Best Phone Blog

Satio owners will love the new update that Sony Ericsson is brewing up for the Symbian smart phone. The update will add in new media features, better video recording and additional social networking features –which is pointless if you do not use Facebook (but who doesn’t?).

Yep, users will now have an integrated Facebook application in PlayNow. No word yet on what specific Facebook features will be supported, but we expect to see basic stuff like commenting, setting status updates and posting links to be present.

Media uploads to Facebook has also been improved for both videos and images. Images now have quick access uploads to Facebook and videos go to your YouTube account. Speaking of videos, Satio owners will now be able to record videos in WVGA quality (wide screen) –a missing feature in the original device. This will allow users to fully appreciate having a powerful 12 mega pixel camera on their smart phone (the camera comes with LED video lights, Xenon flash, auto focus, geo-tagging and smile and face detection).

New in the patch is DLNA support for media transfers and some tweaks in the graphics of the user interface to make things even better.

For those of you who missed out on this impressive Symbian series 60 smart phone, the Satio is a media centric device that comes with an impressive 3.5 inch TFT touch screen with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels (color display capacity of 16 million). It also has an impressive 12 MP snapper (see details above) and it runs on an ARM Cortex A8 600MHz CPU.

With the new patch that delivers plenty of social networking integration, this phone is now one of the best devices in the 600 MHz range in terms of price, availability and specifications.

Get to know more about the update for the Satio at GSM Arena.

According to the CEO of Sony, the company is currently working on a new device that will provide “Apple-like” web services. It’s a vague idea, but many are already speculating the possibility of an upcoming PSP phone.

The rumors about the PSP phone have been around for quite a while, and despite the PSP Go already being out on the market (it supports Skype), people are still clamoring for a handheld game device that will actually read a SIM card.

First off, we want to see the PSP phone. More than anything else, the new device will set a new standard for games for mobile phones –forget the fact that Windows Phone 7 series will allow players to access to downloadable XBL titles, the PSP has some serious hardcore games –it’s UMD library alone plays hosts to many great titles for many game genres such as FPS’s, RPGs, and 3D action titles.

Major hits such as God of War, Little Big Planet, Grand Theft Auto, Ace Combat and Metal Gear Portable Ops are all on the PSP –making the PSP phone a force to reckon with despite having no initial app support. The XMB (or cross media bar) is a simple yet stylish user interface that is totally unlike anything regular phone users are used to.

Sadly, the new announcement makes no mention of the possibility of the PSP phone. The Apple-like device can be anything from an iPod Touch inspired device (like the Sony MyLo) or a tablet like the iPad. In any case, Sony Corporation has yet to say that Sony Computer Entertainment will be involved in the new device –which means that we might not be seeing anything Playstation related at all.

Get to know more about the new regarding the new Sony device with Apple-like features at Know Your Mobile.

The soon to be released Sony Ericsson Aspen device is really in the continuing tradition established by Sony’s previous devices such as the Xperia X1 and X2. The Aspen is, in fact, Sony’s third Windows mobile powered device and, despite the fact that there is currently no definite retail release date, the Aspen is currently scheduled to be released around April 2010 and will also be known as the Sony Faith in some markets. The Aspen will mainly be aimed towards the business end of the market and is ramped with all of the typically high-end features that a demanding business user would demand.

The Aspen has been manufactured using Sony Ericsson’s Greenheart range of ecologically friendly materials, reassuring potential purchasers that the device has been largely constructed from recycled materials. Happily the device will also come with very little packaging, which will be encouraging for all and not just the green-inclined. In a further fascinating development on the green credentials of the phone it does not include the otherwise de rigueur instruction manual, instead opting for a .pdf format instruction booked stored in the device itself. The way things are going this could be an excellent coup by Sony and many manufacturers may also end up going the same way in future. Users might well find it of benefit to copy the .pdf file directly to their home computer upon receipt, as this will allow instant and trouble-free access to the instructions in case you encounter any problems with the device itself. It will also mean that there will be no need to trawl the Web looking for the instructions in the event that anything goes wrong with the phone. The phone is helped further as a green warrior by the fact that it is finished with waterborne paint which is much more environmentally friendly than the alternatives.

Upon first sight the Aspen does pretty well resemble a traditional Blackberry and also has a four-row QWERTY keyboard. The phone’s display is very good indeed, and its 2.4-inch display size features a TFT touchscreen that is capable of sowing 16 million colours. The touchscreen is a useful addition to the device, affording users a choice between this and the integral keyboard. The device is also able to support handwriting recognition. There is also an auto-rotate functionality which affords users a choice of angles form which the display can be viewed.

The Aspen is a well-supported device as far as connectivity is concerned as it features quad-band GSM, Bluetooth 2.1 and can be connected to a computer by means of a Micro USB, all of which make for complete global coverage-essential for the business market at which the device is principally aimed. The Aspen has an internal storage capacity of 100MB and this can be further bolstered by using a MicroSD memory card which will bulk memory capacity up to 16GB. A 4GB card will be supplied with the basic package.

