“My smart panel” is a wireless Internet service for smart phones developed by SKT, which provides users easy access to online services including mail, messenger and internet browsing. “DAUM panel” is a customized service by Sony Ericsson which gives users instant access to services found on the DAUM portal, such as mail, web search and T-story whilst “My PC panel” allows users to experience ubiquitous and individualized media services by connecting the mobile to the content and software of a PC through WiBro. In addition, the “SPB panel” is a great panel which gives quick finger-friendly access to everything you need in a second.

Specific to the Korean market, additional components and accessories including a battery with charger, a 4G micro SD card installed with the movie Spiderman 3 will accompany every purchase of the Xperia X1. The first 1,000 customers will get their names engraved on their X1 and a luxurious leather phone case for free, making it truly personalized.

“We are very excited to establish Sony Ericsson’s presence in Korea and firmly believe that we have the right product to offer to Korean consumers,” said Hirokazu Ishizuka, Corporate Vice President and Head of the Asia Pacific region. “Working closely with our strategic partner, SK Telecom, we will build the Sony Ericsson brand awareness and increase our mindshare within the marketplace.”

The new CNN panel keeps you constantly updated with the latest news, sport, or weather and a host of CNN content including access to CNN’s popular citizen journalism tool, ‘i-Report’. The unique Skype panel brings quick access to Skype on the X1, telling you at a glance which of your friends are online. Browse easily through your contacts and call or instant message them in just a couple of clicks, or customise your handset using the evening, daylight or event based effects.

For those who just want to have fun, a new Mytopia panel lets you play bingo and poker games with people around the world. Lastly, the ‘On the Road’ panel includes large touch icons and a simple layout. Offering direct access to your music playlists and tracks, navigation tools and easy to use call-handling, this panel will makes your driving convenient and entertaining wherever the road takes you.

The X1 comes pre-loaded with a wide range of panels including a Google search panel. Facebook and Windows Live panels are already available on www.sonyericsson.com/fun for download onto the Xperia X1.

[WMExperts via PhoneMag]

With fring’s new file transfer feature, fringsters can swap music tracks, pictures, video clips and other files between each other, from mobile to mobile and mobile to PC quickly and reliably without the need for MMS, cable, Bluetooth, or Infrared connections. For HTC windows mobile users, support of earpiece has been implemented for you to make/receive VoIP calls with your headset.

Although the HTC Touch HD is not listed on the supported HTC devices, I was able to install and run the fring on my Touch HD in full screen mode using the Xperia X1 version. I have not tried all the supported services though, but twitter add-on works great on mine.

Update: Post updated with new screenshots

[via mobilitysite]

The Chinese-language Commercial Times reported:

Although Sony Ericsson is believed to continue expanding its lineup of Windows Mobile-based smartphones, the company’s partnership with HTC will come to an end when the current production of Xperia X1 handsets completes its business circle, the paper quoted industry sources as indicating.

There is no official explanation from Sony Ericsson regarding this move so far.

[via 3Gweek]

New functions available through the Xperia X1 Facebook panel include:

• An entirely new visual representation of friends’ statuses
• Simple and fast upload of photos to Facebook
• Easy access to Facebook friends list and phone numbers, with click to call capabilities.
• As you touch to view different information, icons and links change to give you one touch access to the information you are likely to use

The Windows Live panel uses existing Windows Live ID to sync contacts held in the X1’s phonebook, and the panel will provide easy access to an intuitive Microsoft messenger interface, including Hotmail and Live Messenger. The panel will also give users access to the Windows Live Search function, which is tailored to mobile phones and can be voice activated and controlled. Other Windows Live services will be incorporated into the panel throughout the year.

The Facebook, Windows Live and Dashwire panels are available for free download via the device’s on-board downloader and from the Sony Ericsson website, where they join the initial panels from Sony Ericsson and Spb software. Panels can also be downloaded from the Sony Ericsson Fun & Downloads web site. Browse to www.sonyericsson.com/fun and select ‘panels’.

In addition to panels developed through individual panel partners, Sony Ericsson is working with the independent developer community to encourage them to create exciting and innovative panels based on the recently released Beta software developers kit (SDK) for Windows Mobile 6.1 compatible with Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 development environment and Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

[via inxperia]

The Xperia X1’s unique panel user interface is at the heart of the device’s ability to create and adapt consumers’ personal choices. With up to 9 panels, it’s easy to find and enjoy the information and entertainment content they want. Sony Ericsson is working with third-party developers to create a wealth of new applications and new panels that will soon be available for download.

As Sony Ericsson’s most advanced phone to date, the Xperia X1 brings together a large, 3-inch wide VGA display touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard all wrapped into a sleek silver metal- finished arc slider handset. The Xperia X1 supports fast 3G networks, enabling audio and video streaming, high-speed internet surfing, multimedia messaging and email on the go. In addition to delivering 3G mobile broadband speeds, the Xperia X1 supports WiFi to meet the needs of consumers’ always connected lifestyles.

The XPERIA X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a metal-finish body. The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. Ample distance between keys makes writing fast and easy. With Windows Mobile, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. 

[Source BGR]

What’s good is the TouchFLO 3D for Xperia X1 is not completely replaced the X1’s pre-installed panel, you can either use the TouchFLO 3D, or the default X1 user interface depends on your preferences. The TouchFLO 3D might have some bugs in its initial releases, but expect to see a better version soon. Check out the download links/instructions here or watch the live demonstration video by Paul from Modaco below

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source [modaco]