Sony Ericsson Introduces PS3-compatible Aino Phone, New Christmas Line-Up
Sony Ericsson introduced a new phone on Thursday that allows consumers to connect to their PlayStation3 gaming consoles, part of its Christmas line-up.
Sony Ericsson said it would launch a virtual software applications store and would announce details at next week's JavaOne Conference.
PlayNow Arena
Sony Ericsson also announced the launch of PlayNow arena with movies, the latest addition to the PlayNow arena content delivery platform.
PlayNow arena with movies is a bundled movie service from Sony Ericsson, included out-of-the-box for selected handsets, allowing consumers to watch up to 60 movies a year on their mobile phone. Users can choose from a selection of around 15 movies at any one time, with additional titles being added to the catalogue each month. After 'side loading' feature length films onto a phone, users can watch them as often as they like for up to 90 days.
Downloaded movies will be automatically formatted to match the performance of users' phone.
PlayNow arena with movies will make its debut with the W995 Walkman, launching in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK from June 2009. Additionally the service will also be made available on upcoming phones such as Satio and Aino models.
The New Aino
The Aino phone will allow users to manage media stored on their PlayStation3, much like the PSP mobile console and helping position the video-gaming console as a media hub, but will not allow them to play games or access high-definition video. This can be done via a local network between PlayStation3 and Aino in home or via the internet from anywhere in the world. For TV lovers in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and in the UK users can also enjoy the PlayTV service on PlayStation3 via the Aino. Watch, pause and record live TV from free channels via Aino on the go.
Aino comes with a keypad combined with a touch UI in media mode. It has a 3-inch screen (16 million colours, 240 x 432 pixels ) and also comes with Wireless Stereo Headphone MH100 and matching Charging Stand EC100. Other features include an 8.1 megapixel camera, Photo flash, A-GPS and Bluetooth. The phone supports up to 55MB of memory and also SanDisk microSD memory cards. Its weight is 134 grams.
Aino also introduces Media Home, an application that pulls media content from Media Go on users' PC over Wi-Fi to their phone automatically. Users just insert their Aino into its charging stand and it automatically synchronizes with all the latest media content on their PC.
Aino supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Black and White.
Sony Ericsson Satio
At the same London event, Sony Ericsson introduced 'Satio'. First introduced in Barcelona as the 'Idou', 'Satio' allows users to watch movies on the go or catch up with their TV shows while on their lunch break.
"Just tap directly into your favourite videos and music with the unique full touch media menu, standby panels and music player. Snapping perfect pictures also just got so simple thanks to the 12.1 megapixel camera, intuitive touch focus and Xenon flash. Share them with your nearest and dearest via your social networking site, produce huge prints and you can even comment directly on your images," said Fredrik Mansson, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson.
Users can download music, movies and games from PlayNow arena and enjoy them in the phones' 3,5-inch 16:9 screen (640 x 360 pixels).
The phone has a full touch media menu and runs Symbian operating system. It also offers Bluetooth ad WiFi connectivity, A-GPS, comes with 128 MB of memory and supports SanDisk microSD.
Satio supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 850/900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours; Black, Silver and Bordeaux.
Sony Ericsson Yari
The company's Yari model debuts Gesture gaming. Gesture gaming technology gives users a unique gaming experience no matter where they are.
In addition to gesture games, there is a mix of pre loaded motion and standard games. Yari introduces a games carousel that allows users to access all their games from their desktop and to browse downloadable content on PlayNow arena. Users can view content by category and choose to browse free or premium content.
"Yari is the industry?s first mobile phone with gesture gaming outside of the Japanese market," said Catherine Cherry, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson. "It?s time to move like you?ve never moved on a mobile phone before! With Gesture gaming you move your body to play instead of pressing buttons on the phone, giving you a fun experience that even helps you keep fit. If you?ve exhausted yourself with the games there are loads of other multimedia features to enjoy. Snap your friends with the five megapixel camera or chill out to your favourite tunes with the state-of-the art music player".
Besides the gesture gaming options, Yari features a music player and stereo speakers, the 'Music call' button that allows users to share their favourite tracks while they talk, Access NetFront Web browser, A-GPS, Bluetooth, FM radio and a 5.0 mega pixel camera. The phone uses a 2.4 inches 262,144 colour (240 x 320 pixels).
Yari supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Black and White.
Sony Ericsson has rapidly lost market share in recent quarters as demand for so-called feature phones has suffered during the recession.
