By 
Back in September, Sony Ericsson announced that they would being rolling out the Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update to their devices, unfortunately for us here in the states (and other parts of the world), it was only for Nordic countries. Thankfully, today, SE announced that the 2.3.4 update has begun rolling out for the rest of the world but with a few added changes. Highlights of the update include:
- Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
- Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities.
- Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D Sweep Panorama functionality powered by Sony.
- 16x video zoom
- The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™ smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
- Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
- WiFi DLNA
- Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone.
Sony Ericsson devices that can look forward to the update are just about their entire lineup and include the Xperia Arc, Play, Neo, Mini, Mini Pro, Pro, Ray, Active, Neo V, Arc S and the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. For a video walkthrough of the new features (you have to see “USB on the go”) check out the video below.
Sony Ericsson (soon to be just “Sony”) has quickly proven to be one of the better Android OEM’s, offering continuous support in regards to updates and with their work in the developer community. Now all that’s left is for SE to deliver some shiny dual-core devices to the US and they’ll be golden.
Thanks, Vlad!
[Via SEBlog]
looks like they incorporated most of 4.0 into it….
Seriously! They’ve really done an awesome job at adding features on TOP of the Android without bogging it down or making it slow (Sense).
I love Sony Ericsson. =)
They’ve done an amazing job adding features on top, but it definitely bogs the phone down (have an Arc, went back to my old Captivate on which I could load a 3rd party ROM because of the lag).
Really? I had the Xperia Play and the only thing that bogged it down was the lack of internal memory. Phone filled up REAL quick =/
Got an older Xperia X10 Mini Pro, this 600MHz CPU and lacks of RAM make him lag when receiving text messages…
When I’m undergoing a conversation by SMS, this thing become so slow and laggy, because I’m receiving messages at the same times I’m sending some.
I actualy only use my phone for SMS, with a screen small as my phone have, there’s not much use for more.
I just don’t get it why is a 600MHz phone lagging like that for SMS, when I’ve had old crappy phones like the Z600, W300i and T303a before that never had a single problem with lag at all. Of course, they weren’t running Android, but they were not powerful either.
I’ve been looking to upgrade to a SK17i (Xperia Mini Pro), but with all the lag I’m having right now, even knowing the SK17i is a lot faster 1GHz and as much more RAM, I’m not that hipped. I’ll have to test it first.
Definitely not my experience — I had the phone lag for things as simple as SMS at times.
It ran fine at first to be fair, but went downhill pretty quickly… =/
Is yours Verizon or AT&T?? Just curious. Heard Att’s had some better improvements.
Rogers actually, so I believe that’s closest to the AT&T version… ^_^
I wish they would release a dual core lte for Verizon. love the looks of their phones and seem pretty good with updates.
for more information and query u can catch me on rudraraj.raj143@gmail:disqus .com, b cos i m a part of sony ericsson
Geez yeah, any real need for 4.0? Perhaps they don’t expect to have it, or at least for a very long time, and this was their only way of competing.
Will the Xperia Play still have HD video recording?
Sure will! As long as you have the version that’s running Timescape UI which I believe is the AT&T version.
Darn, I’m on Verizon.
yes it will have hd vidio recording
Does this include the Xperia X10(a)?
Is that the Verizon version? Cuz I don’t think it does… =/
I didn’t think Verizon had a version…I know my friend has an AT&T Xperia X10a…when you wrote it included the whole line of Sony Ericsson I was excited for my friend, but then I didn’t see the X10 :'(…just wanted clarification, thanks anyways! Love your articles btw :P
Haha! Yeah, the Verizon version is stock/vanilla Android. No Timescape UI. Which also means it can’t do as much cool stuff =p
And thanks! :D
But I love ‘vanilla’ android! I’d prefer that model over the timescape version for sure!
I can’t wait for the first*Sony* phone.
Imagine a Sony Nexus… *boner*
That USB support REALLY makes HDMI-less Xperia Play VERY annoying now. MAN!!!
EDIT: But I’m looking at the features… it has added DLNA support – could that work for showing and image on a DLNA enabled TV??? I don’t know much about DLNA – I’m thinking it’s only for streaming, but I’m just pulling at straws here. :p
There’s a way to do it. I’ve played with Xperia Play demos where they had ’em hooked up to TV’s. Was freakin’ awesome :D
Cool. I’m definitely gonna look into how to make this happen! Thanks dude!
EDIT: Just checked out the homepage for the Xperia Play and they updated the features list with some of the things listed in the video and DLNA listing is one of them. Sweet!
Wow, and I mean WOW. I like how Sony is coming out of the box swinging!! Now that they will have complete share ownership, I look forward to what they have……..aaaaaaaafter my Galaxy Nexus gets old ;)
I am impressed by the USB on the Go which incorporates the use of their PS3 USB Controller! I think I am in love!
yeah, that’s a pretty slick move.
Xperia X10 is on 2.3.3. right now, but the AT&T version is stil on 2.1
Whatever happened to the Xperia Duom
With Sony taking over Ericcson share, I’m expecting them to be a lot quicker with their new phones. Need to upgrade my X10 on 2.3. Love the looks of the Arc but want another cybershot camera phone!
Why is everyone so sure that Ericsson was the problem in that relationship?
I got my arc from sweden and i live in bosnia . I updatet it few weeks aho yo 2.3.4
There’s your ics. Lol hopefully my verizon play gets it?
I like it very much, but I hoped adding support for mass storage to the USB OTG so we can easily connect a USB flash and read/write to it… I hope they do this next update…
great going sony . !!
Sony are not stupid. With smartphone market set to grow its the only way to keep profitable by buying Sony Ericsson. They have a huge portfolio of entertainment formats that will keep them unique for years to come like music, games and movies. The Xperia range of handsets is able to compete with the rest, If they can update the Xperia play and keep rolling out high performance hardware they will make it. They also need to start rolling out Windows Phone handsets after Google’s latest move on Motorola.
http://www.gadgetrophy.com/2011/09/best-of-sony-ericsson.html
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