UPDATED: NZ’s Android invasion continues with rugged Motorola; jumbo-screen Sony Ericsson

UPDATE THURSDAY: The Motorola Defy will cost $799 and like other Motorola smartphones will be Telecom-only (NBR looks jeaolously across the Tasman to where all the major handset brands are on all carriers - including Motorola through Vodafone - leading to more choice and keener pricing.

Like other Motorola smartphones (bar the Milestone), sign-up to Motorola's MotoBlur personal cloud service is compulsory to activate the phone.

Motorola had no comment on if or when its Xoom Android tablet might be released in New Zealand.
 

UPDATE WEDNESDAY: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc will sell for $999 through Vodafone and Telecom (currently only Vodafone stock is in NZ, but the Telecom model is expected within weeks). 

A Sony Ericsson rep told NBR that the company as also spoken to 2degrees, but it is unlikely the carrier will pick up this model.

After an inital hands-on play, NBR was impressed.

For handset with a 4.2-inch display, the Arc is remarkably thin and light. It's concave design is beautifully engineered, and makes the phone easier to hold.

Android purists will also appreciate that, at first glance, Sony Ericsson seems to have dialled down "Timescape" and other multimedia fills that have crowded over the top of Google's OS on previous models.

The company is hyping the Mobile Bravia technology adapted from its TV line, and video did look crisp and clear, with the HDMI-out jack allowing for easy direct connection to a TV for photo gallery or video viewing.

Sony Ericsson is also pushing  "Exmor R" CMOS technology, which it says boosts photo and video performance in low-light situations (typically a weak point with phone cameras). NBR's inital testing produced impressive results. If you're in the Android camp, this handset should be on your shortlist.

NBR did grizzle that the Arc, like many Androids, has skimpy, sub-1GB internal memory (the iPhone comes in 16GB and 32GB models).

Sony Ericsson replied that it was easier, and more convenient, for a user to swap out memory cards (which can be up to 32GB each). 

A rep for the company added that retailers could use memory cards as an up-sell. Hmmn.

The rumourmill has Apple’s iPhone 5 not appearing until September (a ‘delay’ in terms of the June/July timing of the four previous models).

For anyone who’s Android-curious in the meantime, two new phones based on Google’s mobile phone software are due to be announced locally this week.

Motorola Defy
Telecom will add to its already heavy Android focus by launching the Motorola Defy this afternoon – billed as a durable, waterproof model. Overseas, the Defy has been billed as running Android 2.2 (see full specs here).

Like other Motorola models based on Google Android, the Defy will be exclusive to Telecom – great for Telecom, less so for Motorola.

Rugged phones are nothing new. But historically they’ve had bare-bones features. Basing its new model on Google Android allows Motorola to bump the Defy into the smartphone category (see full specs here).

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
A second Android being previewed this week is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, which runs the latest incarnation of Android, version 2.3 – notwithstanding the fact that Sony is fond of overlaying its own multimedia frills over Google’s mobile software to gain a point of difference (annoying some, including NBR).

The Arc is slim, but features a huge 4.2-inch touchscreen, plus high-end multimedia features including an 8.1 megapixel camera and an HDMI jack for high definition video connection to a TV (see full specs here).

(Apple's iPhone has a 3.5-inch screen.)

Sony Ericsson has yet to say which carriers it will partner with for the Arc, but the company usually angles to release its phones for both Telecom and Vodafone.

Check back later today and tomorrow for more information on both models (Sony Ericcson is running a preview this morning; Telecom has a briefing this afternoon; Motorola has its official Defy launch tomorrow).