Xperia X1 Is Alive and Well – Sony Ericsson Outs Its SDK

Although it was said to have problems with the Windows Mobile 6.1 OS, Xperia X1 actually seems to be ready to hit the market, as Sony Ericsson has announced today the release of its SDK (Software Developers Kit). 

The SDK will allow developers and even simple mobile phone users to create personalized panels for the X1 smartphone. These panels can “sit on top” of the handset's Windows Mobile interface, providing easy access to any piece of information you like, via the wide 800 x 480 pixels touchscreen display.

“Sony Ericsson is committed to providing its customers with rich, open content environment to make their mobile experience more enjoyable and entertaining. Making the Windows Mobile SDK available for free to developers and mobile content creators will accelerate the development of new panels and applications for the Xperia X1, offering consumer choice and personalization. The Xperia X1 will offer the richest mobile user experience, putting the world at the fingertips of the user,” declares Sony Ericsson's Senior Vice President and Head of Creation and Development, Rikko Sakaguchi.

Todd Peters, corporate vice president, Mobile Communications Marketing Group, Microsoft, further adds, “The X1’s panels are a simple but immersive way of interacting with content, services and applications that will delight and engage consumers. Sony Ericsson’s X1 is a fantastic demonstration of how to harness the power of Windows Mobile to connect people to the things they care about most.”

To make users better understand what the whole deal with the Xperia panels is, Sony Ericsson has posted a video on its official website, which you can find at this address (in WMV format).

The Xperia X1 SDK is available for download via the Sony Ericsson Developer World website.

For the time being, there is still no clear release date for the X1, but today's announcement pretty much confirms that the super-smartphone is on track, and that we should be able to get it this fall. Mobile users are waiting for this to happen with hope in their hearts, while other handset manufacturers (like Apple) might dread the imminent arrival (meaning, that Xperia X1 might be better than their products).