XperiaTM PLAY delivers the smartphone functionality that the most serious power users could need, teamed with the immersive gaming experience that any gamer would want.

In portrait mode, the Android smartphone offers all the benefits that users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson’s existing range of XperiaTM smartphones with best-in-class entertainment experiences, a great 5 megapixel camera, a brilliant 4″ multi-touch screen and great social networking features.

However, slide out the gaming control and users enter a new world of immersive mobile gaming. The slide out game pad reveals a digital D pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder buttons and the four PlayStation icons: circle, cross, square and triangle. Qualcomm’s optimized Snapdragon processor with a 1Ghz CPU and embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor deliver silky smooth 60fps play-back 3D mobile gaming and Web browsing with minimal power consumption so Xperia PLAY users can enjoy long hours of battery life and game time.

Rikko Sakaguchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Creation Officer at Sony Ericsson commented: “Today is a very proud moment for Sony Ericsson as we bring something truly revolutionary to the market. Living up to our vision of Communication Entertainment, Xperia PLAY will forever change the way people think about smartphones and mobile gaming.

XperiaTM PLAY will run on Gingerbread (version 2.3), the latest version of Google’s AndroidTM platform. The XperiaTM PLAY will also be the first PlayStation Certified device. This means it will have access to PlayStation® game content provided through the PlayStation® Suite initiative, currently under development by Sony Computer Entertainment and due to launch later this calendar year.

Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products and Services Group at Sony Corporation said: “I am delighted to see Xperia PLAY as the first PlayStation Certified smartphone to hit the market. Xperia PLAY provides a unique consumer offering and is yet another example of great products and services coming to market that leverage Sony’s strong assets.”

Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers in the gaming industry to deliver a rich, vibrant ecosystem at launch and post launch with many leading new titles available via the AndroidTM Marketplace. Leading franchises coming to Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY includes EA’s Need For Speed, Sims 3 and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile. GLU Mobile/Activision will be bringing Guitar Hero while Gameloft’s titles include Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell. Sony Ericsson is also partnering with Unity Technologies, using its award-winning development platform, to ensure a continuous flow of high quality 3D game titles.

Mr Sakaguchi continued: “The launch of Xperia PLAY could not have been possible without the close collaboration of both Google and Sony Computer Entertainment. The commitment of so many industry leading game publishers further demonstrates that Xperia PLAY will deliver on the long-held expectations from consumers the world over.”

XperiaTM PLAY and PlayStation Certified gaming are great examples of the kind of innovation that’s possible in the open Android ecosystem,” said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.

A pre-loaded application will enable users to easily discover and download titles that have been optimised for game play on Xperia PLAY, access recently played games and see information about the games they have downloaded.

Sony Ericsson Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY will be available globally in selected markets from March 2011

What do our content partners say?

Electronic Arts, Travis Boatman, VP of Worldwide Studios for EA Mobile:
“EA collaborated closely with Sony Ericsson to bring exciting versions our best-selling consumer favourites such as The Simsâ„¢ 3 and EA SPORTSâ„¢ FIFA 10 to the Xperia PLAY. The device’s dedicated gaming keypad gives FIFA players what matters most in a footy game – ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes and more. The Xperia PLAYS’s unique gamepad also delivers robust control in The Sims 3 bringing a whole new life simulation experience to fans of the franchise. We look forward to watching consumers interact with our great games in new ways through the Xperia PLAY.”

Gameloft, Michel Guillemot, President:
“We are pleased to partner with Sony Ericsson to offer a catalogue of 10 of our best-selling games at launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY,” said Michel Guillemot, President of Gameloft. “My vision since the creation of Gameloft was to turn video games into a true mass market form of entertainment. This vision is realized with the launch of Xperia PLAY, which combines a perfect smartphone for daily use as well as a real game controller to provide the best gaming experience ever seen on a mobile phone. Gameloft will support the launch with more than 20 titles over the next 6 months that will take full advantage of the power of this device.”

Glu Mobile, Niccolo de Masi, CEO:
“Glu’s strategic relationship with Sony Ericsson aligns us with a leading innovator in mobile and gaming. We look forward to accelerating our momentum in social mobile gaming with compelling offerings on Sony Ericsson’s newest mobile devices.”

