Trying to get good pictures of this beast can be quite a challenge - especially when there are only so many units floating around the MWC site!

Fortunately, though, I managed a close (yet short) encounter with Sony Ericsson's first-ever Windows Mobile device, and had a brief handle of it before taking some quick shots of it...

In short, the XPERIA X1 is physically very well designed, and possesses good quality build. The slide works wondrously, most of the buttons felt right, and the device balanced well when held inside the hand in most usage scenarios. Considering that it's still a very early prototype, this is certainly a sign of good things to come.

The only complaint that I have so far is the thumbboard (or keyboard, whatever you want to call it), where the buttons on it seem to lack the proper depth to make it a truly usable input device. In other words, if there was a greater travel distance on the keys, then it would greatly increase the thumbboard's ergonomically friendliness.

But there was one good thing about its current design - and that was its tactility. The physical feedback that the thumbboard provides is excellent, and it could not have been any better.

And speaking of "early prototype", none of the models that I came across seemed to have on-board software that was ready for demonstration. All that was on show were the "Today" screen and "Panels" app display, nothing more. In some way, this goes to show just how much work has been done to the XPERIA X1's user interface - where the mention of a 2H08 release is border-line realistic (if I was to take a punt at a date, I would say earliest November-December).

But it will be interesting days ahead for both Sony Ericsson and Microsoft, as they try and make the now-highly-anticipated X1 product as good as it can possibly become. And on the day the X1 becomes available, it will also be the day when the bar gets raised for future Windows Mobile devices.

Who would've thought...

Yes, it's official! Sony Ericsson has joined the Windows Mobile (WM) camp, and has firmly rubber-stamped this by christening their newest flagship product, which will also represent a new sub-brand of handsets offering a full-on, "premium" experience for the very demanding individual.

The XPERIA brand will (attempt) to bring the best of all worlds to its user, through the many aspects that can make a mobile phone a truly wondrous device to own and operate. In Sony Ericsson's eyes, the XPERIA X1 - being the christening model - will offer a "convergence of multimedia entertainment and mobile Web communication" through the provision of various on-board features, including:

• A unique arc slider design with a wide pitch, easy-to-use QWERTY thumbboard;
• The XPERIA panel interface: arrange different panels (or screens) for use to your convenience;
• Multiple navigation methods: the XPERIA X1 allows users to navigate the device via touch, full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key, and optical joystick navigation;
• An 800-by-480-pixel (WVGA) widescreen with a viewable diagonal of three inches, offering the ultimate viewing experience;
• Quad-band UMTS (850/1700/1900/2100 or 900/1700/1900/2100) plus quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) mobile network support;
• True HSPA (HSDPA + HSUPA) data support when in 3G, and EDGE whilst under GSM; and
• A-GPS, Bluetooth, WLAN and 3.2-megapixel camera built-in.

Of course, the XPERIA X1 will too benefit from all the goodness that Windows Mobile has to offer - but only after Sony Ericsson has made all the necessary customisations and modifications to bring it in line with its UI standards. I will be very interested to see just how well Sony Ericsson does this in the coming months, and present us with a product that we can be truly proud to own.

The XPERIA X1 is expected to arrive sometime during the second half of 2008, which gives them quite a bit of time to come up with something truly worthwhile.

Resources: XPERIA X1 - product site | XPERIA X1 - technical specifications

Prior to their press announcement earlier tonight, Sony Ericsson - in my opinion - possessed a pretty average product portfolio only. An inundation of Walkman phone models, a disappointing Cyber-shot successor, and the lack of a viable smartphones wasn't exactly what I had hoped for from a phone maker who was clearly coming up in the ranks.

