Sony Ericsson aims Android leadership with new Xperia™ smartphones

Sony Ericsson boosts its bid for leadership in Android with an exciting range of new models like the Sony Ericsson Xperia™ ray and Xperia™ active, which bring 3D Sweep Panorama functionality from Sony Cyber-shot™ cameras to the Xperia™ Android line. The new models were unveiled at the Sony Ericsson 3D Expo in SM Cebu Cyberzone.

Sony Ericsson is showcasing its new Android smartphones in the three-day Sony Ericsson 3D Expo (November 11-13). The line-up includes the Xperia™ ray, Xperia™ active and the recently launched Xperia™ PLAY, the first Sony Playstation-certified smartphone.  The Xperia™ line has become one of the bestselling smartphone lines in recent years with 22 million units shipped globally to date.  

3D Sweep Panorama is a camera shooting mode where users can capture a scene in true 3D with a sweep of the camera.  When pictures are played back on a compatible 3D TV, the images come alive with depth, clarity and realism.

“By working closely with Sony to incorporate Sony technology innovations into mobile, we are best equipped to provide a superior experience of Android.  We’re aiming for the lead position in the Android arena and with products such as Xperia™ ray, Xperia™ active and Xperia™ PLAY, we are moving closer,” said Dennis Manzano, Sony Ericsson General Manager.

For 3D Sweep Panorama, users just pan the camera and up to 100 images are automatically taken from a number of different angles.  The camera’s processor then analyzes and combines these images to build the full 3D picture, which can be viewed as a fully three dimensional panoramic image on a compatible 3D TV.

The first of these smartphones with 3D image capture is the Xperia™ ray, an elegant smartphone with a side profile of only 9.4mm and a 3.3-inch touchscreen.  The Xperia™ ray’s body is based on a genuine aluminum frame, visible on each side of the display. 

The front face is made of clear black scratch resistant glass with integrated touch keys.  It also packs an 8.1-megapixel camera with Exmor R™ for mobile and the Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, as well as a front-facing camera for self-portraits and video chats.  The Xperia™ ray also represents power and speed, and has a battery similar in size to larger smartphones. 

Meantime, the Sony Ericsson Xperia™ active aims for consumers with a fit and active lifestyle, being dust-proof, scratch-resistant and water resistant.  The smartphone also incorporates wet finger tracking, ensuring great performance even when the phone or the user’s fingers are wet.  

 The Xperia™ active comes with sports apps such as iMapMyFitness plus built-in GPS, barometer and compass functionality.  With a 3-inch screen and running the latest Android platform for smartphones (Gingerbread 2.3), the phone features Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, a 5-megapixel camera with HD video functionality, and a powerful 1Ghz processor.

Both smartphones carry Facebook inside Xperia™, which makes Facebook immediately accessible to one’s picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar; and the Sony Ericsson exclusive Timescape application, which brings all communication with one contact, whether email, SMS or calls, into one place.  Another new Sony feature available in both handsets is xLOUD, a feature that enhances and improves volume in the loudspeaker during playback.  

“Xperia™ ray is ideal for a mainstream user with particular appreciation for meticulously crafted design and finish in a sleek format.  Xperia™ active is for consumers who seek a worry- free, healthy and active mobile life.  Both handsets provide unique propositions that will appeal to different consumers searching for the right handset this holiday season,” said Mr. Manzano.

Xperia Play

 The Sony Ericsson 3D Expo will travel to other SM Cyberzones including SM Baguio (November 18-20) and SM Marikina (December 9-11).  More locations are to be announced soon.  The roadshow highlights the Sony Ericsson Christmas in 3D promo where buyers of Xperia™ handsets will get the chance to win one of three Sony 3D showcases.  Over P1 million worth of prizes are at stake.

For more details, visit the Sony Ericsson Concept Shops.  Join the Sony Ericsson PH community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sonyericsson.ph.

                                                                              

About Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture between Sony Corporation and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. In October 2011, it was announced by Sony and Ericsson that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s stake in the company and that Sony Ericsson will become a standalone division within Sony Corporation. The transaction is expected to close at the beginning of 2012 and is subject to regulatory approvals.  

Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the ‘most entertaining smartphones’ in the industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California.