SE-NSE Forums:

Following up the alpha ROM release Sony released a ICS beta ROM for the public to try out. You must have an Xperia™ arc S, Xperia™ neo V or Xperia™ ray, running the latest Xperia™ software release (which is 4.0.2.A.0.42) to try this ROM. Also the phone must be bootloader unlocked.

The beta ROM now released includes:

• Updated UI - Includes features in the new Xperia S.
• Impressive Lockscreen – While listening to music you can control the music player without unlocking the phone by using the music control icons on the lock screen.
• Connectivity turned on – Unlike the alpha ROM,  the GSM modem and FM radio are turned on.
• Updated email client – Impressive UI and hassle less email management.
• Quick dial – Making phone calls is easier! See the video below.

How to Download and install
Follow the instructions below to download and install the beta ROM. Please note that it only works with Xperia™ arc S, Xperia™ neo V and Xperia™ ray.

1. Make sure your phone is running the latest software release, which is build number 4.0.2.A.0.42.  If you can’t upgrade to this build number, it is not possible to try the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ phones.
2. Go to unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com and unlock the boot loader of your phone. To do this, you must read through and agree to all the legal and warranty conditions that apply.
3. Download the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ arc S, the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ neo V or the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ ray depending on your phone model.
4. Extract the downloaded zip file to your Android Fastboot directory. For example: ..\android-sdk\fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_beta.
5. Open a command prompt and go to your Fastboot directory: ..\android-sdk\fastboot\
6. Flash the three beta ROM files one at a time using Fastboot. Use these three commands (replace the folder name if you are using Xperia™ neo V or Xperia™ ray):
   •  fastboot flash boot ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_beta\boot.img
   •  fastboot flash userdata ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_beta\userdata.img
   •  fastboot flash system ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_beta\system.img
7. Once done, please reboot your phone.

Source: Sony Developer World

This entry was posted on Friday, February 24th, 2012 at 2:27 am and is filed under Beta ROM, Xperia Arc S, Xperia neo V, Xperia ray, android, developer, firmware, sony. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.