Sony Ericsson Rolls Xperia X2Sony Ericsson Rolls Xperia X2

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X2

Sony Ericsson introduced the Xperia X2 smartphone Wednesday, and it is hoping the high-end device will help it better compete against devices like the iPhone and the BlackBerry lineup.

The handset is the sequel to last year's Xperia X1, and it retains a similar form factor with a large touch screen and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Like the previous version, the X2 will have panels on the home screen that can give users one-click access to things like Facebook, Skype, Google, business apps, and phone functionalities. The company has also launched a software development kit for developers to bring existing Flash, Java, and Windows Mobile apps into these panels.

Sony Ericsson's flagship handset will be powered by Windows Mobile 6.5, which means it will have access to Microsoft's upcoming over-the-air mobile application store. Users will also be able to stay connected on the go with the Exchange ActiveSync capability, as well as receive push messages from Web-based e-mail providers.

"In the fast-moving world we live in, the need to stay connected has never been so important," said Sumit Malhotra, marketing business manager at Sony Ericsson, in a statement. "We constantly rely on our mobile phones as an extension to the office and the Xperia X2, debuting with Windows Mobile 6.5, allows users to work quickly and efficiently while on the move."

The X2 has all the features one expects from a high-end smartphone including Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, a TV-out cable, instant messaging, a YouTube application, a Web browser, expandable memory via a microSD slot, and a document viewer. The handset does set itself apart with its 8-megapixel camera, as there are only a handful of high-end phones sporting that strong of a lens.

The X2 is expected to be released in the fourth quarter in select markets, and Sony Ericsson did not give a suggested retail price.

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