Phone update and back up program

[#1]

I recently purchased an Xperia Neo.  I would like to know what are the different ways to update the phone to the latest Android version.

Also can some one suggest a good back up program to use.

[#2]

3 official ways and 1 unofficial way

[#3]

The 3 Official ways are :

1) Using PC Companion.

Connect your phone to the PC via the USB cable

The update option on PC Companion (Support Zone --> Update)

Please backup your phone data and settings before proceeding.

2) Using the SE Update Service

http://dl-www.sonyericsson.com/cws/download/1/110/61/1317636927/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.10.7.exe

Download, install and launch the update service. Follow the onscreen prompts.

Please backup your phone data and settings before proceeding.

3) Performing the update from the phone itself via the Over the air method ( Provided it is available )

Go to your phone settings menu ---> About Phone ---> Software Update ---> Accept

Please backup your phone data and settings before proceeding.

[#4]

The unofficial way is to perform the update manually.

Note : Any operator version of your software/firmware will be lost.

If interested, please refer to the following post : http://talk.sonyericsson.com/thread/23607

[#5]

Here is a suggestion for a backup and restore app to perform the back up and restore of your phone's data and settings.

Mybackup

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup&feature=search_result

[#6]

Thank you for the prompt response.

[owleye]

For backup and restore there is one app which I use that is pretty comprehensive. It is myphoneexplorer by fjsoft - you can download it from here http://www.fjsoft.at/download.php?id=1

It is by far the most comprehensive and requires no need for rooting etc.

cheers!

OE