Xperia X10 2.1 update: first look
Take a look at what you can expect from the rebuilt Xperia X10 firmware based on Android's 2.1 operating system.
Sony Ericsson has started rolling out its update for the Xperia X10, upgrading the Android platform to version 2.1, as well as enhancing a few key features.
The most noticeable adjustments can be seen on the lock screen and home screen. When you power on the phone you'll now have the option to silence the ringer by swiping the slider from right to left. The home screen now consists of five customisable canvases, rather than three in the previous firmware, which you can organise with shortcuts and widgets. You can also now use animated Live Wallpapers in the background.
There are several significant changes behind the scenes, mostly associated with the Android 2.1 upgrade. The web browser now supports HTML5, plus users should notice it loads pages a little faster too. Sony Ericsson has also improved the video capture software in the X10, offering users the option to shoot their videos in 720p resolution.
Noticeable shortcomings still present after the upgrade are the X10's lack of multi-touch support, meaning there is no pinch-to-zoom in the browser. There had been speculation that this update would also improve the colour range of the display to 16 million colours, but it is left with 65 thousand colours instead (not 256 thousand colours as stated in the video above).
The long-awaited firmware update is available now for X10 customers on the Vodafone networks and the X10 Mini Pros on the Vodafone, Optus and Virgin networks, with other networks to follow. To see if your handset is ready for the update, launch the Sony Ericsson PC Companion software on your PC and connect your handset via USB. If you see an update notification, simply follow the instructions on-screen.