Content partners at launch include:
Sony Computer Entertainment
Digital Chocolate
Digital Legends
Electronic Arts
Fishlabs
Gamehouse
Gameloft
Glu Mobile
Handy Games
Namco Bandai Networks
Polarbit
PopCap
Trendy Entertainment
Unity Tecnologies

For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews

Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY at a glance:

Sony Ericsson Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY

Camera

5.1 megapixel camera
Auto focus
Flash / Photo light
Geo tagging
Image stabiliser
Send to web
Touch focus
Video light
Video recording
Video blogging
Music

Album art
Bluetoothâ„¢ stereo (A2DP)
Googleâ„¢ Music Player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNowâ„¢ service*
Sony Ericsson Music player
Stereo speakers
TrackIDâ„¢ music recognition application
Internet

Android Marketâ„¢*
Bookmarks
Googleâ„¢ search*
Googleâ„¢ Voice Search*
Pan & zoom
Web browser (Webkit)
Communication

Call list
Conference calls
Facebookâ„¢ application (from Android Marketâ„¢)
Googleâ„¢ Talk*
Noise Shield
Polyphonic ringtones
Speakerphone
Sony Ericsson Timescapeâ„¢***
Twitterâ„¢ application (from Android Marketâ„¢)
Vibrating alert
Messaging

Android Cloud to Device messaging (C2DM)
Conversations
Email
Google Mailâ„¢*
Instant messaging
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Design

Auto rotate
Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
Picture wallpaper
Touchscreen
Wallpaper animation
Entertainment

3D games
Dedicated gaming keys
Flash Liteâ„¢
Gesture gaming
Motion gaming
Video streaming
YouTubeâ„¢
Organiser

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document editors
Document readers
E-Manual
Flight mode
Google Calendarâ„¢
Google Gallery 3Dâ„¢
Infinite button
Phone book
Set-up Wizard
Widget manager
Connectivity

3.5 mm audio jack
aGPS
Bluetoothâ„¢ technology
DLNA Certified
Google Latitudeâ„¢
Google Location Service
Google Mapsâ„¢ with Street View
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB Connector
Modem
Synchronisation via Facebookâ„¢**
Synchronisation via Google Syncâ„¢
Synchronisation via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
USB 2.0 high speed support
Wi-Fiâ„¢
Wi-Fiâ„¢ Hotspot functionality
* The service is not available in all markets.
** Requires Facebookâ„¢ application installed on the device.

Googleâ„¢ services*

* These services may not be available in every market Android Marketâ„¢ Client

Gmailâ„¢
Google Calendarâ„¢
Google Gallery 3Dâ„¢
Google Latitudeâ„¢
Google Mapsâ„¢ with Street View
Google Media Uploader
Google Music Playerâ„¢
Google Phone-top Search
Google Search widget
Google Syncâ„¢
Google Talkâ„¢
Google Voice Search
Set-up Wizard
YouTubeâ„¢
Screen

16,777,216 colour TFT
Capacitive multi-touch
4 inches
480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA)

In-Box:

Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY
Battery
Stereo portable handsfree
8GB microSDâ„¢ memory card
Charger
Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
User documentation

Facts

Size: 119 x 62 x 16 mm
Weight: 175 grams
Phone memory: 400 MB
Memory card support: microSDâ„¢, up to 32 GB
Memory card included: 8GB microSDâ„¢
Operating system: Googleâ„¢ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Processor: 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7
Talk time and networks Networks

Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 8 hrs 25 min*
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 425 hrs*
Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 25 min*
Standby time UMTS: Up to 413 hrs*
Talk time CDMA2000®: Up to 7 hrs 40 min*
Standby time CDMA2000®: Up to 405 hrs*
Game play time: Up to 5 hrs 35 min*
MP3 playback: Up to 30 hrs 35 min*
Networks

UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
CDMA2000®, cdmaOne, EVDO
Colour

Black
White

********************************************

ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Are Americans ready to play? Sony Ericsson and Verizon Wireless think so. Sony Ericsson today announced that its new Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY, the world’s first PlayStation Certified smartphone, will be available on the Verizon Wireless Network in the Spring 2011.

“This Spring, expect to see a lot of people with their heads down and thumbs up,” said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing for North America, Sony Ericsson. “Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY combined with the power of the Verizon Wireless network gives you everything you need in a smartphone and the one thing you want – the ultimate gaming experience.”

Xperia™ PLAY is powered by the latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread version 2.3) – and is PlayStation certified, which ensures an optimized gaming experience featuring content from the PlayStation Suite. Xperia™ PLAY will provide a best-in-class gaming experience right out of the box with many of the most popular games pre-loaded, including Asphalt Adrenaline 6, Bruce Lee, Star Battalion, The Sims 3, and Tetris. More than 50 additional titles from top franchises at leading game publishers will be available for purchase at launch.

“Working with Sony Ericsson to bring the world’s first PlayStation Certified smartphone to the nation’s most reliable network builds on our commitment to deliver the best mobile gaming and entertainment experience to our customers,” said Jeff Dietel, vice president-marketing for Verizon Wireless.

According to the Entertainment Software Association’s 2010 consumer survey, in the United States:

67 percent of households play computer or video games
42 percent of heads of households report they play games on wireless devices, up from 20 percent in 2002
The average game player age is 34 and 40 percent of game players are women

Facebook users can enter the First2Play contest and could be one of the first 10 people to get the Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY by visiting www.facebook.com/SEUSA.

Sony Ericsson Xperiaâ„¢ PLAY Key Features: