Sony’s concept Android software has now entered early testing with 500 Xperia Z3 owners in Sweden, and the first screenshots have begun to surface. The gallery below shows off the major changes Sony is making, which includes stripping out its own user interface.

Sony’s new software is essentially pure Android 5.1 Lollipop, which a few Sony tweaks here and there. At first glance, the software looks just like that of a Nexus device, though it comes pre-installed with Sony’s own Album, Camera, and Calculator apps.

Believe it or not, the software features Sony’s own launcher — that’s evident from the icons in the home screen switcher — but it’s been scaled back to look just like stock Android.

It’s important to remember that this is a very early release, and lots could change before the software makes its public debut (we still have no idea when that will be). We’re hoping Sony will keep things simple and stick with the pure Android look, but we can’t be sure that will happen.

• SourceSwedroid
• ViaXperiaBlog