Been a year with Xperia Arc, is time to unlock booatloader and install CyanogenMod custom rom, the latest CyanogenMod 9 (based on Android 4.x Ice Cream Sandwich).

Thanks to Free Xperia Team from XDA Developers forum that putting hardwork and keep rolling out updates to make sure CyanogenMod works good on Xperia handset. Below are brief explanation on steps to install CyanogenMod 9 on Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc (LT15i).

Tools and Backup:

Preparation and Steps:

  i) Speed reading through these sites:

  ii) Downloads (These are whatever i downloaded to make it done)

  iii) Sequences in brief (Detail steps refer to the links attached)

Minor Problems:

Have met few small problems during progress, i just Google-ed out solutions and replaced some file that can be found (which included on “Downloads” section above). Problems such as:

Photos during progress:

Inside SDK Folder

Inside SDK platform-tools folder

Inside SDK tools folder

Unlock Bootloader Key

Unlocking Bootloader

Flashing boot.img

ClockworkMod Recovery

Wipe Data

Reboot

Installation complete

Firmware version

Downloaded Clock widget

If you come in to a case that you doesn’t want to sign-in or register on Android Play Store and trying to install few applications, then you should try this Germany Site: “Freeware Lovers”

Freeware Lovers is an Internet community, which is aimed to collect and categorize truly free software.

The directory is geared toward software users and enthusiasts who are looking to fill their computers and mobile devices with FREE and QUALITY games, utilities, themes, and other useful stuff.

I have downloaded two application from the website, Digital_Clock_Widget_1.8.5.apk by Maize and ES_file_explorer_1.6.1.3.apk by EStrongs, downloaded and installed by using Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) stock browser.

(Digital Clock Widget by Maize on Xperia Arc CyanogenMod 9)

The following images were taken with HTC One X rear Camera (8 mega-pixel, 28mm, f/2.0) in auto setting:

The camera focus speed on HTC One X is incredible fast, press once on screen part to focus, it will auto focus and ready for you to perform capturing. HTC done a good choice on Camera shutter sound and focus notification, it does improve the camera taking experience.

By Comparing photo taking experience on HTC One X (HOX) and SE Xperia Arc:

Sony, are you kidding me? While other Smartphone brand users are enjoying ICS by now, Sony decide to delay the rollout from March to mid-April. Even worst for newly launched Sony Xperia S, users need to wait until late of Second Quarter 2012. Read the official article here, “The van’s around the corner: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software upgrade coming to 2011 Xperia smartphones starting from mid-April“

In addition, no OTA updates avaialble, according to official: “we’ll only be making it available for download via PC Companion and Bridge for Mac (i.e. not over the air via 3G or WiFi), and you also won’t receive any update requests or notifications.”

Kindly read through this article too, “Learn about the technical differences between Gingerbread and ICS “. It sounds like Sony is not encouraging users update to Android 4.0 platforms. As this quote from the artile, “…although ICS is new and compelling in many ways, we would like all of our users to make an informed decision when selecting what Android™ software to use. We are actually proud to say that our Gingerbread software is very stable and has great performance, so it’s not a bad idea to stay on this platform if your top priority is extreme stability.”

As a Xperia phone user, i am pissed off. Be ashamed Sony!

One disadvantage of Xperia Arc is 1GB internal storage with only around 300MB is actually usable. There are numbers of applications that are not able to move in SD card (ex: whatsapp, facebook, google products, bundled Xperia crap-ware). Moreover, recent applications/ updates seems to have increased file-size, a 300+MB internal memory is easily become full.

Recently just experienced low internal memory space for Xperia arc that unable to download any app from android market, with internal memory still left around 27+MB space. Therefore, i need to find ways on clear out as much space as possible to install more new applications. Below is what i did with my rooted (locked bootloader) Xperia Arc:

i) Titanium Backup ★ root by Titanium Track

Uninstall crap-ware such as: Wise pilot, bundled game(Golf), Timescape

Steps:

ii) DroidSail Super App2SD (ROOT) by Droidsail

Move applications that by default not allowed transfer to SD card.

Steps:

For those without root access, refer:

For those intend to root, refer:

Google Play for Android is not pushing out new Google Play applications to all user yet, but you can install them manually now. Most of the .apk can be found in xda-developers forum, credits to forum members KyojinKun, Quinny899, theos0o, Nalty, thomassafca and atapia984.

Below are some Google Play applications screenshots from my Xperia Arc:

 Google Play Store

 Replace old Android Market

 Google Play Store UI

 Google Play Music

 Music Playing Info

 Google Books

 Google Play Books UI

 Google Play Movies

 Personal Videos

i) Google Play Store (Previously called Android Market)
Thanks to ro6666lt from RootzWiKi shares out the new Google Play store .apk, you can read it at this thread: “Android Market Apk (Google Play)”. I originally installed this .apk on Xperia Arc, it works perfectly.

