Xperiancers

X2 application update at www.sonyericsson.com/update

// February 26th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // X2, X2, X2 News

Hello everyone

I wanted to share that we have posted an X2 application update on the regular Sony Ericsson Update site at www.sonyericsson.com/update – this is not the full MR1 software release I mentioned in a previous post but a .cab file that will add stability and improved performance throughout the device.  The .cab provides updates to many applications inside X2, several are behind the scenes but make sure to check out the new and improved four-tab dialer.

We really wanted to get some high-quality fixes in your hands as quickly as possible.

Update: see this video for a quick demo of how to install the update and to see some of the changes it makes.

Please stay tuned for our first full MR1 software upgrade coming next month.  That’s it for now.  Aaron

Xperia X2 software support schedule

// February 2nd, 2010 // 33 Comments » // X2, X2 News

As the X2 begins to roll out globally, it’s only fair that customers know what kind of support we’ll be giving the phone in the months to come. It’s not news to say that we attracted some criticism for this on the X1 and we’re not going to go there again with the X2. So, for the record, this is what X2 customers can expect in terms of software upgrades.

In March, we’ll launch our first upgrade (MR1). It will upgrade Windows Mobile from 6.5.1 to 6.5.2 (which will improve both the stability and usability of the device), it will bring in the use of video telephony, an FM radio and it will introduce fast GPS to get a quicker fix. As well as all this, MR1 will upgrade a lot of the applications in the phone to improve speed, usability and fix any bugs we find.

The second update will go live in May and this will be a big one as it moves Windows mobile onto 6.5.3. This is a significant upgrade in terms of usability, performance, power management and the browser experience.

That’s the extent of our plans at the moment but I’ll update this post as we make any more decisions.

Thanks. Aaron

(ps. Before anyone asks, no it won’t ever go onto Windows Mobile 7, it won’t support the hardware.) 

X2 to be launched in January

// December 10th, 2009 // 47 Comments » // ANNOUNCEMENTS, X2, X2 News

Hi All – Over the last couple of weeks there has been a few, OK more than a few rumours that the X2 is going to be delayed until January and I’m sure it will not come as a surprise when we say that these are well founded.

The software worked fine but when we started integrating it with some of the network specific apps it threw up a few issues which we’re working to fix.

It’s all minor tweaks really (extending the battery life and speeding up aspects of the software), but we want to be sure that when we ship this it is as good as it should be and that you don’t have to constantly upgrade the software as we iron out these wrinkles.

So… we’re launching first week of January. Really sorry if you were looking forward to getting hold of one before then but it will be worth it when we get there.

Thanks for your continued interest in the site.

Aaron

X2 review samples – pitch us on Twitter

// October 15th, 2009 // 8 Comments » // X2

The review samples are in! If you want one, they’re going out on week-long loans to anyone who wants one, though there may be a bit of a waiting list as we  only have a very limited number of handsets.

To get your hands on a review sample can you drop a direct message to @xperiancers on twitter with your name, the URL of your blog / site, and a way of contacting you. If we aren’t following you, just @ us and ask for a follow back, we’ll try to be as responsive as possible (we’re on UK time.) 

A day in the life using panels on the X2

// September 23rd, 2009 // 4 Comments » // X2

You know, I’m the kind of person that demands, well, predictable flexibility.  Panels and the new Panel Manager in the XPERIA X2 deliver exactly that. 

At 7:30 in the morning, I’m brushing my teeth and scrolling through the freshest CNN headlines on my home screen.  When I get into my car at 8:30, my X2 automatically brings up the On-the-Road Panel where I can easily track my daily drive to the office – oh yeah and I plug the X2 into my car stereo to play music for the commute. Later in the day, once I really get in the groove (some time before lunch…) my X2 automatically switches to the new TileWave Panel, where I get a good overview of what’s been going on and maybe I’ll read a few of the emails I’ve missed.  Like many of us, I close my day with a “this is how my day was” Facebook update.  Since my X2 switches automatically to Facebook at 6pm, all I need to do is slide out my QWERTY and type a quick status update.

Yeah, that’s a day in my life using the X2’s cool panel interface.  But I’m sure you guys will enjoy Skype, SPB Mobile Shell, YouTube and a ton of other cool panels throughout the day also!

More on SlideView

// September 12th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // X2

Hey everyone, I wanted to follow up the SlideView video with a few comments. Definitely the main purpose of SlideView is to provide quick access to frequently used phone functionality. At its core SlideView is a one click overview of missed incoming activity – calls, emails, and text messages – as well as quick access to all media and the panel manager. The XPERIA X2 is the first Sony Ericsson device to bring this feature to the market.

But really what makes SlideView meaningful is it how it compliments Windows Mobile’s ability to multi-task. Users can be listening to music while firing off emails on the great keyboard and want to skip to next track. One click of the SlideView key brings the mini-media player to the screen, skip ahead to your next track, click the SlideView key again and you’re back to your email. Similarly if you’re checking the latest sports scores in IE6 and receive a text from a friend, click the SlideView key and see what your buddy is up to – then click back and keep on surfing.

SlideView is another slick and efficient way for the modern professional to maximize the features of the XPERIA X2 – combining the power of WM6.5 with the amazing multimedia capabilities that are part of Sony Ericsson’s core DNA. Good stuff…

Update: The video is now live…

Open X2 Q and A post

// September 10th, 2009 // 18 Comments » // X2

We’ve been getting quite a few questions regarding the X2 and thought it would be a good idea if we had a place to collect and answer these.

If you’ve got a question which can’t be answered by the press release or the white paper, please leave it in the comments and from time to time we’ll post a bunch of answers here.