Engadget Hands-On with Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/...ting-xperia-x1/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/sexperiax1mwc12.jpg" /><br /><br />Everyone, including yours truly, is buzzing about the new device announced by Sony Ericcson: the XPERIA X1. It looks quite impressive, if the overall device lives up to the hardware specs and excitement its been generating over the past 24 hours. Engadget had some hands-on time with it and snapped some pics - <a href="http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/">worth checking out</a>! But, seriously, no microSD? That's just idiotic and I hope it's a mis-communication...

[Stake]

I don't know where you saw the specs but it does indeed support MicroSD. The rumor is that the phone was designed by HTC which would explain the lack of Memory Stick support.

Here's a rundown of specs: http://www.mobilewhack.com/sony-ericssons-xperia-x1-announced-at-mwc/
MicroSD is also mentioned in the official press release from Sony Ericsson: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/pressreleasedetails/key.PressResource.Global_X1-20080210

Another tantalizing rumor is that the Xperia is running WinMo 6.5.: http://solnyshok.blogspot.com/2008/02/breaking-news-xperia-is-based-on.html

This phone is just amazing so far...at least on paper and photos... Hopefully this will give Windows Mobile a better shot against the iPhone. I'll jump from my carrier if this phone gets great reviews.

[Darius Wey]

I don't know where you saw the specs but it does indeed support MicroSD. The rumor is that the phone was designed by HTC which would explain the lack of Memory Stick support.

The specs page (http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/specifications/x1?cc=us&lc=en) states otherwise: Memory Stick Micro support, no microSD support. This is turning into a major headache. :lol:

[JKingGrim]

HTC please beat some sense into Sony. Except leave all decisions about device drivers to Sony. And while your at it, tell them to put the ctrl key back where that stupid smiley face key is. I have having a device with a qwerty keyboard, but still having to open the SIP or grab a stylus for copy/paste.

So for those who have used it, does it have an optical dpad, as well as being able to push the buttons like a regular dpad?

[Stake]

The specs page (http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/specifications/x1?cc=us&lc=en) states otherwise: Memory Stick Micro support, no microSD support. This is turning into a major headache. :lol:

Sony's confusing everyone even with their own "official" statements. I read some of the other posts after I posted my last message. Who knows, maybe it'll support both as some may think. I don't think it'd be too difficult to do. Maybe MicroSD is internally accessible (ie behind the battery) only while the MS is removable without pulling the battery. Anyone have a good shot of the top edge of the Xperia? No one seems to have a good shot of the right edge of the phone.

[Ed Hansberry]

But, seriously, no microSD? That's just idiotic and I hope it's a mis-communication...
if I was given one today I'd ebay it in a heartbeat because of this.

[JKingGrim]

The specs page (http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/specifications/x1?cc=us&lc=en) states otherwise: Memory Stick Micro support, no microSD support. This is turning into a major headache. :lol:

Sony's confusing everyone even with their own "official" statements. I read some of the other posts after I posted my last message. Who knows, maybe it'll support both as some may think. I don't think it'd be too difficult to do. Maybe MicroSD is internally accessible (ie behind the battery) only while the MS is removable without pulling the battery. Anyone have a good shot of the top edge of the Xperia? No one seems to have a good shot of the right edge of the phone.The linked article has decent shots from all angles..
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635073/
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635061/
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635066/
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635054/

*edit*
Look at the bottom right on this (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635061/) image, this (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635074/) image, and top left of the side on this (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635065/) image. Definitely a card slot on that side. Those three are all of the same side (the side with the usb port). Now look at bottom left of this (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/photos/hands-on-with-sony-ericssons-world-beating-xperia-x1/635066/) image of the other side. I'll take two card slots!!! You agree that it looks like two?

[Stake]

It looks like there's no memory slots on the exterior. The small openings on the sides might be speaker holes.

If it gets really good reviews, runs better than any WinMo device previous, I think I could buy one stupid 4GB or 8GB Memory Stick Micro card and be done with it. No more.

Here's hoping for MicroSD support...unless they really meant MS Micro support.

