Sony Ericsson Announces Xperia Neo V, Android 2.3.4 Update for Xperia (VIDEO)

Sony Ericsson announced today that their 2011 Xperia smartphones will be receiving Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread updates starting in October. The update will include Google Talk with Video Chat, updated Facebook inside Xperia functionality, support for USB peripherals, swipe text input, and the ability to take screenshots. Another cool feature is the 3D sweep panorama technology. It allows images to be captured and then viewed in 3D by connecting the phone to a 3D TV using the HDMI output. That’s pretty cool for 3D TV owners.
Today’s announcement from Sony Ericsson also includes the Xperia Neo V which will be hitting shelves in Q4 of this year. The Neo V will launch with the 2.3.4 update already on board and will be showing off a Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Inside the Neo V is packing a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, a 2GB microSD card (supports up to 32GB), 720p video recording, and a 1500 mAh Battery. Outside you’ll find it rocking the colors white, blue gradient, and silver. I’ll be honest, Sony Ericsson hasn’t really hit my excitement radar as far as their smartphones are concerned. This news has me wanting to check one out though, how about you? A video showing off the update’s features can be found after the break as well as the source link for full details.

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Samsung Announces First Android Member of its Rugged Xcover Family of Phones

Samsung’s rugged feature phone brand has been brought into the modern age with the announcement of the Galaxy Xcover. The phone isn’t just the first Android smartphone to earn the Xcover name and ruggedized design, it’s the first Android 2.3 handset to do so as well. Sporting a 3.65-inch scratch-resistant screen made of tempered glass, 3.2MP camera with LED flash (doubling as a flashlight) and HSDPA capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbps, the Galaxy Xcover will give the likes of the Motorola Defy and Sony Ericsson Xperia Active a run for their money. It might take the cake, though, when it comes to underwater demonstrations. The Xcover is said to survive a 1m dunking for up to 30 minutes. For now the handset has only been announced for an October release in Germany. No word on pricing.

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