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Sony preps Xperia X10 Android update
JAPANESE ELECTRONICS AND MEDIA CONGLOMERATE Sony is set to leave Xperia X10 users hanging around for an update to the phone's operating system.
The Xperia X10 was Sony's first attempt at a handset running Google's Android operating system. It first appeared over six months ago and the problem is, the device is shipping with the operating system of that time, Android 1.6.
Given that most new models coming out now run version 2.0 or 2.1 of the operating system, Sony was pretty quick in announcing that it would be issuing an upgrade to the Xperia X10. While the announcement is welcome, in typical Sony fashion, the deployment is a complete cock-up.
The update, which the firm calls an "UXP upgrade", will require punters to download updates as part of Sony's Android "UX platform" rather than being pushed over the air. Given the size of the update, that is understandable, but what is less easily forgiven is the firm's release schedule for the update. It was announced that the update will be made available "during Q4 2010".
It's not particularly surprising that users have been baying for Sony's blood, given that other manufacturers have been rolling out updates to Android 2.1 and even apologising for delays. Given that more and more applications on the Android Market are being developed with features found only in newer versions of the operating system. Xperia X10 users are unlikely to reap all the benefits of the Android OS with their Sony handset. Given that Android 2.2, codenamed Froyo, set to appear later this month, Sony's release schedule has set it some way behind the pack.
Instead of focusing on bringing the Xperia X10's software up to date and giving punters, who have shelled out the best part of £500 for the device, what they really need, the firm decided to post details of feeble updates to the "Timescape" and "Mediascape" applications, saying they will be "even smarter and richer". The post also failed to confirm whether multi-touch capability will finally arrive for the device.
Clearly not impressed, punters have laid into the firm, one saying "SE [SonyEricsson] seems to be one step behind again", with another one going for the jugular, "in previous news [I] had been told that it would be later in September, I think many people do not want to wait so long for an update if there are other phones that already have [the update]." Others are questioning Sony's commitment to future updates, given the delay in merely getting Android 2.1 out of the door.
Android 2.2 is set to have native support for Adobe's Flash, among other under the hood enhancements. That update is slated to tip up within a month, but for those who purchased the Sony Xperia X10, that update may not be available for some time, if ever. µ
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Sony Ericsson phones are crappy, as Ericsson phones where before the merger.
Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola are handing over the phone market to the likes of Samsung, LG, HTC and, of course, Apple.
All that Apple has to do is to launch a iPhone 3G for an affordable price, it will be able to do so, as the high end 4G version will finally be different than previous versions. If that happen, apple penetration will be awesome.
I really don't see what X10 owners have to complain about...SE have a long history of slow updates so why is this news a shock to anyone? If you wanted an up to date phone then you should have bought a HTC desire!
The hardware spec is great (except for the lack of multitouch hardware) but the phone is not zippy as it should be.. comes with a class 2 MicroSD and I don't use Timescape anymore as it's just to laggy.
SE said that they would have a huge update in September, they didn't say 2.1 so I'm hoping it's 2.2 but I'm not going to hold my breath as they have shown they are not cutting edge or fast to market anymore.
The phone looks great, the screen looks awesome and Timescape/Mediascape show lots of promise, but I'd swap them in a heartbeat for vanilla Android if we got the latest updates quickly.
Sony doesn't manufacture phones... Sony Ericsson does, they are two different companies....
mi not surprised the post failed to confirm if multi-touch will be coming to the X10 since they have apparently already publicly stated it will never be coming to the x10 as the hardware doesn't support it.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2010/03/29/sony_ericsson_x10_no_multitouch_hardware/