If the idea of having an Android Gingerbread (2.3) smartphone geared towards your media consuming habits is something that delights you, but you can’t stand having a contract, then Sony has just the right deal for you. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, which Engadget calls “one of the best handsets we’ve seen from Sony Ericsson,” is being sold in Sony stores, unlocked for $599. With a gorgeous 4.2-inch Reality Display powered by Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, an 8.3 mexapixel Sony Exmor R camera with LED flash, wireless N, and HDMI out, you’re surely destined to stand out from the Android crowd, which is something that’s very hard to do with what seems like is a new handset released with software from the guys at Mountain View.

[Via Sony]