It’s been known for a while now that the popular iPhone game, Angry Birds, would be heading to the Android platform. While the game isn’t a final version, the Beta of Angry Birds has now been released onto the Android Market. It isn’t really clear what version of Android you’ll need and many feared Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 wouldn’t be compatible with the game, due to the outdated version of Android. Thankfully this isn’t the case though.
The beta has been released on the Android Market, however not everyone is able to find it. This is the case for several phone models and Android versions. If you can’t find Angry Birds on the Market, don’t worry as XDA-Developers have posted the APK for download. You will need the option to install from third parties enabled, which unfortunately I believe is disabled on the AT&T branded models. If you are able to install third party apps and the game isn’t available on the Market, you can download Angry Birds Lite Beta here. If downloading from your phone, you should be able to launch the App installer from the downloads page, or if you’re transferring the file to your phone, you’ll need a file manager to browse to the APK file.
I personally used Astro to install the game, which is free to download. I then browsed to the location of the APK and installed the file with the Package installer. Once installed you can launch the game. Some users have reported Force Close notices, if that happens, you may need to try the game 3-4 times. If it still doesn’t work, others have recommended turning the phone off and back on again and trying again. You can report this bug and any others you find directly from the game itself. You can also sign up to Rovio, who will notify you when the full game is available. Below is my video of installing Angry Birds and a quick demo of the game on the X10.
Originally, the Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro were, to many people’s disappointment, due to get the Android 2.1 update in Q4 of this year. With 2.2 announced many people were hoping that Sony Ericsson would skip 2.1 and go straight to Android 2.2 but, they have confirmed this won’t be the case. However they have pushed the release of Android 2.1 forward from Q4 to late Q3. To some this won’t make much difference but, we’re now looking at a September release for 2.1 instead of possible as late as December.
Sony Ericsson have also confirmed they are working on Android 2.2. They have also committed to a Q4 release for Froyo, so we should see the Xperia X10 updated to the latest Android operating system by the end of the year.
Over on the se-nse blog a handful of what are being dubbed as ‘official’ photographs of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 handset have been posted.
We also know the Xperia X8 as the ‘Shakira’ handset which is Sony Ericssons latest smartphone, expected to be released in the fall. The photos show that it is, as predicted, a mid size handset, a mix between the full sized Xperia X10 and Xperia X10 mini in size. Technical details arent confirmed yet, nor is pricing or exact release date information although, specifications are expected to be similar to those of the Xperia X10 Mini.
Coming soon to the T-Mobile network in the UK is the Sony Ericsson Android powered Xperia X10 Mini.
The T-Mobile website is now showing the X10 Mini as a ‘pre-order’ and there is a register your interest form posted up on the site for potential customers which can be found on this page.
The Xperia X10 Mini joins it’s big sister, the full sized Xperia X10, in the smartphone range that T-Mobile offer and although pricing isn’t confirmed it is expected that the X10 Mini will be in a lesser price bracket than the X10 which runs out at £35 a month with 900 minutes and unlimited texts and internet usage (with a fair usage limit).
The Xperia X10 is a popular handset and the first Android powered handset from Sony Ericsson but, one thing which has let the handset down is the old firmware. The Xperia X10 comes pre-installed with Android 1.6, with 2.1 promised for the end of year. However a lot of apps require 2.1, which means the X10 hasn’t got as vast a supply of apps as other handsets.
With the announcement of Android 2.2 and the update already rolled out onto some handsets, a petition has been started online, asking Sony Ericsson to include an upgrade to Android 2.2 instead of 2.1 when they release the update to the handset.
The Xperia X10′s system firmware has been updated from R1FA016 to R1FB001, and has also had update for the baseband to 1.0.21. There have been reports of dramatically improved system performance, especially with both TimeScape and MediaScape. Run the Sony Ericsson Update Service to update your X10′s firmware, and you’re done. However, currently the updates seem to only be available on the American and Nordic models, but will inevitably become available for all models within the coming days. Additionally, expect to see another update toward the end of the month specifically designed to solve the X10 battery issues.
We already had word that the Xperia X10 would be launching in Australia with Telstra. At the time we didn’t have any release info but, the handset has been released this week. The Xperia X10 is available on pay as you go for $1099 AUD or, if you take the phone on a $100 a month tariff, the handset will be free. As expected the contract length is 24 months.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is also available through Vodafone and Optus. With Vodafone, the upfront cost of the phone is unclear but, the monthly cost is capped at $79. While on Optus, the monthly cost is $99 to get the handset free. Again, both networks are offering the tariff as a 24 month contract.
Sony Ericsson’s Android powered handset has already been released in the UK, Canada, Japan, India and more recently Australia, the Xperia X10 now has a US release date. The handset is due to be released in week 30 of AT&T’s fiscal year. Week 30 takes us to the end of July/beginning of August. While we have the release date and the carrier (AT&T), we don’t have any specifics on the tariff plans.
If you’re already a Rogers customer and are upgrading to the Xperia X10, you could get a free Bluetooth headset. The offer is available to customers upgrading to the X10 in Rogers Plus stores, or authorized Rogers dealers. To qualify, you’ll need to purchase the X10 via the Rogers Hardware Upgrade Program before April 30th and commit to a 3 year voice and data contract.
You’ll then need to send the completed Xperia X10 Hardware Upgrade Coupon in and send it, with the receipt to the following address, within 30 days;
Sony X10 Blink Promotion, 7th Floor
Rogers Communications
333 Bloor St East
Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1G9
It’ll then take 4-6 weeks to receive the headset. The Bluetooth headset in question, is the Sony Ericsson MW600, which retails for around $100. You can view the features of the headset below;
Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600 has a 3.5 mm plug built in so that you can swap the headphones to match how you listen to music in your phone.
With A2DP you can stream high-quality stereo music from your phone to your wireless headset or other BluetoothTM devices.
Clear sound, deep bass and better performance as standard.
Built in microphone, call answer key and 3.5 mm jack to swap headphones.
Multipoint: Connect to two wireless devices simultaneously, allowing access to the music files in your computer, PDA or other BluetoothTM-equipped devices.
Best quality audio performance
Microphone and call answer key
Multipoint Bluetooth and A2DP for wireless music streaming
Compatible with Sony Ericsson handsets and other Bluetooth-enabled handsets
Expansys have listed both the X10 Mini and the X10 Mini Pro for pre-order. Initially the release date for both handsets was listed as the 16th of March but, this quickly changed and is now listed as the 24th of May. The X10 Mini will retail for £299.99 and the X10 Mini Pro will retail for £339.99. The X10 Mini Pro features a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
The Xperia X10 is a popular handset and the first Android powered handset from Sony Ericsson but, one thing which has let the handset down is the old firmware. The Xperia X10 comes pre-installed with Android 1.6, with 2.1 promised for the end of year. However a lot of apps require 2.1, which means the X10 hasn’t got as vast a supply of apps as other handsets.
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