Xperia X8 Handsets To Get Android 2.1 Update

Xperia X8 from Sony Ericsson

While we’re waiting for Sony Ericsson to release the Anzu and the Playstation phone, there are several models of smartphones from the company that are already available on the market such as the Xperia X10 and the Xperia X8. Some might argue that they’re a bit old and outdated but I’d go ahead and say that they’re still pretty nice devices to consider purchasing. On top of that, Xperia X8 users have a small reason to celebrate this day. That’s because Sony Ericsson has recently announced that it’s rolling out the first wave of Android 2.1 upgrades for the handsets.

Some of the Xperia X8’s worldwide will receive the upgrade today after which the 2.1 operating system will receive a gradual rollout to every carrier and country that supports the X8, Electronista reports. A clear timeframe for the update wasn’t provided because it will greatly depend on receiving approvals from each and every carrier selling the devices.

So, what can we say about an Android 2.1 update while multiple other smartphones are already boasting Android 2.2 aka Froyo? That Sony Ericsson phone owners are still not up to date but at least they can get some satisfaction of getting something newer and better. According to the phone manufacturing company, some additional Xperia X10’s will also receive the upgrade.

The X8 update will work in the same way as it did for the Xperia X10 mini and mini Pro. Neither of the handsets received the 720p video recording feature that the full-size Xperia X10 did. What’s new, however, is the support for media sharing with TVs, new editions of Sony Ericsson’s custom Mediaspace and Timespace layers and the updated application and compatibility support that goes hand in hand with the new version of the OS, 2.1.

We’re still waiting to hear something about Android 2.2 from Sony Ericsson. So far the company hasn’t mentioned whether any of its handsets will ever get an upgrade to Froyo. Most people believe that the requirements for that version of the OS will make it impossible for any handset other than the full X10 to get upgraded to 2.2. So if you’re a Sony Ericsson fan, like me, and haven’t bought a Sony Ericsson mobile phone yet but would love to be up to date and in line with the rest of the world, your best bet would be to wait a couple more months for the new lineup of handsets to hit the stores. The Xperia X10 is really old on the market and the truth is, you might want to hold on for something better. Meanwhile, if you have to have Android 2.2, you’ll have to start considering other brands such as Samsung, Motorola or HTC.11