The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 (previously known as Shakira) has now become official. We knew it looked a lot like the X10 Mini but it’s actually a little bigger and sits between it and the current X10 quite nicely. Not to big, not too small, it’s juuust right.
Now official, the X8 will be available in “selected markets” from Q3 in lots white, dark blue, aqua blue, pink and silver.
It’ll run Android 1.6 initially but Sony Ericsson state that they’ll try and get 2.1 on these phones at launch – if not, it’ll have 1.6 and will have a 2.1 upgrade shortly after. The X8 has a 600Mhz CPU with 3″ 320×480 (HVGA) capacitive screen, quad-band GSM / 3G, FM radio, Bluetooth, aGPS, WiFi and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Other specs include a 3.2 megapixel camera, Facebook and PlayNow integration. The Timescape system is on-board to keep all your communication streams sorted and there’s a microSD slot for extra storage.
Sony Ericsson have also took the opportunity to point out some updates for the X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. They tell us that all three devices will received the Android 2.1 upgrade “in Q3 2010”, although their blog seems to state “Q4”. But wait, the big news for X10 owners is that…
“Xperia™ X10’s position will also be further strengthened through the addition of HD video recording as part of the same Q3 upgrade. A further upgrade to the Xperia™ X10 in Q4 will make it possible to connect and display wirelessly content on your television and enhance the Timescape™ and Mediascape applications.”
Aha ! Great news for X10 owners!
Link – Sony Ericsson – X8 Gallery
Credit – Chilko
* Sony Ericsson brings together the very best of communication and entertainment in its Xperia™ collection
* The Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro will all receive software upgrades in Q3. Additional features to be added to the X10 in Q4
* The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 extends the range of the most entertaining smartphones
June 16 2010, Singapore:
Xperia™ brings consumers the best communication and entertainment experiences, delivered in a collection of smartphones to give consumers choice in size and style.
The Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro smartphones will all receive software upgrades during their lifecycle to improve performance and add new communication and entertainment experiences. In Q3 2010, the Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro smartphones will be upgraded to run on the Android 2.1 operating system. The Xperia™ X10’s position as the best multimedia Android smartphone will be strengthened through the addition of HD video recording as part of the same Q3 upgrade. A further upgrade to the Xperia™ X10 in Q4 will make it possible to connect and display wirelessly content on your television and enhance the Timescape™ and Mediascape applications.
Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast internet to create the most entertaining smartphones. The Xperia™ X10 is the flagship of the Xperia™ collection and has an 8.1 megapixel camera and 4-inch screen for best in class multimedia creation and viewing. Signature applications such as Mediascape and Timescape™ help you to organise content and bring your multimedia and communication alive.
In addition to features and applications, design is essential to the entertainment experience. Sony Ericsson’s human curvature design philosophy is applied across the portfolio to package the technology into products that look and feel great. Using design innovation Sony Ericsson makes the Xperia smartphones available with a choice of size and style.
Steve Walker, Head of Product Marketing at Sony Ericsson, commented “Sony Ericsson’s vision is to be the communication entertainment brand. We are focussing strongly on the smartphone market and specifically on creating the most entertaining smartphones. Sony Ericsson is uniquely positioned to do this thanks to our experience in creating Walkman and Cybershot phones and the strong collaboration with our parent company Sony.”
Today Sony Ericsson announces the Xperia™ X8, which will build upon the success of the X10 and the mini products and extend the most entertaining smartphones collection to an even broader audience.
Introducing the Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8
The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 is a great entertainment smartphone that extends the appeal of the Xperia™ collection to new market segments. The user interface is similar to that of the Xperia™ X10 mini, with the four-corners that give easy one hand use and can be customised for one touch access to your favourite applications. The Xperia™ X8 also includes Timescape™ for easy access to all your social networking and the infinite button for one click access to a world of content. The open Android operating system delivers great smartphone functionality and access to thousands of applications on Android Market™. Timo Maassmann, Product Marketing Manager for XperiaTM X8, said “We are delighted to be able to bring the full experience of our XperiaTM smartphones to new consumers by delivering a fully featured device at a more accessible price position.”
The Xperia™ X8 is perfect for enjoying multimedia. Whether it’s a game from the Android Market™, the latest funny clips on YouTube™ or browsing the web, the 3-inch screen means you won’t miss a thing. Discover and download songs from PlayNow™, then listen to all your music using the 3.5mm headphone jack. If you are feeling more creative, there’s a 3.2 megapixel camera and video recording functionality.
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 – Key features
* Four corners for easy one hand use and one touch access to applications
* Customize the four corners with your favourite apps and add widgets to your homescreens
* Enjoy games, video, internet and more on the 3-inch screen
* Timescape™ shows all your communication in one place for ultimate simplicity
* Android Market™ – thousands of applications to keep you entertained
* 3,2 megapixel camera – snap away and upload instantly to Facebook™
The XPERIA™ X8 supports GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and UMTS HSPA 800/850/1900/2100
The XPERIA™ X8 will be available in selected markets from Q3 in the colours White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, Silver/ White.
Log on to The Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products
The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X8 at a glance
Camera
* 3,2 megapixel camera
* Direct picture upload to Facebook™
* Geo tagging
* Sony Ericsson Album application
* Video recording
Music
* Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
* PlayNow™
* Sony Ericsson Music Player
* TrackID™
Web
* Bookmarks
* Pan and zoom
* WebKit web browser
Communication
* Facebook™ application
* Sony Ericsson Timescape™
Messaging
* Push email
* Instant messaging
* Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support with Dataviz™ RoadSync™
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Predictive text input
* Text messaging (SMS)
Design
* Auto rotate
* Picture wallpaper
* Capacitive touchscreen
Entertainment
* Infinite button
* Sony Ericsson FM radio
* Video streaming
* Video viewing
Organiser
* Calendar
* Flight mode
* Phone book with dialer
* Sony Ericsson Home with Widget
* Notes
Location-based services
* A-GPS
* Google Maps™
* Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation* (free trial version)
* *The service may not be available in every market. For more information, go to www.sonyericsson.wisepilot.com
Connectivity
* 3.5 mm audio jack
* Bluetooth™ technology
* Micro USB connector
* NeoReader® barcode scanning app
* Sony Ericsson Sync
* USB mass storage
* USB support
* Wi-Fi™
Google™ services
* Android Market™ Client
* Gmail™
* Google Calendar™
* Google LatitudeTM
* Google Maps™ with Street View
* Google search widget
* Google Talk™
* YouTube™
Screen
* 16,777,216 colour TFT touchscreen
* Capacitive touchscreen
* 3.0 inches
* 320 x 480 pixels (HVGA)
* Scratch-resistant (min. pencil hardness 6H)
Accessories
* In-Box:
* XPERIA™ X8
* Battery 1200mAh
* Stereo portable handsfree
* 2 GB microSD™ card
* Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
* User documentation
* Optional:
* Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600
* Portable Stereo Speakers MS450
* Hi-Fi Headset with Remote MH810
Facts
* Size: 99 x 54 x 15 mm
* Weight: 104g
* Phone memory: Up to 128 MB
* Memory card support: microSD™ up to 16GB
* Memory card included: 2 GB
* Operating system: Google™ Android Donut, version 1.6
* Processor: 600MHz
Availability and versions
* Networks
* UMTS HSPA 900/2100
* GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* UMTS HSPA 800/1900/2100
* GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* Available in selected markets from Q3 2010
Colour
* White
* Dark Blue/White
* Aqua Blue/White
* Pink/White
* Silver/White