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Sony Ericsson Kurara suffers leakage, reveals HD label?

by Vladislav Savov posted Nov 5th 2009 at 7:10AM

Boy, we sure do love our early glimpses of pre-release hardware, and today we have not one, but two sources of purported pictures of the Sony Ericsson Kurara. Touted as a sibling to the Satio, the Kurara is mooted to have a 3.5-inch AMOLED touch-sensitive screen, 8.1 megapixel camera and, wait for it, 720p video recording. The image above seems to confirm this with a big "HD" inscription next to the camera lens, but that label is missing in the gallery below. We'll just put that inconsistency down to the extremely early samples on show, and start getting all frothed up in excitement over the possible UX inclusion on this Symbian S60 device when it starts selling in the first half of 2010.

[Via My Sony Ericsson and SlashPhone]

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Sony Ericsson lets XPERIA X10 videos and press shots loose

by Vladislav Savov posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 8:16AM

If you weren't up all night following Engadget (and why wouldn't you be?), the first place you'll want to visit this morning is our extensive hands-on of Sony Ericsson's inaugural foray into Android territory. There you'll find the full XPERIA X10 announcement details and spec sheet, which is highlighted by a 4-inch capacitive display and a deeply customized user interface. With plenty of time to go before that first quarter of 2010 release date, though, we thought we'd get the anticipation revved up a few notches with a selection of handsome images of the device below, and a pair of videos -- one a spit-polished advertising promo, the other a useful demo of Speed Forge 3D -- after the break.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson lets XPERIA X10 videos and press shots loose

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 announced, we go hands-on

by Vladislav Savov posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 11:00PM

The first Android device from Sony Ericsson may have undergone an upgrade in the naming department, jumping from X3 all the way to XPERIA X10 (probably to avoid confusion with Nokia's X3 handset), but what lies under the hood is reassuringly in line with what we've been hearing. That is to say, a 1GHz Snapdragon chip from Qualcomm, wide 4-inch capacitive touch display, 8.1 megapixel camera with LED flash, and a thoroughly tricked out Android skin named Rachael. Sony Ericsson stressed to us the symbiotic importance of both the new flagship device and "open OS" UI -- they see the X10 as the patriarch of a whole new family of handsets, which we can expect to see in the first half of 2010, all sporting the beauty of Rachael and perhaps helping to bridge the gap between featurephones and, well, more advanced featurephones. So don't be shy, come along to Engadget Classic to see our full and uncensored first impressions of both, along with hands-on video and pictures.

New Sony Ericsson Rachael UI video hits, still looks nothing like Android

by Paul Miller posted Oct 31st 2009 at 11:56PM

Calling this Rachael UI an Android "skin" is like calling Windows 95 a "DOS skin," but that's not to say there's nothing to love about it. In fact, we're rather relieved that Sony Ericsson seems to be addressing Android's incredibly lackluster media playback interface, the SE "mediascape" version of which dominates this particular video -- a sequel to the first Rachael UI tease we got back in July. You know what else is great? The video title name drops the same luscious screen resolution as the DROID, 480 x 854, which spells all sorts of good things for SE's first Android entry. Video is after the break, and if that doesn't do the trick for you, the Rachael hardware is being teased over on this end of the internet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading New Sony Ericsson Rachael UI video hits, still looks nothing like Android

Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 30th 2009 at 3:33PM

As you are no doubt well aware, the launch date for the Xperia Pureness is looming. If you've been dying for a closer look, you're in luck: the fashion icons over at MobileBurn have got their hands on one and have been kind enough to make us a short film of the reveal. At first blush, the phone doesn't look any less impressive than it did in the shots and video we've seen before. There doesn't appear to be any hint of a keypad before the thing when shut off, although that obviously changes once it's powered on. As far as that transparent glass display goes, we can tell from here that it's not likely to be visible in direct (or even some indirect) sunlight -- but since you're a jet-setting nightclub habitue' who hasn't been outside in the daylight in four years that probably shouldn't bother you much. The UI is pretty much standard for an SE feature phone, and the battery is not removable. The price? Looks like it will run you a healthy £530 (about $875). Still interested? Peep the video in action after the break.

Continue reading Xperia Pureness unboxed, performs for the camera (video)

Sony Ericsson Rachael teaser video plays with our hearts

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 30th 2009 at 12:43PM

The Motorola DROID might be at the forefront of the Android scene right now, but it looks like it's going to have some high-end competition soon -- Sony Ericsson's been hyping the Rachael / XPERIA X3 launch on November 3, and today it's put out this little teaser video. Nothing much here other than some fleeting glimpses of the handset in Luster White, but it's looking quite sharp, and if the final specs are close to the DROID's we could have a real battle on our hands -- especially since SE's crazy Android UI skin looks pretty sweet. Check the video after the break.

[Thanks, Lars]

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Rachael teaser video plays with our hearts

SonyStyle unleashes Sony Ericsson Aino in the US for $600

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 28th 2009 at 12:01PM

Though it may not have the most elegant name in the world, we've got to give Sony Ericsson's Aino credit for at least one thing: it's officially launching in the US, unlocked, just a few short months after being announced. You'll be paying a stout $599.99 for the privilege of putting one in your pocket, but in exchange, you'll get an 8.1 megapixel sensor, Remote Play support, tri-band HSPA, and WiFi on a 432 x 240 display. You're not just getting the phone for that outlay, though: SE also throws in a stereo Bluetooth headset, dock, and an 8GB microSD (yes, microSD, not Memory Stick, mercifully) card. It's still showing as backordered on SonyStyle's website, but you should be able to find this in stock both online and in Sony's stores across the land very shortly. Follow the break for the full release.

Continue reading SonyStyle unleashes Sony Ericsson Aino in the US for $600

Sony Ericsson Equinox channels T707 flip for T-Mobile

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 27th 2009 at 2:59AM

The T707 has become Sony Ericsson's gold-standard midrange fashion flip for 2009, and in light of the fact that T-Mobile USA has been turning a new leaf with these guys lately, it only makes sense that they'd want to bring a version of it onto the network, right? Indeed, the TM717 remix that we've seen in the FCC already has now been officially revealed as the Equinox, featuring a 3.2 megapixel camera, integrated FM radio, support for HSDPA, and a trick motion sensor that lets you control certain phone functions by waving your hand over the front. It'll be hitting "select" T-Mobile retail locations plus the corporate website tomorrow, but anyone holding out until the 31st and visiting the grand opening of T-Mob's latest LA location will have a chance to meet diehard Sony Ericsson fanatic Maria Sharapova (pictured, along with a T707) and participate in a lookalike contest. Conveniently, we were looking to go out on Halloween as Maria Sharapova anyhow, so this works out swimmingly.

Sony Ericsson looking ready to come clean with Android-powered Rachael on November 3

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 26th 2009 at 6:28PM

It could be argued that Sony Ericsson owes the world some love after it built up its last event only to introduce a single, solitary A2DP headset, but we might finally get what's coming to us in just a few days' time. It looks like November 3 is the date SE has chosen to unleash the first volley in its Android strategy on the world, likely the XPERIA X3 (or X10, or whatever the heck they decide to call it) with that wild Rachael UI that we've been tracking for a few months. How do we know? Well, it does line up with the latest and greatest rumors -- but more importantly, digging into the event page's HTML source reveals several mentions of Rachael by name, so... yeah, that's pretty much a lock. Should the unannounced Dragon and Sholes / Droid both be shaking in their boots already?

[Via se-blog.com]

Curious XPERIA X3 tweet by Ericsson Labs makes you wonder

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 18th 2009 at 4:01PM

Obviously, not every part of Ericsson (or Sony, for that matter) knows what's going on over at Sony Ericsson HQ -- though they share names, joint venture Sony Ericsson is a separate company, by and large, joined to its corporate parents more by ownership than by mindshare. Still, though, you can't help but find it interesting that Ericsson Labs' official Twitter account is tweeting about a story on Softpedia echoing recent rumors that the Android-powered, Rachael-skinned XPERIA X3 will finally bow next month. In the most sensational version of the conclusion-drawing that's about to occur, we'd say that Ericsson just underhandedly confirmed the story, the product, and the product's name -- and in the least sensational version, a dude in one division of a largely unrelated company is simply throwing out a story that he finds interesting. Considering the rumored specs on the X3, we're hoping its the former -- and realistically, we might only have a few more weeks before we find out.

