14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Ericsson joint-venture (still) announced back in August it would deliver the Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread upgrade to all consumers with Xperia smartphones released in 2011.
Although the handset manufacturer did not reveal any roadmap for the release of the update, it did mention that details would be disclosed closer to each launch.
Sony Ericsson’s Android 2.3.4 update brings additional new features to Xperia devices, other than the ones initially included with the standard version.
Basically, all 2011 Xperia smartphones will get new features, including Google Talk with Video Chat (for those with front-facing cameras) and Facebook inside Xperia functionality that offers enhanced ‘Like,’ ‘Share’ and ‘Discover.’
True to its word, Sony Ericsson is reportedly rolling out the Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread update to all Rogers Xperia arc devices.
According to the folks over at MobileSyrup, Rogers customers already received notifications concerning the update within the past few days.
Rogers Xperia arc owners can search for the update manually as well, by simply going to Settings / About phone / Software updates.
Among the new features included with this “enhanced” update is the 3D sweep panorama functionality powered by Sony. Xperia arc boasts an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, as well as all sorts of complex features, such as: touch focus, image stabilization, face and smile detection.
The phone’s camera can record HD (720p) videos and features continuous autofocus and video light for the camcorder. Unfortunately, the Xperia arc does not come with a secondary front-facing camera, which makes the Google Talk with Video Chat rather pointless.
In addition, Rogers Xperia arc owners will be able to use their phones as mini-mobile PCs by connecting USB peripherals to Sony Ericsson LiveDock multimedia station. This new feature will be enabled as soon as Android 2.3.4 is installed.
Last but not least, the update brings Swipe text input and screen capture, which allows users to take screenshots from anywhere in the phone’s menus.
