Sony Ericsson unveils next-generation Xperia minis

Sony Ericsson has just come out with their latest versions of their compact Android smartphones. In a natural evolution from the similar devices announced at last years at MWC, the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro have a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 5MP cameras, an increased resolution to 320 x 480 and these are the world’s smallest phones that can shoot 720p HD video.

This update looks great for Sony Ericsson and hopefully for them, it will be a hit amongst those users who like a smaller handset. As usual, we hope to get reviews pumped out for both devices as soon as we can.

Read on to see more images and the press releases.

Introducing two powerful, versatile and compact smartphones

Xperia mini – the world’s smallest HD video recording smartphone

Xperia mini pro -intuitive fast messaging in a compact smartphone

May 5^th, 2011, London – Sony Ericsson unveils the new Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro, the latest additions to its Xperia family. Building on the success of the original mini series, these innovative smartphones come packed full of features, powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonT processor, and run the latest platform of Google’s AndroidT – Gingerbread 2.3. Beautifully designed, Xperia mini and Xperiamini pro both integrate best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, including Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine and HD video recording (720p).

The products offer a full multimedia entertainment experience. Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro enable access to over 150,000 apps on the Android Market and has a 3″ scratch-resistant, multi-touch glass screen. The improved user interface allows up to 16 apps displayed on the home screen. Facebook inside Xperia, a feature just announced for the Xperia family, provides a unique social media integration.

Xperia mini pro brings the optimised slide-out keyboard with smart functionality first seen on the Xperia pro to a compact smartphone. A subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminates the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard. Xperia mini pro also comes pre-loaded with Office Suite and McAfee antivirus software, letting consumers manage documents and e-mails instantly and securely while on the move.

Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, “We wanted to provide consumers even greater choice across the Xperia range, while building on the success of the original mini series. These turbo-charged smartphones now contain even more power, enhanced functionality, a larger screen and premium features unique to Sony Ericsson. They are packed full of features, making them a perfect choice for consumers looking for all the benefits of Android and Sony in a beautiful and easy to use compact form factor.”

Sony Ericsson also unveils today a new integration, Facebook inside Xperia, which will be included in the new Xperia mini and mini pro and soon to be available across the wider Xperia range. Facebook inside Xperia integrates social connections throughout the phone, by making Facebook immediately accessible from the most used areas of the phone such as the picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar. As people are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones for instant communication, Sony Ericsson is enabling people to ‘like’, share and comment more easily than ever before with Facebook inside Xperia.

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini – Key features

World’s smallest AndroidT smartphone with HD video recording

Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine

Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen

Over 150,000 apps on Android MarketT

Facebook inside. Keeping your friends closer

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro – Key features

Ergonomic keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging

HD video and Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine

Synch your email and view office documents safely on the go

Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen

Over 150,000 apps on Android MarketT

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro and Xperia mini with HD will be available globally in selected markets from Q3.

Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini and Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro at a glance.

Please note that all services mentioned below may not be available in every market.

