[Press Release]

Live life in the fast lane with the XPERIA™ X2 from Sony Ericsson. Designed for those who always need to be connected, whether it’s for business or personal life, the XPERIA™ X2 blurs the boundary between work and play.

London, UK – September 2, 2009 – Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2 a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

The XPERIA™ X2 also includes the unique SlideView feature, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities. Providing quick interaction with contacts, messages, media and more, SlideView gives an overview of missed incoming activity, notifying the user of any missed calls, e-mails and text messages so users don’t overlook an important contact.

With 14 specially designed preloaded XPERIA™ panels and 16 more to download, users can work with no boundaries with the XPERIA™ X2. From Skype, Mytopia and Google™, to games, CNN and Windows Live™, the panels ensure users are up-to-date with what matters most to them. With an improved touch interface and new 3D signature panel users also benefit from flexible desktop panels designed to categorise business, fun and communication features. Just set favourites to appear during certain times of the day and can get the latest news in the morning, YouTube™ at lunchtime and games for the journey home.

Powered by QWERTY messaging, Windows Mobile® users can even show their presentations on the big screen with the TV out cable – the XPERIA™ X2 makes a day at the office a walk in the park.

“In the fast moving world we live in, the need to stay connected has never been so important.” said Sumit Malhotra, marketing business manager, Sony Ericsson. “We constantly rely on our mobile phones as an extension to the office and the XPERIA™ X2 debuting with Windows Mobile® 6.5, allows users to work quickly and efficiently while on the move. The XPERIA™ X2 also features a new range of interactive panels as well as SlideView, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities – perfect for those who need to see any missed incoming activity at a glance.”

Entertainment is not compromised on XPERIA™ X2. Enjoy amazing multimedia with the 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality and take advantage of the 8.1 megapixel camera to capture and instantly share experiences with friends and family. Personalise the panels and users can access Facebook™ to upload their party or holiday images and they can chat with friends across the world via Skype. Whether it is music, photography, email, video or gaming the XPERIA™ X2 has it all.

“Windows® phones allow people to manage their whole world – from work to home to play – on a single handset,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, product management, Microsoft Corp. “The XPERIA™ X2 taps the powerful messaging and multimedia capabilities in Windows Mobile® so customers can be in touch, productive and entertained wherever they are.”

With the need to stay connected 24/7 Sony Ericsson has designed XPERIA™ Services, a bespoke and unique after sales package designed to help XPERIA™ X2 users get the most out of their mobile phone. With a specialised technical team standing by to support busy users and talk through the outstanding features the XPERIA™ X2 has to offer users can get help from troubleshooting to how to access their favourite websites. And if their XPERIA™ X2 stops working while they are abroad, XPERIA™ Services can replace the mobile phone via a simple phone call.
XPERIA™ Services really has been devised with the consumer in mind and to help consumers discover more about their XPERIA™ X2.

Live life without boundaries

* Windows Mobile® 6.5 – work on the move easier
* Make the most of the day – flexible desktop panels categorised for life: communication and fun, multimedia, business and internet
* Work without boundaries – instant synchronisation of mail, calendar powered by QWERTY keyboard messaging and Windows Mobile®
* Slide view – quick access to frequently used phone activities and overview of missed incoming activity
* Present documents on the big screen – TV out cable
* Never get stranded – XPERIA™ exclusive travel insurance
* Enjoy amazing multimedia – 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality
* 8.1 mega pixel camera with Photo light – easily upload images to web albums
* Real 3D panel – 3D effects and zoom, music playback controls

Big business meeting? Arrive charged with the Car Charger AN300 – ultra fast, ultra-safe and ultra-reliable. A perfect accessory for the XPERIA™ X2, it charges 40 per cent faster than most car chargers – just plug into the cigarette lighter and go.

XPERIA™ X2 supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/900/2100. XPERIA™ X2 will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Elegant Black and Modern Silver.

