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Sony Ericsson Xperia arc gets official

Published Jan 5th, 2011 9:23PM EST
BGR

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Sony Ericsson’s 4.2-inch Reality Display-equipped Android handset just got official at Sony’s CES press event. As you might have heard and seen, the Xperia arc rocks a super slim profile — just 8.3mm at the thinnest point. It packs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, an 8.1-megapixel camera with Sony Exmor R photo enhancement technology, 720p HD video capture support, and it even sports an HDMI-out. It will be available globally starting this quarter, and pricing hasn’t yet been announced. Hit the break for Sony Ericsson’s press release.

Sony Ericsson Introduces Xperia arc – the ultimate smartphone with super-slim design and state-of-the-art Sony technology

  • Xperia™ arc combines stunning design with Sony technology on Android™ platform version 2.3
  • Newest addition to the Xperia™ range delivers visual brilliance and the ultimate multimedia experience

January 5, 2011, Las Vegas, USA – Sony Ericsson today unveils the new Xperia™ arc smartphone with cutting edge Sony technology and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android™ platform – 2.3. Xperia™ arc is the first of a new generation of Xperia smartphones to be announced in 2011.

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, “We’re starting strong in 2011 by introducing our most exciting Xperia™ product yet. Xperia™ arc combines state-of-the-art Sony technology with breathtaking design to entertain and wow consumers. All on the latest Android™ release.”

Xperia™ arc takes the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known for to a new level. Super slim and light, Xperia™ arc is just 8.7mm at its thinnest part and has a extra wide 4.2” multi-touch screen. Created from premium materials and with a stunning arc body, this smartphone is sleek, strong and designed to fit perfectly in the user’s hand. The best of Sony technology is inside Xperia™ arc.  The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Furthermore, Sony’s award-winning Exmor R™ for mobile sensor with the f/2.4 lens enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared in HD on your living room TV via the built in HDMI-connector.

Xperia™ arc will launch on the latest version of the Android™ platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available on the Android market. Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast Internet to create the most entertaining smartphone experience.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc – Key features

  • Slim, lightweight and strong, with perfect ergonomics
  • Extra wide 4.2” multi-touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine to ensure ultimate multimedia and viewing experiences
  • Sony Exmor R™ for mobile: for best-in-class low-light photography and video capture
  • 8.1 megapixel camera and HD video recording capability
  • Android Market™ – thousands of applications to keep you entertained

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc will be available globally in selected markets, including Japan, from Q1 in the colours Midnight Blue and Misty Silver.

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

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc at a glance

Camera

  • 8.1 megapixel camera
  • Up to 2.46x smart zoom
  • Aperture f/2.4
  • Auto focus
  • Face detection
  • Flash/LED
  • Geo tagging
  • Image stabilizer
  • Noise suppression
  • Send to web
  • Smile detection
  • Sony Exmor R™ for mobile CMOS sensor
  • Touch Focus
  • Touch capture
  • Video light
  • Video recording, HD 720p

Music

  • Album art
  • Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
  • Media player
  • Music tones (MP3/AAC)
  • PlayNow™ service*
  • TrackID™ music recognition application
  • * This service may not be available in every market

Web

  • Bookmarks
  • Google™ search
  • NeoReader™ barcode scanner
  • Pan & zoom
  • Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

  • Call list
  • Conference calls
  • Facebook™ application*
  • Sony Ericsson Timescape™
  • Speakerphone
  • Vibrating alert
  • * This service may not be available in every market

Messaging

  • Conversations
  • Email
  • Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
  • Instant messaging
  • Picture messaging (MMS)
  • Predictive text input
  • Sound recorder
  • Text messaging (SMS)

Design

  • Auto rotate
  • Keyboards (onscreen, QWERTY)
  • Picture wallpaper
  • Reality display
  • Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
  • Touchscreen
  • Wallpaper animation

Entertainment
* This service may not be available in every market

  • 3D games
  • Media browser
  • Motion gaming
  • Radio (FM)
  • Video streaming
  • Video viewing
  • YouTube™ *

Organiser

  • Android™ OS
  • Alarm clock
  • Calculator
  • Calendar
  • Document readers
  • Flight mode
  • Infinite button
  • Phone book

Connectivity

  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • aGPS
  • Bluetooth™ technology
  • Google Maps™
  • HDMI
  • Modem
  • DLNA
  • USB mass storage
  • USB support
  • Wi-Fi™
  • Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation *
  • * This service may not be available in every market

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

  • Sony Mobile Bravia Engine
  • 16,777,216 colour TFT
  • Capacitive multi-touch
  • 4.2 inches
  • 854 x 480 pixels (FWVGA)
  • Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant mineral glass

Accessories

  • In-Box:
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc
  • Battery (1500mAh)
  • Stereo portable handsfree
  • Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
  • User documentation

Facts

  • Size: 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm
  • Weight: 117 grams
  • Phone memory: Up to 512 MB
  • Memory card support: up to 32 GB
  • Memory card included: microSD™ 8 GB
  • Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3
  • Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm

Availability and versions

  • Networks
  • UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
  • GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
  • UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100
  • GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

Colour

  • Midnight Blue
  • Misty Silver
  • Jonathan S. Geller
    Jonathan Geller Founder, President & Editor-in-chief

    Jonathan S. Geller founded Boy Genius Report, now known as BGR, in 2006. It became the biggest mobile news destination in the world by the end of 2009, and BGR was acquired by leading digital media company PMC in April 2010.

    Jonathan is President of BGR Media, LLC., and Editor-in-chief of the BGR website.

    What started as a side project at the age of 16, quickly transpired into 24-hour days and nights of sharing exclusive and breaking news about the mobile communications industry. BGR now reaches up to 100 million readers a month through the website, syndication partners, and additional channels.