Sony Ericsson - 7/13 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Apr

Sony Xperia X10 Bootloader Finally Gets Cracked, Now Accepts Custom Kernels

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Development, News, Xperia X10 (es209ra)

Owners of the Sony Xperia X10 around the world are rejoicing, because after a long wait, the previously locked bootloader has finally been cracked. What does this mean, you ask? In a nutshell, it means that the X10 can now handle custom features that other Android devices have had for some time, like kernels that allow for overclocking/undervolting, native USB/Wi-Fi tethering, removal of the 32fps cap, and a myriad of other tweaks.

This wondrous deed was achieved by XDA member zdzihu and announced late Thursday night, but no one was quite sure if it was an April Fools' Day joke at the time.

Mar

Playstation Games Begin To Arrive In The Android Market, US Residents Patiently Wait For Their Turn

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Games, News, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

Just in time for the UK release of the Sony Xperia Play, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited (can we just say SCEEL for short?) has started to release Playstation games on the Android Market. So far, only five games have been released, including Syphon Filter and MediEvil, but I'm sure that many more are on the way (Metal Gear Solid, anyone?). Naturally, I tried to install one of these games, only to be denied.

However, according to yesterday's leak, we should see the Xperia Play hit Verizon stores in the US on April 14th, so it won't be too much longer before that dream becomes a reality.

Mar

Verizon's Spring Roadmap Leaked, Shows All Kinds Of Android Goodness

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Bionic, Droid X2, Galaxy S II, Incredible 2 (Vivow), News, Revolution, Rumors, Verizon Wireless, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

If there is one question that I get asked nearly everyday, it’s “When is [insert device here] coming out?” Fortunately, that question is now a little bit easier to answer because our friends over at Phandroid have gotten wind of what’s coming down the pike for Verizon this Spring and, if this leak is legitimate, it’s going to be Android-filled. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

April 7, 2011 – Casio Commando, Samsung [DROID] Charge
April 14, 2011 – Sony Xperia Play
April 28, 2011 – HTC Incredible 2
May 5, 2011 – LG Revolution
Later in May – Motorola Droid Bionic, Motorola Droid X2, Samsung Galaxy 2 (is this what they're calling the S2?)

It is noted that the Bionic, the Droid X2, and the Galaxy 2 are all going to be 4G devices, with the Incredible 2 simply tagged “Global.”

From the looks of things, this year's "Summer of Droid" will arrive to Verizon early.

Mar

N64oid Demoed On Sony Ericsson Xperia Play - Awesome Meets Nostalgic

Posted by David Rutland in Apps/Games, News, Sony Ericsson, Videos, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

Ever reminisce about those heady, hazy days of the mid-90s when you and your mates would gather around a Nintendo N64 console for a communal session of Mario Kart, Golden Eye, or Starfox?

Well those days are back… if you can get ahold of a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, dubbed the PlayStation phone, and equip it with N64oid (which was recently taken down from the Market, but you can always find links floating around).

OK. So, the emulator does not yet support network multiplayer games, and the the four-player mayhem for which the N64 was famed is missing, but the sheer retro joy of N64 gaming is unsurpassed - if you don’t mind playing on a 4” screen rather than your 50” plasma.

Mar

Sony Ericsson Promises Unlocked Bootloaders In Some Flavors Of All Upcoming Xperia Devices (Arc, Play, Neo, Pro)

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Development, News, Sony Ericsson

Today is starting out pretty well - minutes ago, we finally got the HTC Thunderbolt kernel source, and now Sony Ericsson decided to lift our spirits even further via a blog post announcing their commitment to the Android development community. And a commitment it is - Sony Ericsson may just be the first large manufacturer truly listening to us.

Sure, Motorola unlocked the bootloader of the XOOM, and Samsung did the same to the Nexus S, but Sony Ericsson is promising to release versions of ALL Xperia phones with easily unlockable bootloaders, at least ones slated for 2011. This includes the Xperia Arc, Play, Neo, and Pro, but SE is quick to clarify - by far not all devices will be this open.

Mar

All HandyGames Go On Permanent $1.40 Sale

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, Games, News, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

If you just can’t stop gaming on your Android device, then now may be a good time to add some titles to your collection, since mobile game developers HandyGames have lowered the price on all of their ad-free games from $4.10 to $1.40. Now you can enjoy all kinds of android-gaming awesomeness for less money!

Seriously, who doesn’t want to spend a nice evening with Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom – a puzzle game where you have to save the world from all sorts of piggy-badness. And who could pass on Hamster Homie, a 2-D sidescroller where you play the part of the thuggish-ruggish hamster, Tony, navigating through twists and turns to impress your scientist owner with your maze navigation skills.

Mar

Sony Ericsson To Update Xperia X10 To Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) - But Not For Everybody

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Gingerbread 2.3, News, Sony Ericsson, Xperia X10 (es209ra)

They may have publicly stated that the Xperia X10 wouldn't be receiving further Android updates just a few months ago, but it looks like Sony Ericsson has had a change of heart: they now say the phone will receive an update to Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) sometime in late Q2 or early Q3. You can apparently thank the Xperia PLAY, arc, and neo, as the company says similarities in development of these devices has made it easier to bring the update to the X10.

Unfortunately, there's a catch - the update will only be available for "generic trade kits." In other words:

Today, Xperia^TMX10 is available in the market both in generic trade version and in versions customized for operators.

Mar

Doing The Robot - Android Style

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Off-Topic, Sony Ericsson, Videos, Xperia Arc (Anzu, X12)

What better way for Sony to promote its newest line of Xperia Arc smartphones than by hiring the little (big) green robot to dance? This Android has some pretty slick dance moves, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "doing the robot".

Sit back, turn up the volume, and check out this awesome video:

Credit: Dark32 via Phandroid

Mar

Leaked Three UK Release Schedule Outs Galaxy S II Mini Along With Dates For A Host Of Other Devices Due April - June

Posted by Zak Stinson in Chacha, Desire S (Saga), Flyer, Galaxy Pro, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II Mini, HTC, News, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Three UK, Xperia Arc (Anzu, X12), Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

Earlier today, Engadget managed to get their hands on the Spring release schedule for UK carrier, Three. Along with some exciting, though previously known, products, such as the HTC Flyer, Desire S, ChaCha, Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, Xperia Play, and the Blackberry Playbook, we got our first peek at the Samsung Galaxy S II Mini.

While this device is the little brother of the Galaxy S II, the specs on this phone are anything but mini. With a 1.4GHz (potentially dual-core?) processor, 3.7" screen, Gingerbread at launch and HSPA+21 data connectivity, this handset seems to break the stigma that "mini" means "budget".