Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play Tipped As PlayStation Phone As SE Go On Domain Spree

The discovery of a number of "xperiaplay" domain registrations by a Swedish PR company that counts Sony Ericsson among its clients has led to suggestions that the upcoming PlayStation Android smartphone will launch as the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play. The gaming handset has been spotted in the wild on numerous occasions, complete with PlayStation-style control pad buttons, but so far its branding has been unclear. The hunt for the domains was prompted by PocketNow's discovery of an "XPERIA PLAY" trademark filing.

Some prototypes have used the XPERIA logo, as found on Sony Ericsson's current range of Android handsets, but other sources have suggested that the device would launch as the PlayStation Phone so as to better emphasize its gaming credentials. XperiaX10Blog discovered that Jung Relations has snapped up multiple "xperiaplay" domains, including the .com, .org, .co.uk and .net, however, leading to suggestions that it will be the name under which the smartphone will be released.

Sony had reportedly been concerned that launching the device with PlayStation branding might dilute the good reputation of its gaming range, so this seems like a halfway compromise that allows for both brands to be represented. The XPERIA Play is expected to make its official debut at MWC 2011 in February, though an actual release date is yet to be confirmed: leaks earlier this month suggested March 2011, though Pocket-lint reports today that their sources say it will be April before the gaming handset reaches the UK.

[via Android Community]