Designer : Sony Ericsson

Tribons are designed as digital mentors, that support kid’s personal interests and show pathways to boost knowledge and development of skills. Moreover, it offers experiences and information, and make possible the understanding and participation in environments. By using Tribons, an urban child would be introduced to the natural and biological world, and similarly, a rural child can enhance their knowledge about the urban landscape. The accessories developed to comprise an earpiece that is controlled by a spontaneous 3D interface that projects various educational materials and features a safety system that allows parents track their children. Not only that, this gadget includes an additional medical module that offers surveillance of the wearer’s health parameters that will take care in case of chronic sickness and the probability of injuries.

Designer : FrogDesign

Text from Joao about Cube 2.1:
With portability, professional sound reproduction and intuitive usability in mind, the CUBE 2.1 speakers where projected:

PORTABILITY-Thought for people that are constantly changing from place to place or just changing from the country house to city house without leaving their sound entertainment, the CUBE 2.1 speakers can be carried easy, first because they can be packed in one 25 cm cube with no strings attached, featuring a rechargeable Battery, wireless speakers and a remote control.

PROFESSIONAL SOUND REPRODUCTION-Featuring a 2.1 system (two wireless 360º sound speakers that can be placed anywhere that enhances the surround perception, plus a sub-woofer), the CUBE 2.1 is a powerful Mp3 player dock that also allows to connect the TV, Computer or a additional Mp3 player due to it’s USB plug-and-play feature.

INTUITIVE USABILITY-With a clean appearance objective and having trough all the design process the conscience that I was designing speakers and not some multifunctional gadget, the result was a simple interface that controls the necessary features and enhances the “Pro” look of this product, allowing this way it’s user to absorb it very fast.

Designer : Joao Carneiro

This design has been inspired by traditional Japanese ideals of functionality and simplicity of the bento box while fusing it with modern technology of heating, insulation and materials.

Customizable lunch options
- Compartmentalization to 2 different portion sizes.
- Variety and visual appeal.
- Healthier options with the relationship to food consumption.

Takeaway waste
- Negates takeaway waste as product can be reused.
- Food contact parts easily removed for easy cleaning.
- Ease of use and cleaning encourages users to reuse the product.

Aesthetics
- The product and user interface is designed with a simple and clean sense of quality.
- Retractable handles are flushed with surface when not in use.
- Overall package compacts into a single unit.
- Silicone rubber is reminiscent of traditional rubber band around a box.
- Silicone rubber acts as a non-slip base when eating with one hand.
- Band colour choices allow for personality customization.

Functionality
- Designed for usability, the product has been considered through the process from preparation to transport, idle period, eating experience, and cleaning.
- Tested ergonomically through a series of models and prototypes.

Standards
- Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use, AS 2070-1999.
- Food Safety Standards – Temperature control requirements.
- Australian/New Zealand Standard for Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, AS/NZS 3350.2.15:2002.
- ISO 20282: “Ease of Operation of Every Day Products”.

Materials
- Internal Box is made of Polycarbonate for its durability.
- External Box is made of A.B.S for its availability and strength in appliance applications.
- Foam is used for insulation, ease of manufacture, availability and cost.

Technology
- Film heaters embedded at the base of the product, heating the internal box from bottom up.
- Food is heated to 75 degrees Celsius, controlled by an internal thermostat.
- Electronics are divided up into an active unit – electronic control adapter and a passive unit – lunch box unit to enhance safety.

To conclude, the product seeks to address a culture through design and present a new and satisfying experience for the user.

Designer : Alex Cheong

Designer : Minina Tanya

Designer : Yongbang Ho

Designer : Ashish Chaudhary

Text from David:
Transportation is a key factor in our urban environments and most of our cities are now developed to match the scale and needs of cars, and car users. This reality raises issues regarding sustainability and environment, energy consumption and quality of life.

So, “How can public and personal transports be redefined in a sustainable way, delivering a sense of personal space and independence to its users?” This was the title of my Master of Science in Design and Transport Thesis, concluded in Coventry University, UK, with Distinction, in September 2008.

In other words, the aim of this project was to develop guidelines and a holistic solution for a new system of urban transport, composed of vehicle and infrastructure, in a sustainable way and adaptable to various urban environments.

