Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"It's not news to say that we attracted some criticism for this on the X1 and we're not going to go there again with the X2. So, for the record, this is what X2 customers can expect in terms of software upgrades."

In an attempt to be upfront with consumers, Sony Ericsson has announced the software update schedule for the XPERIA X2. According to the company, March should bring a major update: Windows Mobile will be upped from 6.5.1 to 6.5.2, most applications will receive tweaks, and there will be added support for video telephony, an FM radio, and faster GPS fixes. Then sometime in May, it'll get the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 treatment. Of course, the value of all this is heavily dependent on the device making it into the hands of consumers in a timely fashion, which we're sorry to say, is not happening.

"Today sees the announcement of Sony Ericsson Aspen, the business mobile phone with green credentials at its core. The newest edition to the successful Sony Ericsson GreenHeart portfolio, Sony Ericsson Aspen, allows easy multi-tasking combining the touch experience and a real QWERTY keyboard. Organise and adapt panels to change during the day and use Slide View for quick access to common features. With Sony Ericsson Aspen, view and edit office files easily and comfortably with one touch operation, or just access the internet in one click. The QWERTY keyboard is made for fast and easy typing. Simple email set up allows for a maximized messaging experience on the go. Secure the phone's contents through the Microsoft MyPhone service, which remotely erases phone data when the handset is lost or stolen."

Sony Ericsson has done what Microsoft has been avoiding for months: it's made Windows Mobile 6.5.3 official, courtesy of its latest handset, the Aspen. The QVGA touch-screen device supports quad-band GSM/EDGE and market-dependent dual-band (900/2100 MHz) or tri-band (850/900/2100 MHz) HSPA. Alongside that, there's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, an FM radio with RDS, a 3.2-megapixel camera, USB mass storage support, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSDHC slot supporting cards of up to 16 GB. Available in either black or white, the Aspen should hit store shelves in the second quarter. And we sure hope they're right about that, considering that their other Windows Mobile device has suffered massive delays beyond public comprehension.

"Wait a minute ... What's this? An unannounced Sony Ericsson phone called "Faith?" DailyiPhoneBlog says it's part of SE's "GreenHeart" line (read: environmentally friendly)"

Nothing too remarkable in the Specs on this new Sony Ericsson device, save for the fact it will have Windows Mobile 6.5.3, which accounts for the UI changes on the home screen in the shot above I believe.

So, it appears that the XPERIA X2 has been re-badged as the XPERIA X2a for North America, though less newsworthy is the fact that it's still "coming soon". Considering that Sony Ericsson had originally planned to release the X2 in Q4, then seemed pretty sure of itself that it would be ready for the first week of January, only to break that promise, we're starting to wonder if the X2 is ever going to show at all. Yes, folks, at this point in time, the X2 seems destined to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor: delay after delay until the competition blows it away.

"Over the last couple of weeks there has been a few, OK more than a few rumours that the X2 is going to be delayed until January and I'm sure it will not come as a surprise when we say that these are well founded. The software worked fine but when we started integrating it with some of the network specific apps it threw up a few issues which we're working to fix."

Stop the presses. The launch of the XPERIA X2 has been delayed. Following the infamous delays that marred the launch of the XPERIA X1, we were pleasantly surprised by Sony Ericsson's optimism that the X2 would be good to go for an early Q4 release. Fast-forward to today, late Q4, and the X2 is nowhere to be seen. Well, the company now seems to think that the Windows Mobile 6.5 device will definitely be ready for the first week of January. As for us, we're not holding our breath.

While I have to stress this is really heresay (a rep's opinion doesn't count as official), this isn't completely unexpected given the relative age of the X1. But then again, it demonstrates that manufacturers aren't terribly keen on supporting their own WM devices for very long, something we've had to live with through the last ten years. Which is a shame, since the X1 isn't that dated, and I suspect the hardware is more than up to the demands of WM6.5.

The good news is that the Xperia X2 is now legally usable within the territory of the United States. The bad news is that you won't be able to get 3G speeds on any of the available networks through the FCC-passed model. Having said that, if and when Sony-Ericsson comes up with a model using US 3G bands it should get through the FCC fairly quickly (have they ever turned anyone down?). Given SE's financial troubles and relative lack of penetration into the US market, I wouldn't lay odds on that ever happening.

"The unit we were able to unbox here isn't a sales unit at all but it's a so called "acceptance unit" which represents a device which carriers get it for testing and certification. Nevertheless, it's pretty much the stuff Sony Ericsson will ship into markets later this year. Sony Ericsson's Xperia X2 will be available in selected markets from early Q4 2009 and will be released in two different colors: Elegant Black (as seen in the videoview) and Modern Silver."

The X2 features some updates to the X1, including WM6.5 as well as a big jump to an 8.1MP camera. It's also a world phone with quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G. Sony-Ericsson built in some nice touches with the design and acessories, like being able to use your on ear-buds with the included headset cable as well as a TV/Video-out cable that plugs in through the 3.5mm (!) headphone socket. Check out the rest of the video for more.

