UPDATE: Sony Ericsson has been in touch to tell us the Aino is still on sale, although it acknowledges there are software issues affecting its touchscreen performance. Sony Ericsson’s full statement is below. If you’ve had any problems with the Aino, let us know in the comments section below.
“Sony Ericsson in the UK confirms that it is aware of a reported software issue regarding the Aino handset and using the touchscreen interface in particular. We are working as quickly as we can to solve it. Aino is still on sale in the UK and this issue affects only a very small number of handsets.”
Just days after the Sony Ericsson Satio handset was withdrawn from the shelves of Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U, it seems Sony Ericsson’s Aino handset has suffered the same fate.
The Aino has reportedly suffered from a number of software issues, mainly to do with the touch-screen functionality. Sony Ericsson claims that, due to limited sales of the Aino, which was only released last month, the problems will only affect a small number of users.
With Christmas just around the corner, the double whammy of withdrawals could not have come at a worse time for the world’s fourth largest mobile phone developer. “Aino and Satio are Sony Ericsson’s key products for the final quarter,” said Geoff Blaber from consultancy firm CCS Insight. “They have days not weeks to fix these issues.”
A spokesman for Sony Ericsson said the latest faults are not a major problem and that: “at the moment, we don’t see any damage or harm done.”
It’s pretty clear that plenty of damage has been done though. With just 20-odd shopping days until Christmas, the failings of two of Sony Ericsson’s flagship handsets can only mean a frantic pre-Christmas period for the mobile phone giant.
Have you got a Sony Ericsson Aino suffering software faults? Let us know in the comments section below, with as much information as possible about where you bought it, which network you’re on, and a full explanation of the problems.
Out Now | Free (on certain contracts) | Sony Ericsson (via Softpedia)
I had a go with one, but it was so slow I sent it back to Mobiles.co.uk. Looks good, works like a dog. Not surprised it’s buggy – mine lasted two days before getting the heave ho. Holding out for a new Nokia now.
Thanks DaddyK – what was wrong with it? So far, Sony Ericsson has only said there are issues with the touchscreen. Interested to know precisely what was wrong as details are patchy on this and the Satio withdrawal too.
Is this a stupid question, but if they know it’s buggy and it doesn’t work WHY IS IT STILL ON SALE? knowingly selling a faulty product? I’m sure there’re laws against that…
Worrying, isn’t it? Makes you wonder what other products it has out there that aren’t up to scratch?
Even with the announcement that the Aino hasn’t actually been withdrawn, you’re still unlikely to fork out for an admittedly buggy phone. Bad times for SE.
It’s not a stupid question Viper, in fact I’ve gone back to Sony Ericsson and asked it. I’ll keep you posted when they respond.
Whatever it is isn’t an entirely universal problem – the touchscreen on the model I tested worked fine. The baffling thing is Sony E’s software: weirdly, yhe touchscreen mode only works in lock mode (By intent, not a bug). Why they didn’t just apply it to their normal menu UI as well is beyond me.
I have an Aino and i think it’s great (easily the best phone on the market with a proper keypad), except for one major design flaw…. it’s very easy to accidently unlock the touchscreen by the button getting knocked in your pocket, and then the music or video player starts playing something!
Can be quite embarrassing when i’m with a customer at work and Dizzee Rascal/Jay-z/50 Cent starts blaring out!
All they had to do was include an option for the button to only lock the screen, and to unlock it have to slide the phone open!
Really hope that happens in the next (first) software update!
Yeah, I can imagine it being awkward when it starts sounding like your trousers are telling a customer that they’ve been keeping an eye on her movement!
Have recentle upgraded my phone to the Aino and have discovered that I am unable to take videos. When putting it in record mode the phone makes a beep and goes straight back to the touch screen main menu. Has anyone else had any problems with this as I would like to know if it is something I am doing wrong before I send it back to carphone warehouse. Thanks
my telephone does not have wifi and 3G.i went to my service provider and was told that my phone is faulty.i just bought last week . what should i do
If it’s faulty then you should be able to get a replacement under the standard warranty
I’m now on my 2nd Aino having upgraded in December. The first one worked ok for a week or so and then the touchscreen completely stopped working meaning i can’t zoom or change to video’s when taking pictures. It also means i can’t turn my alarm on snooze in the morning, very annoying for me! Anyway, o2 sent me a replacement on new years eve and the new one worked really well, much quicker and i was really pleased but today the touchscreen has given up the ghost again, hence me looking on the net for reported faults and found this! At least i know it’s a design fault. I’ve called o2 again and they said they could replace it again as im having the same problem but their systems are down so nothing can be done till Monday! The thing is im now in a 24 month contract (very silly of me) and if this is a design fault im going to be stuck with a broken phone for 2 years – can i ask for a different model even though im out of the 28 days return policy?