In a weekend blog posting, the phone giant explains - in some detail - how to create a customised kernel for the Xperia and remove the operator's branding, as well as the main Sony Ericsson `sense' interface from Android.
The `How to build a Linux kernel and flash it to the phone' guide is billed as providing details of what the Linux kernel is; why modify it; how to get the kernel source; how to configure the kernel source; how to compile it; and flash it to your device.
According to forum postings, the guide is worth reading, "even if you don't have a lot of knowledge of Linux development."
Commenting on the guide, the Devworks newswire says that the software world has come to rely on locking measures that the world of hardware never had to deal with.
"We are quite used to getting our microwaves, and TVs services by third parties, especially when out of warranty. We have also come to understand that modifying our devices in any way not permitted by the manufacturer will void the warranty contract we have with them", says the newswire.
"Surely it isn't always fair, but it often reaches a middle-ground in protecting the manufacturers and the customers", it adds.
The newswire goes on to say that you would expect similar levels of freedom with software, especially since damaged software can always be reflashed/reset to its original state.
Middle ground, it notes, can easily be reached by giving people an option to unlock their device and use whatever software on it they wish.
Despite this, Devworks says that is often not the case.