First, let me start by saying LiveView is a great concept. However...
SonyEricsson needs more than just a great concept to make this a useful and successful product.
At present, it is horrendous and they should be embarrassed with releasing this device to the market in its current state.
The hardware is average but the software/firmware is absolutely awful, leading to an extremely unreliable / barely useful device.
My experiences since receiving my LiveView have not been dissimilar to the rest of the users who have seen frequent disconnections / lockups / non-working features.
It is clear that there is interest in this device from the Android Community / Xda-Developers, etc. with many members keen to resolve LiveView's issues themselves - yet they are limited by a closed platform. Given Engadget's review of the LiveView, SonyEricsson's poor track record of providing continued support / updates to their products and their statement that there will be no updates issued for the device - I would think it not inappropriate to demand that an update at least be made to make the software entirely open source, or firmware/code released with a vehicle/drivers for updating.
I'm sure if the community were given the freedom, they could make the software reliable, customisable and perhaps even define innovative new ways to use the hardware.
If that happens, there's increased interest in the community which in turn would lead to more sales.
SonyEricsson, why not leverage the benefit of a willing (and free) workforce that are more interested in improving your device than you are?
(TLDR) In short, SE's failure to provide a fully functioning reliable product combined with their lack of commitment to continued support has paved the way for a global community of very tech savvy individuals and groups, willing to devote their time freely to improving LiveView. I say to SonyEricsson, let them - everyone wins.
To other customers, would you support making LiveView open source?
If so - let SonyEricsson know here and by submitting an e-Mail via their Support site (for UK, where SE's global management team is based):http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/contact/contactusemail/accessories?cc=gb&lc=en
