Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Announced at CES 2011

Android has been seeing plenty of time on stage at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, and it doesn't look like there's any sign of it actually slowing down any time soon. Sony Ericsson is helping the little green 'bot's cause, as the company has just officially announced the brand new Xperia Arc device. While it may not be the PlayStation Phone that we've all been so eagerly anticipating, it is a device that, upon first glance and then subsequently digging into the specs, we can't help but feel a few notches of excitement about.

The Xperia Arc is a device that features Sony's Reality Display, along with Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine, which is designed to bring the best multimedia experience possible to a device. On the back of the device, there's an 8MP camera with Sony's Exmor R photo enhancement technology. The camera is also able to record 720p HD. And, theres an HDMI out port.

Under the hood, you'll find Android 2.3, with a 1GHz Qualcomm processor pushing everything along. The display is a 4.2-inches. There's a 3.5mm audio jack, and the standard additions: 802.11 WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. Check out the full press release for more information about the device.

Press Release

Sony Ericsson Introduces Xperia arc – the ultimate smartphone with super-slim design and state-of-the-art Sony technology

Xperia™ arc combines stunning design with Sony technology on Android™ platform version 2.3

Newest addition to the Xperia™ range delivers visual brilliance and the ultimate multimedia experience

January 5, 2011, Las Vegas, USA – Sony Ericsson today unveils the new Xperia™ arc smartphone with cutting edge Sony technology and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android™ platform – 2.3. Xperia™ arc is the first of a new generation of Xperia smartphones to be announced in 2011.

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, "We're starting strong in 2011 by introducing our most exciting Xperia™ product yet. Xperia™ arc combines state-of-the-art Sony technology with breathtaking design to entertain and wow consumers. All on the latest Android™ release."

Xperia™ arc takes the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known for to a new level. Super slim and light, Xperia™ arc is just 8.7mm at its thinnest part and has a extra wide 4.2" multi-touch screen. Created from premium materials and with a stunning arc body, this smartphone is sleek, strong and designed to fit perfectly in the user's hand. The best of Sony technology is inside Xperia™ arc. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Furthermore, Sony's award-winning Exmor R™ for mobile sensor with the f/2.4 lens enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared in HD on your living room TV via the built in HDMI-connector.

Xperia™ arc will launch on the latest version of the Android™ platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available on the Android market. Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast Internet to create the most entertaining smartphone experience.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc – Key features

Slim, lightweight and strong, with perfect ergonomics

Extra wide 4.2" multi-touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine to ensure ultimate multimedia and viewing experiences

Sony Exmor R™ for mobile: for best-in-class low-light photography and video capture

8.1 megapixel camera and HD video recording capability

Android Market™ – thousands of applications to keep you entertained

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc will be available globally in selected markets, including Japan, from Q1 in the colours Midnight Blue and Misty Silver.

Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc at a glance

Camera

8.1 megapixel camera

Up to 2.46x smart zoom

Aperture f/2.4

Auto focus

Face detection

Flash/LED

Geo tagging

Image stabilizer

Noise suppression

Send to web

Smile detection

Sony Exmor R™ for mobile CMOS sensor

Touch Focus

Touch capture

Video light

Video recording, HD 720p

Music

Album art

Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)

Media player

Music tones (MP3/AAC)

PlayNow™ service*

TrackID™ music recognition application

* This service may not be available in every market

Web

Bookmarks

Google™ search

NeoReader™ barcode scanner

Pan & zoom

Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

Call list

Conference calls

Facebook™ application*

Sony Ericsson Timescape™

Speakerphone

Vibrating alert

* This service may not be available in every market

Messaging

Conversations

Email

Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®

Instant messaging

Picture messaging (MMS)

Predictive text input

Sound recorder

Text messaging (SMS)

Design

Auto rotate

Keyboards (onscreen, QWERTY)

Picture wallpaper

Reality display

Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine

Touchscreen

Wallpaper animation

Entertainment

* This service may not be available in every market

3D games

Media browser

Motion gaming

Radio (FM)

Video streaming

Video viewing

YouTube™ *

Organiser

Android™ OS

Alarm clock

Calculator

Calendar

Document readers

Flight mode

Infinite button

Phone book

Connectivity

3.5 mm audio jack

aGPS

Bluetooth™ technology

Google Maps™

HDMI

Modem

DLNA

USB mass storage

USB support

Wi-Fi™

Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation *

* This service may not be available in every market

Google™ services*

* These services may not be available in every market

Android Market™ Client

Gmail™

Google Calendar™

Google Gallery 3D™

Google Latitude™

Google Maps™ with Street View

Google Media Uploader

Google Music Player™

Google Phone-top Search

Google Search widget

Google Sync™

Google Talk™

Google Voice Search

Set-up Wizard

YouTube™

Screen

Sony Mobile Bravia Engine

16,777,216 colour TFT

Capacitive multi-touch

4.2 inches

854 x 480 pixels (FWVGA)

Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant mineral glass

Accessories

In-Box:

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ arc

Battery (1500mAh)

Stereo portable handsfree

Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer

User documentation

Facts

Size: 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm

Weight: 117 grams

Phone memory: Up to 512 MB

Memory card support: up to 32 GB

Memory card included: microSD™ 8 GB

Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3

Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm

Availability and versions

Networks

UMTS HSPA 900, 2100

GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100

GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

Colour

Midnight Blue

Misty Silver