Upgrade xperia Android software firmware (4.0.1.A.0.283)

Now that we’ve had some time to fully explore what the latest Android 2.3.4 firmware (4.0.1.A.0.283) brings to the 2011 range of Xperia handsets, we wanted to relay our findings to our readers. What you’ll find below is every new feature that the latest update brings to the table. It’s quite a meaty upgrade all in all and certainly leaves us with respect for the Sony Ericsson developers who are continuing to upgrade our devices with useful additions. Sony Ericsson is delivering on its promise of speedy updates, after learning some harsh lessons from its first Android adventure with the Xperia X10. If Sony Ericsson continues to deliver, we see no reason why the company’s market share should steadily climb, especially with some positive word-of-mouth. Anyway click through below for all of the new features you’ll find on Android 2.3.4.

Video Google Chat

This is probably the main feature when moving from stock Android 2.3.3 to Android 2.3.4. We cover this first as the rest of the inclusions are all Sony Ericsson rather than Google led. When clicking the ‘Talk’ app, you will now see a video camera (green if they are online) enabling you to conduct a video call with that person.

3D Panorama Camera

This is Sony Ericsson’s headline feature from the 4.0.1.A.0.283 firmware. Unfortunately it is not one that we could test fully as we don’t have a 3D television to see the results. However, this update not only introduces the 3D Panorama sweep but also a normal Panorama sweep (as  with the Xperia X10).

Screen capture

This is self explanatory, but kudos to Sony Ericsson for finally enabling a simple way of taking a screenshot on your phone. Holding down the power button, brings up the ‘Take screenshot’ option at the bottom. When taken you will find the screenshot in your picture gallery.

Back up

Xperia X10 users will remember that Sony Ericsson had a Backup and Restore application that was removed in the Gingerbread update. The 2011 series of Xperia devices have not had any backup solutions, until now. The new Back up functionality can be found in ‘Settings > Privacy’. When enabled this function allows you to backup application data, Wi-Fi passwords and other settings to the Google servers i.e. in the cloud. Besides this is an ‘Automatic restore’ facility that allows all app data to be automatically restored when reinstalled again.

New widgets

Analogue clock
You now have an extra analogue clock widget for you to decide between.

 

Timer
This timer widget is very cool. It is a countdown timer (rather than stop clock) but has some fantastic animation. One of our favourites.

What is missing?

CRT animation
The much loved CRT animation when locking/unlocking the display is now gone. What you get instead is a slow fade from bottom-up and top-down that is nowhere near as cool. We want our CRT animation back!
Power save mode
The Xperia ray has a new app called the Power save mode. If you want to know more, detail. We were hoping that this new app would make its way to other Xperia handsets, but it’s not happened in this update. Hopefully, it will appear in a future software update.

from : xperiablog.net