The Aspen also supports all principal messaging platforms, excellent for its business credentials as well as including e-mail and push e-mail. The push e-mail facility is a great little feature and no doubt it will richly appeal to the business community as it pops up e-mail alerts on your homepage alerting you to the fact that your account has received a new e-mail, thereby cutting out the need to keep signing in and out of your account. It also immediately supports Facebook, Skype, YouTube and Twitter and also includes Pocket Office which allows a wide range of documents to be viewed on screen including PowerPoint, Word and Excel files – another great plus for the business user. It also includes a media player, FM radio and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Google Maps will come pre-installed, making the Aspen a great prospect for the savvy business customer.

Sony Ericsson’s 2010 lineup will be seeing three new phones. The devices were revealed last Sunday at the Mobile World Congress held at Barcelona, Spain.

First in the new series of SE phones is the X10 Mini. This phone was initially revealed as the SE Robyn (the XPERIA X10 was originally named Rachel) and early on, it already showed the general design features that are present in the device today. This phone is literally a Mini, being almost half the size of the original XPERIA X10. Obviously, some hardware features and specs had to be dropped with the device to reduce its size. The X10 Mini helps extend SE’s range to include the low to mid range Android smart phone market.

Sony Ericsson also showed off the X10 Mini Pro, a special edition of the Mini that comes with a physical QWERTY keyboard. Thanks to its slide out form factor, the device is generally about the same size as the Mini, but only thicker. The Mini is confirmed to be available in various colors; it is expected that the Mini Pro will also have the same color choices available.

The Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro is a special edition of the Vivaz that comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard. The device was originally named as the Kanna (at that time, the Vivaz was still known as the Kurara). Originally, it was announced that the Kanna would have the same specs as the Kurara with the addition of a keyboard. As the Vivaz Pro, this has mostly not changed, with the exception of the camera which has been reduced to 5 mega pixels from the original 8 mega pixels of the Vivaz. It still keeps the ability to record videos in 720p HD quality.

Read more about the Mini and the Mini Pro at Stuff TV.

Last year, Sony was not taking a keen interest in tablet technology. With their existing line of VAIO laptops and net books, it was unlikely that the Japanese electronics giant would give the fledgling medium a second look.

Now that the Apple iPad tablet is poised to totally wipe the floor with all the existing eBook readers such as the Kindle and Sony’s own Reader, the Japanese company is taking a new perspective with the Tablet. During a press conference in Tokyo; a chief financial officer from Sony stated that “that is a market we are also very interested in. We are confident we have the skills to create a product”.

With the buzz about the Apple iPad ever increasing, it comes as to no surprise that computer manufacturers are doing a double take in their approach to the tablet. Even HP, who was already developing its own tablet device, will be facing some stiff competition from Apple.

So far, no word has been given as to what Sony is planning to do with its tablet ideas. It is also interesting to note that it will be Sony electronics entering the tablet market and not the mobile phone manufacturer, Sony Ericsson. With the focus on the tablet being towards more of a computer than a mobile phone, it is only natural that the folks from VAIO would be giving the new medium a try.

The smallest computer device from Sony is the VAIO P; this extra mini laptop fits nicely into a nice long purse for travel. With the tablet being a little less restricted in size, it would be interesting what cool form Sony’s tablet would take. One advantage Sony would definitely have over the iPad is in having games; with Sony’s current lineup of first party titles, they have a sure market for their device.

Read more about Sony taking an interest in Tablets from Pocket Lint.

When it comes to making quality, simple and affordable mobile phones, Sony Ericsson come through as one of the top mobile phone manufacturers around the world. Using their well known approach using simplicity, their phones are ideal for all types of use, including personal use and social use, as well as business and corporate. Their phones can be used by anyone, as they are easy to use and also have the perk of looking great. In the last few weeks, pictures have made their way on to the internet of Sony Ericsson’s new phone, the Xperia X2.

This new Xperia X2 is set to be a great seller of 2010, featuring new technology and combining it with ease of use, to deliver a multimedia cultivated phone, with endless capabilities. The phone comes with a huge 8 megapixel camera, giving you literally endless possibilities of what you can snap up, whether it be a moving image or a stationery one. The phone also uses WVGA video recording technology to enable you to take videos of favorite times and events.

After you have taken a photograph or a video you can transfer them to your computer for further editing, or you can upload them directly to sites such as Facebook, saving you the hassle. The slide out keyboard gives each letter its own key, saving you having to waste time on typing long texts and messages. If you are interested in getting your hands on one of these phones then keep an eye out for Xperia X2 deals as they become available online.

With climate change and global warming becoming such a big part of our new headlines, many people are starting to take drastic measures to help reduce their carbon footprint. Most businesses and companies now have regulations in place for their offices, which include using greener light bulbs, using special taps that do not run forever but give say 10 seconds worth of water and many other features such as insulation. The new Sony Ericsson phone, the Sony Ericsson Hazel is designed to give out as little emissions as possible in the manufacturing process.

