Tech
Sony Ericsson showcases new phones
Sony Ericsson is targeting fashion-conscious mobile phone users and gamers with the latest additions to its range of handsets and accessories.
The most sophisticated of the three new Sony Ericsson models on show in London on Wednesday is the Z600--a clamshell handset with a 65K colour screen, a built-in camera, and Bluetooth compatibility.
Philip Rambech, Sony Ericsson's UK and Ireland managing director, told assembled journalists in London that the Z600 includes 32 polyphonic ring tones, a dedicated polyphonic speaker, a music DJ application, and a range of swappable covers and graphical display themes. It also features force-feedback, which will be used in conjunction with games such as V-Rally2.
A cut-down version of the classic Playstation controller, called the Gameboard EGB-10, will soon go on sale. It clips onto the bottom of the Z600, giving the user four buttons and a thumb controller, which the company believes will make for a better gaming experience. "With the Gameboard EGB-10, we're taking another step forward to a real gaming experience on a phone," claimed Rambech.
All three phones are set to ship in the fourth quarter of 2003. Precise pricing details were not available.
Sony Ericsson also showed off a small remote-control car that could be driven via a Bluetooth handset. The Bluetooth Car-100 attracted plenty of attention at CeBIT, and there are now plans to create a limited run of several thousand more.
All products will be available in Asia-Pacific from October this year.