Sony delays Xperia Android 4.0 ICS update, now starting from mid-April

Sony Mobile has confirmed that the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for 2011 Xperia handsets will start from mid-April 2012. The first phones to get the update will be the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray. This rollout will continue over 4-6 weeks.

Following on from these handsets, the second wave of updates for the rest of the 2011 Xperia range will start from end of May/early June. This includes updates for the following handsets: Xperia arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia neo, Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. The Xperia S will see an upgrade “from the later part of the second quarter”, therefore don’t expect it before June 2012.

Sony Mobile had originally stated that the ICS update for the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray would commence from end of March/early April. They also communicated that the rest of the 2011 line-up would get Android 4.0 from end April/early May. This implies around a month’s delay for some Xperia handsets.

Sony confirmed that the update will take place via PC Companion/SEUS and Bridge for Mac only. There will be no OTA updates and no notifications either. The reason behind this is that they want users to make a conscious decision when upgrading to ICS given that it is a significant revamp and that it “may impact performance in some user scenarios” given that it requires more resources.

Via Sony Mobile Blog.

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[NEWS]Sony announces Xperia neo L for the Chinese market

Today Sony Mobile announced a new addition to its Xperia smartphone line-up. The Sony neo L is a mid-range device that is based on the neo V and is destined for the Chinese market.

The Xperia neo L will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at launch (a first for Sony) and can easily be confused with the neo V as they share similar looks and specifications. However, the neo L also borrows a few design elements from the Xperia PLAY, sans the PlayStation certified joypad.

Under the hood of the Sony Xperia neo L sits a 1GHz single-core Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 205 graphics chip bundled with 512MB of RAM. The smartphone is built around a 4-inch LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels.

At the back, the Xperia neo L carriers a 5MP snapper capable of shooting 720p videos, while a VGA front-facing camera enables video calling. At 120.0 x 61.0 x 12.8mm, the neo L is slightly longer, but slimmer than the neo V.

Here are some hands-on photos of the neo L courtesy of Sina to help you see how the device really looks.

   

Sony stays mum on pricing and time of availability of the neo L, but it has been revealed that the Chinese market will get it first. Whether it'll be also the last is anyone's guess for now.

Source | Via

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Sony MT27i ‘Pepper’ makes brief appearance

There was a good chance that Sony Mobile was going to announce the rumoured Sony MT27i, codenamed Pepper, at the recent MWC tradeshow in Barcelona. It never came to pass, however it seems that its launch is still scheduled for some point in the future. The picture you can see below apparently was captured from a brief appearance on the Sony Mobile China website.

You can see that the design looks very similar to the Xperia NXT devices, however this particular handset does not have the transparent bar. It also clearly uses capacitive buttons (larger than the one on the Xperia S) and has a dedicated camera shutter key. The Sony MT27i ‘Pepper’ is rumoured to sport a 3.7-inch display with 480 x 854 resolution and be powered by a 1GHz dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500 NovaThor chipset. It is believed to come with 8GB of internal storage, 512MB RAM and a 5MP camera. The image also highlights it will come with NFC functionality.

Via IT168.com.

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Xperia S makes an appearance on SEUS, PC Companion

The Sony Xperia S is due to go on sale in just under a week now and Sony Mobile is getting ready. The Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS) and PC Companion programs, both used to upgrade firmware for Sony (Ericsson) phones, now include the Xperia S in its phone list. The Xperia NX, the Japanese version, is also included on the list.

Given that the Xperia S has no physical buttons, you have to hold the down volume button when checking for firmware. As you can probably tell by the last screenshot, we do indeed have the Xperia S in our hands (early impressions will follow) and the below firmware was the latest available on SEUS. 

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Sony Mobile: Cortex-A15 phones in H2 2012; quad-core phones in 2013?

A Sony Mobile executive has given the first indication of what chips will power future Xperia phones and when we’ll see them. For those hoping for a quad-core beast from Sony this year then you’ll be disappointed. A Sony quad-core handset will not materialise until 2013 according to Stephen Sneeden, Product Marketing Manager. We should point out that Sneeden says this was his assumption only and the roadmap might change.

Instead, Sony will use the Cortex-A15 SoC for phones released in H2 2012. The reason behind this is that Sneeden says that the performance increase doesn’t match the battery efficiency right now. This seems like a sensible move to us. Whilst some may bemoan Sony Mobile being behind the curve once again, the reality is that benchmarks flying around the place prove that Cortex-A15 SoCs outperform quad-core variants. Also, there is still the question of apps taking full advantage of the multi-core environment in phones.

As to exactly which chipset will be used, it will be between Qualcomm and ST-Ericsson. The most likely scenario is the use of the S4 Snapdragon in the second half of this year. See Sneeden’s full comments below.

