O2 deploys Xperia X10 Android 2.1 update, multi-touch to come

Today Xperia X10 owners on O2 can join Orange peeps in upgrading their Android 1.6 devices to Android 2.1 Eclair. Sony Ericsson also revealed that multi-touch was coming in a future update.

In an official tweet by the O2 network it said, "The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 2.1 update is available today. It's starting to roll out and will be fully available from this afternoon."

If you own an Xperia X10, X10 Mini or X10 Mini Pro, your device should automatically inform you that the update is ready. You'll be able to perform the update with the PC Companion software that came with the phone.

O2 is the second UK network to announce that Android 2.1 has landed, with Orange rolling out the update earlier in the week. Now we're just waiting for Vodafone and T-Mobile to catch up.

Sony Ericsson deployed the Android 2.1 update for the Xperia X10 family of Android smart phones at the beginning of the month, but those of you tied to a UK mobile carrier have had to wait for a network-specific update.

X10 owners will have to accept the fact they're still one version behind premium Android mobiles such as the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S, which have moved or are moving to Android 2.2.

But the jump from Android 1.6 to 2.1 is still very significant, offering a bunch of new features. X10 users can look forward to an improved browser, keyboard and camera, as well as HD video recording and wireless connectivity via DLNA.

Sony Ericsson also revealed in a blog post that it was working on enabling multi-touch, or pinch and zoom. This feature will come in a future over-the-air update.

Rikard Skogberg of Sony Ericsson said, "What has happened is that some brilliant engineers actually were able to change the driver and firmware for the touch digitiser to make some multi touch gestures work. We are still working on perfecting the user experience and I will keep you updated as work progresses."

Here's a video of how it should work: