Sony Ericsson held its big MWC press conference today, and they made a splash with three new Android-powered smartphones. First up, they made the Xperia PLAY official once again, but this time we've got a solid list of specs for the gaming-centric handset. Set to launch "globally in selected markets" beginning next month, the Xperia PLAY features a 4-inch 854x480 display, 1GHz Scorpion ARMv7 CPU, 5.1 megapixel camera with flash, Adreno GPU, 400MB of memory, a preinstalled 8GB microSD card, and Android 2.3, and will be available with both GSM and CDMA connectivity. Verizon will be the first U.S. carrier to offer the Xperia PLAY some time in the "early spring."

Next up is the Xperia Neo, a handset which has seen its fair share of leaks as of late. The Neo's specs match up with ones that we've heard about in the past, including a 3.7-inch 854x480 display, 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 processor, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, 2 megapixel front-facing camera, "up to" 320MB of memory, a preinstalled 8GB microSD card, and Gingerbread. Expect the Neo to launch in silver, red, and blue in "selected markets" at the end of Q1.

Finally, Sony Ericsson saw fit to reveal a completely new handset, which is a pretty big deal in today's leak-filled world. The Xperia Pro, unsurprisingly, features a physical QWERTY that slides out landscape-style. Launching in silver, red, and black in "selected markets" at the end of Q2 2011, the XPERIA Pro features a 3.7-inch 854x480 display, the same 1GHz Snapdragon found in the Neo, an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, 2 MP FFC, "up to" 320MB of memory, an 8GB microSD card preinstalled, and Android 2.3 running beneath SE's skin. You can find the press releases below.

Even though we've known about the Xperia PLAY and Neo for some time now, it's still nice to finally have them made official. The PLAY should make a lot of gamers happy, although its game lineup could end up making or breaking the device's success. The Neo is shaping up to be a serviceable Android handset, although part of me wishes that the screen was a tad bigger. Then again, perhaps that's what the Xperia Arc and its 4.2-inch display is for. Lastly is the Xperia Pro, which was a really nice surprise. Although its specs are pretty much a mirror of the Neo, the Pro's physical keyboard and its spaced out island keys look like they'll be great for those of us that prefer a more tactile smartphone experience. There was no U.S. launch window mentioned for the Neo and Pro, but with the Play coming as soon as next month, I wouldn't be shocked to see SE's other two new Xperia phones arrive at some point in the future. So, which new Sony Ericsson phone has caught your attention?

Introducing Xperia PLAY - the world's first PlayStation certified smartphone
XperiaTM PLAY combines a PlayStation-quality gaming experience with the very latest Android smartphone technology.
Super fast graphics and dedicated game controls deliver the ultimate smartphone gaming experience from March 2011
Sony Computer Entertainment and leading game publishers provide top titles from launch –available to download from the AndroidTM Market.
February 13, 2011, Barcelona, Spain - Sony Ericsson today announced the game changing XperiaTM PLAY, the latest phone in its XperiaTM range of Android based smartphones.

XperiaTM PLAY delivers the smartphone functionality that the most serious power users could need, teamed with the immersive gaming experience that any gamer would want.

In portrait mode, the Android smartphone offers all the benefits that users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson’s existing range of XperiaTM smartphones with best-in-class entertainment experiences, a great 5 megapixel camera, a brilliant 4” multi-touch screen and great social networking features.

However, slide out the gaming control and users enter a new world of immersive mobile gaming. The slide out game pad reveals a digital D pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder buttons and the four PlayStation icons: circle, cross, square and triangle. Qualcomm’s optimized Snapdragon processor with a 1Ghz CPU and embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor deliver silky smooth 60fps play-back 3D mobile gaming and Web browsing with minimal power consumption so Xperia PLAY users can enjoy long hours of battery life and game time. 

Rikko Sakaguchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Creation Officer at Sony Ericsson commented: “Today is a very proud moment for Sony Ericsson as we bring something truly revolutionary to the market. Living up to our vision of Communication Entertainment, Xperia PLAY will forever change the way people think about smartphones and mobile gaming.

XperiaTM PLAY will run on Gingerbread (version 2.3), the latest version of Google’s AndroidTM platform. The XperiaTM PLAY will also be the first PlayStation Certified device. This means it will have access to PlayStation® game content provided through the PlayStation® Suite initiative, currently under development by Sony Computer Entertainment and due to launch later this calendar year.

Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products and Services Group at Sony Corporation said: "I am delighted to see Xperia PLAY as the first PlayStation Certified smartphone to hit the market. Xperia PLAY provides a unique consumer offering and is yet another example of great products and services coming to market that leverage Sony's strong assets."

Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers in the gaming industry to deliver a rich, vibrant ecosystem at launch and post launch with many leading new titles available via the AndroidTM Marketplace. Leading franchises coming to Xperia™ PLAY includes EA’s Need For Speed, Sims 3 and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile. GLU Mobile/Activision will be bringing Guitar Hero while Gameloft’s titles include Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell. Sony Ericsson is also partnering with Unity Technologies, using its award-winning development platform, to ensure a continuous flow of high quality 3D game titles.

Mr Sakaguchi continued: “The launch of Xperia PLAY could not have been possible without the close collaboration of both Google and Sony Computer Entertainment. The commitment of so many industry leading game publishers further demonstrates that Xperia PLAY will deliver on the long-held expectations from consumers the world over.”

XperiaTM PLAY and PlayStation Certified gaming are great examples of the kind of innovation that’s possible in the open Android ecosystem,” said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.

A pre-loaded application will enable users to easily discover and download titles that have been optimised for game play on Xperia PLAY, access recently played games and see information about the games they have downloaded.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY will be available globally in selected markets from March 2011

What do our content partners say?

Electronic Arts, Travis Boatman, VP of Worldwide Studios for EA Mobile:
“EA collaborated closely with Sony Ericsson to bring exciting versions our best-selling consumer favourites such as The Sims™ 3 and EA SPORTS™ FIFA 10 to the Xperia PLAY. The device’s dedicated gaming keypad gives FIFA players what matters most in a footy game — ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes and more. The Xperia PLAYS’s unique gamepad also delivers robust control in The Sims 3 bringing a whole new life simulation experience to fans of thefranchise. We look forward to watching consumers interact with our great games in new ways through the Xperia PLAY.”

Gameloft, Michel Guillemot, President:
“We are pleased to partner with Sony Ericsson to offer a catalogue of 10 of our best-selling games at launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY,” said Michel Guillemot, President of Gameloft. “My vision since the creation of Gameloft was to turn video games into a true mass market form of entertainment. This vision is realized with the launch of Xperia PLAY, which combines a perfect smartphone for daily use as well as a real game controller to provide the best gaming experience ever seen on a mobile phone. Gameloft will support the launch with more than 20 titles over the next 6 months that will take full advantage of the power of this device.”

Glu Mobile, Niccolo de Masi, CEO:
"Glu's strategic relationship with Sony Ericsson aligns us with a leading innovator in mobile and gaming. We look forward to accelerating our momentum in social mobile gaming with compelling offerings on Sony Ericsson's newest mobile devices."

Content partners at launch include:
Sony Computer Entertainment
Digital Chocolate
Digital Legends
Electronic Arts
Fishlabs
Gamehouse
Gameloft
Glu Mobile
Handy Games
Namco Bandai Networks
Polarbit
PopCap
Trendy Entertainment
Unity Tecnologies

For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews

Xperia™ PLAY at a glance:

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY

Camera

5.1 megapixel camera
Auto focus
Flash / Photo light
Geo tagging
Image stabiliser
Send to web
Touch focus
Video light
Video recording
Video blogging
Music

Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Google™ Music Player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™ service*
Sony Ericsson Music player
Stereo speakers
TrackID™ music recognition application
Internet

Android Market™*
Bookmarks
Google™ search*
Google™ Voice Search*
Pan & zoom
Web browser (Webkit)
Communication

Call list
Conference calls
Facebook™ application (from Android Market™)
Google™ Talk*
Noise Shield
Polyphonic ringtones
Speakerphone
Sony Ericsson Timescape™***
Twitter™ application (from Android Market™)
Vibrating alert
Messaging

Android Cloud to Device messaging (C2DM)
Conversations
Email
Google Mail™*
Instant messaging
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Design

Auto rotate
Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
Picture wallpaper
Touchscreen
Wallpaper animation
Entertainment

3D games
Dedicated gaming keys
Flash Lite™
Gesture gaming
Motion gaming
Video streaming
YouTube™
Organiser

