Alongside the other two ‘hardware’ additions to the Sony Xperia Smart Extras range, Sony have also announced the arrival of exciting new product – Xperia SmartTags into the Smart Extras family.

SmartTags are basically tags that use NFC (near field communication) technology to communicate with any Android smartphone capable of using NFC. The Xperia SmartTags can be configured to change the profile on a mobile handset when the phone touches the tag. As an example, you could take one tag and configure it so that when you swipe it with your phone, the tag changes the phone profile to turn on WiFi, turn the phone onto silent, open an app and so on.

More new products from Sony have been announced, in the form of three ‘smart’ accessories that will not only be compatible with the new Xperia NXT range of handsets but, with any Android smartphone with bluetooth or NFC support enabled.

First up in the Smart Extras range is the SmartWatch which is basically a wireless display which can mount onto the provided ‘watch strap’ and allows the display of calls, messages and social networking updates in a similar (but better) way to the Live View accessory that Sony Ericsson brought out. Next is the rather exciting Smart Wireless Headset Pro, a bluetooth stereo headset that can also be used as a standalone MP3 player and FM radio or can connect to your phone and will also display call information, text messages and Facebook or Twitter updates. Thirdly, Sony have released a new Smart Extension SDK which will allow developers access to create exciting new applications to enhance and customise both the SmartWatch and the Smart Wireless Headset Pro.

Announcing it’s arrival as their ‘flagship smartphone’, Sony have now confirmed the release of the Xperia S handset, their first foray into the mobile phone market since splitting with former partner Ericsson recently.

The Xperia S comes packed with a 1.5 GHz dual core, 1GB RAM, a fantastic 4.3-inch 720×1280 resolution reality display, NFC support and a 12 MP Exmor R camera. Sony have also confirmed that the Xperia S is to be their first handset release in their new ‘Xperia NXT series’ and will come preinstalled with the Android 2.3 operating system although, sources tell us that Ice Cream Sandwich should be coming to the Xperia S in Spring 2012.

Expect to see the Xperia S in Q1 of 2012. Initially the handset will be available in black and white colour variations.

What will become Sony’s first LTE smartphone release in the US has now been officially confirmed by the company. The all new Xperia ion handset will not only be an AT&T exclusive but, a US exclusive release.

Specifications are confirmed to include a huge a 4.6-inch 720×1280 reality display, a powerful 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 Processor, 1GB of RAM, NFC support and a 12 MP Exmor R camera. Android 2.3 will come preinstalled with an expected update to Android 4.0 soon. Obviously the handset will feature full 4G LTE connectivity and the modem is configured to work with AT&T services.

The Xperia ION will be available from the Spring in the US and will come in only a black colouration.

The annual CES event is taking place in Las Vegas this week. The trade show is running between January 10th and 13th but, Sony have a press event planned for today where new Xperia models are set to be announced.

The press event is due to start at 5pm GMT and you can watch the press event live from Sony’s website here. We’re expecting to see “something big” which is likely to come in the form on an Xperia Arc successor. Other Xperia models that are expected to be unveiled include an Xperia Neo successor as well as an Xperia Mini successor.