First of all, the Hazel is mainly made out of recycled plastic rather than using brand new plastic. This not only allows the price to be slightly cheaper to the public but it also means that factories do not have to burn lots of dangerous chemicals to produce new plastic, which in turn makes sure that the environment is not so badly affected. The phone features a built in manual. Rather than having a paperback manual of how the phone works, it is all built into the phone allowing you to still have all the necessary details to hand, but saving paper which in turn helps save the rainforests.

Featuring a 5 megapixel camera, you’re only a button away from taking high quality photographs which can then be uploaded directly onto your Facebook by using the Facebook widget which saves you having to go through an internet browser to connect. The Sony Ericsson eco-phone is expected to be released around March 2010, and although an official price tag has not been announced, it is expected to be available for around £130 or for a undetermined monthly rate with the Hazel on contract.

Two more phones will be joining the lineup of Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart series; the SE Elm and the SE Hazel. The two devices are slated for a 2010 release with the Elm arriving during the first quarter of 2010 and the Hazel has been confirmed for a second quarter launch.

The addition of these two devices to the GreenHeart series is very promising as it shows that Sony Ericsson is committed to the goals it has set for itself regarding their CO2 emissions reduction target. By creating mobile phones that are eco-friendly, they are helping the environment in many ways.

GreenHeart phones are impressive because they use at least 50 percent recycled plastics, this means that the amount of new plastic raw materials to be made for each device has been cut down by half. The manufacturing process and materials contain no harmful chemicals and the paint used in the phones is all water-borne. They also use the EP300 GreenHeart adapter which is a low-power consumption mini-USB charger. Packaging has also been minimized in order to reduce the use of paper products and the manual comes in digital format instead of printed paper (the e-manual is installed in the phones).

The two devices are pretty impressive 3G phones. The Sony Ericsson Elm is a candy bar phone with a 2.2 inch, 320 x 240 pixel screen with a capacity for displaying 256 thousand colors. It comes with a 5 mega pixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash. The internal memory is 280MB; this can be further expanded by using a micro SD card.

The Sony Ericsson Hazel on the other hand is a slider phone with pretty sleek form. It has a slightly larger 2.6 inch screen and can display up to 16 million colors. Like the Elm, the screen resolution is also 320 x 240 pixels. It also has similar specs in terms of the camera (5 mega pixel) and internal memory (also 280 MB).

The XPERIA series of Sony Ericsson has always been their high end line of mobile phones. Currently in the works for this line up is the Android XPERIA X10 and the X5 Pureness. Still, when you think high-end, a Windows Mobile phone is not the first thing you would like to see. After all, nothing maxes out the full potential of hardware like other operating systems. This does not mean that you cannot have a high end phone using the Windows Mobile operating system. In fact, thanks to the many built in features of WinMo, it makes for an impressive OS (despite being a little clunky to use).

Speed and Performance

The biggest flaw of WinMo operating systems is that they tend to slow down a lot. Sony has not been able to prevent slowdowns and it still is quite prevalent. What Sony has done is to take the practical approach and provide just the right amount of hardware for the OS. The Qualcomm MSM 7200 processor may seem like a slow choice, but the 528 MHz is just enough to get Windows running nicely. Any faster and you would still experience the slowdowns –but then you would be complaining that the hardware is wasted. With the MSM 7200, the performance is just right.

Balance in Features

The XPERIA X2’s software features are reliant on the OS while the hardware provides the means. Thanks to WinMo, there is a built in document editor and viewer, email, internet browser, games support and GPS functionality, Sony Ericsson provides the means for the phone with full QWERTY keyboard, 3.5 inch resistive touch screen, 8 mega pixel camera, and other 3G basics such as quad band support and 3G HSDPA & WiFi. The XPERIA X2 is slated to be released on the fourth quarter of 2009 so expect this phone to arrive any week now so keep an eye for good Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 deals.

Before the unveiling of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness, we though that the Xperia line of phones by Sony Ericsson were to consist of just the flagship phones i.e. the phones which packed some serious features in it. This strategy had some good reasons behind it, according to what Sony Ericsson said at the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona earlier this year.

However, Sony Ericsson seems to have bucked what they just said by unveiling a fashion phone in the form of the Pureness, meaning that we can expect other types of phones to enter the Xperia series as well. The Pureness is the brand new flagship stylish phone of SE. This phone doesn’t have all the nice and fancy features that smartphones have, such as the XPERIA X2, but, rather, the focus of the phone is on the sleek industrial design. The whole idea behind this quite stunning phone is to enable the customers to have a holiday from technology and, instead, focus on the aesthetic part of phones.

The phone makes use of a transparent monochrome display which is a clear indication of the concept that they are trying to introduce with this phone of lower – tech – higher style. The full specifications of the phone haven’t been released yet. However, we have some information on hand which says that the phone should be able to support all types of 2G networks and will also have Bluetooth as well. The camera module for the phone will be available in the form of an add – on attachment.

The phone is set for release in November 2009 in particular retail channels in certain cities around the world, including some in the UK, for a whooping 640 pounds. Check out more Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness Reviews as well as Pureness deals.