So it looks like Sony Ericsson still have some fight in them. This time it looks like they’re letting loose with their supposedly beefed up Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 which is targeted for release around the U.S. and Europe in April this year. Despite it’s impressive specifications, Gunnar from Prylkoll.se shows in the video below, that the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 isn’t as snappy as a device should be with a 1Ghz Snapdragon chip.

I blame the outdated clunky OS.

Other main features of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 are:

• 8 Megapixel digital camera with smile detection
• Google Android Donut (1.6) OS
• 1 GB storage on board
• Qualcomm 1Ghz Snapdragon
• 8GB microSD memory
• Timescape and Mediascape applications

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Home Page

We’ve been on pins and needles waiting for more info about the Snapdragon-powered Sony Ericsson Rachael ever since we spotted those early images over the weekend, and while the latest pics are still just potentially fan-made renders, it’s the accompanying UI video that we’re freaking out over today. That’s right, folks, this is the first time ever we get a glimpse of the 3D flashiness that is the UI of Sony Ericsson’s forthcoming Android superphone, codenamed “Rachael”. It seems the generic Android interface has been completely revamped – and for the better. Sony Ericsson will use their own interface in their next Android-powered Rachael smartphone.

Just like HTC’s layered the Sense UI over Android on the Hero, the Rachael looks to have a polished custom Sony Ericsson interface over its Android build, and we’re definitely digging the vibe — especially the unified messaging interface that displays Facebook, Twitter, email, SMS, and calls all from one screen. It’s pretty slick stuff — let’s just hope it’s real and shipping soon.

The user interface in the 7.2Mbps HSDPA Rachael—which is rumored to have a Snapdragon processor, an 8-megapixel camera with auto-focus, and 3D acceleration—is extremely sleek, making full use of the touch interface, with pretty widgets everywhere. It also appears to be heavily oriented to social networks like Facebook and Twitter. We’re not going to lie — it’s pretty sexy.

People were discarding already Sony Ericsson but if they release this on time, bug free, and with this interface, they may have an opportunity to become the leading Android smartphone.

There are a lot of interesting apps showing up in this demo, including preloaded AIM, Wikipedia, Wordpress and Skype. DroidWord looks unfamiliar, as do TimeScape and MediaScape, but they could just be development tools. By far, the sickest feature so far is the way contacts are displayed as a pile of cards, and sideways swipes allow you to browse through twitter and Facebook categories. Threaded SMS is a go, and again, side-swipes let you switch to e-mails, calls, twitter and Facebook profiles for the active contact. It’s been cool seeing what HTC was able to do with Android’s user interface, but it’s still very similar to the default Google UI – Sony Ericsson, however, has created something drastically different with their efforts shown here. Righteous, indeed – let’s just hope it’s not some enterprising concept by an outside designer.

Unveiled last week, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Rachael might be one of SE’s hottest devices of 2009 – assuming that the company will release it before the year’s end. The Rachael is Sony Ericsson’s first Android smartphone, so it will probably draw an impressive amount of attention when officially announced.

Apparently, Sony Ericsson has developed its own new UI to run on top of Android – and, well, it all looks pretty cool.

We’ll bring more on Sony Ericsson’s first Android smartphone as soon as new details emerge.

Read more about the Rachael of Sony Ericsson on the unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog.

Look out people! A Danish phone site has uncovered “internal documents” on what appears to be Sony Ericsson’s upcoming Android-based handset, an XPERIA number codenamed Rachael. Under the hood is a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, HSPA and an 8 megapixel camera. It’s unclear how big the touchscreen is, and other details are scarce — there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, so that’s nice, but unless we’re severely misguided, there doesn’t seem to be a slide-out keyboard tucked away inside this thin chassis.

The phone which looks set to use Android 2.0 software, is expected to be officially be announced later this year and will join the high-end XPERIA family. It’s thought though that Rachael won’t actually be launched until next year.

The new Android handset will will come with MicroSD compatibility rather than M2, and will be equipped with a mini USB port.

It is also believed that the phone be powered by the Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon chipset that runs at 1GHz, and will have 3D graphics capabilities. This means the phone will be even faster than the iPhone 3GS.

The leaked pictures also hint at the phone coming with an 8.1-megapixel camera with the now standard autofocus and flash.

Looking at the specs so far, Rachael seems to be lauding it over the the iPhone 3G S with its 3-megapixel camera, and even puts Sony Ericsson above the recently released HTC Hero and Samsung Galaxy, which both come with 5-megapixel cameras.

Music-wise, there will thankfully be a standard 3.5mm headphone jack positioned at the top of the phone.

Being a high-end smartphone, the new Android handset will have the obligatory touchscreen, but there’s nothing certain on whether there will also be access to a standard keyboard as per the XPERIA X1. The general consensus is that the phone itself is too thin to incorporate a slider keyboard.

The screen itself looks to be a sizey 4 inches and will have a screen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, making it quite movie-friendly.

We like the sound of the new Sony Ericsson Android handset and will keep you up to date with more news on its release.

You can also go to Sony Ericsson’s official website for updates, news and press releases for this upcoming Android phone.

One of the selling points of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 is its interchangeable home screens to replace the original Windows Mobile one. It’s supposedly one of its edges against other WinMo smartphones. Social networking junkies would definitely find this home screen created specifically for Facebook appealing.

continue reading "Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Gets a Facebook Home Panel"

After last time’s leather cases comes a couple of other accessories we carry for the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 that’s to arrive in Oz by 2009. First off, we got the less formal crystal clear hard plastic case as an option if leather isn’t your thing.

continue reading "Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 Crystal Case and Car Mount"