Sony Ericsson UK says Xperia X10 to get Android 2.1 in September

Sony Ericsson has been lagging behind with Android versions as it continues to run on Android 1.6. This might come as a pleasant update as Sony Ericsson UK had tweeted that Android 2.1 upgrade is due to be released by end of September.

Sure Android 2.1 is nothing to shout about considering most devices are shifting to Android 2.2 Froyo as we speak. However having Android 2.1 gives Sony Ericsson Xperias more access to apps that runs on Android 2.0 and above. We have no idea whether this will be pushed out to all Xperias worldwide or exclusively to UK handsets first.

Well, it is better late than never.

[ SOURCE, VIA ]

HTC Wildfire comes to Maxis, offers longer contract terms for Android devices

Click for larger image.

Maxis is once again leading the Android device pack with its latest addition, the HTC Wildfire. You can check out our review on the HTC Desire.

At launch about a month a got the Wildfire was sold outright with no plans from any telco but we were told by HTC PR that Maxis is will be offering a bundling package very soon, and here it is.

We predicted that with a 12 months package the Wildfire will cost around RM700 and it looks like we were spot on with that one. With a 12 month contract on Maxis, the HTC Wildfire can be your for RM699. You can go as low as RM549 with the Wildfire if you’re willing to put up with a 24 months contact on Maxis.

There’s currently a promotion on HTC devices with Maxis at the moment. Running from 13 to 17 August, with every purchase of the Wildfire you’ll get a free car kit worth RM200 and with every purchase of the HTC Desire you get a free casing worth RM80. Only valid for purchases made at the Maxis KLCC roadshow.

Speaking of 24 months, Maxis has included this option to subscribe for 18 months and 24 months. This is a new bundling across all the Android devices in Maxis’ stables. Our favourite Samsung Galaxy S is a mouth watering RM1,499 pm 24 months contract and the pretty good HTC Desire is RM1,349 on 24 months. You can check out the new pricing for the device here but if you’re too lazy, check out the breakdown below.

Interestingly, Maxis has dropped some of the Android devices from its lineup, including the Motorola Milestone, HTC Legend, the standard Samsung Galaxy and the LG GW620.

[source, via]

Sony announcing something big for Xperia?

UPDATE: Looks like we’re wrong. The so called “big thing” is the announcement of Sony Xperia X10 on AT&T for US$129.99. There’s no change on the device and it still runs the same old Android 1.6 Donut.

Gizmodo has spotted Sony Style’s site teasing that something ‘Smarter is Coming’.

From the shadow it looks like a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. We believe this could be a software upgrade to Android 2.1 Eclair or perhaps Android 2.2 Froyo. Another possibility is another varient of X10 with better specs. As mentioned before, Sony Ericsson is lagging as it still uses Android 1.6 even on its latest Xperia X8. So it is about time Sony upgrades its Android line up.

The full details behind the teaser shall uncover tonight. The countdown timer doesn’t seem to work here as it uses javascript to get your local instead of US time.

[ SOURCE, VIA ]

Maxis announcement: A tie-up with Sony Ericsson?

(UPDATE 1923hrs 12072010) The word’s out, at the very least, the something “exciting” from Maxis has nothing to do with a tie-up with Sony Ericsson. But Sony Ericsson who tweeted this morning that they have something exciting to announce have yet to say anything. A new device launch could still be in the pipeline. Though, we’re wondering why is it taking Sony Ericsson so long.

Earlier, Maxis mentioned on Twitter that they will be making an “exciting” announcement today. With just that one tweet, the social media space went to work speculating on whether Maxis will officially announce the pre-order date for the iPhone 4.

We thought that a pre-order announcement from Maxis would be a bit too premature right now. Rather, a more ideal date would be sometime around 19 July – assuming that the iPhone 4 launch itself will be within the second week of August.

Turns out, Sony Ericsson via Twitter, has put out a tweet that is very similar to the one Maxis made.

As far as we know, Maxis is the only telco that’s currently offering Sony Ericsson phones with contract bundles. Namely the Xperia X10.

Could this big announcement that Maxis is making have to do with a new Sony Ericsson phone launch?

Possibly.

If it is indeed true, we’re looking at a possible X10 Mini or X10 Pro launch.

But then again, we could be completely wrong.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 coming Q3, disappointingly runs on Android 1.6.

The Xperia X8 is officially announced as the latest Android device from Sony Ericsson. This will be a mid-ranged device that joins its siblings the Sony Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro.

Despite being the latest, the X8 which will only be sold in about 5-6 months time is still running the aged Android 1.6. This is a big problem with Sony Ericsson as they keep releasing new phones running old OS versions while the rest of the Android players are busy upgrading their handsets to 2.2 (Froyo). By the time X8 is on sale, this could be the oldest running Android phone sold in the market.

Check out the comparison with the X10 Mini and hands on preview of the X8 after the jump.

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Want to try out the Xperia X10? Here’s a nifty simulation

Thought of getting Sony Ericsson’s flagship Android phone?

Here’s a nifty simulation that let’s you try out the phone before you buy. Sorta. We emphasize that it is just a simulation.

We’ve heard that the skinned Android in the X10 is very laggy…wonder if the simulation is simulating that.