2.3.4 Update available in October?

[#1]

Just read this on the Sony Ericsson Blog - http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/2011/08/25/a-new-phone-and-some-great-news-about-our-latest-g...

We have been having a lot of questions regarding the update for our 2011 Xperia™ phones to the new Android 2.3.4 version. And we are happy to tell you that today we announced that the 2.3.4 version of Gingerbread platform for all the 2011 Xperia™ Smartphones will start the roll out during October at select markets.

Some of the features you will get from this update are:

• Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
• Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities. We have talked about Facebook  inside Xperia™ on previousposts.
• Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D sweep panorama functionality powered by Sony.
• The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™  smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
• Swipe text input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
• Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone

Also, we are announcing the launch of Xperia™ neo V, an Android smartphone that continues growing on our Xperia™ portfolio, and that will be available in selected markets from Q4 2011. Xperia™ neo V is one of the first products to launch with the new software and will include features such as Google Talk with Video Chat, 3D sweep panorama and Facebook inside Xperia™.

What I like the best about Xperia neo V is the design. It is very comfortable for taking pictures and video, as it is designed with the Human curvature on mind. Also, neo V has Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, and has a built in HDMI connection, that makes it easier to connect it to your HD TV to share the pictures and videos you took with everyone!

The software upgrade will be available in select markets  through a phased roll out starting from October 2011. Xperia™ owners will receive a notification in phone instructing them to instantaneously download the software over the air via 3G or WiFi. Alternatively, they will have the option to connect to a computer and download it via PC companion.

For full details check the press release we issued here.

So does this mean Live Dock will be Xperia Play compatible and that the software update for the camera will allow Xperia Play to shoot in 720p HD and 3D Panorama like the Neo V? 

[Uliwooly]

I hope they fix the compression issue

[#3]

Are you talking about the compression of the JPEG?

I think I have the same issue with slight pixelation...

[Uliwooly]

Yes I am, it doesn't make sense that this 8mp sensor takes such ... pictures

[#5]

Yeah... on the 8MP are they around a 1MB size?

[Uliwooly]

yeah 1MB per picture from an 8mp sensor, how bizarre is that ?

[#7]

The Play has 5MP down to 1MB file.

It has always made me wonder why they allow such a heavy compression even if you change the quality of it. They probably did it so people to complain about the upload times or the massive data bills they received from uploading their photos on the go.

However I would really like to see an option to have the raw file or less compression as the photos are pretty shiz when tranfered to PC.

[Uliwooly]

or if the picture takes a HUGE part of their SD card, I dont really mind if the picture takes 5MB or even 10MB  I really don't mind

[#9]

I agree, I hope they fix the photo JPEG compression issue.

If I am not mistaken, one of the SE Moderators in this forum mentioned the reason the Arc has such high compression is very likely due to it not being classed as a camera phone. That was his own opinion.

The thing is people who had the previous higher end SE camera phones like the C905, Satio, etc don't really have a good Android based camera phone to upgrade to. The best available from SE is the Arc.

There was lots of marketing hype about the Exmor R sensor, Mobile Bravia engine which made people think this phone will take good photos.

Of course we all know and don't expect a camera phone to have the same quality photos as dedicated cameras. Anyone thinking that is deluded.

The issue is why the SE chose to have such a high JPEG compression of the photos in the 2011 series of smartphones.

Well only SE knows why.

Inspite of my rant above, I still like the Arc very much. The photo issue is only one aspect of the phone.

The photos are actually quite nice except don't try to blow them up, as they get pixalated very quickly due to the high compression.

[#10]

Well SEdefinitely marketed Xperia Neo as a Camera/HD vid phone and it has exactly the same camera as the Arc ( minus the CyberShot brand ).

I wonder if it still has the same compression?

I never really understood the Arc/Neo... It was like " Hey let's release a phone that has exactly the same specs but on is thin and one is bulky,  I wonder which one will sell better?

the thin,sexy and sleek design or the bulky, plain looking phone?"

I wouldn't be surprised if SE is recalling all the Neo's right now and just replacing the camera in them to 5MP and calling it a new model :smileygrin:

Anyway... back on topic about the update.