One of the most anticipated Microsoft-run smartphones in some time, the X1 is supposed to ship during the second half of this year, but may, according to rumor, be delayed until early 2009. It sports a unique arc slider design, so when you slide up its high-resolution 3-inch, WVGA (840 x 480-pixel) touch screen, a wide QWERTY thumb-keyboard is revealed.

Windows Mobile 6.1 includes a number of enhancements over 6.0, particularly regarding the user experience but also under the hood. Improvements include new time-saving features, such as one-tap Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access, easier phone navigation and management, increased security safeguards, threaded SMS, and a new look to the today screen.

Microsoft also plans to make an upgrade to Internet Explorer Mobile that promises "desktop-grade" browsing to its handset partners in the third-quarter. There's been no indication whether or not the X1 will feature this browser update when it shops or if it'll be made available for download afterward.

At CTIA, we got a chance to play with the X1. In our limited time with the smartphone, we found it to be solid and well designed, with a keyboard that’s comfortable to type on.

Like HTC with the Touch and some other smartphone vendors, Sony Ericsson is grafting a proprietary user interface on top of Windows Mobile, to enhance usability. And, like the Touch, Sony Ericsson is using its customer interface as an opportunity to bring some iPhone-like functionality to the X1's touch display.

Below are a few pictures we took of the X1 during our short hands-on with the smartphone.

As a quad-band GSM phone, you'll be able to use the smartphone to make voice calls in most world markets. It supports 3G cellular-wireless data networking in many countries as well.

There's also Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS for location-based services, FM receiver and 3.2 megapixel camera for picture and video.

A microSD slot is available to compliment the X1's 400MB of internal memory with gigabytes of additional storage.

The smartphone measures 4.3 x 2.1 x 0.66 inches (110 x 53 x 16.7 millimeters) and weighs in at 5.1 ounces (145 grams).

Sony Ericsson is giving operators a chance to build custom touch panels for the that run on the X1 through its touch interface, thereby giving users better access to each operator's specific set of applications and services.

See next page for a comprehensive list of the X1's specifications.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1's Features & Specifications

Camera	Auto focus 3.2 megapixel camera Photo light Video recording
Music	Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP) Media player Music tones Windows Media Player™ Mobile 3D games FM radio Java Video streaming Video viewing
Internet	Internet Explorer® Mobile RSS feeds
Communication and Messaging	Polyphonic ringtones Speakerphone Vibrating alert Video calling Email Picture messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Text messaging (SMS)
Design	XPERIA™ panels Optical Joystick navigation Navigation key Picture wallpaper Touch navigation
Organizer	Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Document editors Document readers Flight mode Handwriting recognition Notes Phone book Tasks Touchscreen
Connectivity	aGPS Bluetooth™ technology Modem Synchronization USB support WLAN
Windows® Mobile® Operating System	Microsoft® Outlook Mobile: email, contacts, calendar, tasks Microsoft® Office Mobile: Word, Excel, PowerPoint Internet Explorer® Mobile Windows Media Player™ Mobile Windows Live™ Exchange ActiveSync® Voice control Utility Applications: file explorer, calculator, pictures & video, notes
Facts and Figures	Size: 110 x 53 x 16.7 mm Weight: 145 grams   Available colors Solid Black Steel Silver   Main screen: 65,536 color TFT Resolution: 800 X 480 pixels Size: 3 inches   Memory                                    Phone memory: up to 400 MB microSD™ memory card support
Availability and Versions	Networks GSM / GPRS / EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UTMS / HSDPA / HSUPA 900/1900/2100 MHz UTMS / HSDPA / HSUPA 850/1900/2100 MHz   Available in selected markets in the second half of 2008