Xperia

LAS VEGAS--The 4G LTE-equipped Sony Xperia Ion is a nice handset, but what makes it truly powerful is the little known SmartDock accessory.

Aside from the usual role of charging the Ion, it also has several features worth looking at.

For example, like with several other Android smartphone docks out there, an HDMI port mirrors your phone's display on the TV. You can see in our hands-on picture that there's a simple interface for browsing among content and features. Certain TV remotes will also be able to control media playback, presumably through HDMI-CEC.

Perhaps what's most interesting … Read more

LAS VEGAS--On the heels of launching its new Xperia Ion for AT&T, Sony gave us even more when it unveiled its new Xperia S smartphone the evening before CES officially began.

Not to be confused with last year's Xperia Arc S, the Xperia S is the first smartphone in Sony's NXT (next-generation) series. And, like the Ion, it drops the "Ericsson" name.

In its announcement, Sony made a point of stating that the handset is built with an "Iconic Identity" design. Sony is cagey about what that means exactly, but the company … Read more

LAS VEGAS--I bet when you think of AT&T, chances are the words "bleeding-edge smartphone" don't immediately spring to mind.

Sony plans to reboot customer perceptions with its new Xperia Ion handset, the company's first 4G LTE device and phone to bear the Sony moniker.

Besides breaking new ground as one of the few handsets to access AT&T's burgeoning LTE infrastructure, the Xperia Ion is the first launched under the Sony brand name, rather than Sony Ericsson. Also impressive are the phone's massive 4.6-inch (1,280x720-pixel) HD resolution screen, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, and roomy 16GB of internal memory. … Read more

If you have a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play smartphone, you're more than likely a gamer, and this is something that will interest you this holiday season.

OnLive, the pioneer of cloud-based gaming, announced Thursday that its free OnLive app for Android has been updated to support the slide-out game controls on the phone. This means the phone's owners now can enjoy almost all OnLive games, including the latest AAA console-class titles.

Unlike other Android-based smartphones, the the Xperia Play combines the traditional touch-screen control with slide-out dedicated gaming keys, analog touch joysticks, and shoulder buttons, making it an … Read more

Sony Ericsson, after already promising Ice Cream Sandwich for the 2011 Xperia lineup, provided new details today for exactly how the software update will happen.

Specifically, the company's blog posted a timeline as to when various models will get the Android 4.0 update. And as we might have expected all along, the newer releases like the Xperia Arc S and Xperia Ray will see the update before older devices such as the Xperia Arc and Xperia Play.

The first batch, which includes the Arc S, Xperia Neo V, and Ray will get the update beginning in late March. … Read more

We've been waiting to see Sony Ericsson's dual-core smartphone for quite a while now (the company has only released single-core handsets this year).

While our sister site CNET Australia talked about its supposed specs and had an image from what we are guessing to be a brochure, a kind soul in Hong Kong has leaked a picture of the handset. … Read more

Sony Ericsson brought another unlocked Android smartphone to U.S. consumers this week with the release of the Xperia Active.

Features include Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, a 5-megapixel camera, and a scratch-resistant 3-inch display capable of tracking wet finger touches. What's more, the Xperia Active can also withstand tough weather and climate conditions including a dunking in 3 feet of water for a half hour.

Additional details cater to outdoors enthusiasts or people with active lifestyles. For example, the device offers an onscreen heart rate/pulse monitor and comes with a "Gear Kit" that features a … Read more

Two Sony Ericsson Android phones made their debut in the U.S. today, although they are only available through the Sony Store.

The handset manufacturer unveiled the Xperia Arc S and the Xperia Neo V. The Arc S is $549.99 and the Neo V is $349.99, and both come unlocked.

That the two phones are hitting the U.S. shores only through Sony's stores is indicative of Sony Ericsson's recent struggles in the U.S. Smartphones that are sold without carrier support typically languish in the market or remain niche items for gadget enthusiasts.

A representative … Read more

For Sony and its handset ambitions, it may be too little, too late.

The Japanese consumer electronics giant is ending its 10-year marriage with network-equipment provider Ericsson, spending $1.47 billion to buy out Ericsson's stake in Sony Ericsson, their mobile devices joint venture.

Sony's hope: that it can move faster alone to revive what was once a healthy business through a tighter integration with its other products and media content.

While many analysts agree Sony's takeover of the business is a positive, they are skeptical that it can actually turn the handset business around. Over the … Read more