We heard earlier that both O2 and Vodafone were going to release the gaming Android handset, the Xperia Play by Sony Ericsson upon release in the UK, although  at the time a release date wasn’t known, nor was pricing. However, Orange have also confirmed that they will be stocking the Xperia Play and point to an April release. T-Mobile have also confirmed that they will stock the handset once released in the UK. They also list the Xperia Play as being an April release.

If the handset is released in April in the UK, this will be at the same time as the Xperia Arc. While the Xperia Arc and Xperia Play are aimed at different markets, it does leave me wondering if this is a wise choice for Sony Ericsson to make, releasing two potentially great handsets at around the same time. The Arc is also to arrive on all the major networks so, which handset will you be getting?

MWC isn’t even here yet and there’s more news regarding the Xperia Play from Sony Ericsson. O2 UK have confirmed via a Tweet that the network will be selling the upcoming gaming Android handset, the Xperia Play when it launches in the UK. Vodafone have also confirmed to TechRadar that they will also be releasing the handset on their network. When or how much it will cost though, is currently unknown.

Also, despite being revealed during the Super Bowl yesterday, official specifications of the handset are still unknown however they likely won’t differ too much from the leaked specifications we’ve seen previously. That is something Sony Ericsson may be keeping to themselves until MWC.

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The Android 2.1 update has been available in the UK for a little while now for unbranded handsets, while network branded handsets have had to wait. Most notable O2 users, who have in the past also had issues with O2 releasing updates and the Android 2.1 update is no different, for O2 UK anyway.

A few readers have said that Vodafone UK have already released the update, unfortunately this isn’t the case though. Orange UK however are confirmed to have also released the update, with users already downloading Android 2.1 for their branded X10 handsets. A few users have also reported that Three have also released the Android 2.1 update for the X10 range today, like Orange. There is however still no sign of the update for O2 branded handsets in the UK. However the O2 UK Twitter account has said that the update will be coming this week, subject to testing and approval anyway. Deja vue? Unfortunately so. Hopefully there will be no issues though and O2 users should see the update before the end of the week.

The Xperia X10 has now been released in various countries across the world.

The X10 is available in the UK on all networks; Orange, Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Three and Virgin Mobile. All networks will sell the black model, while the white model is an exclusive to Orange. Depending on whether you get the handset from a high street retailer, the best offer could be quite different. From the network operators themselves, the X10 is available for free on £30 or £35 tariffs subject to a 24 month contract. While online retailers, are also offering the handset on the same tariffs but, will offer half price line rental by redemption, or cash back. The Xperia X10 can also be picked up on pay as you go, or sim free and unlocked.

In the UK, the Xperia X10 has been released on T-Mobile. It’s available for free on a £35 a month contract, with the contract lasting 24 months. You can order the handset from T-Mobile but, they note it can take up to 10 days for it to be delivered.

Orange will also be stocking the handset but, they list the X10 as coming soon. Both Orange and T-Mobile will be offering the black version of the handset. While if you’re after the white model, it will be an Orange exclusive. There’s no information on tariff pricing for Orange but, it’s very likely to be the same.