  Download Links:
    Link 1: rootzwiki
    Link 2: xda-developers
    Link 3: goo.gl/ryOOy
    Link 4: goo.gl/07Yz8


ii) Google Play Music
Google Play Music 4.1.513 is available to download from xda developers , the post thread at here: “Google Play Music 4.1.513″. Installed this on Xperia Arc, it works fine just like previous Google Music which can play music files from phone storage.

  Download Links:
    Link 1: goo.gl/k2sNJ
    Link 2: goo.gl/grJeG


iii) Google Play Books
Tested on Xperia Arc and it works. Posted by dr.ketan at “Google Play – New market. music, video, books” and Nalty, at here: “Google Play Apps – So far we have: Music, Videos, Store & Books”

  Download Links:
    Link 1: goo.gl/U0Kxb
    Link 2: goo.gl/y5VCb


iv) Google Play Movies
Installed on Xperia Arc and works fine. On personal videos page, it will shows your videos that shot by using camera. Posted by dr.ketan at “Google Play – New market. music, video, books” and Nalty, at here: “Google Play Apps – So far we have: Music, Videos, Store & Books”

  Download Links:
    Link 1: goo.gl/2eYwH
    Link 2: goo.gl/y5VCb


v) Google Play Movies (for rooted devices)
If you are using rooted android device and tried Google Play Movies .apk above, you will get a display like this on “My Rentals” page. However, a modification of Google Play Movies for root device is available as an alternative. Originally posted by theos0o at Google Play Movies for rooted devices. Due to region, i can’t test it out. But according to reply from other forum members, it is working pefectly.

  Download Link:
    Link: goo.gl/tbwEM


———————————————————————————————————————————————
References:
  i) xda-developers: Google Play Apps – So far we have: Music, Videos, Store & Books
  ii) xda-developers: Google Play
  iii) xda-developers: Google Play Music 4.1.513

i) Camera360 Ultimate by PinGuo Inc.

Camera 360 Ultimate by PinGuo Inc. is now for Free. No limit, no ads, all free. Camera360 V3.0 is now updated to all functions free version.

Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=vStudio.Android.Camera360


ii) Transparent Screen by Sascha Affolter

As mentioned by developer, “This app gives you the opportunity to use your phone as usual, while being able to see the image of your camera transparently on the entire screen.” It is a very interesting and fun app that android users should try. Below are some screenshots from my Xperia Arc:

Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=botweb.transparent.screen&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImJvdHdlYi50cmFuc3BhcmVudC5zY3JlZW4iXQ..


iii) QR Droid Private by DroidLa

QR CODE: It’s the ‘evolution’ of normal barcodes. They can hold more information and are more flexible. QR codes can be used to share Contact information, links, geo-locations and more.

QR Droid Private is an Android app that able to Scan and Create QR code.

Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=la.droid.qr.priva&feature=search_result


iv) IP Webcam by Pas

As mentioned by developer, “Turn your phone into a wireless camera! Supports Windows, Mac and Linux. Turns your phone into a network camera with multiple viewing options. View your camera on any platform with VLC player or web browser.” I test it with Windows Desktop(browser) and Xperia Arc, it works smoothly.

Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.pas.webcam&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5wYXMud2ViY2FtIl0.


v) Google Goggles by Google Inc.

Goggles uses image recognition technology to recognize objects and return relevant search results. Identifies products, famous landmarks, storefronts, artwork, and popular images found online.

Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.unveil&feature=search_result

Home launcher and widgets on Xperia S has leaked out. A package of Xperia S home launcher and widgets is available for download, kindly refer the pocketpc forum for full story: “Thema: Home Launcher und Widgets vom Xperia S geleaked“

I installed every single .apk files into Xperia Arc, all of them works perfectly. Below are my steps on installing:
  1. Download XperiaS Package.zip into Dekstop, Unzip it
  2. Sync files between Desktop and Xperia Arc by using Dropbox
  3. Install every .apk one by one, and chose “replace” for those existing old app
  4. Old stock app such as Home launcher, Music player and Calendar will be gone after replaced
  5. Whenever you launch those app, the new version will be active

Download Links for XperiaS Package.zip:
  i) http://minus.com/me2BDLfmw#1f
  ii) http://hotfile.com/dl/147750631/9d744bc/XperiaS_Package.zip.html
  iii) http://www.mediafire.com/?bkzn5w03dq3qebb

Included in Package.zip are:

On/Off, Weather & Music Widgets

Clocks and Photo Widget

New Icons

Note: GO Launcher EX unable to locate and recognize Xperia S widgets. Therefore, those widgets can’t be apply on GO Launcher EX Home Screen. However, apps such as Live Wallpaper Earth, Music player and Calendar works smoothly if using Go Launcher EX.

Live Wallpaper Earth

Music Player

Calendar

————————————————————————————————————————–
via:
   Thema: Home Launcher und Widgets vom Xperia S geleaked
   http://www.pocketpc.ch/sony-xperia-s/155451-home-launcher-widgets-xperia-s-geleaked.html