[alese]

My guess is that it will have Memory Stick Micro (unfortunatelly).
But, for what is worth if it's otherwise as good in real life as it looks in specs I for one will swallow the MS annoyance and buy one. I typically use my cards as permanent storage in my device so it not so much an issue.

[virain]

My concern is not if it MicroSD or microStick. If I'll spend on this phone around $1000 plus/minus, I wouldn't care if I spend another $50 - $100 on memory card. The funny part is that in official specs, http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/x1?lc=en&amp;cc=us it says that the phone offers video calling. but I can't see a camera on a face of the device. who knows, maybe its screen works both ways, to show images, and to transfer them as well. :devilboy: kinda like ah, a window? I mean, it WINDOWS mobile, right? :roll:

[Snail]

but I can't see a camera on a face of the device.

Looks like there's a tiny lens on the right side of the earpiece speaker.

It looks gorgeous - I can't see what all the fuss is about with memory cards though... it's not like they're expensive anymore! We could start a whole new thread about how much memory cost in the old days. For example, I paid nearly £200 for 4MB of RAM in my old Mac Classic II way back in 1991 - puts £10 for 4GB into perspective doesn't it?

Let the flames begin! :wink:

[treynolds]

until I saw that it only has a 3" screen.

Other than that it looks like a good move for Sony and except for the aforementioned screen would be a perfect replacement for my now 4 year-old Clie TH-55.

ARRRRGHHH!

[treynolds]

I paid nearly £200 for 4MB of RAM in my old Mac Classic II way back in 1991 - puts £10 for 4GB into perspective doesn't it?

I was thinking about this the other day...

My first *computer* was a Timex-Sinclair with a whopping 16K of memory. My first PC had 4MB of RAM and similarly I paid a US$250 to upgrade it to 8MB so I could run AutoCAD (which came on 10 floppies). That PC BTW was a 386-33... The latest Ipaq is what, 650MHz? That's 20x as fast as my first PC, which cost US$2000.

When I think about paying over US$100 for a 128MB CF card, I'm amazed that I can get a 4GB SD card for US$35!!! I paid a premium for 128MB Memory Sticks which are now all but worthless.

On the other hand, has the hardware reaally progressed that much from what we had 4, 5 or even 6 years ago? I'm not certain it has...

Tony

[bkerrins]

Maybe I just haven't seen it, but how much does this thing cost? Anyone know if it will be unlocked or will I have to go through some carrier?

[saljamex]

AT LAST!! A big leap forward for PocketPC´s, I am very "VERY" happy about this, I remember when Pocketpcthoughts started, and the very fisrt clies came out, we were all dreaming on sony making a PocketPC, I love the manufacturing quality and design of Sony, far away better than any actual PocketPC manufacturer. "CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL POCKETPC LOVERS!!" Of course this will be my next device, I just changed to blackberry (Curve 8310) because I do not find any STABLE PocketPC phone, not even the TytnII I have a bunch of them in a drawer, and not even the voice wuality is as good as a good mobile phone, I really hope Sony takes care of all this things as they always do.

[JKingGrim]

So does it have a dpad and an optical joystick? Does that mean you can move your finger over that pad or push it like a regular button dpad?

Also, I'm kinda getting nervous about the whole panel thing. Are those panels actually like widgets running in other OSes? I wouldnt like that. Thats just taking memory and processor time away from the WM side. I don't like the way SE is marketing this. As if WM is its dirty little secret that they hope to keep hidden to just one panel. I want this device because it runs WM, not in spite of the fact. I want WM to be in the forefront. Not as a secondary "experience." I hope more details about this come out soon.

*edit*
Ah, here is a video that makes it a tad more clear. The panels are running inside WM. Kinda like a task switcher, though it seems like they may also give you access to different today screens. He does use the optical dpad, but he does not push on it like a button. I wonder if it has this capability.
http://www.esato.com/news/mwc.php/id=13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KcbfvCrvhw

Oooh, and I think this terrible video shows it being used as a button:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JDa2MMUojY