“We’re going to join quad-core when we feel that the performance matches the battery efficiency. Because right now we don’t feel that is there. What we are going to be doing in the second-half of the year is moving to the Cortex A15 architecture, which we feel outperforms the current quad-core architecture.

You’ll see in 2013, as we’re evaluating the quad-core performance where it makes sense, where you’re not suffering in quality and the performance truly is there, and there really is something that demanding applications need. That’s when we make the right move to quad-core.”

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[ROM][ARC/ARC S]DiMIUI[MIUIv2.2.17][Multi-Language][20/02/12]

This is a clean version of MIUI based on the latest version released by MIUI
MIUI version 2.2.17- Latest version
Android Version 2.3.7
Recommended baseband is 64



 
Working Fuctions:
- GSM- working
- 3G/DATA-working
- SENSORS -working
- USB Connection - working 
- AUDIO -working
- VIDEO - working
- VIBRATION - working
- MIC- working
- GPS-working
- WIFI-working
- camera -working
- video camera- working
- flashlight-working
- torch - working
- HDMI-working ( Thanks to zdzihu)
- WiFi Hotspots- not working
- FM Radio- not working but can use a different radio from the market which will work, such as Tunein


............................................ ............................. ...................................... ...............................
Whats new in this version:
Fix some cases of slow/no responsiveness when clicking status bar data toggle
............... ............... ................. .................................................. ... ..........................................


Addons:
HDMI Enabler thanks to Zdzihu- only audio atm
........................... .............................. .................................................. .....................................


How to Install:
Best for start YOU NEED TO HAVE AN UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER
1. Download a compatible kernel ( Recommend Jason Steins Blend Kernel)
2. Place the ROM and addons on the SD card of your phone
3. Use fasboot to flash the kernel. Type in fastboot flash boot boot.img
4. Boot into CWM recovery then:
Wipe data/factory reset and confirm
Wipe cache and confirm
Go into advanced and wipe dalvik cache and confirm
Flash the ROM and addons by installing zip from SD Card
5. Reboot the phone into MIUI  


.................................................. ................ .................................................. .........................

Added Support for Multi-language:
1. Firstly, Download the MIUI Multi-Language pack for DiMIUI 2.2.1.7
2.Then flash it via CWM recovery:
Boot into CWM recovery then:
Wipe cache and confirm
Go into advanced and wipe dalvik cache and confirm
Flash the pack by installing zip from SD Card
Then Reboot Now
3. Then, Find the language pack for the language you need by finding it from the desired MIUI language website:
Hungarian- forum http://forum.android.com.pl/f153/miu...30/#post599933
Persian- http://and-roid.ir/Forum/content/
Turkish- miui.mnyk.net
Polish- http://forum.android.com.pl/f153/miu...30/#post599933
Dutch- forum http://www.miui.nl/
Hebrew- forum http://iandroid.co.il/forum/topic9805.html
Vietnamese- http://www.pdaviet.net/forum.php
Korean- blog http://elf9917.blog.me/
Spanish http://miui.es/?lang=en
Italian-www.miui.it
Portuguese- https://github.com/IoDa00/Traducao-MIUI-PTG
Russian- http://miui.ru/download/full-rom.html
4. Flash it via recovery too and then reboot and voila! Multi-language MIUI for DiMIUI 


For People having issues with Theme manager.apk FC'ing, go into system/app and delete the thememanager.apk and then push this to system/app and install your language pack 


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Download links:
Jason Steins Battery Saving Kernel For the Arc S(LT18i)
Jason Steins Battery Saving Kernel for the Arc ( LT15i)
DoomKernel for MIUI( Battery life sacrificed for better performance, personally don't like this :P)
DiMIUI v2.2.17 ROM for Arc/Arc S
DiMIUI multi-language pack 2.2.1.7

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[ROM][ARC] -= XPERIA MOD™ ICS =- [Beta][Tweaked][Released]

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Hi Folks,

Finally I got the ROM to work properly. I have applied few tweaks as well to improve the performance. This ROM is in beta stages so please test and report any bugs. 

Note: I'm not responsible for any bricked phones .. test it upon your risk. 

Steps: 

1, Copy the package to SD card 
2, Flash Kernel below
3, Go into Recovery
4 Wipe everything (system, cache, etc...) 
5, Flash the ROM 
6, Reboot the device 

This package is customized for Xperia Arc 

Here is the SE ICS Beta kernel with CWM 5.5.04 taken from fxp kernel

[Credits]
1. FXP - for the CWM
2. Doomlord - for the sysinit and bootrec script

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?eddwa8h85bl564c

[instructions]
1. download the zip and copy it to fastboot folder
2. enter fastboot mode
3. type: 

Code:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

To get into recovery, press any key at blue led.

