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Sony Ericsson rolls out Android 2.3.4 update globally
Posted:
October 30, 2011
By: soyacincau
9 comments
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
Unfortunately older Xperia models such as the Xperia X10 and X8 are not supported in this update. Among the new features and improvement include:
- 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!
Cameras Compared: Sony Ericsson Xperia arc vs iPhone 4S
Posted:
October 17, 2011
By: ccsoya
22 comments
In an earlier shootout, the Xperia arc was pitted against the iPhone 4. Some would argue that that wasn’t a fair fight considering the iPhone 4 had only 5MP against the Xperia arcs 8.1MP camera. But on the other hand, megapixel count is not a real indicator of camera performance.
In any case, with the iPhone 4S things are now leveled. We have two very capable smartphone cameras, both with 8MP and both having a sensor optimised for low-light conditions. Also interesting, both sensors on the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc are manufactured by Sony. In that case, are the two cameras one of the same? Perhaps, but there’s no way to be sure at this point in time. More importantly, that’s not the point.
The point is, between the iPhone 4S and the Xperia arc, which one takes better pictures? After the jump is a series of pictures taken using the iPhone 4S and the Xperia ray arc.
Take a look and tell us what you think.
Official pricing for the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S and Xperia active announced
Posted:
October 10, 2011
By: ccsoya
4 comments
Sony Ericsson Malaysia has announced the official pricing for two of its latest devices the Xperia arc S and the Xperia active.
Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S
The Xperia arc S brings all the goodness of the Xperia arc but with the addition of a faster 1.4GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8255 processor as opposed to the 1GHz unit in the Xperia arc.
According to Sony Ericsson, the extra 400MHz offers 25% faster camera start-up and 20% faster web page rendering over its original arc model. Also new to the arc S is a 3D Sweep Panorama feature that converts 2D images to 3D that you can view on a 3D TV.
The Xperia arc S runs on the latest Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread OS and is available now for RM1,899 in three colours – Pure White, Gloss Black and Pink. The Xperia arc S comes bundled with the following accessories worth RM429:
- MW600 Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM radio
- IM820 HDMI Cable
- ET912 Screen Protector
- AN401 Car charger + EC 450 USB cable
Sony Ericsson Xperia active
The Xperia active is Sony Ericsson’s first robust Android smartphone. The IP67-rated Xperia Active is water and dust resistant (in fresh water up to a depth of 1 metre, immersed for 30minutes) and comes with a technology Sony Ericsson calls wet finger tracking, allowing the screen to recognise finger gestures even if your digits are wet.
The Xperia active also packs a barometer, pedometer and pulse meter. The 3-inch 320×480 Reality Display on the Xperia active is enhanced with Sony’s Bravia Mobile Engine and is strengthened with Dragontrail — a product similar Corning’s Gorilla Glass. You also get a 5MP camera that shoots 720p HD videos and a 1200mAh battery.
The Xperia active retails for RM1,159 which is not far off from our earlier estimate of RM1,216 based on the earlier Singapore launch. The device comes in two colour schemes – Orange band with black back cover and white band with black back cover. Both colour schemes come with an extra white cover. At the moment Sony Ericsson is bundling the Xperia active with the Sony Ericsson LiveView Bluetooth display worth RM288. That’s a pretty good deal
Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S with 1.4GHz processor
Posted:
September 2, 2011
By: soyacincau
2 comments
The Sony Ericsson Xperia arc has given a refresh with its latest Xperia arc S. Compared to its single core 1GHz predecessor, the Xperia arc S comes with a extra boost thanks to its single core 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor.
According to Sony Ericsson, the extra 400MHz offers 25% faster camera start up and 20% faster web page rendering over its original arc model. The rest of the phone hardware remains unchanged and you’ll still get the same 8.1MP camera with Exmor R sensor which worked surprisingly well under low light conditions.
Also new to the arc S is a 3D Sweep Panorama feature which can be viewed on a 3D TV. This is merely a software based conversion from 2D to 3D and it doesn’t take native 3D shots like the dual camera HTC Evo 3D or LG Optimus 3D.
