Pocketables

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 expected to launch in February 2010 in UK

A brief update today on the possible launch date of the recently announced SE Xperia X10.

Previously, we were told the X10 would be launched in Q1 2010. While this is still true, there's now a firmer date involved than a vague three-month quarter. According to the Coming Soon section of Sony Ericsson's UK online store, we can now expect the Xperia X10 to launch there in February 2010. Those of us in the UK can elect to pre-register to receive the latest updates for the X10 direct from Sony Ericsson.

Alternatively, I highly recommend a visit to the Sony Ericsson Product Blog to feed your interest in this highly anticipated smartphone. Previously known as the Satio blog, covering the development and launch of the SE Satio, the site will now focus on the Xperia X10 from now until its launch early next year. Some of the recent updates of interest to X10 followers include sample photos and videos taken by the 8.1MP auto focus camera, a discussion of the X10's Android OS and OpenGL capabilities, and a Q&A of some of the most frequently asked questions.

Sony Vaio P getting a nice discount thanks to Verizon

When word leaked out late in 2008 about a new Sony notebook whose size mirrored that of a standard envelope, many gadget freaks could barely temper their excitement. Soon after, the Sony Vaio P series was unveiled at CES 2008, and while the initial amazement at the diminutive notebook was there, there were far more comments about the pricing.

Well, thanks to Verizon Wireless, it looks like there will soon be a way to get a nice discount off the standard $849 price, bringing the cost down to a mere $299. Of course, this special is at the expense of signing a 2-year data contract so you can properly utilize that Gobi wireless card that has been tucked inside since day one. In fact, Verizon originally offered a $200 rebate with a new service activation, but that deal now appears to be gone.

Specs for the subsidized Sony are listed as 2GB RAM, 160GB hard drive (up from the standard 80GB), and Windows 7 Home Premium. It is not clear if there will be an SSD option, but even with the standard hard drive, the Sony P is a great choice compared to the other device choices from Verizon, and this should end up being a great deal for anyone looking for wireless broadband along with a new ultraportable device.

See more Sony Vaio P features and reviews.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

[Phone Arena via Engadget]

Save $500 on Sony Vaio P (1.6GHz Atom, 128GB SSD)

If price has been one of the things stopping you from picking up the Sony Vaio P, then head over to SonyStyle with coupon code VAIO500P to save an astonishing $500 on the VGN-P698E in either onyx black or garnet red. This model, which normally retails for $1499.99, sets itself apart from other configurations with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU and 128GB SSD (see benchmarks of all models).

The coupon brings the price down to $999.99 and is good until October 13th.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

[Sony Vaio P @ SonyStyle]

Review: Sony X Series Walkman

Before the Zune HD and what is assumed to be the third-generation iPod touch are released to the touchscreen DAP/PMP-adoring public this month, let's take one last look at Sony's X Series Walkman before it's completely overshadowed and forgotten. The company's WiFi-enabled flagship player, which features an OLED touchscreen and built-in digital noise cancellation, received more positive attention when it was locked under glass at CES 2009 than after it was released in mid-June, so to say that the X Series has not been a mainstream success is quite the understatement.

But just because the masses haven't embraced it doesn't mean the player isn't any good. In fact, during the past few weeks that I've been using it, the device has become my favorite daily-use DAP because of its stellar sound quality and simple interface.

Sony Vaio P WiMAX edition expected this month

Despite what that excessively veined hand in the image seems to suggest, the message in this Sony Vaio P ad isn't that the mini notebook is impervious to destruction by crushing or squeezing.

No, the news here is what's written in that little white circle on the right: WiMAX. A little more than a month after we first learned that Sony Japan and UQ Communications were prepping a WiMAX-enabled Vaio P, the team has completed their work and are making the integrated 4G mobile broadband modem available for 10,000 yen (~$106) in customized corporate models and Vaio Owner Made configurations running Windows Vista. Preorders appear to begin on July 27th, with the WiMAX-ed Ps expected to be released in Japan on the 30th.

