X2 -- Engadget Mobile

x2 posts

Vodafone nabbing Sony Ericsson X2 in November, Samsung Corby as 'Genio'

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 23rd 2009 @ 7:16AM

Vodafone UK never seems to have a shortage of exciting new models in the pipeline; right now they've got no fewer than eight biggies listed on their Coming Soon page, and while we wouldn't necessarily categorize every last one as "exciting," there are a couple doozies in there. Besides the HTC Tattoo that we mentioned earlier, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 is following on a month later in November holding down Windows Mobile 6.5 with its positively mind-bending customized home screen. Also notable is the Samsung "Genio," known globally as the recently-announced Corby -- Samsung intended it as an entry-level full-touch phone for the younger crowd, and to that end, Voda looks to be selling it on prepaid. It's gotta be a tough call deciding what to buy next for subscribers, but if you ask us, that's a positively awesome problem to have.

[Via CoolSmartPhone]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 lovingly unboxed on video

by Darren Murph posted Sep 21st 2009 @ 11:27AM

We'll confess - Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X2 is going to have quite the time attracting attention now that the Android-equipped X3 is all but confirmed, but those who aren't yet ready to ditch Windows Mobile may be interested in seeing the first video unboxing of the Q4-bound smartphone. Unfortunately, the actual box that it's emerging from is one of those ultra-plain units given to employees and the like when carrier testing is in full swing, but hey -- a box is a box. Have a peek in the read link below, but be sure to bring a cup of patience. You'll see.

[Via Slashgear]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 to launch in France within two months?

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 18th 2009 @ 1:26PM

According to the French (who we'd like to take this opportunity to thank for Histoire de Melody Nelson), the WinMo 6.5-packin' Xperia X2 (which we got our hot little hands on about two weeks ago) will be hitting store shelves in France "within two months" from now. The cited price, some €600 (about $880) doesn't take carrier subsidies into account, so we'll keep our eyes peeled for that bit of information. We're looking forward to seeing how that new OS handles itself outside of the realm of preproduction, although the resistive touchscreen nature of the device doesn't give us much hope. Salut!

[Via OLED Display]

Oh, by the way: September 7, 2009

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 8th 2009 @ 12:24AM

Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, September 7, 2009:

Samsung's got a version of the Jet for its domestic Korean market, the clumsily-named "Haptic AMOLED." Unlike its international cousin, the Haptic AMOLED packs a T-DMB tuner (as just about all Korean phones do) and it's available in spicy pink and white shades for the usual carriers SKT, KTF, and LGT.
Did you know that AT&T used to have a stake in the Indian wireless market? Yeah, us neither, but they did prior to the Cingular merger -- and rumor has it they're looking to get back in by buying a chunk of state-owned operator BSNL, ostensibly because the market -- which is still in a heavy growth phase -- is seen as a powder keg waiting to explode.
This one's been going around for a few days, and with the carrier's full-court press on Android, it makes total sense: the Bluetooth SIG is reporting that the Samsung T939 Behold2 for T-Mobile will feature "Google Mobile services," which would fit in with an earlier user agent profile leak. [Via Cell Phone Signal]
There's a new Samsung i8910 HD firmware that's starting to hit some regions, and it's a good one -- it features an all-new 3D task switcher and a built-in weather forecast widget for TouchWiz. [Via PhoneArena]
Surprise, surprise: Toshiba is relaunching the mighty TG01 with Windows Mobile 6.5 next month, a move that was fully expected all along. If anything, there'd be riots had this not happened.
Sony Ericsson's Panel SDK for the X2 is now available, featuring new "Panelizer" tools to convert existing apps into panels in a few easy steps -- and starting in the next few days, devs will be able to submit their work for inclusion in the PlayNow arena.
Vodafone has launched a range of eight new self-branded devices that'll be available in time for the holidays this year, and as usual, they're positioned squarely at the lower end of the market. Some of them like the E71 ripoff 1240 (pictured) are straight-up KIRFs, while others like the "Crystal" member of the 533 Catwalk Collection are trying to ooze fashion and style without killing the wad of cash stuffed in your pocket. Whether they've succeeded in doing that... well, that's another question altogether. [Via Unwired View]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 first hands-on (with video!)

by Paul Miller posted Sep 2nd 2009 @ 1:20PM

Here it is, folks. Sony Ericsson's newly official XPERIA X2 in the flesh. It's got a flashy (gimmicky?) home screen, along with a view for "snacking" on bubbled-up information. Lots of buzzwords, but we'll need more time hands-on to know how we feel. The hardware? It's still a heavy beast, but perhaps just a bit more loving in this incarnation. We don't love the resistive touchscreen one bit. After a strong caveat that what we're looking at is preproduction software, a Sony Ericsson rep admitted that Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't all it could be -- though we're unsure why Sony Ericsson didn't throw a bit more hardware at the problem, Toshiba style. Still, the interface breaks down to stylus-friendly Windows Mobile-isms with just a few taps, and none of the "wow" of the floating Sony Ericsson home screen seemed to excuse any of the UI lag it introduces. Again, early software, but the X1 didn't exactly rise above its preproduction jankiness.

Update: Video is after the break!

Gallery: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 first hands-on!

Continue reading Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 first hands-on (with video!)

Official: XPERIA X2 launching Q4, Windows Mobile 6.5 onboard (video)

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 2nd 2009 @ 11:42AM

If you've been waiting with bated breath for some real news on the XPERIA X2, wait no longer. News has just broken that the re-styled, gutted refresh of Sony Ericsson's popular (and expensive) X1 is due to hit "selected markets" in Q4. According to a post on SE's Xperiancers blog, the company is in talks with various carries right now, and will be detailing the plans in the coming weeks. Additionally, the blog delivers some info on the device itself, calling out its 8.1 megapixel camera, inclusion of a standard 4GB microSD card, and 13 pre-loaded "panels" in its reworked Windows Mobile skin (which appears to have a new SDK for the forthcoming OS update). Oh, and speaking of Windows Mobile, it'll be shipping with 6.5 onboard. To learn much, much more, check the two videos after the break. We'll also be grabbing an up close and personal hands-on with the device in a few moments, so keep your inter-set tuned to the Engadget channel.

Gallery: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2

Continue reading Official: XPERIA X2 launching Q4, Windows Mobile 6.5 onboard (video)

Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X2 demoed on video

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 27th 2009 @ 9:26AM

You know what frustrates us? Someone with their hands on a totally sweet piece of gadgetry who clearly doesn't know what to do with it. Such is the case in the video below, which seems to depict a gentlemen fondling Sony Ericsson's next XPERIA installment, the X2. While there's not much to see of the device itself, the phone is apparently running a fairly recent version of Windows Mobile 6.5, and the company has clearly taken its skinning team to parts of the OS, as the user in the video manages to stumble past some pretty magnificent looking UI trickery. It doesn't seem as dressed up as the X1's Panel interface does, though this likely isn't the final product. Truck on after the break to see the X2 in action, and try to quell your anger as the phone is repeatedly put to sleep during the demo.

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X2 demoed on video

XPERIA X2 appears next to his sibling in a charming family photo

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 21st 2009 @ 3:21PM

As you know, compelling pics of the X2 have been making the scene for quite some time now, and thanks to the gang at Mobile Bulgaria we can add a few more to the collection. Held up next to its predecessor for comparison, the newer model does indeed look like its more of the same, but for what looks like an improved keyboard (can't wait to put it through its paces) and a thinner form factor -- although the most exciting changes are taking place under the hood. Unless, of course, the rumored OLED display comes to pass -- that would be most excellent! Hit that read link to see the newest pics in all their glory.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 drawings tell the tale from every angle

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 8th 2009 @ 5:15AM

We've already seen Sony Ericsson's supposed next-gen Windows Mobile device in the wild a couple times, but there's one way we haven't seen it yet: as a sketch. Danish site mobil.nu appears to have stumbled upon engineering drawings that detail the XPERIA X2 from every conceivable angle, showing that it faithfully carries over the shapely slider curve made famous by its predecessor; the mesh on either end is an interesting design detail, too, but otherwise, nothing new has really been revealed here. If anyone notices a microprint release date buried somewhere in these lovely pictures, though, do let us know, alright?

[Via mobile-review]

Sony Ericsson event at CommunicAsia to be a snoozefest, no X2?

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 16th 2009 @ 7:47PM

Look, we're not going to stop you if you insist on staying up until 4:30AM ET tomorrow morning to see what Sony Ericsson has in store at its CommunicAsia press conference, we just don't want you to walk away with a broken heart if nothing cool happens there, alright? Xperiancers is now reporting that the show will be little more than a recap on the company's recent announcements -- chiefly the GreenHeart stuff, the Satio, and the Aino -- which means the X2 may not be happening for a while yet. That's disappointing, yes, but no one's exactly calling the X1 a slouch in the spec department just yet, so maybe this is a strategic win for Sony Ericsson -- particularly with a big Rogers launch just around the corner.