But what they showed off tonight at their launch event, a day prior to the official opening of the GSMA's Mobile World Congress 2008 show in Barcelona, will put an ease to my worries, and possibly my rather negative attitude (of late), towards the phone maker. Seven new, and interesting, models were introduced, with six of which I am about to go into briefly:


Sony Ericsson W980i

Bringing Walkman power to the A300 phone platform, the new, very sleek-looking W980i` clamshell is finished in a shiny layer of gloss (similar to that of the W960i) and brings along a number of eye-catching features. For starters, it comes with a 8-gigabyte internal memory for the storage of music and other multimedia content - which can be ample for most, but well-sufficient for us demanding types. A built-in FM transmitter feature allows the broadcasting of its on-board music to a compatible radio device, such as the car's FM stereo system.

And because it's a clamshell, Sony Ericsson has added a high-res sub-display to keep things interesting during its closed state, as well as a set of touch-sensitive buttons for controlling the on-board Walkman functionality. Plus, there are those pretty orange lights and blink on and off whenever the player is actively playing your collection.

Other complements to be founded include the top-of-the-line Walkman technologies (SensMe and Shake Control), A2DP wireless stereo support, a 3.2-megapixel camera with all the bells and whistles (Photo Fix, picture blogging, auto-rotate on reviewing), and an RDS-compatible FM radio.


Sony Ericsson G700 and G900

Smartphones, as "smart" as they are sometimes, can be quite an overwhelming piece of technology for the average joe. Even for those who prepare themselves for the challenge, the ultimate result may end up being a devastating one - which has been the case for many who've been burnt by the ill-performing UIQ platform of late.

However, this time round, it looks as though Sony Ericsson may have finally gotten the formula right, with the release of the G700 and G900 models. The one thing differentiating them with those that have come and gone is the handset's physical design. Instead of taking up a sophisticated set of input keys, with the initial aim of increasing user productivity (which, in most cases, results in the opposite effect), a typical numpad and nav key design genre has instead been retained.

In short, what this means is that users won't need to relearn the basics of using a mobile phone, and instead extend their practicality through the use of the touchscreen interface. Whether it's the tap of the finger or the included stylus, getting one's head around doing so has become more intuitive than it is a head-scratcher!

So what sets these two models apart? Well, starting with the G700, it is a 3G-based handset with an in-built 3.2-megapixel camera and a set of music playback features (A2DP, Mega Bass, TrackID). On the G900, the camera is upgraded to 5 megapixels, and WLAN becomes standard issue.


Sony Ericsson C702 and C902

Next, we have two new Cyber-shot models - one targeted towards those with active lifestyles (C702), and a 12-millimetre thin design appealing to those who have a thing for slimline designs (C902).

Starting with the C702, this 3.2-megapixel AF-enabled model has a very unique design proposition - its exterior shell is designed to be splash and dust resistant, making it one of the first camera-orientated models to earn these special abilities - plus more, such as the geo-tagging of pictures (or placing GPS-based location markers on pictures as they are taken). No longer should the user be worried of bringing a true camera phone to the beach or outing, where reluctance sets in upon such a thought. And even if shooting pics isn't your forte, the C702's other features - such as its A-GPS facility (backed by the native Google Maps and Wayfinder apps) and those taken-for-granted music applications - should be reason enough for you to consider this rather unique entrant.

On an alternate front, the C902 is a model targeted towards the style-conscious, with its thin and sliding-camera form factor. Functionality-wise, it possesses a 5-megapixel AF camera with an almost-full list of complements (BestPic, image stabiliser, photo fix, picture blogging, video recording with stabiliser) - plus a new 'face detection' feature, which you can probably guess its designated purpose. Sadly, it only gets a photo light as opposed to a proper Xenon flash, which would've made things real nice (but we all know that no phone maker wouldn't make such an un-profitable move). For other things, the C902 emulates its aforementioned cousin - but less the elements-resistant design.


