QWERTY

I’ve had a gadgety grope of Sony Ericsson’s latest.

I’m thankful that I’ve managed this as no matter how good the press releases are they don’t really do tech much justice and, being cynical, I can’t always believe what I’m told.

The other thing I hadn’t realised before having a poke around is that SE have also managed a couple of ‘worlds smallest’s’.

Not only is the Xperia Mini the smallest Android phone the Vivaz grabs the title of the world’s smallest HD recording phone. Nice

So, what can I say about the new range.

Well, the Xperia is the one to go for if you’re a media junky.

The flagship X10 packs an 8.1 megapixel camera with a 16x digital zoom and auto focus, as well as video recording.

It’s also rockin’ a lovely 4 inch OLED screen, easy access controls and RDS radio station information.

Best of all the Snapdragon processor speeds everything along very nicely – and it’s out very soon.

The Vivaz is the phone that holds the crown as the worlds smallest HD recording phone and it does feel nice to hold.

Like all of the latest generation SE handsets, the Vivaz is sculpted with the ‘Human Curvature’ shaping. This was a point that, when reading the pressie, I couldn’t help but be sceptical about. I have to say though, after manhandling the Vivaz it does sit nice in the hand and, if I’m honest, is nicer to handle than the Satio which it’s shoving out.

The Vivaz also improves on the touchscreeness thanks to a new glass screen instead of the plastic jobby used in the Satio. It takes less prodding than the Satio and feels more responsive.

You can get the Vivaz in two flavours – the Vivaz and the Vivaz Pro.

They both shoot HD video and have the very clever auto-focus so if someone should cut in front of your shot it doesn’t go all blurry.

The Pro gets a full QWERTY board but has had to sacrifice megapixels.

The Vivaz has a 3.2 inch, 16:9 nHD widescreen and a 8.1 megapixel camera whereas the Vivaz Pro has a 5.1 megapixel camera with a 4 x digital zoom and auto focus.

Now, the Xperia Mini and Mini Pro.

These little siblings to the X10 are officially the smallest Android handsets in the world.

The thing is, these are *tiny* but even though I haven’t got the smallest hands both Mini’s are really usable.

As you’ve probably worked out, the Pro has a QWERTY board and the other Mini hasn’t.

I’m really digging the Four Corner Control which allows you four customisable icons that gives you instant access to your content without searching through your menu.

The small keyboard on the Mini Pro is large enough to whizz off texts and emails and for me would be my choice if I was in the market for a keyboard equipped Android.

As you can see in the pic, sat next to the iPhone, the Mini is almost dwarfed!

Apart from the imminent arrival of the Xperia X10, the others will be here in Q2.

I’m glad to see that all these handsets have mini USB ports and, more importantly, standard headphone sockets.

I think the software lessons from the start-stop-start selling of the Satio have be learned and the Symbian software is better and more stable.

The Sony skinned Android works well and smoothly and the addition of the clever Timescape is a bonus.

I love the ‘infinity key’ that comes into play when you’re playing a track on a new Sony. Hit the icon and it will take you to other tracks by the same artist or online content to buy or vids to watch on YouTube.

Well done Sony Ericsson – it seems that you’ve really listened and, quite frankly, done a pretty good job.

What do you gadgety readers reckon?

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