Sony Mobile continues adding to its Android smartphone lineup with the addition of the Xperia Sola. The Sola features a “floating touch navigation” display which allows users to navigate through web pages by hovering their finger over the display. Sony stated in the release that the technology will evolve and add more features over time.
The Sola also ships with NFC-based SmartTags, which can be used to automatically configure certain profiles/settings with other features including a 3.7-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine; 1GHz dual-core processor; 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, and 720p HD video capture and dual speakerphone mics with noise suppression. Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, carrier-dependent mobile hotspot support, and 8GB of internal storage with microSD slot round out the specifications of the Xperia Sola.
Sony Entertainment Network access is also included, including access to movies and music. It will launch later in the second quarter with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich by Summer.
Sony Mobile continues its current revitalization plans since Sony Corp purchased Ericsson’s stake in the Sony Ericsson venture last year, a venture that started with promise, but ultimately collapsed in the wake of competition from the likes of Samsung, Motorola, Nokia and LG before being nearly crushed by the weight of the years of losses, which forced Sony Corp to consider purchasing Ericsson’s stake in the struggling venture in order to continue its last ditch effort to remain relevant with Android after years of low sales due to its previous handsets being based on UIQ and Windows Mobile outside of Japan.
