[Monolithix]

[teaser]

Sony Ericsson announced the Xperia X1 Windows Mobile powered handset today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Details are still sketchy however it looks like we'll be seeing some funky new features including an optical mouse device (similar to the i780 controller) and a new "panel concept" destop design. More details after the jump, and we'll keep you posted as the news breaks!

Our very own Paul (MVP) is currently en route to Bacelona so he'll be bringing us the latest as it breaks, however for now here's what we know:

• 3" WVGA touchscreen (!)
  
• Curved landscape slide design
  
• Full QWERTY keypad
  
• Windows Mobile panel concept
  
• 3.2Mpix Camera
  
• Quadband GSM/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
  
• microSD slot, 400MB internal memory
  
• Wifi/BT/aGPS
  
• Available in the second half of this year

Sony Ericsson currently have a strong range of Symbian-powered handsets and smartphones, so it's good to see their fantastic design team has finally taken a stab at Windows Mobile. Looking at the teaser pictures from the launch presentation it looks like we're in for an exciting year for our favourite mobile platform!

(Click the read links below for more pics and the official press release, as well as a whole bunch more info!)[/teaser]
[SE Official Site]

[Crunchgear]
[Engadget]
[Engadget]

Edit by Paul (MVP): Thanks Chris, here's the official press release too! Amazing to see this from SE, and hell hath only just thawed out from Palm teaming up with WinMo

Sony Ericsson said:

Sony Ericsson marks the launch of its new brand XPERIA™ with the unveiling of the XPERIA™ X1

The world of our consumers and customers is changing. To meet the growing need for mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment, Sony Ericsson introduces XPERIA™. With this new brand Sony Ericsson will position itself at the forefront of mobile convergence.

Barcelona, Spain – 10th February 2008 –Today marked the launch of XPERIA™ and a new era in mobile communications with the announcement of the XPERIA™ X1, a stand-out, arc slider phone from Sony Ericsson designed to address the growing need for a premium, converged mobile experience.

The XPERIA™ X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body. With Windows Mobile® inside, the XPERIA™ X1 lets you choose from a dynamic range of activities at anytime and anywhere; from enjoying your favourite entertainment content to working efficiently on-the-move. Access a world of experiences simply by touching the XPERIA™ panel on the screen.

"XPERIA™ represents the first brand that is truly borne from within Sony Ericsson. It represents our vision for a premium, energised communication experience," said Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson. "This launch, and the announcement of the X1, further strengthens the overall Sony Ericsson brand and places us at the forefront of mobile convergence."

"Our vision for the XPERIA™ X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design," said Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions, Sony Ericsson. "XPERIA™ is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience – anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone."

Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1 – energised communication, the premium experience.

• Convergence of multimedia entertainment and mobile Web communication
• Unique arc slider with wide pitch easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard
• XPERIA™ panels - arrange as you want for easy access
• Enjoy multimedia entertainment on bright wide VGA display
• Windows Mobile® capabilities

XPERIA™ panel interface – experiences just the way you want them

Enjoy access to different experiences – Web, multimedia, applications – from your desktop. Navigate with the tip of your finger. Configure and have your XPERIA™ panels just the way you want them.

Multiple navigation – the choice is yours

XPERIA™ X1 lets you interact with your phone in different ways. Touch, full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key and optical joystick navigation. Switch seamlessly between operation modes.

Arc slider design – makes it stand out

The arc design gives XPERIA™ X1 a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. Ample distance between keys makes writing fast and easy.

Ultimate mobile experience – performance on the move

With Windows Mobile®, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi™ support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. Mobile access to everything that is important to you. aGPS gives you the freedom to explore the world. XPERIA™ X1 is a premium mobile experience.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1 will be available in selected markets from the second half of 2008.

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[Syphon Filter]

More of the same:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/sonyeri...windows-mobile/

I'm thinking this may well be my next device.

