In the market for a tiny smartphone like the HP Veer 4G, but you'd prefer your device to run Android? Sony Ericsson may have a couple devices worth your time. The company just announced new versions of its Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro smartphones, both of which will come preloaded with Android 2.3 beneath SE's own skin. Other specs for the handsets include 1GHz Snapdragon processors, 3-inch 320x480 Reality Display touchscreens, 5-megapixel cameras with LED flash and HD video capture, and 2GB microSD cards preinstalled. Additionally, the Mini Pro will pack a sliding physical QWERTY keyboard. Both handsets will be launching "globally in selected markets" beginning in the third quarter.
The Xperia Mini and Mini Pro's displays may be a tad too small for some of us, but the fact that they're packing 1GHz Snapdragons and HD video capture could make them a pretty compelling option for anyone in the market for a smaller smartphone. Plus, it's pretty awesome that they'll both come with Gingerbread out of the box, especially since we're still seeing some devices come to market with Android 2.1 preinstalled. There's no word on exactly when, or even if, we can expect these two devices to make their way to U.S. shores, but we'll be sure to let you know when we find out more.
Sony Ericsson unveils next-generation Xperia minis
05 May 2011
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 5th, 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 Snapdragon™ processor, and run the latest platform of Google’s Android™ – Gingerbread 2.3. Beautifully designed, Xperia™ mini and Xperia™ mini 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 optimized 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 Android™ 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 Market™
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 Market™
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
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