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of Android you’ll need and many feared Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 wouldn’t be compatible with the game, due to the outdated version of Android.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.
O2 UK have finally released the latest update for the Xperia X10. O2 were the last network in the UK to approve the update, causing many O2 customers and Xperia X10 owners much anger. The software update has gone straight to R2BA026, where as initially it was thought that the older, R2BA020 firmware would be released. The latest update is said to improve the battery life, with many owners agreeing. X10 owners with the latest update are also reporting that the overall performance is much better and especially in TimeScape and MediaScape. Unfortunately, the latest update also includes the WiFi bug. The only firmware users didn’t find this a problem, was in R2BA020, so I’m sure there will be some users who wished it was the earlier firmware released onto O2.
As it stands at the moment, the update can’t be performed as an OTA (over the air) update. Instead users will need to use the Sony Ericsson Update Service or PC Companion to update the firmware version. The download totals 153.8MB.
We recently learned that in the UK, Three are the exclusive sellers of the X10 Mini Pro in white. There’s now two competitions up to win the said handset in white.
First up, The News of the World is holding a contest which ends tomorrow. To enter you’ll need to provide a few details and answer one simple question “What colour Xperia™ X10 mini pro handset is exclusive available on Three?”. Vogue are also holding the same competition. Again you’ll need to provide a few details and answer one question, which is slightly harder. “Which young designer has been named as the winner of the British Fashion Council’s MA Scholarship?”. There is however, fortunately a clue page to help you along. Vogue’s competition ends September 2nd.
Along with the handset, with both competitions, you will also win a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, an Aspinal of London bag, along with a Marc by Marc Jabobs watch. All provided in white to match the X10 Mini.
Sony Ericsson have released another firmware update for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, bringing the build number up to R2BA026. It’s recommended however that you don’t install the update if prompted as it brings back a mysterious WiFi problem which we haven’t seen since R2BA016. The issue occurs when you lose the network signal on the phone. Upon losing (and regaining) signal, the Wifi turns itself off, so you lose all connections to the internet, making the phone brick like for a few minutes until the signal returns completely. As well as bringing the Wifi issue back, the update sees the Wise Pilot app taken off. The only improvement in the firmware, is that Timescape and Mediascape are more responsive.
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.
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.
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
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.
While over in India, the handset has gone on sale for 30,000 INR ($660) unlocked. It’s also available in Japan but, pricing is currently unconfirmed.
Australia will also be getting the X10. There isn’t an exact release date yet but, pricing is listed as $1099 AUS. If you’re in Canada, Rogers will be picking up the contract for the X10 and are preparing for the launch.
UK release news for the Xperia X10 Android smartphone has been announced by Vodafone today. The UK carrier have taken their pre order page live on their website and have dated release as the 6th of April.
The handset is available on one of two price plans, both of which include a free X10 handset:
£35 a month – 900 minutes, unlimited texts, 500mb data + 300 minutes and unlimited landline calls if bought online
£40 a month – 1200 minutes, unlimited texts, 500mb data + 300 minutes and unlimited landline calls if bought online
Interested UK buyers can take a look at the deals in more detail here on the pre order page.
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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