Sony Ericsson Xperia Play available in Europe and Asia

Sony Ericsson just launched its newest handset the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. This long awaited smartphone also known as the Playstation Phone, is a cross between a smartphone and a Playstation Portable (PSP). Running Google’s Android OS, it is the only “PlayStation Certified” device at the moment. With its slide out game pad, you can play PlayStation One games available for download from the Android Market place.

And sure enough, Sony Ericsson announced that more than 60 games are launching with the Xperia Play. The Android Market has already been updated with Cool Boarders 2, Destruction Derby, Jumping Flash, MediEvil and Syphon Filter available for $6.38 USD or £3.99 each. Among other coming popular titles, you will find games like Assassins Creed, The Sims 3, and Splinter Cell. Furthermore, as a PlayStation Certified device, the Xperia Play will have access to Sony’s PlayStation games library.

The “only” issue right now, is getting a hand on an Xperia Play. For instance, UK carriers Vodafone, O2 and 3 are facing so called “freight issue” or “supply chain issues”. As a result, the Xperia Play experience so far has not been the greatest, but Sony Ericsson is working on it. Rumors are that this delay is due to some bug on the device, if its true, at least they’re trying to fix it before selling it to consumers.

Nonetheless, Sony Ericsson launched the Xperia Play in 11 countries around the world. These countries are UK, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Sony Ericsson will make the device available in 6 other countries in the next two weeks, Spain, France, Finland, Singapore, India, and Portugal; basically covering Europe and Asia.

The US will get the Xperia Play through Verizon Wireless also around mid April. As for Canada, it seems like Rogers Wireless will carry the device by the end of the month. The device will be available for $99CAD with a three-year data plan commitment.