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.
The first pictures of the S60 Touch UI have emerged, and that shiny look is really growing on me. The interface is optimized for a QVGA touch screen device with large menu buttons for easy navigation.
