It was a few weeks ago we learned that the Sony Xperia S would soon join the ranks of Google’s elite Nexus devices, officially supported by the Android Open Source Project. This was a joint effort between Sony and Google to help bring a pure Nexus-like Android experience to the Sony Xperia S and marks the first time we’ve seen a non-Nexus device officially supported by AOSP. Today Sony announced, via their blog, that they have officially released their Xperia S proprietary binaries to JBQ, AOSP’s Technical Lead. Also, with the help of the CyanogenMod team — who’s also announced they will be submitting software patches for the Xperia S to AOSP — development for the device will be thriving. Let’s hope Sony’s move is the beginning of a trend we’ll begin to see more from manufacturers in the future. Just imagine what the world of Android landscape would be like if every OEM was as cooperative as Sony about submitting their hero devices to AOSP for development.
Sony has done an excellent job keeping Xperia users up to date on the progress of delivering timely Android updates as of late, but with such transparency does not always come good news. While the majority of Sony’s 2011 and 2012 lineup should see Ice Cream Sandwich sooner or later, a rep on the company’s UK Facebook page confirmed that there are no plans to bring Jelly Bean to older handsets. Namely, the Xperia Mini Pro and Xperia Arc S, the latter of which ranks as one of Sony’s highest-specced handsets of 2011, casting doubt as to whether or not any phones from the manufacturer released last year will see Android 4.1. If there is any silver lining to the announcement, the same rep confirmed that Ice Cream Sandwich was recently finalized for the Sony Xperia S , so an update to the relatively new handset should be coming shortly. 
Fans of Sony Mobile are still smarting from news that the Xperia Play was dis-invited from the Ice Cream Sandwich party, so now they’re forced to watch from a window outside as their friends prepare to enjoy Android 4.0. Thai language mobile site SonyXP.com has uploaded a five minute video detailing some changes in Android 4.0 that Sony Xperia S users should enjoy soon. The video reveals some solid features like the ability to slide across a lockscreen to use the music playback widget without having to actually unlock the phone. The music player has been renamed Walkman and an equalizer has been added. It also shows the stacked widget system that we’ve seen since Android 3.0, a new app drawer, retooled Xperia launcher, and an improved notification drawer. The core features displayed in the video are to be expected in any Android 4.0 update, so there aren’t many surprises in terms of capabilities
Looks like the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Sony Xperia S is right on track. This little video over here has been doing the rounds on the internet today, and though it’s in a foreign language, we can at least see the visual features of the updated software. Have a look, and as always, post your thoughts in the comments. [via s-ense.net ] 
Sony is shipping their latest flagship handset to carriers and retailers around the globe , and we can add Rogers in Canada to the list. A picture posted to the Sony Mobile Facebook page gives us as clear an indication as any. Given the timing, the Sony Xperia S should launch on the Canadian network in April. The phone features dual-core processing, a 720p display, and pretty awesome 12MP camera. 
After a few short months of proposing a Sony acquisition of Ericsson’s mobile division, the deal has been finalized .
The 2012 MWC event in Barcelona next week should be an exciting one for several important technology manufacturers, but Sony might well have the leading role. At least two Korean Android-based smartphones should be unveiled in Spain and, while we’ve seen a couple of leaked photos of the two before, one of them gets the spotlight today as it deserves. The Sony Xperia U, also known as the ST25i or the Kumquat, is shown in several high definition leaked photos and practically leaves almost nothing to mystery. The 3.5-incher is shown next to the larger Sony Xperia S, a smartphone unveiled just a while back and set to hit the market as soon as next month. For those of you who have missed the past few weeks of rumors, leaks and speculations, let’s quickly recap all the things we know (or think we know) about the Xperia U. The Sony smartphone should sport a 3.5-inch screen with 854 x 480 pixels resolution and feature a 1 GHz dual-core processor, as well as a 5 MP rear-facing camera with auto focus