaging flagship and Xperia Play gaming handset. We knew this day was coming, but it now looks like Sony Ericsson's hottest new pair of Android smartphones will be available from Rogers "late April" for $99. Of course, you'll have to commit to one of those insane 3-year contracts with a minimum $45 voice and data plan for the privilege, but the Gingerbread toting Xperia Arc and Xperia Play could be yours as soon as April 19-21, which is when the devices are expected to ship to stores. While there's no indication when pre-orders will be starting, folks who pre-order could win a trip to sunny Florida. Just promise to send us pictures of Shamu taken with your new phone if you win, OK?
Sony's Music Unlimited streaming service coming to NGP, will hit Xperia Play this year and PSP 'in a matter of weeks'
It may sound patently obvious at this point, but there's still cause to celebrate -- Sony's streaming subscription music service, Music Unlimited, is headed to both the PlayStation Portable and its pair of divergent spiritual successors the Next Generation Portable and Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. Eurogamer sat down with Sony Network Entertainment VP Shawn Layden, who spread the news readily, confirming that the service would be activated (at least in the UK) on PlayStation Portable "in a matter of weeks." Meanwhile, Android phones including the infamous PlayStation handset will get Music Unlimited "this year," and SNE "will make it happen" on the NGP as well, presumably sometime after the company reveals when its beast of a portable game station will actually come out. All in the name of taking your tunes with you wherever you happen to travel -- a concept that's getting rather popular right now.
PlayStation One games appear in Android Market, predictably restricted to Xperia Play (update)
If there was one thing that bothered us most about the Xperia Play, it was the dearth of original PlayStation games we could, you know, play on it. That's getting a shot in the arm tonight with the introduction of five PS One titles to the Android Market: Syphon Filter, MediEvil, Cool Boarders 2, Destruction Derby, and Jumping Flash. Each is priced at £3.99 in the UK, with the first two games on the list also being available in five languages. That pricing translates to $6.38 when the games are accessed from the US, but we imagine the final pricing may differ once the Xperia Play lands stateside. And yes, the Xperia Play will be your only way to access these for now (R800i is its codename), leaving the rest of us Android PS One lovers with a bunch of games to envy and one less emulator to enjoy. The Android giveth, and the Android taketh away. Update: Sony Ericsson wants you to know that since the Xperia Play is, in fact, an Android handset, it won't be restricted to just those five PS One games -- it will also feature quite a few titles that you can also find on the Android Market and even a few temporary exclusives like Backstab and Dungeon Defenders Second Wave. Still, it's a little light on actual PlayStation gaming... See the full list in the press release after the break.
Xperia Play meets shipping delays in UK, Vodafone and Three bump launch to next week
Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play isn't having the best of starts in the world, having been delayed by UK carrier O2 due to "software issues," and it's now missing its targeted launch date of April 1st with two more of the local operators, Vodafone and Three. Both have today announced that, due to shipping issues, they won't be able to meet tomorrow's launch date -- leaving only Orange on track to release it on time. T-Mobile, Orange's partner in Everything Everywhere, says it'll have the Xperia Play in "mid-April." Still, the wait isn't that much longer as Three hopes to sell you a Play "early next week" and Vodafone, a bit more cautiously, is shooting for availability "as soon as possible."
Android PlayStation emulator PSX4Droid pulled from Market, timing pointing at Xperia Play (updated)
Uh oh, the day has finally come. We just gathered from Joystiq (and confirmed ourselves) that the renowned Android first-gen PlayStation emulator, PSX4Droid, has been pulled from the Market. The reason? Its author, ZodTTD, said Google informed him that it was a matter of "Content Policy violation," however the fact it's taken eight months for Google to take action suggests it might have a little something to do with the imminent launch of the Xperia Play, which will have its own mechanism to power the original PlayStation's games. Another mystery is that it looks like other emulators such as SNesoid (SNES), GameBoid (Game Boy) and, in particular, FPSe (PlayStation) appear to be safe for now, which might suggest that there are other reasons behind this removal; but still, the timing suggests otherwise. On the bright side, we can always rely on third-party app markets. Update: Here's a super generic statement we just received from Google regarding this matter: "We remove apps from Android Market that violate our policies."
