Sony Ericsson rolls out Android 2.3.4 update globally
Sony Ericsson has announced its global roll out of their Android 2.3.4 update. The update is offered the following Xperia models:
- Xperia arc
- Xperia PLAY
- Xperia neo
- Xperia mini
- Xperia mini pro
- Xperia pro
- Xperia ray
- Xperia active
- Xperia neo V
- Xperia arc S
- Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
- Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
- Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities.
- Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D Sweep Panorama functionality powered by Sony.
- 16x video zoom
- The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™ smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
- Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
- WiFi DLNA
- Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone.
The update was initially rolled out to users at the Nordic but now it is available for the rest of the world including users in Malaysia.
Update: A number of commenters have been asking how to receive the latest update for their Sony Ericsson device. First, make sure that your device is eligible for an update (check the list above). If your device is eligible, please note that the update is being rolled out in stages so some of you might get it a later than others. Just make sure you set your phone to detect updates automatically and you should get the Android 2.3.4 update eventually. Lastly, check out the video below for a walk-through on how to ensure that you get the update. Good luck.
Thanks @fizie76 for the heads up!
If you’re wondering whether — or if you assumed that — the Galaxy Nexus comes standard with Corning’s Gorilla Glass then this should come as a shocker. The Galaxy Nexus — just like the Nexus S before it — does not come with Gorilla Glass.
Is this a big deal? Well to those who have the tendency to mix phone and keys in the same pocket, yes, this is a very big deal.
But this is not to say that Samsung omitted strengthened glass on the Galaxy Nexus altogether. There’s Dragontrail, which is an alternative to Gorilla Glass, so it is possible that Samsung just opted for a different supplier this time around.
Of course, this is pure speculation at the moment, but surely Samsung won’t just give consumer plain old unprotected glass in one of its high-end phone right?
Google Nexus One won’t be getting Ice Cream Sandwich
It’s official, the smartphone that sparked the great Android hardware race — the Google Nexus One — will not be getting an update to Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS).
Reason being? Hugo Barra, the Product Management Director for Android at Google says that the Nexus One’s hardware is simply too dated to support the latest version of Android.
Launched in January 2010, the Nexus One was the model Android smartphone and — arguably — it started a full-on arms race amongst Android device manufacturer, all eager to kit each one’s flagship device with the latest and greatest hardware. Up till today, one could say that it is this constant and rampant hardware updates that make Android devices so widely appealing, and we tend to agree.
World’s first dual-core Android not getting Ice Cream Sandwich
We are of course referring to the LG Optimus 2X, a device which was certified by the Guinness World Records as the first dual-core Android smartphone in the world.
Unfortunately, the once cutting-edge device is now way behind when it comes to OS updates. Even at this moment, the Optimus 2X is running Android 2.2, what hope do users have to see the device run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS)? Well as it turns out, almost zero.
LG on its official global Facebook page responded to a query on if the Optimus 2X is eligible for an Android 4.0 update or not. LG’s response was direct. The company “will not be introducing” Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Optimus 2X.
And if the Optimus 2X will not be getting ICS, it’s pretty much safe to assume that the other Android devices in LG’s smartphone range will not as well. Of course for the rooters amongst us, there are other means to get the latest Android updates but this also is not without its limitations.
Still, a Facebook response is not something you can consider as officially official but looking at LG’s track record in issuing updates for its Android devices, we won’t be holding our breaths either.