Sony Ericsson Q3 slump buoyed by new financing, a rumored November launch for XPERIA X3

by Ross Miller posted Oct 16th 2009 at 4:49PM

Bad news, good news, and potentially great news time, folks. First with the bad: Sony Ericsson posted another loss for its fiscal third quarter, to the tune of 164 million euro (about $244 million US), blaming a large chunk of that on a drop in sales. Sales dropped year-over-year 40 percent to 1.6 billion euro, and unit shipments comparably down 45 percent. That's the bad, now what's good for SE is that its secured more financial backing to reshape its future into something more profitable. External financing totals a reported 455 million euro ($676 million US), 255 million of which is already in the company's position and 200 million as a two-year backup. SE also managed to beat analyst estimates, losing less than anticipated, and that's gotta induce some bittersweet smiles in the corporate boardrooms... oh, the potentially great news? Well, SEMC blog has boldly announced that the Android-imbued Rachael (a.k.a. XPERIA X3) is due out this November, same specs as we heard before and two color options, Sensuous Black and Luster White. Unfortunately, we're not seeing exactly where this news is coming for, so until SE speaks the magic words, we're considering it a rumor for now -- but we're hopeful.

[Via GSM Arena; thanks, Gillz and Christo]

Read - Rachael in November?
Read - Sony Ericsson 3Q loss widens
Read - XPERIA X3 in the wild

Sony Ericsson Aino now Remote Playing with European PS3s

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2009 at 10:41AM

We know Sony Ericsson's PS3-lovin' Aino would be hitting European shelves at some point during the month, and now Sony itself has stepped forward to confirm that the handset is on sale. We're hearing that it's selling for £399.99 ($639) sans a contract, and just in case you're wondering why you and your PlayStation 3 should care, the Aino is capable of turning your console on and off, browsing the XMB user interface, accessing DRM-free content on the HDD, shopping for items in the PS3 Store and watching live TV via PlayTV. Hit up the read link for all the nitty-gritty, and be sure to hit your British friend up if you're stuck yearning here in the States.

[Via Joystiq]

Sony Ericsson Satio, HTC Tattoo, and LG GM750 now on offer at Vodafone

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 13th 2009 at 10:19AM

Hey, Britons: about a nice three-pack of "wow!" to start your week off right? We'd like to direct your attention over to Vodafone, where three particularly notable handsets that we've been following in recent months are now in stock and ready for delivery. The HTC Tattoo represents the new low end in Android fare, bringing a resistive QVGA display and a 3.2 megapixel cam to the table -- it'll go out the door for free on a £25 monthly plan. Heading over to the Windows Mobile side of the trailer park, the GM750 is a Voda exclusive loaded to the hilt with that newfangled WinMo 6.5 everyone's been talking about these days; it comes loaded up with a 5 megapixel camera and, like the Tattoo, can be yours for nary a penny on a £25 plan. Finally -- get ready -- the Symbian-powered Satio from Sony Ericsson is ready for your consumption, all 12.1 megapixels of it, for just another 10 quid a month. We'll take all three, thanks.

[Via Electronista]

Read - Sony Ericsson Satio
Read - HTC Tattoo
Read - LG GM750

Sony Ericsson's wild Xperia Pureness gets FCC approval

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 12:30PM

So the bad news is that we're not seeing a lick of North American 3G listed in the FCC filing for Sony Ericsson's upcoming Xperia Pureness, that totally crazy candybar with the transparent display. The good news, however, is that we have absolutely no idea what you'd need 3G for, considering that a see-through screen doesn't really lend itself to hours upon hours of rich streaming media or web browsing; yes, sure, you could tether, but would you seriously subject a work of art to the shame of being cabled to a far less visually stunning laptop? Nah, we know you wouldn't -- and that Aura of yours doesn't have 3G, either, so it's pretty much par for the course. We're encouraged by FCC certification, but let's hope the Pureness actually makes it all the way to Sony Style's online store as an unlocked piece -- and furthermore, let's hope it undercuts the Aura by hundreds (nay, thousands) of dollars.

Video: Sony Ericsson Satio unboxed, demonstrated with the utmost care

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2009 at 7:39PM

October 7th is like, what, just under a fortnight away? But we know good and well that's not making it any easier to wait for Sony Ericsson's 12.1 megapixel Satio to launch across the pond. If you're eager to live vicariously through a well-connected individual over on YouTube, you can hop on past the break right now to see the phone unboxed (in all three colors, no less) and detailed to a level that only a true SE fanboy could treasure. And that includes you, over there in the closet...

[Thanks, Simon]

Continue reading Video: Sony Ericsson Satio unboxed, demonstrated with the utmost care