Sony Ericsson Z770i

Being possibly the least stunning model of those announced today, Sony Ericsson has positioned this particular clamshell model towards users looking for a near-full-on web (online) experience on their mobile phone. Its clean and compact folder design can be appealing to some, not just on its aesthetics but also those practical implications too. The availability of HSDPA (3.5G), A-GPS (supported by Google Maps), plus the broad email support for popular web-based services (as well as Exchanged-based mail) makes it a device that some of us might not be able to do without for even a second!

Again, we should see all of the above models on or before this coming June.

Also on the agenda this past week was Sony Ericsson's unveiling of two different handset themes - and each consisting of two different models.

Starting off with the more-interesting, the new R300i Radio and R306i Radio models will be one of the first mobile phones on the market to support both FM and AM radio broadcasts - a feature that will spark great interest amongst radio go-ers. With "radio" being the central design theme here, Sony Ericsson has equipped both models with loudspeakers (mono output on the R300i candy bar, and stereo on the R306i clamshell's dual-setup), quick access buttons for station presets and sound control, the ability to record a portion of a broadcast, and even have the radio set up as your alarm clock!

Other on-the-side features include a 3D audio enhancement option, volume boost option for listeners in noisy environments, TrackID, Bluetooth, and a built-in camera (VGA on the R300i, 1.3 megapixels on the R306i). These tri-band models will come in two different flavours - one for the general world market (GSM 900/1800/1900), and the other for the Americas (GSM 850/1800/1900).

Moving on, the T270i and T280i pair are models that share almost-identical physical characteristics and feature sets, with the minor exception that the latter feautres an additional 1.3-megapixel camera only. Both iterations will come packed with those pretty-much-expected phone features, plus support for Bluetooth and musical capabilities (FM radio and MP3 audio playback). And to top it off, Sony Ericsson has kept things simple by making them GSM Dual Band only - which means 900/1800 support for general world markets, and 850/1900 for the Americas.

Release of the latter T-series set will take place sometime this quarter, while the R300i and R306i should follow sometime in Q2 and Q3 respectively.

Resources: R300i Radio - general product pages | R306i Radio - general product pages | T270i - general product pages | T280i - general product pages

Apart from the fact that they didn't send us the press releases, I wasn't actually expecting Sony Ericsson to show off new products at CES. But then again, times are a changing, are they not?

Three new phones kick off SE's 2008 product portfolio. While they may not be the spectacular ones, which I would expect to see at the Mobile World Congress in early February, these models should appeal to those of us in search of greater practicality from their phones:

Sony Ericsson W350i

Labelled as "simple to use, stylish to carry", the W350i seems just that in the specs and numerous pictures provided. With a depth of just slightly over one centimetre (or 15 millimetres, to be more precise), it becomes one of the thinnest folder-based phone designs made available by Sony Ericsson. This is achieved by utilising a thin "flap" panel enclosing the main keypad area - while, at the same time, also offering three audio control buttons on its exterior for a seamless music-listening experience.

A 1.3-megapixel camera is also included for taking those candid shots, along with those other basic-but-useful Sony Ericsson phone features and functions - including basic Bluetooth data and stereo audio, USB (mass storage, data connectivity), picture blogging via Blogger, and support for "offline" (flight) mode should it become a necessity.

The W350i comes with a tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) radio, will support both GPRS and EDGE data connections, and include a 512MB Memory Stick Micro (M2) card right out of the box. For people in the Americas, the W350a model will be GSM 850/1800/1900 compatible instead.

Commercial release of this model is expected for sometime during Q2 of 2008.

Resources: W350i - technical specifications

Sony Ericsson W760i

The W760i may look like a model already on SE's current portfolio (W910i?) - but you might think otherwise of it once being told of its more-superior features.

But from the list of features, the one making the most noise would be its in-built GPS module. Out-of-the-box, the W760i is also preloaded with a choice of two different mapping software apps: Wayfinder Navigator and Google Maps. Both of these will require users to connect to the Internet (via the phone's data support) for use, with the former requiring an active subscription for its use.

