The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is quite an old smartphone now, but that hasn't stopped Sony Ericsson promising to do everything in its power to bring Gingerbread to it !

Infact, Sony Ericsson have now announced they expect the latest version of Android to hit the X10 in August. Although this may seem far away it's not easy to bring the latest technology to older smartphones and we're quite impressed it's going to be possible at all.

Amazingly, the vast majority of Gingerbread functionality will be available on the Xperia X10. That includes  the new user-interface , WiFi and USB tethering and the ability to install applications on a microSD card. 

Further improvements include the addition of a horizontal app tray and media widgets that's seen in new Xperia products. One thing that's often overlooked when your mobile receives an update is the amount of new applications you'll be able to download from the Android market.

When the update was first announced for the X10 many users were worried they may use some camera functionality that was present in the Eclair version of Android. However, Sony Ericsson have now managed to retain the features after the update to Android Gingerbread.

One thing that will be missing from the Xperia X10 is support for DLNA. The reason for it's omission is that you need certain approvals to add the technology and Sony Ericcson stated that it would delay the release of the update.

Sadly, Sony Ericsson confirmed that Gingerbread would not be coming to the X10 Mini, X10 Mini Pro or X8 because they don't have sufficient RAM to run the latest in operating system technology.

The Xperia X10 Gingerbread update will hit SIM-free mobiles in August, while those with operator branded handsets will need to wait for their operator to release the update.