Google kicks Xperia S Android Open Source Project out of its nest, Sony takes it under its wing (video)

Posted on 09/11/2012 by Alexis Santos

After just under three months of development, Google's wrapped up its experimental work on bringing the Sony Xperia S into the Android Open Source Project fold. According to Sony, AOSP Technical Lead Jean-Baptiste Quéru considers the effort a success, but the device is being taken off the project's roadmap so Mountain View can focus on its own hardware. Currently, an AOSP build boots on the Xperia S hardware with support for SD-Cards, Wi-Fi and its built-in sensors. Audio and the phone's modem are also operational, but they require proprietary binaries Hirai and Co. can't publish just yet. Work on polishing the handset's vanilla Android experience isn't over, however. Sony has moved the code to its GitHub account and is welcoming developers to pitch in and help with the open source effort. For more details and to see what code has already been laid down, tap the second source link or check out the video of the smartphone in action below.

Continue reading Google kicks Xperia S Android Open Source Project out of its nest, Sony takes it under its wing (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony, Google

Google kicks Xperia S Android Open Source Project out of its nest, Sony takes it under its wing (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 06:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Central | source

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Sony to start Xperia upgrades to Jelly Bean by mid-Q1, rules out all 2011 phones

Posted on 19/10/2012 by Jon Fingas

We've got mixed news for those who were wondering just where Sony's Jelly Bean updates were headed. The good? Sony has narrowed down its upgrade schedule for the Xperia T, Xperia TX and Xperia V to the middle of 2013's first quarter, or roughly February. Just about every other reasonably capable 2012 model is also getting an upgrade once Sony has narrowed down the timetable, ranging from the Xperia S through to the Xperia ion and Xperia go. Brace yourself for the dark side of the news, however: not a single 2011 Xperia phone will make the Jelly Bean leap, no matter how quick or recent it might be. The company was "not able to guarantee" the experience the devices would have with the newer OS, we're told. While we know that some older phones would have been borderline at best, that cutoff won't be pleasant for anyone whose Xperia Arc S is already out of the Android upgrade loop after less than a year.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony

Sony to start Xperia upgrades to Jelly Bean by mid-Q1, rules out all 2011 phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phone Arena | source

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Sony to start Xperia upgrades to Jelly Bean by mid-Q1, rules out all 2011 phones

Posted on 19/10/2012 by Jon Fingas

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony

Sony to start Xperia upgrades to Jelly Bean by mid-Q1, rules out all 2011 phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phone Arena | source

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Refresh Roundup: week of September 10th, 2012

Posted on 17/09/2012 by Zachary Lutz

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of September 10th, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Refresh Roundup: week of September 10th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobile Miscellany: week of September 10th, 2012

Posted on 16/09/2012 by Zachary Lutz

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, C Spire Wireless activated its first LTE networks and we discovered strong indication that Isis will leverage the GSMA's SIM-based NFC standard for its mobile payments system. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of September 10th, 2012.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of September 10th, 2012

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile

Mobile Miscellany: week of September 10th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony posts binaries to back Googler’s AOSP project for Xperia S

Posted on 04/09/2012 by Jon Fingas

When Google's Android Open Source Project lead Jean-Baptiste Queru promised an AOSP build for the Sony Xperia S, we didn't know just how much help he would get: Sony has been welcoming of the effort, but the lack of any immediate assistance didn't make for an auspicious start. Much to enthusiasts' delight, Sony says it wants to be more involved with the back-to-stock strategy than just well-wishing. The company is posting vital binaries like drivers to kickstart the process. It's also planning longer-term help by dedicating senior engineer Björn Andersson to monitoring and patching the project when needed. Sony is still wary enough not to get its hopes up, or ours -- it's not convinced that Queru's strategy will lead to a truly reliable build. All the same, the contribution is an important step towards expanding AOSP's scope beyond its usually Nexus-centric past.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Sony posts binaries to back Googler's AOSP project for Xperia S originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Verge | source

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Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental

Posted on 18/08/2012 by James Trew

The Android Open Source Project has typically (and understandably) been a very Nexus-focused affair -- until now that is. Technical Lead for the AOSP, Jean-Baptiste Queru, announced this week that for a "new challenge" he'd like to target new hardware -- and Sony's Xperia S is the lucky benefactor. The choice of hardware is said to be due to it being a powerful, current device with an unlockable bootloader, with Queru noting that Sony has always been kind to the project. There's not a lot in the git project right now, but Queru appears keen to rally support from developers to get the ball rolling. Wondering how this might differ from CyanogenMod's device targets? Where CM might have a focus on stability, Queru believes that AOSP will head in a more experimental "bleeding edge" direction. Sound like something you can get behind? Head on over to the source for more info.

Filed under: Cellphones

Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Police | source

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Sony Xperia S gets a Dark Silver wardrobe, no release date

Posted on 14/08/2012 by Jamie Rigg

If you're the media-hungry type sold on Sony's first smartphone in the post-Ericsson era but felt the standard black or white color choices didn't quite fit your style, how about something in between? Sony's outed a new color for its Xperia S, "Dark Silver" -- although we'd say it's closer to grey than the precious metal moniker suggests. There are no changes to anything but the plastic here, so you'll still be getting the same Ice Cream Sandwich device with an impressive display. If you're planning an upgrade soon and the Dark Silver edition is floating your boat, we're sorry to say availability info is absent from Sony's reveal, but we would expect the option to find its way to retailers before too long.

Filed under: Cellphones

Sony Xperia S gets a Dark Silver wardrobe, no release date originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GSMArena | source

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Engadget’s first UK Giveaway: win one of three Sony Xperia S phones!

Posted on 30/07/2012 by Mat Smith

You asked, you pined and here it is -- welcome to our first (but certainly not last) UK competition. To kick off proceedings, we have three of Sony's latest flagship, the Xperia S, to offer up to our readers on the eastern side of the Atlantic. As it's our first competition for Britons, we advise that you read up on the rules after the break, then just leave a comment below to enter.

Unfortunately, the adorable robot isn't up for grabs in our giveaway (we asked), but if you manage to track down a similar automaton around the UK, Sony's running a separate contest where you can net a free Xperia U in exchange -- visit the more coverage links for hints. Good luck!

Continue reading Engadget's first UK Giveaway: win one of three Sony Xperia S phones!

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Engadget's first UK Giveaway: win one of three Sony Xperia S phones! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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