Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X1 may be causing some furrowed brows at Apple inc as well as the HQs of a number of other mobile device manufacturers as seems to be something of a phenomenon. Its most notable feature is a very sharp 3 inch display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels but its true charm lies within.

The colour resolution is only 65,536 held down by the use of Windows Mobile as an operating system. Technical restrictions apart this does at least mean that there is a large range of established software for the X1. Sony Ericsson has also been able to apply its own ‘Xperia’ branding to the X1 including nine striking home screens.

Dee Dutt, Head of Marketing said:

Xperia represents the first brand that is truly borne from within Sony Ericsson. It represents our vision for a premium, energised communication experience.

X1′s billing as a multimedia device has lead to a technical emphasis on high speed connectivity, internet browsing and GPS navigation. This, in turn, has spawned a glut of high-end features including: full sliding QWERTY keyboard, WLAN b/g, HSDPA, HSUPA and of course a GPS.

Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions commented:

Our vision for the Xperia X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design.

X1 navigation comes in two flavours: with the large touch screen; the 11 cm QWERTY keyboard; the four-way navigation key; or the optical joystick.

Here’s another quote from Sakaguchi:

Xperia is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience – anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone, Sakaguchi continues.

Official specs are:

Camera

• Auto focus
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Photo light
• Video recording

Music

• Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
• Media player
• Music tones
• PlayNow
• Windows Media Player Mobile
• 3D games
• FM radio
• Java
• Video streaming
• Video viewing

Internet

• Internet Explorer® Mobile
• RSS feeds

Communication and Messaging

• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Video calling
• Email
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Xperia panels
• Optical joystick navigation
• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Touch navigation

Organiser

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Document editors
• Document readers
• Flight mode
• Handwriting recognition
• Notes
• Phone book
• Tasks
• Touchscreen

Connectivity

• aGPS
• Bluetooth™ technology
• Modem
• Synchronization
• USB support
• WLAN

Windows Mobile Operating System

• Microsoft Outlook Mobile: email, contacts, calendar, tasks
• Microsoft Office Mobile: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Internet Explorer Mobile
• Windows Media Player Mobile
• Windows Live
• Exchange ActiveSync
• Voice control
• Utility Applications: file explorer, calculator, pictures & video, notes

Facts and Figures

• Size: 110 x 53 x 16.7 mm
• Weight: 145 grams

Available colours

• Black
• Silver
• Main screen: 65,536 color TFT
• Resolution: 800 X 480 pixels
• Size: 3 inches

Memory

• Phone memory: up to 400 MB
• microSD™ memory card support

Networks

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 900/1700/1900/2100 MHz
• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850/1700/1900/2100 MHz

X1 is scheduled for release in the 2nd half of 2008. prices are expected to be high

Related Posts:

• LG KF600 launch brings us cell phones with ‘virtual keys’
• Sony Ericsson T715 review
• Samsung i640 gets 3.6Mbps — still waiting for all the other upgrades it needs
• Nokia’s Nautilus touchscreen details leaked
• Samsung i7110 with business – and other features

Microsoft seems to be aiming directly at Blackberry with the launch of its server-based utility for managing Windows Mobile devices. The launch took place as CEO Steve Ballmer was giving his keynote address at the CTIA wireless conference in San Francisco.

The utility is called System Center Mobile Device Manager and represents Microsoft’s first foray into the enterprise market for mobile e-mail which it has long coveted and which RIM has had virtually to itself up to now with a 70% market share.

The new software allows mobile devices to be managed remotely much like a network of PCs. It also allows mobile professionals to connect to a company VPN using their mobile device.

Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg told Reuters:

“The IT folks, the same as it was in the PC environment, don’t want to roll out 10,000 devices. They want to roll out one device 10,000 times. Microsoft is hoping to replicate the success and the model of the PC.”

According to Microsoft the system will be available in the first half of 2008 and this is rumoured to coincide with the launch of an upgrade to Windows Mobile.

Related Posts:

• Nokia N97 sees the light of day
• Blackberry Storm — RIM’s first touchscreen mobile device
• Microsoft Arc Mouse
• Microsoft Wireless Rechargeable Laser 7000 mouse
• Apple delivers Exchange and more in iPhone SDK