Xperia X1 Beaten To Market By SongLive X1

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
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About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (565)

You have to appreciate the Chinese enthusiasm. Not prepared to wait for the official release of the Xperia X1 from slowpokes Sony Ericsson, Engadget has noted those industrious folks just went ahead and made the SongLive X1. More proof that handsets don’t have to take months of research, development and rigourous testing to get to market. Promotional images as a ’source’ and some imagination, all you need.

As much as it looks similar to the real deal, it falls a tad short when looking at the feature set. No longer a touchscreen, the 3 inch display loses quite a lot of appeal. However it replicates the slide-out mechanism, folding out to create an impressive portable TV complete with a retro car aerial for reception. The shady-looking 5 megapixel camera seems more like a pinhole for looking through, rather than having any actual technology there…

Looking at the retailer page, the blurb for the SongLive X1 is as follows:

‘The most recommended feature of X1 is its auto horizontal function. We just push the screen, it can become horizontal as our habbit <shrug>! Through it is not a smart phone (no disagreements here), its functions will make you satisfactory. Dual sim dual standby dual bluetooth dual camera and (what, no dual?) TV, even its NES simulator (finally, Duck Hunt and Bible Adventures on the go!) all give you a good choice.’ Choice? Certainly. Good? Not so much.

The saddest part? We’re a little bit tempted to stave off the Xperia hunger pangs… Pretty sure that when/if the X1 arrives, it won’t be under £80.

More mugshots of the great impostor after the break…

Tags: ericsson, sony, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, x1, xperia