Sony Ericsson launching something at ComunicAsia this week -- XPERIA X2, maybe?

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 15th 2009 @ 6:19PM

Nokia certainly took its launch lineup seriously ahead of CommunicAsia's grand opening in Singapore this week with the launch of the 5530 XpressMusic and E72, and considering that, we're willing to bet that Sony Ericsson would want to make a similarly big splash when it holds its press conference on Wednesday -- but what could it be? The Satio and Aino are already out there, so it seems like the odds-on favorite for announcement here would have to be the well-leaked XPERIA X2. If the leaks turn out to be spot-on accurate, we're definitely not sold that the phone's any better-looking than the X1 it replaces, but then again, it'd be awfully hard to argue with an 8.1 megapixel cam and OLED display running Windows Mobile 6.5, even if you're not a WinMo kinda person. The action kicks off at 4:30PM Singapore time, which works out to a torturous 4:30AM for you New Yorkers -- so just how badly do you want to see it possibly unveiled, eh? And more importantly, how peeved will you be if it isn't?

[Via WMExperts and Electronista]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 shows up again, this time in silver

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 10th 2009 @ 3:28PM

Reaction to the rumored X2 pictures leaked this far has been lukewarm at best, but hold up -- it's looking a whole lot different (and arguably better) in silver. We can certainly buy that this is dead-on real, since... well, it looks real, and also because the X1's also available in both shades. We're still not convinced it outshines its predecessor for sheer sex appeal, but an 8.1 megapixel camera upgrade is hard to argue with, isn't it? Anyhow, with this many units seemingly floating around in the wild, let's hope we're not too far off from an official announcement.

[Via Daily Mobile, thanks Daniel]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 pictured again?

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 5th 2009 @ 6:26PM

We couldn't make heads or tails of that thumbnail image we got sent a couple days ago alleging to be Sony Ericsson's X1 replacement -- it's not that we necessarily didn't buy it, it was just to friggin' small and weird to figure out what was going on. Well, when it rains, it pours, because a forum member over on fanklub.se has given up the goods in the form of a couple significantly better shots. We can already sense that there'll be a fierce debate brewing over whether this looks better than the phone it's destined to succeed, but the X2 definitely ups the specs with an 8.1 megapixel cam, flash, and what could be an extraordinarily usable keyboard (final judgment on that will have to wait until we play with a unit, but you've got to admit, anything would be an improvement over the first model). Still no word on when this might come to market or even be announced, unfortunately. Peep another shot after the break.

[Via CoolSmartPhone, thanks Gears]

Continue reading Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 pictured again?

Sony Ericsson X2 spotted?

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 3rd 2009 @ 11:54AM

A tipster tells us that the device you're looking at here is Sony Ericsson's codename "Vulcan" -- better known as the X2 -- which would presumably replace the X1 at some point in the next few days, weeks, months, or years. Though the picture's small, you can clearly make out the X Panel button in the lower left of the phone's front and a Windows key in the upper left of the keyboard, which adds a dose of credibility -- the company has, after all, put quite a bit of time and effort into pimping its panel interface SDK, and right now, the X1 is the only device that supports it. The image looks a little rough around the edges, but we can easily chalk that up to this being either a composite mockup or a very early prototype combined with the fact that our tipster seems to have blanked out the surroundings to protect the source. We're not saying it's definitely real, but this certainly looks plausible -- we're just not convinced yet that it looks better than the model it'd replace. Thoughts?

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Skyhook CEO mentions Sony Ericsson X2 in passing

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 27th 2009 @ 3:39PM

In an interview with GigaOM, it seems that the founder and chief exec of Skyhook Wireless -- the innovative geolocation clearinghouse whose database is used by the iPhone, among others -- may have let the cat out of the bag on Sony Ericsson's next WinMo set. Of course, it's no big secret that SE would be looking to follow on the XPERIA X1 at some point, but details have been virtually nonexistent; here, Skyhook's Ted Morgan mentions that his company lost out on a contract to power the WinMo-based X2's location-based platform to Google because... well, Google's free. That's as good of a confirmation as any that we've heard -- now, we just need an official announcement and some pretty pictures.

[Via wmpoweruser.com]

Gallery: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 first hands-on!

Gallery: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2

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