The first round of upgrades will be for the Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray starting mid-April (read: next week) and continue over the next 4-6 weeks. When you get the update is of course dependent on region and carrier. Meanwhile the Xperia arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia neo, Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman are all on schedule to receive their Ice Cream Sandwich end of May to early June.

Unlike the many Android version upgrades that are over-the-air, Android 4.0 for the Xperia line-up will only be available via Sony’s PC Companion and Bridge for Mac software which means you’ll need to be near a computer.

Sony has promised to post more details once the update is available in “mid-April”, which we can only assume means some time next week. We’ll keep you updated.

 
Sony Ericsson sure has been straight forward about their plans for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates and we do thank them for it. Just recently they released a test ROM of Android 4.0 for developers to check out. And now they’ve gone public with their update plans for everyone else. The rollout schedule looks something like this:
 
Late March to early April:

• Xperia Arc S
• Xperia Neo V
• Xperia Ray

Late April to early May:

• Xperia Arc
• Xperia Play
• Xperia NEO
• Xperia Mini and Mini Pro
• Xperia Pro
• Xperia Active
• Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman

The update will be a standard over-the-air type update for unlocked devices. However the update for devices tied to a carrier (such as the Xperia Play here in the US) will have to go through carrier review first, so it may take a little longer for those users.

[Sony Ericsson Product Blog]

Sure, the Motorola RAZR is splash resistant and the Samsung Galaxy S II has Gorilla Glass, but those phone probably couldn’t take punishment like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active. In this series of videos, the Xperia Active is hit with a heavy wrench like it owed you money, thrown into water and even run over by a Jeep. The videos appear to be legit and the Xperia Active comes out still fully functioning, but it’s probably not something you should try with your own phone, even if it is one of those rugged models.

[via Phandroid]

Sony Ericsson has just done something that most other phone manufacturers would never consider doing. They have released an alpha version of Ice Cream Sandwich for unlocked Xperia phones. The ROM is Android 4.0.1 and is currently available for the Arc S, Neo V and Ray. It’s meant for developers only for testing purposes and not everyday use. Functions such as calling, WiFi, bluetooth and Google apps like Gmail have been disabled in the ROM, but it’s a way for those knowledgeable with flashing ROMs to get a taste of what’s to come when Sony Ericsson releases Ice Cream Sandwich officially on their devices.

For full instructions and downloads, head over for the Sony Ericsson Developers Blog for all the details. And if you’re not interested in flashing your phone, you can just check out the demo video below:

Ever wonder how some Android phones got such silly sounding names? Probably the most notable example would be Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G. With a dose of tongue-in-cheek humor, there’s now a website to generate and endless stream of Android phone names. Just a few rounds gave us some doozies like “Sony Ericsson Amaze Incredible One 3D Pro” and “Motorola Hero Epic Plus 2.” Give it a whirl, it’s fun for a laugh or two.

[Android Phone Name Generator]

Yesterday Sony Ericsson announced they’re now pushing out the Android 2.3.4 update to most of their devices, including the Xperia arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia neo, Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia ray, Xperia active, Xperia neo V, Xperia arc S and the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. The rollout began with the Nordic countries in Europe and has now expanded worldwide. All unlocked devices will receive the update straight from Sony Ericsson, while carrier specific devices may have to wait for the carrier to push the updates. In addition to the Android 2.3.4, the update also brings some new much-welcomed features:

• Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
• Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities.
• Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D Sweep Panorama functionality powered by Sony.
• 16x video zoom
• The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™  smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
• Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
• WiFi DLNA
• Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone.

Of course, only devices with a front-facing camera will get the Google Talk with video chat. And the Xperia Play will not get 3D Sweep Panorama, but will get HD video recording. See the post on the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for full details.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is already available here in the US, unlocked for as cheap as $379. Now our neighbors to the north are getting the device. Canadian carrier Telus has just announced the Xperia Ray, their first Sony Ericsson device and it will launch in time for the holiday season. The Xperia Ray features a 3.3 inch FWVGA (854 x 480) scratch-resistant display, Android 2.3, Mobile Bravia engine, Facebook integration, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPS, 8MP camera with Sony’s Exmor R sensor, 720p video recording, 512MB of RAM, 1GHz single-core processor, only 9.4mm thick and a 4GB memory card pre-installed. Pricing was not announced.

Press Release:
 

Smart, Sleek and Stunning—Sony Ericsson and TELUS team up to offer the all new Xperia ray Smartphone 

First Sony Ericsson smartphone to launch on the TELUS network

 

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2011 /CNW/ – Today, Sony Ericsson and TELUS announced an exciting new addition to TELUS’ smartphone line-up—the Xperia ray, coming for the holiday season. This new Android powered device is perfect for consumers looking for a high-quality mobile entertainment experience in a sleek and elegant package. It also marks Sony Ericsson’s first smartphone offering for TELUS customers.

 
“We are very excited to be working together with TELUS to deliver innovative, entertainment-focused devices like the Xperia ray to their customers,” said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing—North America for Sony Ericsson. “The Xperia ray is an ideal smartphone for TELUS customers who are looking for a powerful Android device that combines beautiful design with innovative multimedia features.”
 
