Sony has unveiled a new touch-screen technology with the launch of the Android smartphone Xperia sola. The 'floating touch' technology allows users to navigate the web by hovering their finger above the screen so it acts like a moving curser, without actually having to touch the screen. Once the desired link is found it can be highlighted and a tap will load the page. Sony said it will add new features through software updates in future, and it expects app developers to build on the technology further. Available from Q2 in black, white or red, the Xperia sola also features NFC and comes with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box. By touching the phone to the SmartTag, users can load a pre-configured profile on the phone, including up to ten personal commands. The tags come configured for use in the living room, to turn on Wi-Fi and launch Google news and weather apps, and the bedroom, to turn on the alarm and switch to silent mode. The phone comes loaded with Android 2.3 and will be upgraded to Android 4.0 this summer. Other features include a 3.7-inch screen, 1GHz dual-core processor, 8GB internal storage plus microSD card slot, and access to the Sony Entertainment Network with pre-installed Video and Music Unlimited apps.
