Sony Ericsson Adds PTT, EDGE
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 3/22/2004
ATLANTA — New Sony Ericsson phones on display here at Wireless 2004 include the company's first two push-to-talk (PTT) phones, its first EDGE-equipped phone and its first two U.S.-market camera phones that look like digital cameras.
All of the new phones are GSM models.
The company also unveiled its first GSM-network megapixel camera phone, and although the S700 will launch globally in the fourth quarter, Sony Ericsson declined to say if it would be marketed to carriers in the United States. The S700 would also be the company's first U.S. phone that swivels opens like a switchblade knife.
All of the camera-equipped models are the company's first U.S. camera phones with a built-in photo light, which uses low-power LEDs to light up a scene like a videocamera light.
Here's what the company plans to show:
The K700 and T637 are VGA camera phones with a so-called "dual-front" design. One side looks like a phone, and the other side looks like a camera. Consumers can hold them in a horizontal position like a camera to take a picture.
The K700, due in the second quarter, is a 900/1,800/1,900MHz GSM/GPRS model with 4x digital zoom, video-clip capture, built-in FM radio, MP3 player, 65K color screen, Bluetooth, IR, downloadable Java applications and 32MB internal memory to store images and data. A 3D graphics engine from Hi Corp. delivers faster game play than other 3D engines, the company contended. GPRS download speeds are up to 57.5Kbps.
The dual-front T637 camera phone is one of the company's two PTT phones, which like other GSM PTT phones are compliant with the PTT standard that will be finalized by the Open Mobile Alliance. The 850/1,800/1,900MHz model, due in the second quarter, takes VGA pictures, features 65K color screen and plays downloaded Java applications. Other features include Bluetooth, IR and GPRS.
The swiveling megapixel phone is the S700, due in the fourth quarter. The 1.3-megapixel model can be held horizontally when taking a picture. When it swivels open to reveal a dialing keypad and small LCD screen, it can be held vertically for use like a traditional cellular phone. Calls can also be placed when the phone is closed. Four buttons, a five-way navigation key and a large 2.3-inch 262K color TFT screen on the phone's front face make it possible for users to select and autodial phone-book entries, browse the Web, view messages and navigate the phone menu.
Other S700 features include 8x zoom, video-clip capture, removable Memory Stick Duo memory card, MP3 player, Java-app download capability, Bluetooth, IR and Hi Corp. 3D graphics engine. GPRS download speeds are up to 57.5kbps.
The company's first EDGE-equipped phone, the clamshell Z500, is also a PTT phone. The 850/1,800/1,900MHz model features VGA camera, Wireless Village-standard wireless instant messaging, organizer functions, downloadable Java applications, 65K color screen, and external color display that serves as a viewfinder, display picture caller ID, and display text messages. When it ships in the third quarter, it will be the fastest EDGE phone available, downloading data at speeds up to 240Kbps, the company contended. At 3.88 ounces, it delivers up to 10 hours of talk time or up to 264 hours of standby time. It lacks Bluetooth.
The fifth phone, the 850/1,900MHz GSM/GPRS T237, accepts the company's CommuniCam VGA camera attachment. The company also unveiled two new EDGE PC Cards, both triband models. One is destined for sales in overseas markets. The 850/1,800/1,900MHz model, which can be used in U.S. and foreign networks, is due in the U.S in the second quarter. The current model is an 850/1,900MHz model that operates only on U.S. networks.
In accessories, Sony Ericsson unveiled a Bluetooth TV attachment that displays digital pictures, video clips and Powerpoint slides stored on a Bluetooth-equipped cellphone. It plugs into the TV's RCA inputs and is expected to retail for $100 to $150.
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