As reported here on Cell Phones Etc. and across the Web, here’s your daily brief on what happened in the world of mobile phones this Friday, May 20th, 2011.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Play getting Android 2.3.3 upgrade next week?
Android 2.3.3 is confirmed coming to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Xperia Play. So why the question mark, you ask? Well, we’re not sure if this will be a global release or not. Based on the report by Recombu, it’s only Sony Ericsson UK that confirmed this update for the two Gingerbread phones. Android 2.3.3 is expected to patch some security issues, and intro “Facebook inside Xperia,” a new feature that provides deeper Facebook integration into Sony Ericsson Android handsets. We’re also not sure exactly when this will roll out.
Unwiredview
“National Reservation System for Wireless Devices” launched by Rogers
Rogers has launched a new online tool that’ll help eager early adopters place their bid on the newest devices. Aptly named the “National Reservation System for Wireless Devices” or NRS for short, this self-service tool allows current subscribers to easily pre-roder an upcoming device so they no longer have to troop on over to the nearest store or make a call to place a reservation. Just sign-in to Rogers.com, click on the “Waitlist” button, and that’s it! Easy right?
Mobilesryup
Sharp treats us to a waterproof 16MP Android clamshell in 3D
Japan definitely has the most enviable devices, the newest of which is the Aquos Phone the Hybrid 007SH. It’s a Gingerbread-powered 16-megapixel camera phone from Sharp that features Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi (b/g/n) connectivity, an HDMI port, a stereoscopic 3.4-inch display for 3D goodness, and get this, is waterproof as well. Yeah, it could use a little make-over on the aesthetics department, but hey, as far as specs go, what more can you ask for?
GSMArena
Nokia’s Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500, says STMicroelectronics chief
Since this bit of news if coming from STMicroelectronics boss himself, we’re not going to doubt this bit of news one bit. However, don’t get too excited about this just yet as the dual-core U8500 chip won’t be debuting on a Windows Phone-powered Nokia handset until 2012. Still, this is good news, but yes, one that will entail a lot of waiting from here on end.
Engadget
New iPhone with 4G (TD-LTE) support confirmed for China?
So why should we care about an iPhone 4G with TD-LTE support that’s reportedly going to be released half-way across the globe? Well, it’s because, if this is indeed true, then an iPhone with LTE support is definitely in the offing given a chip that supports TD-LTE can also access the standard LTE network as well. As such, this LTE-flavored iPhone might not be exclusive to China alone, and since this jives with previous rumors that an iPhone with LTE is coming, we’re doubly excited about this one. It’ll reportedly be released next year, further supporting the rumor that the iPhone 4S is the one that’ll be released this year, and the iPhone 5, the version that’s said to come with LTE connectivity, is the one scheduled for 2012.
Unwiredview