 

Change Log: 

Code:

Version 1

Initial release based on Official Sony's beta based on 4.1.C.0.7
Few tweaked added 

Download: http://minus.com/mh2JHZpkK

Thanks to DoomLord, cobrato, doomed151, zeppelinrox and Wolfbreak

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Sony Ericsson announces Xperia active Billabong edition

Sony Ericsson and the extreme sports brand Billabong have entered into a partnership, which will bring the Xperia smartphones closer to the adrenaline junkies, who are fans of the popular Australian clothing and gear company. The first product of the partnership is the Sony Ericsson Xperia active Billabong edition.

There is no difference between the newcomer and the tough as nails, regular Xperia active, which we came to like quite a lot, save for the Billabong branded back cover and some software additions. The latter include exclusive Billabong screensavers, preloaded videos, and an app to keep you up to date on surfing news.

Yet another product of the newly formed partnership between the two companies is the Billabong Surf Trip - a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY exclusive video game.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia active Billabong edition is already available in selected markets.

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Sony announces new 8MP and 13MP image sensors for smartphones

Sony has announced that it has developed the next-generation of back-illuminated camera sensors destined for smartphones. The CMOS image sensor uses a new stacked structure that delivers improved camera quality in a smaller chip size. Other features of the new image chip include faster speeds and lower power consumption.

The sensors also have been developed with Sony’s “RGBW Coding” function, important for low-light photography, and the proprietary “HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie” function that can achieve dynamic colours even when taking pictures against bright light. See some demos of these functions below.

Samples of the new CMOS image sensor will start shipping from March 2012. First up will be the 1/4″ 8MP sensor that will come equipped with built-in signal processing functionality. In June, Sony will ship the 1/3.06″ 13MP sensor that will come with both RGBW Coding and HDR Movie functions. Then in August, Sony will sample the 1/4″ 8MP sensor, which will also support RGBW Coding and HDR Movie functions. We wouldn’t expect any smartphones using these new chips until the end of the year at the earliest.

For more details about how these new stacked CMOS chips differ from conventional sensors click hereand here.

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Xperia arc to be rebranded with Sony logo?

4

Sony Pictures released a trailer for the next movie in its Resident Evil series starring Milla Jovovich. The first 35 seconds of the Resident Evil: Retribution trailer could be straight out of a Sony ad showcasing a PlayStation Vita, Sony Tablet S and MP3 player. Interestingly, it also shows an Xperia arc with one fundamental difference. The arc has what looks like an over-sized Sony logo on the handset rather than the Sony Ericsson logo on existing handsets.

We may be reading too much into this, but could Sony be looking to rebrand some of its older handsets now that it has total control over Sony Ericsson? Could we end up seeing a ‘Sony’ Xperia arc hit shops? Probably not, given that the company is looking to move onto newer handsets. The question then becomes is Sony re-releasing a handset that looks like the Xperia arc with updated specs? Possibly. There is some speculation that a handset with a similar design to the Xperia arc will be released with updated specs.

Or could this simply be the Sony marketing team wanting to remind people that it now has its own wholly-owned smartphone business. What better way to do that than to Photoshop a Sony logo on an existing phone. Although, why they didn’t choose a recently announced handset like the Xperia S is a bit strange. What do you think this could mean, let us know in the comments below? See the trailer below.

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The first picture of Sony Ericsson ST25i ‘Kumquat’ leaked

If the recent leaked Sony smartphone roadmap is to be believed then we expect it to release three unannounced phones in Q2 2012, the LT22i Nypon, MT27i Pepper and ST25i Kumquat. We would therefore expect these three phones to be formally announced by Sony (Ericsson) at MWC in Barcelona next month.

Sony has not hid the fact that its Iconic Identity design trait will be seen in more than just the Xperia S. The leaked picture of the LT22i Nypon suggested its design would follow in the same footsteps We’ve now come across the first picture of what is believed to be the ST25i ‘Kumquat’. As you can tell it also carries the Iconic Identity design, with the transparent notification strip at the bottom of the phone.

It looks so similar in fact that it took us a long time to convince ourselves we were looking at a different phone. The main clue was the screen resolution of the handset. Compare the picture below to that of the LT22i Nypon and you’ll notice the three icons on the top right of the handset (time, battery and network icons) are taking up more room compared to the Sony Ericsson logo on the top of the handset. The LT22i Nypon is rumoured to come with qHD resolution (540 x 960) versus FWGA resolution (480 x 854) of the ST25i Kumquat. The handset also looks narrower than the previous leaks, reminding us of the 3.3-inch Xperia ray.

The Sony Ericsson ST25i Kumquat is rumoured to have a 3.5-inch display, 1GHz dual-core processor and 5MP camera.

Thanks Dacha!

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