Sony Ericsson and Microsoft held a press briefing about the co-operation and development of the X1. Read the summary here. Update with video demonstration 13 February 2008
Sony Ericsson and Microsoft held a press briefing about the Sony Ericsson X1 XPERIA. Many questions could not be answered for various reasons. The X1 is not a finnished product. It is still under development, so it is possible but not likely that some of the features mentioned here can be changed later on. Representing Sony Ericsson was Mr Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions.
What is XPERIA? XPERIA is a homescreen switcher for the X1. The default Windows Mobile 6 homescreen is called "Today Screen". XPERIA runs on top of the WM6 operating system and let the user choose between 9 desktop panels. It is a Today Screen plugin so to speek. XPERIA is the name of a simpler user interface. It is not easy to describe XPERIA with a few words. It seemed like several of the jurnalists attending at the press brief also was at the lauch event on Sunday but still did not have a satisfying answer. Well. The same question was asked here today (What is XPERIA), and the same vague answer replied.
The X1 user interface is designed so that some parts could be navigated using the finger, while other parts with the included stylus.
A new battery has been devloped for the X1. It should last for at least one day with extensive usage. It is a 1500 mAh battery.
Regarding why Sony Ericsson choose Microsoft Mobile 6 we were told that several factors influenced the choice. Platform cost was one of those. Time demand. Biggest reason for the choice was time to market
Will all XPERIA devices run the Windows Mobile OS? No. Sony Ericsson is not committed to use Windows Mobile on the next XPERIA device. Sony Ericsson had to start somewhere and the choice felt on Microsoft.
X1 will have many of the standard WM6 applications. Internet Explorer is among those. Map application provider is not choosen yet. It depends on requirements.
HTC There has been roumors that X1 is a HTC device. Comment on this? SE: There are so many number of players in the game. We do have ODM partners, including Asian partners. Can't comment if HTC are involved.
Finaly some facts about the Sony Ericsson X1 XPERIA:
Size: 110 x 53 x 17 mm
Weight: 145g
Networks
MTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 900/1700/1900/2100
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850/1700/1900/2100
EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
High quality video recording and playback VGA 30fps
Web feeds
Touch screen user interface
Multiple input and navigation: Touch, QWERTY, Optical Joystick, 4-way key
Windows Mobile Operating System with Outlook Mobile and Office Mobile
3.2 megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom, autofocus
aGPS
Handwriting recognition
WLAN type g- and b-band
3 inch WVGA 65,536 color TFT display with 800 x 480 pixels resolution
400 MB internal memory
Sony Ericsson staff demonstrating the X1
Notice the sealed box protecting the X1 from curious fingers
User comments:
wlan IS wifi
By me on 29 Feb 10:05
no wi-fi?! or am i mistaken?
By MANFRAN on 23 Feb 16:34
I think Sony Ericsson X1 will be one of the best Pocket PC's all around the world
but I wish i will not take too long time to be released!!
By OmarObaidan on 16 Feb 15:42
It would be totally wicked with Linux, but these days most potential business users have already tried WinCe, and not many of us would want to repeat the experience.
As for 1 day battery life? Sounds about right for a WinCe device.
What I want is my P1 to have profiles. Its no use as a business phone without profiles, so I have to use an E61 at work.
By SadManInsane on 14 Feb 10:48
love the response to the HTC question. basically avoiding a straight answer. its clear that it was made by HTC, powered by windows. what exactly did sony ericsson contribute to this ? about from the brand? all you fan boys should calm down, this is not a sony ericsson achievement (if you can call it that)
By dave on 14 Feb 00:05
Looks like souped up HTC device with WM6. The next one is already in the works with Symbian OS and will change a lot. M2C
By Residentevil on 13 Feb 21:44
In my view, iPhone is a good music player with added average phone functionality. You can't compare it with smartphones from HTC, Nokia or Sony Ericsson. Yes, it has got a nice user interface in general and the other manufacture should pick up something from the interface simplicity but it lacks so many features. Time will tell if X1 is one of the devices that will change that.
By laffen on 13 Feb 19:54
It would be nice to see a larger internal memory, even if it was only 8GB i just cant see why SE would neglect it, other then that it is a top phone and is sure to be one of the best sellers of 2008 - i guess we just need to wait and see what iPhone 2nd gen is like
By Ste on 13 Feb 16:29
lol since MS has join in the game. we will see some hardcore software in there. but then again.. it might crash... damn you MS
By SEuser on 13 Feb 13:57
i know it is unfinished and the spec will probably change a lot, but is this a model that will have an 'i' added after it, and will be updated as time goes on?? we have just seen the nokia N96! will SE top their product in a similar way; will the final product be anything like predicted?!
By atillathehunch on 13 Feb 11:13
Why not a cool 16GB internal memory like N96 and iPhone? We can be sure SE will keep trailing from behind well into the fnal quarter