On other fronts, the W760i learns most of its tricks from the existing K850i Cyber-shot model. Except for the 5-megapixel imaging, numerous crucial features - like the 7-band (UMTS 850/1900/2100 plus GSM 850/900/1800/1900) network support, built-in motion sensing for gaming and auto display reorientation, and the ability to utilise the various data methods available (GPRS, EDGE, W-CDMA, HSDPA) - bring this latest Walkman model to the front line.

And finally, but not least, all of the basic Walkman features - along with the new SensMe technology - will be available with the W760i. At the end of the day, it's still a model branded as a music-concentric telephony device.

Release for this model is slated for sometime during Q2 of 2008.

Resources: W760i - technical specifications

Sony Ericsson Z555i

And for the grand finale, Sony Ericsson has gone for an aesthetically-focused design.

The Z555i, with its unique diamond reflective finishing and sophisticated details, is a tri-band GSM handset offering the phone basics of today in an elegant-looking design. Upon release, it will be available in two different colour schemes - Diamond Black and Dusted Rose.

Basic features include support for gesture control (for muting incoming calls or snoozing an alarm), an LED-based external display that's discreetly hidden beneath the glimmering panel, and - of course - the typical features found on most current Sony Ericsson handsets of similar calibre (refer to the official web site here for more details).

Again, this is a handset for those that place styling over functionality. Availability of the Z555i is expected for sometime during January, and Sony Ericsson has also created a "Design Collection" of four leather bags that offer "unique and creative carrying solutions" to complement its unique styling.

Resources: Z555i - technical specifications

In addition to the Walkman models, Sony Ericsson also showed off their newest K-series entrant for the mass market, plus their first USB data modem device...

Sony Ericsson K660i

The K660i is a model orientated towards providing an enriched mobile web experience. With its higher-res QVGA display, 3G-based HSDPA data support, and - most importantly - the availability of dedicated web shortcut keys (used in the browser's landscape view mode), it allows the user to access web sites as easily and as comfortable as possible on such a device - given the physical restrictions imposed on most typical handset designs.

And just like the K810i and the K850i, where the camera function indicators illuminate upon the camera's activation, the web shortcut icons on the K660i will light up when the browser is turned on - specifically, when the display mode is set to landscape. Once again, the aim is to increase overall user-ability when accessing Internet content via the internal browser is concerned.

Quite simply, the K660i is more of a product extension of the yet-to-be-released K630i, announced less than a month ago. Notable differences between the two include the added GSM 850 support (making the K660i quad-band GSM compatible), a higher-res display, horizontal web browsing support, and a design that's by far more eye-comforting - where it will come in two different colour combos: Lime on White, and Wine on Black... your pick!

Sony Ericsson MD300

If you're like me, being someone who prefers to have their laptop with them whenever possible, then the MD300 is a must-get if Internet connectivity is crucial wherever you may be. While many handsets are able to accomplish the same end result, it just doesn't beat the simplicity that this attachment can provide as a mobile broadband modem.

With a size similar to the typical USB flash drive key, it makes the MD300 really compact to carry around, yet not too small to misplace. To use, simply plug it into your Windows-enabled PC, or even a Mac, where it gets recognised (after installation of all appropriate drivers and settings). And within just a few secs, Internet accessibility becomes available - until you decide otherwise. A multi-colour led surrounding the SE branding area will indicate the modem's current working state upon its connection.

Installation and setup is also a cinch! For Windows (Windows 2000, XP, Vista) users, the MD300 will come with pre-installed software and drivers that get automatically installed onto the connected system. Once the initial foundation is laid, connectivity is just a few clicks away. If you're a Mac (OS X) user, SE has stated that these drivers "will be available for download" - most probably by the time of its release.

The MD300 is compatible with all major network frequencies currently used by the GSM (850/900/1800/1900) and UMTS (850/1900/2100) standards, as well as the data standards associated with these - that is, GPRS & EDGE for GSM, and W-CDMA & HSDPA (up to 3.6 Mbps) for UMTS.

