Handset maker Sony Ericsson offers two new versions of Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro, compact versions of Xperia X10, as well as the Vivaz pro featuring a QWERTY keyboard.
Sony Ericsson debuted three smartphones at the start of this year's Mobile
World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, including the Vivaz pro, which adds a
QWERTY keyboard to the touch-screen offering, and Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini
pro, compact versions of the company's Xperia X10 handset.
No prices were announced, although Sony said the X10 mini, X10 mini pro and
Vivaz pro will be available in a variety of colors in the second quarter 2010.
The Xperia X10 was the company's first Android-based smartphone.
The two sister mobile phones incorporate Sony Ericsson's Timescape application,
which brings users' different forms of communication together in one place so
they can quickly see text messages, missed calls and social networking
communications such as Facebook and Twitter updates without having to open a lot
of different applications. In addition, the interactive music player uses
the "infinite button" to pull together all music content from the music store
and YouTube.
The Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro offer the Android platform with
applications and a customizable UX platform specifically designed for smaller
devices. To enhance the experience, users can pick and choose from a multitude
of applications at Android Market and co-create a mobile phone experience. Sony
noted users can even go one step further and customize the home screen's four
corners and widgets to access the most needed applications. Both phones also
offer a 5-megapixel camera and video.
"There has been an enormous buzz around Xperia X10, so it is really exciting
to be already unveiling compact versions of this powerful proposition." said
Rikko Sakaguchi, executive vice president and chief creation officer at Sony
Ericsson. "With the X10 mini and X10 mini pro, we have pushed the boundaries of
what is possible with smaller devices and are giving consumers exactly what
they want: two high performance mobile phones with a fully customizable user
experience platform and a stunning ultra-compact design."
Vivaz pro allows consumers to produce and broadcast their experiences in HD
video, and the open platform also allows users to personalize their
entertainment experience by downloading applications through PlayNow and the
Symbian Developer Community. In addition, the handset features the company's
design philosophy "human curvature," where the phone is shaped like the human
body and which the company said will become a consistent feature of the Sony
Ericsson portfolio going forward.
"Having announced Vivaz in January, we are now adding a sister phone that
includes a QWERTY keyboard along with the touch screen for a superior messaging
and entertainment experience," said Daniel Sandblom, marketing business manager
for Sony Ericsson. "Vivaz pro meets the increased consumer demand for QWERTY
devices without compromising on any entertainment features."
The company noted the X10 mini and X10 mini pro support HSPA 900/2100 and
EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA 850/1900/2100 and EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, while
the Vivaz pro supports UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900,
UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.
Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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