Sony Ericsson Porting its Android UI Skin to Two New Feature Phones

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Sony Ericsson is going to be releasing two new feature phones in the new feature which utilize their custom UI from the Xperia Mini. The phones, the rumored to be called “txt pro” and “Mix Walkman,” both feature touch screens, and the txt pro, a slide out QWERTY keyboard. The two feature phones are set to be released sometime in the coming months as part of a competition on SE’s Facebook page which will feature the winners reviewing the phones.

While neither phone is going to be running Android, it is difficult to tell given the similarity of their UIs to Sony Ericsson’s other midrange offerings. This is hardly the first time we’ve seen manufacturers porting their Android UI skins to non Android platforms. At CES this year we saw HTC announce it’s Brew based Freestyle that dances on the line between feature and smartphone, but still offered users the HTC “Sense experience.”

The "Four Corners" UI skin, as seen on the Xperia Mini Pro

While I’m much more of a stock Android guy, this could become an increasing trend as OEMs seek ways to make users want a Sony Ericsson phone, or an HTC phone rather than simply an Android phone. Android may be the majority now for smartphone’s in the U.S., but Apple still has more than twice the market share of the any one Android hardware manufacturer. While this is very similar to the situation in the PC market, we’re seeing smartphone manufacturers resist being seen as just a means to the ends of Android, much more heavily than you see in the personal computer space. Interesting stuff, but nothing wrong with a little free market competition (as long as you leave my bootloader unlockable that is… )

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, and Arc getting Android 2.3.4 next week, Facebook included

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From the looks of things the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Xperia Arc are both set to be receiving the latest and greatest in Android and that is 2.3.4 They mention not only will many bug fixes be included, but what they are calling “Facebook inside Xperia” will be included as well. We are not sure what markets that have the Xperia Play will be getting the update, or if all will be getting it. The Xperia Play was originally considered Google’s Gingerbread HERO phone, but the Nexus S is what got first dibs on Gingerbread instead.

Sony worked closely with Google on Android 2.3 for the Play so that explains why they will be getting the jump to Android 2.3.4 so fast. According to Recombu the update to 2.3.4 should start showing up as early as next week for both the Play, and the Arc. We are not sure if the Xperia Play launching on Verizon today will get it next week or not.
The Facebook inside Xperia is something new that a lot of people are looking forward to. The updates with Facebook will add a handful of features, some I would use but many I probably would not. Things like updating your Facebook page with whatever music you have playing on your device. Photo’s can be uploaded and downloaded right to your Xperia device. Your Calander and Contacts will be deeply integrated more than before, and your Facebook calander will sync with your Google Calander so you’ll never miss a friends birthday because you didn’t get on Facebook for a day or 3.
Calum MacDougall, Head of Web Service Partnerships at Sony Ericsson mentions that Facebook inside Xperia was not about making a ”Facebook phone” but “enriching the experience” of using the phone alongside Facebook’s features. I myself am not huge on Facebook, but for those daily or hourly users this should be a great addition to the Xperia line.

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Leaked Official Droid Incredible Build Available to Flash

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The latest build of the official Gingerbread build for the Droid Incredible, with Sense on board, leaked this morning. Now thanks to hardworking developers, a zip is rooted and ready for flashing for the root inclined among you. The build is Sense 1.0, but offers a nice bump for your Android version to 2.3.3.

The zip file, available here, was put together by XDA user, TMartin03. Note that it lloks like you’ll have to download the newest radio file to flash with it separately from here. Like the Gingerbread builds for the Droid X which have been leaking over the past month or so, this is a leak of Verizon’s official 2.3 update which will be pushed over the air to Droid Incredible users sometime in the (hopefully near) future. As it is an official build, this version has HTC’s Sense skin on top of it, but unfortunately it is the same old Sense 1.0 that you’d find on the stock 2.2 ROM, rather than 2.0 found on phones such as the Thunderbolt.
The inclusion of Sense 1.0 is a bit of a disappointment as Gingerbread’s main offering was UI improvements, which are mostly replaced by the Sense UI to begin with. This means the upgrade here isn’t as big a deal as it would be as say going from Cyanogenmod 6 to Cyanogenmod 7. One of the big improvements functionally for Gingerbread was copy/paste and text selection, and while improvements like the Gingerbread keyboard have been forsaken for the Sense version, several early adopters have confirmed that the new text selection format is there, and works just as well as expected.
It may not be the world’s most exciting update, but be sure there are plenty of behind-the-scenes upgrades that Google’s engineers put into this upgrade. If nothing else its always great to see a carrier and manufacturer looking out for older phones. So if you’re the ROMing type, especially the kind that love Sense ROMs, give it a go and let us know how it runs!

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Amazon beats Verizon, drops Droid Charge to $199

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If you haven’t already ordered the amazing and blazing fast Droid Charge you might want to keep reading. Amazon has done what they’ve done many times in the past and are offering a lower price than Verizon Wireless for the brand spanking new Samsung Droid Charge. When pricing first leaked the Droid Charge was listed as $299 with a new 2 year contract when the pricing has usually been $199 for smartphones. Verizon stuck with that price for some reason, but Amazon is here to save the day.

Amazon is now offering the Samsung Droid Charge lower than Verizon, they are asking the “expected” $199 with a new 2 year contract like we all thought it would be. So for those that have not ordered through Verizon, you might as well head on over to Amazon and save $100 real fast. Use those saving and get a few cases, and a screen protector for that beautiful 4.3″ display.
Amazon has been known to do this in the past, so it comes as no surprise. At one point Amazon had the Droid Incredible 2 as low as $79, the Motorola Atrix for only $50, and now they are even offering a Trade-In program for old DVD’s and electronics. So send in your old original Droid, or even that iPhone with Amazon Trade-In and get the Droid Charge today for only $199.

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Asus Transformer in disguise at Walmart, K-Mart & Target

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What do we have here, the Asus Trans-for-mer doing what those actual Transformers do best and staying in disguise. Reports have been coming in that these amazing 10.1″ 3.0 Honeycomb Android Tablets are showing up in stock all over the place, mainly online. From Walmart, K-Mart, and Target, plus I’m probably missing a few. At this time of writing they have been coming in and out of stock extremely fast. K-mart has them listed “In-Stock” as I type this so you better hurry if you want one.

We first told you yesterday about Target finally having them in stock for order and shipping, but they quickly sold out. If I was on the lookout for a Asus EeePad Transformer I’d be checking all three of those sites somewhat often over the next few hours, or days. If you have been looking lately you know they are going fast as supply seems pretty limited. Can’t forget Walmart is a little cheaper for the low low price of $398 if you want to save a dollar or two.

 Asus recently denied that they were having shortage issues, but it looks like they might be having a hard time keeping places stocked. For those that are lucky and have already snatched up the Honeycomb tablet stay tuned as Android 3.1 updates should be rolling out soon. Links to buy below.
Transformer K-Mart Order Page
Transformer Walmart Order Page
Transformer Target Order Page
GO GO GO!

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