Other additions include Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited which is a content channel that’s subject to availability by region. The Xperia arc S runs on the latest Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread OS and will be available in 5 colours – Pure White, Gloss Black, Misty Silver, Midnight Blue and Sakura Pink.
For more information, head to Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S page here.
More pics after the break
Xperia arc RRP drops to RM1,899
Posted:
August 22, 2011
By: ccsoya
3 comments
Good news people! One of the most deliciously designed single-core Android smartphones in the market — the Xperia arc — has a revised pricing.
The Gingerbread running, 8MP Exmor-R totting, Mobile Bravia Engine enhanced, Reality Display equipped, stylishly thin Xperia arc now retails for RM1,899 from the original price of RM2,099.
Yes, you can get an LG Optimus 2X for the same price but the arc has the dual-core value-phone beat when it comes to style and camera performance. Also, in terms of real-world performance, the single-core arc cuts it pretty close against the dual-core LG but the hard numbers tell a completely different story.
In case you’re curious, we got some benchmark figures of the two devices after the jump.
The Xperia challenges
Posted:
August 11, 2011
By: ccsoya
5 comments
It all began with one crazy challenge — to drive a car using only what you see through the display of the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc. Then someone wondered whether a flower can bloom with just the glow from the screen of the Xperia arc? or can a group of skaters skate around town using the camera and display of the Xperia neo as their eyes?
And the challenge was set…
Marketing stunts aside, these beautifully done videos are just a joy to watch.
Gingerbread 2.3.3 update available for Sony Ericsson Xperia arc
Posted:
June 21, 2011
By: ccsoya
4 comments
Just a short heads up for all you Xperia arc users out there. Android Gingerbread 2.3.3 update is now available for your device. Head on over to Sony Ericsson Malaysia’s Facebook page for details on the update.
The update is nothing major but it pays to keep your devices updated with the latest OS version. Other than that you get enhanced Facebook integration throughout the device including in the system’s calendar and picture gallery.
Hit the source link to jump to Sony Ericsson arc Android update Facebook page.
[source]
Camera wars: Xperia arc vs iPhone 4
Posted:
April 12, 2011
By: ccsoya
3 comments
We’ve showed you how good the Exmor R sensor on the Xperia arc is at taking pictures in low or almost no light conditions. But how does the camera on the arc performs overall? With 8MP to play with and Sony’s reputation of making splendid digital cameras at stake, is the Xperia arc better than the iPhone 4, currently world’s most prolific mobile phone camera, when it comes to taking pictures and videos?
Head over to after the jump to find out.
Drive a car using only what you see through a smart phone’s display
Posted:
April 12, 2011
By: ccsoya
2 comments
Here’s a viral video Sony Ericsson made to showcase the screen display quality of the Xperia arc. The video presents us with a scenario where a car’s windows are all covered with sheet metal and the only way for the driver to see where he’s going is through the screens of a few well-placed Xperia arcs around the vehicle. With only the screens of the Xperia arcs as his guide, the driver then traverses a dirt road circuit as fast as he can.
Yes, it is overly dramatic and we’re a bit confused as to how this stunt shows how good the Xperia arc’s Reality Display is (we’re pretty sure you can do the same thing with any smart phone and get pretty much the same results), but it is still fun to watch nonetheless right after the jump.
First impressions: Sony Ericsson Xperia arc
Posted:
April 7, 2011
By: ccsoya
13 comments
The Sony Ericsson Xperia arc is without a doubt one of the most stylish Android phones to hit the market. At just 8.7mm thin, the arc is also most probably the thinnest smart phones out there. When we first saw the device early this year, the arc really made an impression on us. Packed with technology like Sony’s Bravia Mobile Engine display enhancement software and Sony’s Exmor R for mobile imaging sensor, there is a lot to look forward to in the Xperia arc but at the back of our minds, the memories of so many other promising Xperias that have disappointed us is ever present.
Could the arc change all this? or is this latest Android flagship from Sony Ericsson just a fashion victim that sacrifices substance for looks and looks alone?
Head on over to after the jump to find out. This is our first impressions of the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc.