Sony Ericsson announce Xperia X1, taking mobile entertainment and communication to the next level

Sony Ericsson announce Xperia X1, taking mobile entertainment and communication to the next level
Posted in: Non Symbian news | By: Dario Soltani | Date: February 11th, 2008

This is basically my first evening in the new flat in Stockholm, and guess what I find when I check my email? Xperia has been officially announced!

Finally Sony Ericsson has seriously entered the smartphone business. We’ve earlier written about Xperia in "Is ‘Xperia’ Sony Ericssons rumored P5i or is it a webservice?", now it seems we were both right and wrong. It’s a smartphone, it’s a product line, but it sure is not the P5i nor a webservice. Instead the Xperia X1 marks a new episode in Sony Ericsson history with a product line developed for web communication and multimedia entertainment.

Sure the P990, W950, W960 and the P1 were all decent devices classified as smartphones, but seriously if you ever used them you’d know there were moments you just wanted to smack them hard against a wall. The P990 and P1i were essentially business phones and filled their purpose somewhat satisfying. The W950 and W960 still are top of the line music devices, but nothing I personally would use. A modern consumer wants both of these world, business and entertainment in one device and hopefully thats exactly what the X1 will do.

This baby has one flaw, it’s not running Symbian under the hood, instead Sony Ericsson has decided to spread it’s risks with operating systems (like most manufacturers these days) selecting the Windows Mobile platform for the Xperia line. Yes it’s a shame, I feel you all.

Enough blabbering, here are the goodies! The Xperia X1 features some really cool stuff such as a 3 inch 800×480 pixels 65 536 color touchscreen (ching ching!) perfect for watching movies during those long hours at trains or flights, HSDPA and HSUPA (fast downloads AND uploads), a full QWERTY keyboard, optical joystick and a 4-way key. There’s also an aGPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera able to record (and playback) VGA (640×480px) videos at 30 fps. All this in a neat arc-slider package measuring 110 x 17 x 53 mm and 145 grams. Did I mention it comes in two colors? Black for sinners and silver for saints. And oh yes, it will be available sometime during the second half of 2008.

Full pressrelease and more images after the break.

Sony Ericsson marks the launch of its new brand XPERIA™ with the unveiling of the XPERIA™ X1

10 February 2008

The world of our consumers and customers is changing. To meet the growing need for mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment, Sony Ericsson introduces XPERIA™. With this new brand Sony Ericsson will position itself at the forefront of mobile convergence.

Barcelona, Spain - 10th February 2008 -Today marked the launch of XPERIA™ and a new era in mobile communications with the announcement of the XPERIA™ X1, a stand-out, arc slider phone from Sony Ericsson designed to address the growing need for a premium, converged mobile experience.

The XPERIATM X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body. With Windows Mobile® inside, the XPERIA™ X1 lets you choose from a dynamic range of activities at anytime and anywhere; from enjoying your favourite entertainment content to working efficiently on-the-move. Access a world of experiences simply by touching the XPERIA™ panel on the screen.

"XPERIA™ represents the first brand that is truly borne from within Sony Ericsson. It represents our vision for a premium, energised communication experience," said Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson. "This launch, and the announcement of the X1, further strengthens the overall Sony Ericsson brand and places us at the forefront of mobile convergence."

"Our vision for the XPERIA™ X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design," said Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions, Sony Ericsson. "XPERIA™ is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience - anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone."

Sony Ericsson XPERIATM X1 - energised communication, the premium experience.

Convergence of multimedia entertainment and mobile Web communication
Unique arc slider with wide pitch easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard
XPERIA™ panels - arrange as you want for easy access
Enjoy multimedia entertainment on bright wide VGA display
Windows Mobile® capabilities

XPERIA™ panel interface - experiences just the way you want them

Enjoy access to different experiences - Web, multimedia, applications - from your desktop. Navigate with the tip of your finger. Configure and have your XPERIA™ panels just the way you want them.

Multiple navigation - the choice is yours

XPERIA™ X1 lets you interact with your

phone in different ways. Touch, full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key and optical joystick navigation. Switch seamlessly between operation modes.

Arc slider design - makes it stand out

The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. Ample distance between keys makes writing fast and easy.

Ultimate mobile experience - performance on the move

With Windows Mobile®, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi™ support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. Mobile access to everything that is important to you. aGPS gives you the freedom to explore the world. XPERIA™ X1 is a premium mobile experience.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1 will be available in selected markets from the second half of 2008.

Legal Information

1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.

2) Talk and standby times are affected by network preferences; type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. games. Kit contents and color options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2007.

The Liquid Identity logo, XPERIA, the XPERIA logo and PlayNow are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.

Microsoft, Windows, PowerPoint, Windows Media, Windows Mobile, Office, ActiveSync and Internet Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Bluetooth is a trademark or registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc.. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Subject to change without prior notice.

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London. The company serves the worldwide communications market with innovative and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories and PC-cards, and it has R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China, India and America. Sony Ericsson is the title sponsor of the Women’s Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. For more information, please visit www.sonyericsson.com

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Sony Ericsson Corporate Communications & PR

Mattias Holm: +44 208 762 6065

General Press: +44 208 762 5858

E-mail: press.global@SonyEricsson.com

Product images: www.sonyericsson.com/press

Mobile World Congress/Sony Ericsson website: http://www.sonyericsson.com/mobileworldcongress