Update:

Arne has a follow-up first impressions post, with lots of pics for your viewing pleasure.

When Sony Ericsson unveiled the XPERIA X2 earlier this month, the company seemed pretty certain that it would arrive sometime in the fourth quarter. Expansys UK, on the other hand, has a different idea. It's confidently tagged the X2 with a release date of January 11, 2010, at £604.99, which translates to a whopping $1000 on the other side of the pond. Sure enough, goods are priced a little differently in the UK, but if you consider that the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2 are priced at £374.99 and £489.99 respectively, the X2's asking price is a fair bit to munch on. Now, we're not quite sure if Sony Ericsson's pricing strategy is set in stone, but either way, we wish the folks there all the best in getting this beast in the hands of consumers. Surely they can do better with it than they did with the X1, right? Right?

"Here it is, folks. Sony Ericsson's newly official XPERIA X2 in the flesh. It's got a flashy (gimmicky?) home screen, along with a view for "snacking" on bubbled-up information. Lots of buzzwords, but we'll need more time hands-on to know how we feel. The hardware? It's still a heavy beast, but perhaps just a bit more loving in this incarnation. We don't love the resistive touchscreen one bit."

For those of you interested in Sony Ericsson's latest Windows Phone incarnation, check out Engadget's post complete with gallery and video. They don't sound like big fans of the device, so feel free to post here and let us know if you are (or if you agree with them!)

"The XPERIA X2 also includes the unique SlideView feature, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities. Providing quick interaction with contacts, messages, media and more, SlideView gives an overview of missed incoming activity, notifying the user of any missed calls, e-mails and text messages so users don't overlook an important contact."

I well remember the horrendous delay that marred the launch of the X1 - looks like SE has learned its lesson and the X2 is projected to go on release in time for the holiday season. The X2 features a refresh of the X1 design with some tastefully updated specs - like an 8MP camera and TV-out. Also under the hood are Windows Mobile 6.5, AGPS, quadband GSM and triband HSPA, 3.2" WVGA screen, and what sounds like an accelerometer. The panel UI design remains (now in 3D), but SE have simultaneously released an SDK to give developers a head start. Read on for the full press release. Read more...

At 1:00 PM (GMT +1), Sony Ericsson will be offering a live, in-depth demonstration of the Xperia X1 which, as you know, is set to be released in waves over the coming months. Following the demo, there'll be a live Q&A session, so unearth those X1-related questions you've been harbouring and prepare to put them to the team.

• GMT -7 (Los Angeles, Vancouver): 5:00 AM
  
• GMT -5 (Chicago): 7:00 AM
• GMT -4 (New York, Washington, D.C.): 8:00 AM
• GMT +1 (London): 1:00 PM
• GMT +2 (Paris, Berlin): 2:00 PM
• GMT +4 (Moscow): 4:00 PM
• GMT +8 (Perth, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong): 8:00 PM
• GMT +9 (Tokyo): 9:00 PM
• GMT +10 (Sydney, Melbourne) 10:00 PM
• GMT +12 (Auckland): 12:00 AM, Tuesday

"Sony Ericsson today announces 30 September 2008 as the official launch date for the highly anticipated Xperia™ X1 – initially available to consumers in the UK, Germany and Sweden. The handset will be available in other markets across Europe, Asia and Latin America throughout Q4 2008."

Well, it's official. Just three weeks to go before the X1 launches in the UK, Germany, and Sweden. For thirty-two other countries around the world (listed after the break), the X1 will launch in Q4. For North America, Australia, China, and Russia, Sony Ericsson is only willing to go so far as to suggest that announcements will be made in the coming months. Let's just hope that doesn't mean sometime in 2009; otherwise, to HTC's delight, the Touch Pro may soon be flying off shelves.

Read more...

Our pal, Arne, over at the::unwired, has stress tested the cameras of four of the latest and greatest Windows Mobile devices: the HTC Touch Diamond, the HTC Touch Pro, the Samsung Omnia, and Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1. If camera quality means a lot to you, hit the link to see what Arne has to say.

... uh, Handango, not Sony Ericsson. This is, perhaps, the first definitive launch date we've heard since Sony Ericsson announced the XPERIA X1 back in February, and matches the company's ever so vague claim of a "second half" release. Anyone still have their sights set on this device?

CTIA was Microsoft's playground for the unveiling of Windows Mobile 6.1, and Microsoft's hardware partners certainly weren't afraid to make a showing. Phone Scoop, in their ever-so-thorough ways, have covered CTIA from top to bottom, and there's plenty of Windows Mobile content for your perusal. Obviously, there's coverage of 6.1 and plenty of eye-candy to drool over if you're a Standard (Smartphone) user. Yes, Professional (Pocket PC) users - you have a reason to be jealous. Moving on, there's more eye-candy and a video of the HTC Touch Dual that's set to invade Best Buy stores this quarter. There's Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 in all its glory, and it too is running Windows Mobile 6.1 (a little known fact back when the X1 was first introduced due to NDAs and the like). And then there's a lengthy article on Velocity Mobile, a new entrant into the Windows Mobile market. More on that after the break. Read more...