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document editors
Document readers
E-Manual
Flight mode
Google Calendar™
Google Gallery 3D™
Infinite button
Phone book
Set-up Wizard
Widget manager
Connectivity

3.5 mm audio jack
aGPS
Bluetooth™ technology
DLNA Certified
Google Latitude™
Google Location Service
Google Maps™ with Street View
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB Connector
Modem
Synchronisation via Facebook™**
Synchronisation via Google Sync™
Synchronisation via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
USB 2.0 high speed support
Wi-Fi™
Wi-Fi™ Hotspot functionality
The service is not available in all markets.
** Requires Facebook™ application installed on the device.
Google™ services*

* These services may not be available in every market

Android Market™ Client
Gmail™
Google Calendar™
Google Gallery 3D™
Google Latitude™
Google Maps™ with Street View
Google Media Uploader
Google Music Player™
Google Phone-top Search
Google Search widget
Google Sync™
Google Talk™
Google Voice Search
Set-up Wizard
YouTube™
Screen

16,777,216 colour TFT
 Capacitive multi-touch
 4 inches
 480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA)
Accessories

In-Box:
Xperia™ PLAY
Battery
Stereo portable handsfree
8GB microSD™ memory card
Charger
Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
User documentation
Facts

Size: 119 x 62 x 16 mm
Weight: 175 grams
Phone memory: 400 MB
Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32 GB
Memory card included: 8GB microSD™
Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor: 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7
Talk time and networks

Networks
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 8 hrs 25 min*
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 425 hrs*
Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 25 min*
Standby time UMTS: Up to 413 hrs*
Talk time CDMA2000®: Up to 7 hrs 40 min*
Standby time CDMA2000®: Up to 405 hrs*
Game play time: Up to 5 hrs 35 min*
MP3 playback: Up to 30 hrs 35 min*
Networks
UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
CDMA2000®, cdmaOne, EVDO
Colour

Black
White

Sony Ericsson expands Xperia family with two new generation Android smartphones
13 February 2011
Xperia™ pro combines intuitive and fast messaging with multimedia features from Sony
Xperia™ neo gives consumers a new way to experience the best of Android and the best of Sony multimedia
February 13, 2011, Barcelona, Spain – Sony Ericsson today unveils the Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, the newest additions to the new generation of Xperia™ smartphones. Closely following the launch of the Xperia™ arc smartphone earlier this year, these latest smartphones also feature cutting edge technology from Sony and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android™ platform - Gingerbread.

As well as best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, the Xperia™ pro combines an optimized slide-out keyboard with smart functions to create a fast messaging experience. Featuring an ergonomically crafted keyboard, Sony Ericsson has focused on integrating the hardware with clever messaging functions for a perfect user experience. Xperia™ pro introduces the subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminating the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard that triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard.

Xperia™ pro is also the ideal business phone for Android fans coming complete with a set of professional functions such as syncing your email, calendar and contacts in a secure way and the pre-loaded Office Suite Pro lets consumers view and edit office documents directly on the phone.

Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, “We want to be a leader in Android and with Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, we are now are offering excellent, innovative Android choices for consumers. These latest devices combine stunning design with state-of-the-art Sony technology and a new faster messaging experience on the Xperia™ pro, creating an entertaining smartphone experience.”

The best of Sony technology once again features in both Xperia™ pro and Xperia™ neo. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Sony’s award-winning Exmor R™ for mobile sensor enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared on an HD TV in your living room via the built in HDMI-connector.

Xperia™ neo builds on the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known with a unique shape that not only looks good, but is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in the user’s hand, especially when taking pictures.

Both smartphones will launch on the latest version of the Android™ platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available via the Android market. Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast uncompromised access to the Web with Adobe® Flash® Player to create the most entertaining smartphone experience.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo – Key features

Exmor R™. Great stills and videos even in low light
Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Built-in HDMI. Your stills and videos on HD TV
More than 100,000 apps on Android Market
Google™ services. At your service
The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available in the following colours: Blue Gradient, Red and Silver.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro – Key features

Touch phone with perfect slide-out keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging
Synch your email and edit office documents on the go
Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine and Exmor R™ for mobile
HDMI. Connect to an HD TV or a projector
Google™ services and more than 100,000 apps on Android Market™
The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro will be available in the following colours: Black, Red, Silver

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available globally in selected markets from end Q1 and Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro from end Q2.

For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews