ericsson

Sony Ericsson took to Facebook today to announce two new feature phones, the Mix Walkman and Txt pro.

Features phones, if you remember, have become a new class of handsets that aren't quite smartphones, but aren't basic models, either. Indeed, the Mix Walkman and Txt Pro fit right into this category. They do much more than make calls even if they lack the fanciest features available on a mobile device. The handsets also run Sony Ericsson's OS (so no Android here, folks), but they offer elements of the Xperia Mini's interface including the touch controls resting … Read more

Sony Ericsson has just taken the wraps off its new Experience Pack, a hardware and software bundle designed specifically for the Xperia Play. The kit features the DK300 multimedia dock; a pair of cables (pocket USB, audio); and up to three games from Gameloft. In addition to charging the Xperia Play, the dock turns the phone into a desktop radio, alarm clock, and more.

The list of Gameloft titles isn't necessarily long, but some of the titles are impressive nonetheless. Each has been optimized to take advantage of the added hardware buttons found on the "PlayStation Phone" and will undoubtedly provide users with some of Android's best gaming controls. I've had a chance to play a couple of the games on other Android phones, so I can imagine that the Xperia Play will offer an even richer, more immersive experience.

Sony Ericsson hasn't listed a price for the Experience Pack, but I wouldn't put it much higher than $44.99 (if not less). Considering the dock retails for 19.99 British pounds, or approximately $32.88, and the games are typically $4.99 a piece, there wouldn't be much value in bundling things together otherwise. … Read more

Sony Ericsson is launching the Android 2.1 "Eclair" upgrade to Xperia X10 devices running on the AT&T network in the U.S., the handset maker announced today.

Owners of the device, which boasts a 4-inch touch screen, a 1GHz processor, and an 8-megapixel camera, will be able to access the upgrade today. With the upgrade, the phone records video in 720p, offers multitouch support, gets facial detection in video capture, and increases the number of available home screens from three to five.

In order to update the Xperia X10, users will need to download a PC Companion application to get the process started. From there, they'll need to plug their devices into their computers and start the update. According to the company's Web site, the update will take about 30 minutes to complete.

The addition of Android 2.1 to the Xperia X10 comes rather late. Many other devices are already running the newer Android 2.2 (Froyo). There are even some running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).… Read more

We've seen the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play before at Mobile World Congress and have managed to play a game or two on it ourselves during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Now, we finally have our hands on the Verizon version of the phone that will be making it to stores on May 26--preorders started on May 19.

There are few differences between the Xperia Play headed for Verizon and the one that's currently for sale internationally. The main difference is that the Verizon version comes with a few Verizon apps like VZ Navigator and My Verizon … Read more

Clearwire has signed a deal with wireless equipment supplier Ericsson to manage its 4G WiMax network in an effort to save on operating costs.

Today, the company announced the new seven-year deal, which entails Ericsson managing Clearwire's day-to-day network operations. As part of the deal, about 700 Clearwire employees will become Ericsson employees in the middle of 2011. Ericsson will be responsible for all the network engineering, operations, and maintenance of the network. But Clearwire will retain control of strategy decisions for the future of the network.

Ericsson, which sells the equipment used to power wireless networks around the … Read more

Already available in markets around the world, the highly anticipated Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is finally hitting the States, courtesy of Verizon Wireless, starting on May 26 for $199.99 with a two-year contract (requires voice and data plan). Preorders will begin on May 19 through the carrier's Web site.

Introduced back in February at Mobile World Congress, the Xperia Play will come preloaded with seven games: Madden NFL 11, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Asphalt 6: Adrenalin, The Sims 3, Star Battalion, Crash Bandicoot, and Tetris. Customers can expand on that selection using the onboard V Cast Apps store, … Read more

Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson have filed formal applications for a declaration of invalidity against Apple's trademarks for "App Store" and "Appstore" with the Community Trade Mark office in Europe.

The four companies join Amazon, which filed a similar complaint in Europe against Apple in mid-April. All seek to get Apple's two European trademarks invalidated, saying the moniker is too generic.

"Today's filings by HTC, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Microsoft, like Amazon's recent action, demonstrate the breadth of opposition to Apple's unsupportable claim of exclusivity," a Microsoft representative … Read more

The 404 co-host and known iPhone user Wilson Tang joins us this week and gives us Android guys a fresh perspective on this week's Android news. Speaking of the news, getting around your carrier's tethering restrictions just got a bit harder with carriers blocking tethering apps in the Android Market; Amazon and Barnes & Noble prepare to go head-to-head in the next round of the tablet/e-reader war; and we get news of a whole slew of upcoming Android phones, including a massive 4.5-inch model and the first Android phone targeted specifically at women. All of that, plus the answers to your emails, on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly with Antuan Goodwin and Justin Eckhouse. … Read more

Sony Ericsson unveiled the follow-up models to last year's Xperia X10 Mini and Xperia X10 Mini Pro today, refreshing the pair with Gingerbread and improved specifications.

Due later this year, both handsets feature a 3-inch touch display, 5-megapixel camera, and 1GHz Snapdragon processor. As was the case with the first generation of these Xperia phones, the primary difference between the two is that the Mini Pro features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, whereas the Mini is touch only. Additionally, the Mini Pro adds a front-facing VGA camera and a pair of business-minded apps: Office Suite and McAfee Antivirus.

At first … Read more