SE expects to release both the K660i and MD300 products sometime during Q1 of 2008.

Resources: K660i - technical specifications | MD300 - press release

Once again, Sony Ericsson brings us their stylish handset designs in the form of music-concentric Walkman models - two, to be precise.

The W890i, being the obvious successor to the current W880i, sports a similarly thin body as well as materials usage (brushed aluminium panels). But its design is no longer so "out there", shown by their return to a more traditional button design (for the numeric keypad) and choice of colour schema.

In the features department, 'SensMe' (the SE-based technology that creates playlists based on mood) has been added along with the updated Walkman 3.0 player. A 2GB memory card (Memory Stick Micro, or 'M2') will also be included to get its user started, whether it's for music - or even photos (the W890i comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera, up from the previous model's 2.0 MP support).

On network-based capabilities, its 2G (GSM) transceiver has been upgraded from tri-band to quad-band (850/900/1800/1900), thereby expanding its overall usability in markets specifically within the Americas. The new HSDPA support will result in faster data transmission speeds (on networks supporting this new standard) for those using a 3G network.

And if you're wondering about the FM radio, then be rest assured to know that it will be included with this latest release - unlike the careless neglect which the W880i received...

Alternatively, the W380i - being the more down-to-earth model - is the ultimate candidate for anyone wanting choice in their enjoyment of music, and at an affordable price. Let it be the choice of audio accessory, which it can cater for both wired or wireless (Bluetooth-based) devices, or even the type of storage medium used - between Sony's M2 or the now-widely-used microSD format.

Static buttons on the clamshell's front, enabling quick navigation of tracks, makes moving through playlists and libraries pure child's play! An OLED display, intuitively camouflaged beneath the panel, can show the name of the currently-played track, the frequency of the tuned-in radio station, as well as any other phone-based notification messages - such as received messages or incoming and missed calls.

But what's most interesting about the W380i is the gesture control feature. By simply hovering your hand over the phone, it's possible to mute an incoming call alert, or even the alarm clock tone should it go off. I'm not exactly sure how this will work (as I've yet to see the real deal) - but I believe it'll be a practical feature for some of us.

There'll be no 3G with the W380i - but it will be offered in two different tri-band GSM variants (900/1800/1900 or 850/1800/1900 MHz), along with both GPRS and EDGE data capabilities. Again, two different colour variants - Electric Purple and Magnetic Grey - will be available on launch.

And when shall we expect such greatness to arrive? Well, SE has slated these products for commercial release during Q1 of 2008. No luck here if you're still in search for a gift to put under the tree...

Resources: W380i - technical specifications | W890i - technical specifications

Normally, I wouldn't bother with accessory announcements. But in this case, resistance was futile...

Now, if I hadn't mentioned "music" in the title, would you have guessed what this contraption really was?

Sony Ericsson calls it a 'Portable Bluetooth Speaker' - and it's certainly one of the most interesting I've ever seen. Announced along with the K630i, this uniquely-designed unit is expected to appeal to music lovers who'd like to bring their collection around with them. Its reasonably-sized footprint (100mm diameter) makes it truly portable, and it also comes with a specially-designed case protecting it from the elements when not in use.

Not only can it be taken around, the MBS-100 - its official designation - is able to stream music wirelessly from a compatible phone supporting Bluetooth A2DP. And since this is a Sony Ericsson product, it'll probably work best with their recommended list of handsets - and, possibly, with other brands of A2DP-compatlble handsets (?). Alternatively, it can also be hooked up to an audio source via a standard 3.5mm audio jack

And just like their other accessories, the MBS-100 comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that, I am guessing, gets replenished via a standard Fast Port charger. A single full charge should allow for up to five full hours of music playback, which is pretty darn good for something of its calibre.

A Q4 release is expected for this very unique piece of art. I do hope that it'll lives up to expectations - as I'm already trying to think of a prominent place to put it...

