It looks like Sony is keeping its promise to upgrade its popular 2011 Xperia model smartphones to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). The official Sony blog announced that there is beta version of Android 4.0 ready for downloading but the update process is more twisted than a pretzel.
If you install this beta Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, you will lose Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Google Apps as well as the ability to upgrade to the official update later.
The Sony Xperia Ion with 4G LTE is expected to launched on AT&T in the first quarter of this year. However, while AT&T and Sony haven't announced a price or release date, Negri Electronics quoted a price of $569.50 for the Sony Xperia Ion without a contract.
Those who like to speculate, an unlocked version may mean that other carriers such as Verizon Wireless will launch its own version. The Sony Xperia Ion is the first smartphone that will not have the "Ericsson" name its brand name. It is also the first 4G LTE smartphone from Sony in the United States.
At CES, the Sony Xperia Ion was announced, Sony's first LTE smartphone that compliments Sony HD TVs with super fast Sony camera built-in. It is expected to have a release date in the second quarter of this year.
Reviewers who have seen it call it pure Sony. Features of the Sony Xperia Ion include 4.6" HD (1280x720) touchscreen, 12MP camera (1080 capture), HDMI port, aluminum body and 1.5GHz processor. It will lauch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
The Sony Xperia Ion touchscreen is powered by the Sony Bravia engine that is also found on Sony TVs.
Sony announced via its blog that it plans to upgrade the entire 2011 Xperia portfolio to the next version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Other Android smartphone makers who have announced Android 4.0 updates include HTC, Motorola and Samsung Italy.
They are working on merging the current Xperia experience with the new features in Android 4.0. Sony is almost done with the 2.3.4 Android update which will offer great camera and entertainment enhancements (video follows).
Sony announced that it will acquire Ericsson’s 50 percent stake in Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB and Sony will get custody of the entire mobile handset business a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony.
Sony will rapidly integrate smart phones into its electronic device offerings including tablets televisions, computers, games and consumer electronics. Sony recently announced that will focus on Android smartphones.