Xperia X10: Sony Ericsson's First Android Smartphone

Ed Hardy · 11-03-2009, 08:52 AM

Sony Ericsson has taken the wraps off the Xperia X10, an upcoming smartphone running Google's Android OS that will be packed with high-end features, including a very large, high-resolution display, 1 GHz processor, and advanced camera.

This model will set a new bar for screen size in a device running Google's OS: 4 inches. And it will have a WVGA+ (480 x 854 pixel) resolution, the same as the upcoming Motorola Droid.

The Xperia X10 will run Android 1.6 on a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, possibly making it the fastest smartphone based on this platform.

Another high-end feature will be the 8.1-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash and video support. This will offer face and smile detection, as well as image stabilization.

Two New Apps
Rather than use the standard Google user interface, Sony Ericsson has developed its own that emphasizes social networking and entertainment.

This will have two main facets. Timescape will bring messages from a variety of sources together in one place, including Facebook, Twitter, photos, e-mails, and texts. And Mediascape will be a multimedia app for music, photos, and videos capable of accessing content from the phone, YouTube, and the PlayNow service.

This smartphone is going to be able to recognize up to five faces in any picture, automatically connecting them with with the on-device phonebook and all other related communications with that person.

More Features
The X10 will be a quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) GSM worldphone. There will be two versions: one with the 3G frequencies used in N. America, including T-Mobile USA, and a second with the frequencies used in Europe, Asia, etc.

Bluetooth 2.1 and Wi-Fi g will also be included, and so will a GPS receiver and a microSDHC memory card slot.

Business users should be happy to hear that this Sony Ericsson model will have Exchange ActiveSync, in addition to support for consumer e-mail systems. It will also have an Office suite.

This Android-powered phone will come in either a white or a black casing.

Pricing & Availability
Sony Ericsson says the Xperia X10 is going to debut during the first quarter of next year, without being more specific.

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, “The reaction from our global operator partners to the XPERIA X10 has been extremely positive and we will be rolling out across the world including Japan from the first half of 2010.”

There is no word yet on pricing.

Video Preview
Sony Ericsson put together a short video showing off the X10 in action:

Source: Sony Ericsson

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Ed Hardy · 11-03-2009, 10:14 AM

In this video, Erica Kato Marcus, Sony Ericsson's head of Application Planning for the Xperia X10, talks about the new signature apps: Timescape and Mediascape:

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Ed Hardy · 11-03-2009, 10:21 AM

It should also be noted that earlier unconfirmed reports called this model the Xperia X3, rather than the actual name.

The original designation might have caused some confusion, as the X1 and X2 both run Windows Mobile. However, with the name change, Sony Ericsson is starting a new series within this product line, the Xperia X10 series. Future models -- X11, X12, and so on -- will run Android.

Presumably an Xperia X3 running Windows mobile will come along at some point.
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Antoine Wright · 11-03-2009, 10:32 AM

Very cool looking device, and I did the UI changes. I do wonder how much development was needed with it that keeps it in And1.6 versus being in And2.0 - something seems a bit wrong that they weren't able to use the latest trunk, maybe the customizations are too deep, which would present a problem for support for them, and updates in the future for users.

The features seem pretty cool though. The facial recognition piece is a plus, as I think any device with a greater than 5mpx camera should be able to pull this off. Can they turn that into an image search app? Is the API open to do that? Would be... innovative

The TMob-NAM 3G support is an interesting one. That's yet another higher end mobile using that frequency. I don't know that its easier to develop for that frequency or not, but that speaks very well for TMob-NAM to get some quality high end mobiles. That plus their new priciing structure is very intriguing.

SMARTPHONEPC · 11-03-2009, 11:09 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPw-y...ayer_embedded#

"herrdupenschlagen wrote: I have an Iphone 3g 16gb ,I have also Xperia x2 and iphone lose.x10 kicks asses.And it has video call camera"

Will this have a front facing camera for video calls? I know it's been suggested Americans don't care for video calls like Europeans but I don't believe that as when they use the Skype Video call option (for example to call loved ones), it's been said to take the communication experience to other levels..

Any good smartphones with front facing cam for video calls yet in US (or will we have to wait for Apple to introduce it as revolutionary in a next gen iPhone) or need we look at MIDs/netbooks/abroad for it?

I'd love to get to the day when a versatile pocketable device (I'll even pair it with a bluetooth keyboard when-if necessary) can do much of what a netbook-notebook can without feeling all the compromises..

Appreciate your constructive thoughts on the subject and when 4G might also become available to NYC metro area-all coalescing in 2010 perhaps?, - Thanks so much

Ed Hardy · 11-03-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMARTPHONEPC

Will this have a front facing camera for video calls?

Sorry, no.

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SMARTPHONEPC · 11-03-2009, 11:50 AM

Bummer, I've read the Dell streak has been suggested to include a front facing camera (early 2010 I guess we'll know for sure)?

MIDs seem to be a current device category bridging smartphones & netbooks, I guess I'll keep lookin' &/or waitin' (&/or considering not waiting for the all-in-one pocketable device & getting more multiple class devices)..

-Any constructive additional thoughts appreciated

Antoine Wright · 11-03-2009, 12:40 PM

SmarpthonePC, you've asked about front facing cameras in just a few threads on newer devices here, the answer is going to be the same as long as we are talking about the US market: video calling is a carrier-enabled feature and it doesn't matter the hardware of the device when the carrier won't let you do it on their network. Its not what you want to hear, but its the state of the mobile market (in North America).

I'd also recommend opening up a new topic in the Smartphones section of the forum for your 4G availability question. It would be better served there as this device doesn't have it.

Magellan · 11-03-2009, 01:44 PM

I had a front facing Camera on my old SE P990 and it was useless in the US. The carrier has to support it, you must be in a 3G (at least) area, and the phone on the other end of the call must have/support it. I just don't see it happening for some time.

midtoad · 11-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Notice that there's not a word about the battery? I'll wager that the 4" screen does a good job of killing the battery in short order - most of the demo videos to date have all featured a plugged-in X10. Or does "always connected" mean "to AC power"?