Sony Ericsson's first Android phone to use 2.0
updated 08:35 am EDT, Fri May 22, 2009
Sony Ericsson Android 2 0
Sony Ericsson's Asia marketing VP Peter Ang today said that the company's first Android-based phones will use Android 2.0 rather than earlier versions of the operating system. Speaking at the launch of several phones in Taiwan, he didn't provide details of the phones themselves but did say to DigiTimes that Android 2.0 would have "more multimedia support" than 1.5. Leaks have suggested the Google OS will also have much tighter integration with social networks, including Twitter.
Ang also downplays rumors that Android might displace other smartphone operating systems at Sony Ericsson. He expects both Symbian and Windows Mobile to still be present in the company's lineup later this year. The Microsoft OS is likely to stay for future XPERIA phones, while Symbian has already been picked to drive the Idou when it ships later in 2009.
The three-pronged approach to operating systems is a reaction to the company's rapidly tumbling sales, which have been hurt by the absence of modern smartphones for most of the past two years.