Satio would be the most expensive of the three new phones, given away with high-end contracts committing users to spending around 40 pounds ($64) per month, with Aino next most expensive and Yari the cheapest.
PlayNow Arena
Sony Ericsson also announced the launch of PlayNow arena with movies, the latest addition to the PlayNow arena content delivery platform.
PlayNow arena with movies is a bundled movie service from Sony Ericsson, included out-of-the-box for selected handsets, allowing consumers to watch up to 60 movies a year on their mobile phone. Users can choose from a selection of around 15 movies at any one time, with additional titles being added to the catalogue each month. After 'side loading' feature length films onto a phone, users can watch them as often as they like for up to 90 days.
Downloaded movies will be automatically formatted to match the performance of users' phone.
PlayNow arena with movies will make its debut with the W995 Walkman, launching in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK from June 2009. Additionally the service will also be made available on upcoming phones such as Satio and Aino models.
The New Aino
The Aino phone will allow users to manage media stored on their PlayStation3, much like the PSP mobile console and helping position the video-gaming console as a media hub, but will not allow them to play games or access high-definition video. This can be done via a local network between PlayStation3 and Aino in home or via the internet from anywhere in the world. For TV lovers in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and in the UK users can also enjoy the PlayTV service on PlayStation3 via the Aino. Watch, pause and record live TV from free channels via Aino on the go.
Aino comes with a keypad combined with a touch UI in media mode. It has a 3-inch screen (16 million colours, 240 x 432 pixels ) and also comes with Wireless Stereo Headphone MH100 and matching Charging Stand EC100. Other features include an 8.1 megapixel camera, Photo flash, A-GPS and Bluetooth. The phone supports up to 55MB of memory and also SanDisk microSD memory cards. Its weight is 134 grams.
Aino also introduces Media Home, an application that pulls media content from Media Go on users' PC over Wi-Fi to their phone automatically. Users just insert their Aino into its charging stand and it automatically synchronizes with all the latest media content on their PC.
Aino supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Black and White.
Sony Ericsson Satio
At the same London event, Sony Ericsson introduced 'Satio'. First introduced in Barcelona as the 'Idou', 'Satio' allows users to watch movies on the go or catch up with their TV shows while on their lunch break.
"Just tap directly into your favourite videos and music with the unique full touch media menu, standby panels and music player. Snapping perfect pictures also just got so simple thanks to the 12.1 megapixel camera, intuitive touch focus and Xenon flash. Share them with your nearest and dearest via your social networking site, produce huge prints and you can even comment directly on your images," said Fredrik Mansson, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson.
Users can download music, movies and games from PlayNow arena and enjoy them in the phones' 3,5-inch 16:9 screen (640 x 360 pixels).
The phone has a full touch media menu and runs Symbian operating system. It also offers Bluetooth ad WiFi connectivity, A-GPS, comes with 128 MB of memory and supports SanDisk microSD.
Satio supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 850/900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours; Black, Silver and Bordeaux.
Sony Ericsson Yari
The company's Yari model debuts Gesture gaming. Gesture gaming technology gives users a unique gaming experience no matter where they are.
In addition to gesture games, there is a mix of pre loaded motion and standard games. Yari introduces a games carousel that allows users to access all their games from their desktop and to browse downloadable content on PlayNow arena. Users can view content by category and choose to browse free or premium content.
"Yari is the industry?s first mobile phone with gesture gaming outside of the Japanese market," said Catherine Cherry, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson. "It?s time to move like you?ve never moved on a mobile phone before! With Gesture gaming you move your body to play instead of pressing buttons on the phone, giving you a fun experience that even helps you keep fit. If you?ve exhausted yourself with the games there are loads of other multimedia features to enjoy. Snap your friends with the five megapixel camera or chill out to your favourite tunes with the state-of-the art music player".
Besides the gesture gaming options, Yari features a music player and stereo speakers, the 'Music call' button that allows users to share their favourite tracks while they talk, Access NetFront Web browser, A-GPS, Bluetooth, FM radio and a 5.0 mega pixel camera. The phone uses a 2.4 inches 262,144 colour (240 x 320 pixels).
Yari supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 900/2100. It will be available in selected markets from early Q4 in the colours Black and White.
Sony Ericsson has rapidly lost market share in recent quarters as demand for so-called feature phones has suffered during the recession.
Satio would be the most expensive of the three new phones, given away with high-end contracts committing users to spending around 40 pounds ($64) per month, with Aino next most expensive and Yari the cheapest.