Resources: General product pages

Sony Ericsson today finally decided on taking the wraps off a model that we (sort of) already know about...

The K630i, or also known as the generic variant of the Vodafone-only V640i, is - similarly - a 3.5G-enabled candy bar handset aimed at the masses. On the outside, it seems to share distinct aesthetic qualities as those present on the K608i (ex the mixed use of materials) - but looking quite smart at the same time, in both the "Quick Black" and "Havana Gold" colours. Internally, it features a tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900) plus UMTS 2100 transceiver and can handle all data standards, from GPRS right up to HSDPA (yes, EDGE is also supported - for the many of us who find a need for it).

Some of the other, more noteworthy, features of this phone include:

• a new standby display supporting "widgets" (possibly shortcuts and notification icons);
• a new 'Media browser' that lets its user review all accessible multimedia content easily, and clearly;
• a standard 2.0-megapixel camera with fixed focus lens;
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync pre-loaded - allows the mirroring of your desktop's inbox, and replying to messages where necessary;
• built-in stereo FM radio transceiver;
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and USB 2.0 (full speed) support;
• 32MB built-in memory plus 256MB Memory Stick Micro (M2) included with sales package; and
• all the standard tidbits: A2DP wireless stereo audio support, blogging of pictures and videos, PlayNow 4.0, and TrackID.

Being the natural evolution of the K610i, Sony Ericsson has spec'ed the K630i quite well - with the exception of one very important element: the LCD. Why the refusal to upgrade the display resolution to QVGA (or 240-by-320 pixels) when it's got all the features that warrant such an upgrade - like the HSDPA support, for example, which opens the K630i up to a broader spectrum of Internet content.

In any case, the K630i is coming sometime in the fourth quarter of '07 - in "selected markets", of course.

Resources: General product pages | Technical specifications

( For anyone who's interested in the Vodafone-only V640i, which I carelessly missed - and didn't receive the press release for, the following are the relevant resources: General product pages | Technical specifications)

(I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I missed this one - somehow. Even so, I thought I'd just touch on the subject anyway...)

If you're into stylish-looking phones, then here's three that might tickle your fancy.

Sony Ericsson, in conjunction with Vodafone, will be releasing the upcoming V640i and W910i models, plus the existing slimline W880i Walkman phone, in an exclusive colour range branded as the 'Havana' collection. Each of the three models would take on a unique Havana colour tone - the V640i in Havana Gold, the W910i in Havana Bronze, and straight Havana for the W880i.

The 'Havana' models will have exactly the same specs as the generically-coloured models. So, it's all a matter of whether you take on a liking for these unique colour creations.

According to the Sony Ericsson press release, availability of these models will be available in specific Vodafone markets in Europe only (quoting):

The Havana collection will be available across a number of Vodafone Operating Companies in Europe including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom, in the coming months.

Out of your reach, and you really want one? Well, I guess there's always eBay...

There’s nothing quite like a product facelift - being a step that’s usually taken to prolong the life cycle of an existing product design, along with its (possible) success. For Sony Ericsson, it’s common practice to find a revised edition of an original released within a six-to-nine-month timeframe - but the arrival of the K810i model had come a tad later than expected...

Continue reading the K810i review...

The gap in Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shot product portfolio has finally been filled, with the annoucement of their latest camera phone, the K770i.

Sporting a 3.2-megapixel (auto-focus) camera, and a 1.9-inch virtual viewfinder / display, it offers similar (but not all) features as those found on the K810i - including the new 'Photo Fix' application that allow for various imaging editions to be made, PictBridge image printing via USB, and the option to blog straight from the handset.

Design-wise, I actually quite like it. The 'Truffle Brown' colour scheme does make it look that much more tasty - yet, I have to agree that photos don't do quite the justice needed for me to hand judgement just yet.

The K770i is expected to arrive sometime during Q4 this year.

Resources: General product pages | Technical specifications