Sony Ericsson have officially taken the wraps off of the new XPERIA X8, after the Android-based smartphone was spotted ahead of time as the “Shakira“.  The XPERIA X8 has a 3-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen and runs Android 1.6 Donut with the distinctive Sony Ericsson UI; it also gets a 3.2-megapixel camera and the Timescape and Mediascape apps.

There’s also UMTS (in either 900/2100 or 800/1900/2100 flavors) along with quadband GSM/EDGE, WiFi and A-GPS.  Running the show is a 600MHz processor with a microSD card slot.  It has all the usual Google Android apps, and will arrive in Q3 2010 in a choice of colors: White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, or Silver/ White.  According to GSMHelpDesk it will be priced at €259 ($319).

[via SlashGear]

Press Release:

Sony Ericsson delivers the most entertaining smartphones

· Sony Ericsson brings together the very best of communication and entertainment in its Xperia™ collection

· The Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro will all receive software upgrades from Q3 onwards in selected markets. Additional features to be added to the X10 in Q4.

· The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 extends the range of the most entertaining smartphones

Singapore – June 16, 2010 – Xperia™ brings consumers the best communication and entertainment experiences, delivered in a collection of smartphones to give consumers choice in size and style.

The Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro smartphones will all receive software upgrades during their lifecycle to improve performance and add new communication and entertainment experiences. From Q3 2010 onwards, the Xperia™ X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro smartphones will be upgraded to run on the Android 2.1 operating system in selected markets. The Xperia™ X10’s position as the best multimedia Android smartphone will be strengthened through the addition of HD video recording as part of the same Q3 upgrade. A further upgrade to the Xperia™ X10 in Q4 will make it possible to connect wirelessly to and display content on your television and enhance the Timescape™ and Mediascape applications.

Xperia™ smartphones add best-in-class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as applications (apps), maps, email and fast internet connection to create the most entertaining smartphones. The Xperia™ X10 is the flagship of the Xperia™ collection and has an 8.1 megapixel camera and 4-inch screen for best in class multimedia creation and viewing. Signature applications such as Mediascape and Timescape™ help you to organise content and bring your multimedia and communication alive.

In addition to features and applications, design is essential to the entertainment experience. Sony Ericsson’s human curvature design philosophy is applied across the portfolio to package the technology into products that look and feel great. Using design innovation, Sony Ericsson makes the Xperia™ smartphones available with a choice of size and style.

Steve Walker, Head of Product Marketing at Sony Ericsson, commented, “Sony Ericsson’s vision is to be the communication entertainment brand. We are focusing strongly on the smartphone market and specifically on creating the most entertaining smartphones. Sony Ericsson is uniquely positioned to do this thanks to our experience in creating Walkman and Cybershot phones and the strong collaboration with our parent company Sony.”

Today Sony Ericsson announces the Xperia™ X8, which will build on the success of the X10 and the mini products and extend the most entertaining smartphones collection to an even broader audience.

Introducing the Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 is a great entertainment smartphone that extends the appeal of the Xperia™ collection to new market segments. The user interface is similar to that of the Xperia™ X10 mini, with the four-corners that give easy one hand use and can be customised for one touch access to your favourite applications. The Xperia™ X8 also includes Timescape™ for easy access to all your social networking and the infinite button for one click access to a world of content. The open Android operating system delivers great smartphone functionality and access to thousands of applications on Android Market™. Timo Maassmann, Product Marketing Manager for XperiaTM X8, said, “We are delighted to be able to bring the full experience of our XperiaTM smartphones to new consumers by delivering a fully featured device at a more accessible price point.”

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 is perfect for enjoying multimedia entertainment. Whether it’s a game from the Android Market™, the latest funny clips on YouTube™ or browsing the web, the 3-inch screen means you won’t miss a thing. Discover and download songs from PlayNow™, then listen to all your music using the 3.5mm headphone jack. If you are feeling more creative, there’s a 3.2 MP camera and video recording functionality.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X8 – Key features

· Four corners for easy one hand use and one touch access to applications

· Customise the four corners with your favourite apps and add widgets to your homescreens

· Enjoy games, video, internet and more on the 3-inch screen

· Timescape™ shows all your communication in one place for ultimate simplicity

· Android Market™ – thousands of applications to keep you entertained

· 3.2 MP camera – snap away and upload instantly to Facebook™

The XPERIA™ X8 supports GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and UMTS HSPA 800/850/1900/2100

The XPERIA™ X8 will be available in selected markets from Q3 in the colours White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, Silver/ White.

Log on to The Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

– ENDS –

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X8 at a glance

Camera 3.2 MP camera

Direct picture upload to Facebook™

Geo tagging

Sony Ericsson Album application

Video recording
Music Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)

PlayNow™

Sony Ericsson Music Player

TrackID™
Web

Bookmarks

Pan and zoom

WebKit web browser
Communication

Facebook™ application

Sony Ericsson Timescape™
Messaging

Push email

Instant messaging

Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support with Dataviz™ RoadSync™

Picture messaging (MMS)

Predictive text input

Text messaging (SMS)
Design

Auto rotate

Picture wallpaper

Capacitive touchscreen
Entertainment

Infinite button

Sony Ericsson FM radio

Video streaming

Video viewing
Organiser

Calendar

Flight mode

Phone book with dialer

Sony Ericsson Home with Widget

Notes
Location-based services

A-GPS

Google Maps™

Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation* (free trial version)

*The service may not be available in every market. For more information, go to www.sonyericsson.wisepilot.com
Connectivity

3.5 mm audio jack

Bluetooth™ technology

Micro USB connector

NeoReader® barcode scanning app

Sony Ericsson Sync

USB mass storage

USB support

Wi-Fi™
Google™ services

Android Market™ Client

Gmail™

Google Calendar™

Google LatitudeTM

Google Maps™ with Street View

Google search widget

Google Talk™

YouTube™
Screen

16,777,216 colour TFT touchscreen

Capacitive touchscreen

3- inches

320 x 480 pixels (HVGA)

Scratch-resistant (min. pencil hardness 6H)
Accessories In-Box:

· XPERIA™ X8

· Battery 1200mAh

· Stereo portable handsfree

· 2 GB microSD™ card

· Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer

· User documentation

Optional:

· Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600

· Portable Stereo Speakers MS450

· Hi-Fi Headset with Remote MH810
Facts 1)2) Size: 99 x 54 x 15 mm

Weight: 104g

Phone memory: Up to 128 MB

Memory card support: microSD™ up to 16GB

Memory card included: 2 GB

Operating system: Google™ Android Donut, version 1.6

Processor: 600MHz

Availability and versions Networks

UMTS HSPA 900/2100

GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

UMTS HSPA 800/1900/2100

GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

Available in selected markets from Q3 2010
Colour White

Dark Blue/White

Aqua Blue/White

Pink/White

Silver/White

Legal

1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network

preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

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