See more Sony Vaio P features and reviews.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

[Press release]

2GHz Atom Z550 benchmarks on Sony Vaio P

The Sony Vaio P recently became available in Japan with Intel's latest and fastest Atom processor, the 2GHz Z550, so it was only a matter of time before someone in our Vaio P forum got one and began putting it through its paces.

Since forum members already helped me to compile the CrystalMark benchmark results of all the other default P configurations (Vista, 1.33GHz, 1.6GHz, 1.86GHz, SSD, HDD) a few months ago, I've updated the original chart with the new set of numbers yielded from a 2GHz unit running Vista on a 64GB SSD.

The result? Nearly twice the overall mark of the entry-level Vaio P! As before, the SSD makes the most significant difference, but the higher ALU/FPU scores certainly aren't too shabby either.

Updated Vaio P benchmarks chart

Sony Vaio P to come with built-in WiMAX

There's no timeframe publicly cited for this, but Sony Japan and UQ Communications are currently working on getting the Vaio P mini notebook outfitted with WiMAX. The UQ WiMAX service has been and will continue to be deployed in Japan only, so even if a release date were given in the news brief, most of us wouldn't be assessing our mobile needs and trying to get out of those Verizon Wireless contracts anyway.

But just in case you're keeping score, the Japanese Vaio Ps continue to leave their US counterparts in the dust with faster processors, additional colors, Windows XP, and other custom configurations. And now they're getting embedded WiMAX! Sure, there are more places in the US without WiMAX coverage than with it, but still. Americans like options too.

See more Sony Vaio P features and reviews.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

Sony releases XP drivers for Japanese Vaio P models

Following Sony Japan's recent addition of Windows XP as an OS option for the Vaio P mini notebook, the company has just made the XP software (including drivers and utilities) available for download on its support site.

The requisite files are being hosted specifically for the Japanese P models (VGN-P70, P80, P90, and P91) and as such can only be downloaded from those particular units. Yes, I already tried to snag the setup folder from my American VGN-P588E earlier today and was promptly denied.

Sure, anyone with a Vaio P (regardless of region) can follow these instructions from several months ago to gather everything needed to install XP, but it's much easier and more straightforward to take the official route, don't you think? I'm guessing that we should all be able to tread that path soon, as once someone with a Japanese unit gets ahold of the files, it probably won't be long before everything is posted somewhere for everyone else to grab them too.

See more Sony Vaio P features and reviews.

:: Visit the Vaio P forum to connect with other owners and potential buyers, share tips, and troubleshoot. ::

Sony Vaio P gets Windows XP option

Sony continues to step up the options for its Vaio P mini notebook. In addition to all the colorful choices and pick of processors we covered yesterday, potential Vaio P owners also have their choice of operating system when customizing their dream device. Sony has added the option to select Windows XP Home Edition with SP3 in addition to Windows Vista, the operating system of choice at launch.

Windows XP may improve performance but it comes at a cost as some features present on the Vista configuration are not available in Windows XP. Most notably missing is the option for 2GB of RAM because OEMs are limited to selling XP machines with just 1GB of RAM per Microsoft's rules. Also missing are a few select Vaio-specific software titles that are bundled with the Vista version.

Despite the few limitations, these new options make this notebook even more compelling than when it first debuted. And besides, you can always buy the 2GB Vista version and just install XP yourself!

[Sony Style Japan]

This post was written by Kelly Hodgkins, long-time fan of mobile devices and news writer at The Boy Genius Report.

Sony Vaio P in new colors with dark brown keyboard

Sony Style Japan's Vaio Owner Made program, which allows buyers to customize their configurations to the hilt, has just added a few new options for would-be Vaio P owners to choose from when building the mini notebook that suits them best. Sure, it'll take a moment to decide between the Intel Atom processors (1.33GHz to 2.0GHz), storage capacities (up to 80GB HDD, 256GB SSD), and wireless options, but the real test of those decision-making skills is when it comes down to the color.

As if having to choose between the launch colors (onyx black, garnet red, peridot green, and crystal white) wasn't hard enough, Sony went ahead and added pyrite gold, frozen white, mesh garnet, layered peridot, and a dark brown keyboard to the mix. Decisions, decisions.