The latest addition to Sony’s growing range of Android NFC phones features new ‘floating touch’ technology that allows users to interact with the device without needing to physically touch the screen.
Sony has announced the Xperia Sola, an Android NFC phone that features ‘floating touch’ navigation and support for Sony’s NFC Xperia SmartTags.
Floating touch allows users to navigate the web with the phone without physically touching the screen. Users simply hover their finger above the screen “so it acts like a moving cursor”. Once the desired link is found, it can be highlighted and a simple tap will load the page. “Floating touch will evolve with new user functionality and applications through software updates and engagement with developers,” says Sony.
The new phone will ship with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box. The tags will come with one programmed for the living room, where it will turn on Wi-Fi and launch Google news and weather apps. The other one is designed for the bedroom, where the tag will automatically turn on the alarm and switch the phone to silent mode. Each tag can also be re-programmed with the user’s choice of ten different commands.
The Xperia Sola features a 1GHz dual-core processor, 3.7-inch display and 3D surround sound audio technology and will come in black, white and red. The new NFC phone will be available to consumers globally in the second quarter of 2012, initially running Android 2.3 Gingerbread with an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich promised for this summer.
“With Xperia SmartTags out of the box and access to the latest content through Sony Entertainment Network, Xperia Sola is perfect for consumers looking for ease of use and the best in entertainment in a smart and innovative smartphone,” says Calum MacDougall, head of Xperia marketing at Sony Mobile.
The Xperia Sola joins the NFC-enabled Xperia P, Xperia S and Xperia Ion as Sony’s fourth NFC smartphone.
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