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro
Colours
Black, white, dark pink* and blue*
*Available in bundling propositions
Black, white, pink*, turquoise*
*Available in bundling propositions
Facts
Operating system: GoogleT Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonT
Size: 88 x 52 x 16mm
Weight: 94g
Operating system: GoogleT Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonT
Size: 92 x 53 x 18mm
Weight: 136g
Camera
5 megapixel camera
8x digital zoom
Auto focus
Face detection
Face recognition
Flash / LED
Geo tagging
HD video recording (720p)
Image stabiliser
Red-eye reduction
Scene detection
Self-timer
Send to web
Smile detection
Touch capture
Touch focus
Video light
Video recording
Video stabiliser
5 megapixel camera
8x digital zoom
Auto focus
Face detection
Face recognition
Flash / LED
Front-facing camera (VGA)
Geo tagging
HD video recording (720p)
Scene detection
Self-timer
Send to web
Smile detection
Smile ShutterT
Touch capture
Touch focus
Video light
Video recording
Video stabiliser
Music
Album art
BluetoothT stereo (A2DP)
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNowT service
Sony Ericsson Music Player
TrackIDT music recognition application
xLOUDT Experience
Album art
BluetoothT stereo (A2DP)
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNowT service
Sony Ericsson Music Player
TrackIDT music recognition application
xLOUDT Experience
Internet
Android MarketT
Bookmarks
GoogleT search
Google Voice Search
NeoReaderT barcode scanner
Pan & zoom
Web browser (WebKit)
Android MarketT
Bookmarks
GoogleT search
Google VoiceT Search
NeoReaderT barcode scanner
Pan & zoom
Web browser (WebKit)
Communication
Call list
Conference calls
FacebookT application
Google TalkT
Noise Shield
Polyphonic ringtones
Sony Ericsson TimescapeT
Speakerphone
TwitterT (TimescapeT integration)
Vibrating alert
Call list
Conference calls
FacebookT application
Google TalkT
Polyphonic ringtones
SkypeT
Sony Ericsson TimescapeT
Speakerphone
TwitterT (TimescapeT integration)
Vibrating alert
Video chat ready
Messaging
Conversations
Email
Google MailT
Instant messaging
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Conversations
Email
Google MailT
Handwriting recognition
Instant messaging
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Type & Send widget
Design
Auto rotate
Four corner home screen
Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
Picture wallpaper
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Touchscreen
Live wallpaper
Auto rotate
Four corner home screen
Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
Keyboard (QWERTY)
Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
Picture wallpaper
Reality Display with Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Smart Keyboard
Touchscreen
Live wallpaper
Entertainment
3D games
Media browser
Radio (FM radio with RDS)
Video streaming
YouTubeT
3D games
Media browser
Radio (FM radio with RDS)
Video streaming
YouTubeT
Organiser
Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document readers
E-Manual
Flight mode
Google CalendarT
Google Gallery 3DT
Infinite button
Phone book
Setup Wizard
Widget manager
Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document readers
E-Manual
Flight mode
Google CalendarT
Google GalleryT 3D
Infinite button
Phone book
Setup Wizard
Widget manager
Connectivity
3.5 mm audio jack
aGPS
BluetoothT technology
DLNA CertifiedT
Google LatitudeT
Google MapsT with Street View
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB support
Modem
Synchronisation via FacebookT
Synchronisation via GoogleT Sync
Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
Synchronisation: Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® via Moxier Client
Synchronisation: Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
USB mass storage
USB High speed 2.0 support
Wi-FiT
WisepilotT turn-by-turn navigation
3.5 mm audio jack
aGPS
BluetoothT technology
DLNA CertifiedT
Google LatitudeT
Google MapsT with Street View
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB support
Modem
Synchronisation via FacebookT
Synchronisation via GoogleT Sync
Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
Synchronisation: Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® via Moxier Client
Synchronisation: Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
USB mass storage
USB High speed 2.0 support
Wi-FiT
WisepilotT turn-by-turn navigation
Display
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
16,777,216 colour TFT
Capacitive touchscreen (multi-touch)
3 inches
320 x 480 pixels
Scratch-resistant mineral glass
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
16,777,216 colour TFT
Capacitive touchscreen (multi-touch)
3 inches
320 x 480 pixels
Scratch-resistant mineral glass
Memory
Phone memory (user-free): up to 320MB
Memory card support: microSDT, up to 32GB
Memory card included: 2GB microSDT
Phone memory (user-free): up to 320MB
Memory card support: microSDT, up to 32GB
Memory card included: 2GB microSDT
Battery life
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 4 hrs 30 min*
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 340 hrs*
Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hrs 30 min*
Standby time UMTS: Up to 320 hrs*
Music listening time: Up to 25 hrs*
Video playback time: Up to 6 hrs*
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 5 hrs 40 min*
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 331 hrs*
Talk time UMTS: Up to 5 hrs 25 min*
Standby time UMTS: Up to 340 hrs*
Music listening time: Up to 29 hrs*
Video playback time: Up to 5 hrs 45 min*
Networks
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS HSPA 850, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS HSPA 850, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Accessories
Xperia mini, 1200mAh removable battery, stereo portable handsfree, 2GB microSDT memory card, charger, micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer, and user documentation
Xperia mini pro, 1200mAh exchangeable battery, stereo portable handsfree, 2GB microSDT memory card, charger, micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer, and user documentation

