Christopher

I moved all the topics and posts in those forums into the main Minidisc forum. People were posting randomly throughout them and it was time to finally consolidate.

Sony Ericsson has finally released the long-awaited Android 2.1 (Eclair) update for the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 family (including the X10 Mini and Mini Pro). Even though we are on the precipice of Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread) coming out, and the current Android version is 2.2 (Froyo), it is still a welcome addition. XPERIA X10 phones run on a custom version of Android 1.6, and the company has been heavily criticized for not keeping up with competitors who have beat them in providing the latest firmware to users. When choosing an Android phone, one of the most important features aside from hardware is its upgrade path, and Sony Ericsson has been slow to respond. Some are also curious as to if the device will ever offically receive firmware above Android 2.1 in the future. Unfortunately, the update isn’t officially available everywhere yet, but will be available over the next few days and weeks. If you own one of these devices you’ll simply see an update available in your upper status bar. There is also PC software you can use, called PC Companion (by Sony Ericsson), that helps with the backup and update process. However, if you are adventurous the trustworthy chaps at XDA Developers have figured out how to immediately update the XPERIA X10 family to 2.1 very easily! If you are more patient and would rather wait for the official roll out in your country, Rikard Skogberg of SE’s Product Launch Blog states, “the update it is now out for the first kits, Nordics since yesterday and I?ve also seen that the generic trade kits for Russia, Singapore, Indonesia and many African countries should be up now since earlier today.” He also surprisingly confirmed that the update will not enable “Multi Touch, 16M colors, and Arabic language support”. Skogberg continues by mentioning the “upgrade will be done in a phased roll-out which means that different ?kits? gets the update at different times. This to secure quality in all networks and countries. So don?t get paranoid if your phone isn?t updated in the very first days ? it will come!” Let us know in the comments when you get the update in your country. Here is the list of changes that Android 2.1 brings for each phone. I have video by Sony Ericsson above each list to help explain the upgrade. Xperia X10: ? HD video recording with continuous auto-focus for high quality videos ? Upgrade of the Android platform to Android 2.1 ? New back up and restore application, with extended content back up ? 5 homescreens for apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders ? Social phonebook which automatically syncs contact pictures from Facebook and shows when your friends are online Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro: ? Improved Bluetooth functionality with support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more ? New backup and restore application with extended content back up ? Automatic synchronization of your contact pictures between Facebook and your phone book ? Improved ways of handling pictures, audio, text and numbers in your messages ? Upgrade of the Android platform to Android platform 2.1 In most markets, your phone will automatically let you know View the full article

Sony fans and followers, if you like to follow closely and see what Sony has in store, you are in luck. I just came across a new Sony video blog called SGNL Sony or in another words Signal by Sony. The video content is pretty much a close up look at Sony’s latest gadgets, games, music and movies. The site currently features three video episodes discussing in detail Sony’s NEX-5 DSLR camera, they even take it for a spin with a local pro photographer. Other videos worth checking out are Sony’s Netbox SMP-S100 and the gaming PC headset we have covered before. I thought the videos were very professionally mastered and can relate to the viewers on many levels. The hosts Melody Akhtari and Anthony Carboni are pretty entertaining too. There was no heavy marketing push either and comparison to other non-Sony products is a huge plus. Looks like Sony is continuing to head in the right direction connecting with its fan base in many different ways via social networking, running blogs, etc. All they need to do is get some real support for their Forums, get some Sony tech reps behind the scenes there and things will get even better. View the full article

Many Sony Audio/Video players released before 2008 that use ATRAC and/or MP3 can use Sonicstage 4.3 to transfer your music to the device. Trusted forum member Avrin has made a custom version of this called, "SonicStage 4.3 Ultimate Edition v2" which works exceptionally well and solves most problems people have with SonicStage. Please try it today. SonicStage 4.3 "Ultimate" Release 2 for Windows (you must register at Sony Insider forums to download) Most Sony Audio/Video players released after 2008 don't require SonicStage, and allow you to simply drag and drop your music to the player itself.

Many Sony Minidisc players/recorders that have NetMD or Hi-MD functionality can use Sonicstage 4.3 to transfer your music to the device. Trusted forum member Avrin has made a custom version of this called, "SonicStage 4.3 Ultimate Edition v2" which works exceptionally well and solves most problems people have with SonicStage. Please try it today. SonicStage 4.3 "Ultimate" Release 2 for Windows (you must register at Sony Insider forums to download)