ULTRAVIAS - Notebook, Laptop and mobile device reviews

Sony has recently released the Sony Ericsson W705 which features a few cool innovative features. The basic specs are none too special, featuring a 320×240 TFT display, 120MB of onboard storage with Memory Stick Micro support, along with WiFi and 3G capabilites and bundled headphones.

Here’s where it gets cool, the W705 incorporates what Sony is calling “Shake control” which lets you adjust the volume, and skip and scan through songs just by making different gestures with the phone. Another cool feature is SensMe, a play list creator that allows the W705 to predict your mood and compile a playlist based on it’s predictions..

You can head to the phone’s official page to get more information on the above discussed features.

Sony Ericsson W705 Quick Specs:

Screen
- 320×240 pixels
- 262.144 color TFT
Memory
- Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support
- Phone memory 120MB*

* Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration.
Networks
- GSM 850
- GSM 900
- GSM 1800
- GSM 1900
- EDGE
- UMTS 900
- UMTS 2100
- HSPA
Available colours
- Luxury Silver - Passionate Red

Possible limited market availability.
Sizes
- 95.0 x 48.0 x 14.3 mm
- 3.7 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches
Weight
- 98.0 gr
- 3.5 oz

Please note that local variations may apply.

It seems like AT&T is on a roll this week, so on top of the recently launched Pantech Matrix and Samsung Propel there is a new SonyEricsson cellphone on their catalog, more specifically the W760a. According to the AT&T website, the device costs $120 after discounts which can’t be considered a bad price.

Interesting features on the W760a? How about integrated GPS with WayFinder Navigator? Or what do you think of the mobile email support with services such as AOL, Yahoo, AIM, Windows Live? Not good enough? Maybe the 3.2-megapixel camera is the extra you really need?

There are still more goodies on the Walkman phone, like ShakeControl that lets you shake the cellphone to skip tracks, and a nice screen that measures 2.2-inches

On top of the Kate cellphone that we mentioned previously, there are is another device from Sony Ericsson making its internet debut - the Filippa. Interestingly, both devices have a women’s name, call it coincidence or something else? You decide.

The Sony Ericsson Filippa features a better camera than Kate, which is set at 5-megapixels and some extras such as BestPic, PhotoFix, Digital Zoom, and the obvious active lens cover.

On the display we’ve got a QVGA screen that measures 2.2-inches and is scratch resistant. Thanks to the TV out function, you can view photos and watch videos on your television. The internal memory only has 140MB of storage, but you can increase it by using memory cards.

Are they running out of new designs in the Sony Ericsson’s lab or are they just porting over cell phones with a few changes from different segments? After the Rika, we have news about yet another cellphone that’s going for the Walkman branding, the F305 gaming phone, which will become the W305 when it is released next year in March. Going by the code name of “Yao” (F305 was called Ying), the W305 will sport pretty much the same features as the F305 before it was Walkmanized, dropping the gaming keys on top for the Walkman button, a 2-megapixel camera, a 176×220 display, and most probably EDGE support, making this another low-ender in the Walkman category. More details as we find them!

Sony Ericsson is the official mobile handset for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans might even get some various special edition phones dedicated to soccer or football. Call it what you wish but the World Cup is a fantastic media event. Sony Ericsson will certainly get some publicity out of it since it’s going to be one of the sponsors.

Here’s what they say about it:

The agreement with FIFA enables Sony Ericsson to partner with one of the world’s most popular sports and adds to the existing Sony Ericsson sponsorship portfolio. Sony Ericsson will apply the knowledge gathered from its continuing successful sponsorship of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, the largest sponsorship of professional women’s sport, to engage with consumers through new and exciting experiences.

There’s a long time to go to the 2010 cup so it’s way to early to talk about any special edition phones dedicated to the event.

The FCC has just approved Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 but hold on to your hats. You might not see it arrive that soon in your country. The FCC has approved a version X1i which is going to be released in Europe probably. The device they played with lacked 3G support which doesn’t sound that good, does it.

But since the X1i was already approve we assume it’s only a matter of time until a North American version will be given the OK. Hopefully the X1 will arrive in most markets by the end of the year. Waiting for carriers to announce it.

Sony Ericsson has a GreenHeart concept phone which hasn’t entered production yet, and it might not be massively produced any time soon. The concept phone is meant to prove that a phone is environmentally sustainable through its life cycle.

The GreenHeart will sport some of the various features:

• bio-plastic housings
• recycled plastic keypads
• a zero charger with 3.5mW standby power
• HTML based e-manuals instead of traditional printed ones
• environmentally conscious packaging.

Sony Ericsson is on their way of creating a better eco-friendly, biodegradable phone. Hopefully they will be able to actually launch one for the general public.

Sony Ericsson had some problems with the full integration of Windows Mobile in their first Xperia phone. People noticed it but the Xperia wasn’t delayed to 2009. Now after the official release of G1, the world first handset wearing an Android OS, it’s reported that Sony Ericsson officials are considering the open-source OS for their future generation of Xperia smartphones.

Sony Ericsson president, Dick Komiyama said that his company is interestd in Android but they aren’t ready to adopt it yet. But they will be ready won’t they? Is Microsoft ready to see its Windows Mobile replaced with Android?

Riding on the success(?) of the previous MBW-150 Bluetooth watch, Sony Ericsson has announced the next iteration of watches for ladies that not only show the time in style but add a bit of tech to make life more interesting/easier. The MBW-200 collection consists of three different designs called Sparkling Allure, Contemporary Elegance, and Evening Classic Editions, each modeled by three of the most beautiful women on a tennis court. All the three variations have the following features:

• Reject or mute call
• Vibrates on new SMS/MMS - and an out of range warning - when 10 m away from your phone
• Discreet yet clear caller ID - OLED display
• Play, pause, stop or skip a track on your phone’s music player
• Quartz movements for exact time keeping - both digital and analogue
• Auto pairing™ - easier to connect the watch to your phone
• Water resistant up to 3 ATM
• Allergy safe stainless steel
• Mineral crystal scratch resistant face with antiglare coating

There’s no info on pricing yet, but with a release date somewhere in Q4 of 2008, we won’t have to wait for long.

There’s not much info on the Sony Ericsson Rika yet. People say it’s a Walkman model of the Sony Ericsson G705. Besides the supposed music capabilities, the Rika seems to have a front camera which must mean it has 3G support.

Sony Ericsson hasn’t announced it yet, so that’s all we have so far: a picture and a bunch of maybes.