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.

The Liquid Identity logo and Xperia are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at: www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/legal/disclaimer.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. All terms are subject to change without prior notice.

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, SE-221 88 Lund, Sweden.

Sony Ericsson celebrates its 10th year as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Ericsson in October, 2011. Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia line of the ‘most entertaining smartphones’ in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press.

Sony Ericsson takes social smartphones to a new level with Facebook^®inside Xperia

New Xperia smartphones enable intuitive, faster and easier sharing, liking and commenting

May 5th, 2011, London, UK – Sony Ericsson today announced that its new portfolio of Xperia smartphones will offer people an exciting, new social experience. As people are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones for instant communication, Facebook inside Xperia integrates social connections throughout the phone. By making Facebook immediately accessible from the most used areas of the phone such as the picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar, Sony Ericsson is enabling people to share and comment more easily than ever before through the new range of Xperia smartphones.

Among the notable new features Xperia phones will offer is an innovative type of social music experience. If you find a great new track or are listening to your favourite tune, you can ‘like’ it directly from the media player and then the Wall on your Facebook profile will be updated automatically without you ever having to open the Facebook application. You will also have the ability to keep track of the music and videos your friends have liked, recommended and have been commenting on through services such as YouTube and Spotify.

Beyond music, the integration of Facebook into the Xperia media gallery will bring photos into closer reach, just one click from the phone’s homescreen, while adding the ability to ‘like’ and comment. The Xperia phonebook will also be more social than ever before with your friends’ interests and photos found under their address book entry on the phone. The phone’s calendar also includes your friends’ birthdays to ensure a birthday is never missed.

Stephan Croix, Head of Marketing Partnerships, Sony Ericsson said, “Social media usage via smartphones is now part of everyday life. Sony Ericsson has enhanced the integration of Facebook in the Xperia portfolio to give consumers a unique and entertaining experience instantly-one they can only experience via an Xperia Smartphone. Sony Ericsson is working closely with Facebook to ensure that the integration continually evolves ensuring that users have the ability to interact between their preferred social media channels and their smartphones.”

Henri Moissinac, Head of Mobile Business, Facebook said, “We think that mobile devices are the ideal environment for a rich social experience. Sony Ericsson has created a deeply immersive Facebook experience inside Xperia smartphones and we believe that people will love this new, intuitive experience.”

Facebook inside Xperia integrations

· Instant ability to share the songs you ‘like’ with friends

· Complete end to end social media and music process: Like, share, and buy songs

· Easy access to see what friends are listening to and watching

· Facebook albums and photos integrated into the Xperia gallery application

· See your friends picture, interest and link to profile in your Xperia phonebook

· Facebook Events will synch with the Xperia Calendar

· Facebook notification alerts in the lockscreen to ensure users never miss an update

Existing Xperia arc and Xperia PLAY users will soon be able to access the new integrated features simply by updating their software. The new Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro – announced today – will include Facebook inside Xperia pre-installed on the phones. Building on the success of the original mini series, these innovative handsets come packed full of features, powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonT processor, and running the latest version of Google’s AndroidT – Gingerbread 2.3.

Facebook inside Xperia will be available in all 2011 Xperia phones from Q2 in selected markets. TheXperia mini and Xperia mini pro will be available from Q3.

Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products