Measuring in at a slim 9.4 mm in width, the sleek Sony Ericsson Xperia ray packs style and innovation into a compact device with an elegant aluminum frame. The scratch-resistant, 3.3″ Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine produces brighter colours and vivid images great for playing back high-quality photos and videos captured with the front facing 8.1 mega pixel camera. Combined with Sony’s Exmor R™ for mobile, the Xperia ray ensures every image will be picture perfect, even in poor light conditions.
 
“At TELUS, we are dedicated to listening to our customers and creating the best mobile experience in Canada, whether that means clear and simple pricing and contract terms, innovative new services, or choice of leading smartphone brands,” said Brent Johnston, TELUS Vice-President, Mobility Solutions. “The Sony Ericsson brand is synonymous with quality and innovation in the smartphone space, and has a strong fan base amongst TELUS customers, whom we expect to embrace the Xperia ray.  It’s a powerful and elegant device.”
 
The Xperia ray also offers advanced features including:

• The latest Android 2.3 platform for smartphones with access to the more than 250,000 apps offered in the Android Market™
• Sony Ericsson’s unique integration of Facebook inside Xperia™  for greater social interaction
• Wi-Fi hotspot capability to share access to the web with multiple devices like a tablet or laptop
• Adobe Flash 10 – letting users view videos and games with a desktop-like quality experience

Sony Ericsson has just announced the availability of the Xperia Ray in the US. The Xperia Ray has a 1Ghz processor, 8.1 megapixel camera, Android 2.3.4, scratch resistant 3.3 inch screen with Sony’s Reality Display and Mobile BRAVIA® Engine. The phone is fully unlocked, and can be used with AT&T, AT&T 3G, T-Mobile, Rogers, Fido. It’s now available at online retailer in the US with a listed price of $424.99 but NewEgg currently has the handset on sale for $379.99, saving you a bit of cash. And with the recent announcement that the Ray will soon be supported by CyanogenMod, you can’t go wrong in terms of a future-proofed device.

Press Release:

SONY ERICSSON UNVEILS THE XPERIA™ ray TO THE U.S.
 
WHAT: The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ ray is now available unlocked in the U.S. for $424.99.
 
Sony’s award-winning mobile imaging technology and front-facing 8.1 Megapixel camera set a new standard for low light pictures and video. Think birthday dinners at your favorite dim Italian restaurant or capturing your favorite undiscovered band at a local dive.
 
With Sony’s Reality Display and Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, you get exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image, enhancing the overall entertainment experience of the device.
 
The sleek and slim Xperia™ ray design will have friends asking “What is that?” – and you can share your response socially using Facebook Inside Xperia™, a unique experience for greater social interaction available only from Sony Ericsson.
 
Additional Features:
· 1 GHz processor
· Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) platform
· 3.3 inch scratch resistant screen (measured diagonally) and integrated touch keys
· Weight: 100 grams & Size: 111 x 53 x 9.4 mm
· Aluminum frame
· Available in 4 different colors: gold, black, white and pink
· More than 200,000 apps available for download via Android Market™
 
Pricing and Availability:
The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ ray is available now unlocked for $424.99 at newegg.com and other online retailers.

• 14 additional devices whitelisted for video calling.
• Video calls now supported in portrait and landscape. Double-tap to zoom.
• Revised Recent view – conversations now grouped around your contacts.
• Improved support for Bluetooth headsets.
• In-client advertising. (Advertising will not be shown to users that have Skype Credit, a Calling or Skype Premium subscription.)
• It is possible to edit and delete IM messages.
• Skype will no longer restart in the background when you sign out.

The biggest part of the update is that it now supports a bunch more phones and tablets. Here’s the full list of newly supported devices:

• Acer Iconia tablet
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
• HTC Nexus One
• HTC Shooter
• Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman
• Sony Ericsson neo V
• LG Optimus Black
• LG Optimus 3D
• LG Optimus 2x
• Motorola Photon
• Motorola Atrix
• Motorola Xoom
• Motorola Droid Bionic
• Motorola Droid 3

Last month, we heard CyanogenMod would start official supporting a handful of Sony Ericsson Xperia devices, namely the Arc, Play and Neo. Now we’re hearing word from CyanogenMod’s leader himself they have joined forces with the FreeXperia Team to bring the popular CM7 custom ROM to a total of ten Xperia devices:

• Xperia Arc
• Xperia Neo
• Xperia Mini
• Xperia Mini Pro
• Xperia Play
• Xperia Ray
• Xperia X10
• Xperia X8
• Xperia X10 Mini
• Xperia X10 Mini Pro

Although the Xperia X10 was updated to Gingerbread recently, this is especially exciting news for owners of older devices such as the X8 and the X10 variants, which have long been abandoned by carriers and Sony Ericsson for future updates. We expect it will take a little time before nightly or final builds are available. But you already know the first rule, don’t ask for ETAs.

[via Android Police]