Also, the screen is 800x480, is this not higher than VGA (I thought VGA was 640x480)?

This post has been edited by Syphon Filter: 10 February 2008 - 07:40 PM

[sxywill2005]

Erm... WOW!

aGPS though... No thanks.

I wonder which networks will pick up this.

[Monolithix]

WVGA maybe?

[edit]Yep! [/edit]

[Syphon Filter]

oh there's more:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/video-s...anel-interface/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/10/first-l...sons-xperia-x1/

[Syphon Filter]

sxywill2005, on Feb 10 2008, 19:43, said:

Erm... WOW!

aGPS though... No thanks.

I wonder which networks will pick up this.

aGPS is ok surely? It just uses the cell network/a server to receive satellite location info and therefore acheive a fix more quickly.

Or am I wrong?

[Ovie]

This device looks absolutely amazing!

http://www.sonyericsson.com/x1/

[Lordsmiff]

Oh....yes....baby....

I love my Hermes, Windows Mobile Pro is the best as far as I'm concerned but unfortunately, HTC can't design for s*** and they wouldn't know a decent CCD if it came and bit them on their collective asses!

I'm thinking it'll be just about the right time for me to upgrade too :-D

This post has been edited by Lordsmiff: 10 February 2008 - 09:20 PM

[Monolithix]

Thanks for the link Ovie, wasn't there when i checked earlier!

[spark9990]

Good Bye HTC - Hello Sony Ericsson (or Samsung i900).

If HTC listened to its users 8000 of us might have stayed faithful, but now we have (or will have) options.

This Sony is like Phone Porn - its gorgeous. I want i want.

[Monolithix]

Anyone checked out the video on the SE website? The panel concept looks well funky, and it seems pretty compact too. Difficult to judge though really!

[Syphon Filter]

Monolithix, on Feb 10 2008, 21:36, said:

Anyone checked out the video on the SE website? The panel concept looks well funky, and it seems pretty compact too. Difficult to judge though really!

Looks freaking awesome.

check out the product home page too

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/m...lc=en&cc=GB

HTC have served me well for about 6 years...but SE looks like they have really pushed the envelope.

[Samsonite]

Monolithix, on Feb 10 2008, 21:36, said:

Anyone checked out the video on the SE website? The panel concept looks well funky, and it seems pretty compact too. Difficult to judge though really!

was there a single reference to WinMo at all? don't think i spotted one...not surprising really, sexy it aint!

i do like that handset tho.. whats the best guesstimate on price tho? surely five hundred quid PLUS region..?

[Syphon Filter]

Samsonite, on Feb 10 2008, 22:04, said:

was there a single reference to WinMo at all? don't think i spotted one...not surprising really, sexy it aint!

i do like that handset tho.. whats the best guesstimate on price tho? surely five hundred quid PLUS region..?

What do you mean £500 + REGION ? I don't understand.

I reckon in the UK, handset only (i.e. without SIM and contract) it will be about £450-500

[Monolithix]

Likely to be in Vario III price band's i'd guess.

If you look carefully on the video, you can *just* see one WinMo panel ;p

[Samsonite]

hmm yeah sorry! i meant OVER 500 quid.. nothing to do with where its bought...

[Syphon Filter]

Samsonite, on Feb 10 2008, 22:11, said:

hmm yeah sorry! i meant OVER 500 quid.. nothing to do with where its bought...

Ah sorry, it's me not reading what you wrote properly.

£500+ region (region as in price band). LOL

I feel stupid now

[MAK11]

You guys do realise that this is proably build by HTC...



http://mobilephoneonline.blog.co.uk/2007/0...bile_wi~3015713

This post has been edited by MAK11: 10 February 2008 - 11:15 PM

[Monolithix]

Yep - here's hoping that SE retain their traditionally high build quality standard with HTC's efforts

[encece]

Yup in one of the screenshots...you can see the WM Start Button in the upper left corner.

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