Today, we look at several developments in the mobile phone world. And what an exciting world it has been for the past couple of weeks.

Sony Ericsson began its Android 2.1 “Enclair” upgrade process for the company’s Xperia line of smartphones. Meanwhile, the Clarion Hotel Stockholm began its keyless-entry program for hotel guests using mobile phones equipped with near field communication technology.
 
Enclair for Upgrade

Sony Ericsson recently began the rollout of the Android 2.1 “Enclair” upgrade for its Xperia smartphones. The upgrade will mean, for the Xperia X10, continuous autofocus for HD video recording; enhanced backup and restore application; five new home screens for apps, widgets, shortcuts, and folders; and a social phonebook capable of auto-syncing contact pictures from Facebook and of indicating when friends go online.

For the Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro smartphones, meanwhile, the upgrade brings an enhanced Bluetooth functionality that comes with support for photo sending and receiving; a backup and restore application that offers improved content support; automatic syncing of contact pictures between Facebook and phonebook; and enhanced management of photos, audio, text, and numbers in messages.
 
Keyless, Not Phoneless

The Clarion Hotel Stockholm in Sweden began a pilot project that allows hotel guests to reserve rooms and receive confirmation using NFC technology-equipped mobile phones. Participants in the program need not stop by the hotel’s reception; they can go straight to their room instead.

By placing their mobile phones in front of the door locks, they can open their rooms. Later on, when they leave, they can use the phones to check out of the hotel.

Would it not be nice to have hotels like that? No nosy bellboys to mess up your intricate privacy designs.
 
Secret Revival

Last week, the LG Lounge at the SM Megamall shopping mall in Mandaluyong was finally able to fix my two-year old LG Secret phone. It took a couple of weeks longer than usual because the mobile phone technicians had to wait for a phone part that needed to be shipped from LG Electronics’ headquarters in Seoul.

On the very day that the flex-wire component arrived, however, the highly competent LG staff promptly finished the process of reviving my Secret. I am now a happy owner of a revitalized and good-as-new semi-smartphone.

Again, I say thanks to Mary Ann Almeron, store OIC, and Mark Castor, technical head, at the LG Lounge Megamall.

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.