Sony Ericsson Developer World was announced the release of the Sony Ericsson Beta Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows Mobile 6.1, a set of tools, plug-ins and documentation that allows developers to build and test XPERIA Panels and applications for Windows Mobile 6.1 to be used on the XPERIA X1 phone, the innovative multimedia phone announced earlier this year that combines Windows Mobile 6.1 software with Sony Ericsson’s unique XPERIA Panel user interface.

“Sony Ericsson is committed to providing its customers with rich, open content environment to make their mobile experience more enjoyable and entertaining,” said Rikko Sakaguchi , CVP and Head of Creation and Development at Sony Ericsson. “Making the Windows Mobile SDK available for free to developers and mobile content creators will accelerate the development of new panels and applications for the Xperia™ X1, offering consumer choice and personalisation. The Xperia™ X1 will offer the richest mobile user experience, putting the world at the fingertips of the user.”

The default Xperia panels supplied with the X1 are said to include:

• Sony Ericsson - provides news, weather, finance, world clock, and shortcuts to communication and applications
• Media Experience - allows playing multimedia files
• Slideshow - delivers a slideshow of recently taken videos and photos
• Microsoft Today - the actual Microsoft Today screen
• 3D Fish - a fish tank with 3D fishes, intended to showcase the 3D features of the phone
• FM Radio - for accessing the device’s FM radio
• Google - provides access to Google services

The Xperia X1 SDK includes the following, according to the company:

• An Xperia X1 device emulator that runs on Windows desktop PCs
• Visual Studio templates, for both native and HTML panels, that create basic project containers and preliminary items
• Developers’ guidelines, with overviews, setup information, and walk through.
• An API reference guide
• Tutorials
• Sample projects

Xperia panels are described by the company as “Windows Mobile applications that extend the Today Screen API [application programming interface] in order to provide a full-screen immersive experience.”

The Xperia X1 is the first product under Sony Ericsson’s new premium sub-brand Xperia. The Xperia X1 can be personalised through its nine panel user interface to suit the user’s moods and lifestyle. Users can access content quickly and directly through the touch screen, easily switching between applications by touching one of the unique customisable panels.

Before we end, take a look the video below:

Mobile users are waiting for this to happen with hope in their hearts, while other handset manufacturers might dread the imminent arrival (meaning, that Xperia X1 might be better than their products). The download file is 9.1 megabytes, and can be downloaded directly here.