Sony Ericsson has confirmed today that the XPERIA X1 will indeed run Windows Mobile 6.1. They have also re-confirmed that the X1 will be available “in selected markets” second half of 2008. There is still no mention of 1700 Mhz support.

It is expected that Microsoft will finally launch Windows Mobile 6.1 later today at CTIA.

Read the full press release.

[Thanks Jeremy.]

Sony Ericssion just released the official XPERIA X1 White Paper. While we know most of its features already, there are a lot of items in the document that are have been described in more detail. Below are some selected X1 details:

1. Pre-loaded XPERIA panels:

• Sony Ericsson Panel - news weather, finance, worl clock, weather, and app shortcuts
• Media Experience Panel - multimedia consumption and navigation
• Slideshow Panel - slideshow of recent videos and pics
• microsoft Today Panel - standard Windows Mobile Today screen
• 3D Fish Panel - Aquarium with 3D fishes
• Custom Panels - user customized

2. Media Sharing - allows media sharing (DLNA compatible) via ActiveSync or WiFi

Read More…

For those wondering how much of the XPERIA X1 is HTC, Microsoft, and Sony Ericsson, an interview with Todd Warren, Microsoft Windows Mobile VP, at Unwired View, provides some clarification:

The actual experience was done by Sony Ericsson, so a lot of work that we’ve done is to walk this very fine line and create a common platform for application developers and a common course set of experience so a user who picks up a Windows Mobile phone by a different manufacturer can immediately figure out how to use it. Sort of just like any person who gets into a car can find the steering wheel, brakes and the gas pedal; and how to drive that car. But also offering the opportunity for our partners that have expertise in particular areas, to bring those applications to the foreground.

So, the panels, the user interface on Sony XPERIA was done by Sony Ericsson. We provide them some developer support, but it’s all done on open document APIs, any programmer would have access to atop of Windows Mobile.

I have been waiting to hear this. During the Sony Clié days, Sony created Clié Organizer, a ‘Sony version’ of PIM apps with numerous new features, more professional looking, but still maintaining backwards compatibility with the standard Palm OS PIM apps (here’s my original review of Clié Organizer for those who want to read it). Sony has a huge software and R&D team, and I can’t wait for what other new Sony / Sony Ericsson apps they will be including in the XPERIA.

Watch Unwired View’s full intereview of Todd Warren after the jump.
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Terminal, a Hungarian website has just released more photos of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1, revealing X1 specifics that a lot have been asking about.

Probably the main reason why Sony Ericsson product managers was so strict and didn’t allow anyone to touch the X1 at MWC 2008, it runs Windows Mobile 6.1, a WM version that has not been officially released by Microsoft.

We also see that the X1 uses a Qualcomm 7200A - 528 MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, 256MB internal flash, and it packs a 1500mAh battery.

Links:
Terminal Hungarian Blog