To develop the project I needed information about: user’s behaviors and explanations for them; main trends; analysis of existing solutions and identification of their problems; definition of applicable technologies in a sustainable manner in a near future. This information was gathered through an online questionnaire, statistical data from several sources, literary research, internet articles, pictures, video and expert interviews and then compiled in my final report.

Preliminary research indicated that several attempts to tackle the issue of mass transportation are being tested and implemented throughout the biggest cities on Earth. Several solutions exist already, but people always seem to give preference to a personal vehicle of some kind to move, commute or make quick trips. Only when there is no other choice, people seem to engage in public transportation. Personal transport is the preferred mode of use and this is a trend that keeps increasing.

The conclusion of the thesis report was composed of guidelines and design specifications that served as basis for the development of a new type of transportation that is truly sustainable and that meets people’s requirements. This generic solution was exemplified through a typical design project that will act as future reference and that goes by the name of “SCARAB”.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
VEHICLE:
- The vehicle allows users to have freedom of use much like a motorcycle but with the convenience of having an enclosed private space and luggage compartments.
- The vehicle can be operated in several different positions depending on speed. It is parked vertically for easy ingress and egress and optimization of public space. When in speed position, the vehicle also tilts when curving or changing direction.
- When circulating in dedicated pathways, the SCARAB is controlled by a centralized computer or by a traffic management centre. Outside of the dedicated pathways the SCARAB is controlled by the user just like any other vehicle.

VEHICLE SPECS:
-The vehicle is composed of interchangeable modules that can be customized by the potential buyer/user.
-Powerpack module composed of a permanent battery plus 3 options for the main energy pack (battery, biofuel ICE or a fuel cell).
-4 wheel drive through electric brushless in-wheel motors with directdrive.
-Wheels with regenerative braking through EW Brakes.
-Drive by wire and tactile HUD embedded in the Lexan canopy.
-Structural elements in Carbon-Aramid composite.
-Embedded sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS. These serve to exchange information with the system, with other drivers and to have precise location data.

INFRASTRUCTURE:
-Communication nodes spread through roadways and traffic management centres in major conurbations.
-Dedicated paths with electromagnetic transponders embedded in the road.
-Parking facilities with solar/wind power generators.
-High speed/long distance travel provided through a railroad interface (not yet developed).

SYSTEM:
-Renting of the vehicle or modules that allows for a private/public/mixed utilization and transport access for people with less financial resources.
-Doesn’t need new infrastructures (uses the existing roads).
-Is backward compatible with current transport systems and uses current day technologies.

Designer : David Miguel Moreira Gonçalves

The body functions as a measure when it is taken out from the weight panel. It can tare, show the time and make gram/cal exchange. It provides smaller space for storage that weight panel and the body are pulled through each other. It facilitates weight process and interface usage that control panel and weight panel are placed apart. The aim is to provide maximum usage facility in minimum space. By means of sensory mil weight, it measures the moment of the approaching surface and exchanges it for unit of measurement. Interface consists of three buttons and at the same time these buttons are used to set the hour data. When the part on the lower panel is to be folded, it is positioned on the coaxial gap on the acrylic part. The orange-colored circle is a visual complement that ensures us placing the things to be weighted on the very middle point.

Designer : Emir Rifat ISIK

Text from the website:
cityAnts is a car rental concept which is mainly self-service, much like city bicycles. Subscribers can pick up and deliver cars at cityAnt stations in city.

The cityAnt cars are electric and charged at the stations when not in use. Usage is charged by the hour. The cars hold 2 people and some luggage. Also available is custom trailer with additional space and battery capacity. The cars have integrated bicycle racks for 2 bicycles.

cityAnts are mainly intended for quick and flexible use, but a booking service is also available. To maintain the flexibility of the concept, only 50% of the cars at the station is available for booking.

A touch screen interface at the cityAnt stations display the amount of cars currently available. The user holds the cityAnt key in front of the display, enters a pin code and estimates rental time. A sufficiently charged cityAnt is automatically elevated from the underground car storage and is ready to use.

Designer : Christian Sornes, Erik Lorange Meyer, Erik Horn, Andreas Sorensen, Oivind Roise, Oyvind Ostmo [CityAnt]