Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications today unveiled the Z500, a clamshell imaging phone that offers still and video capture as well as great gaming and communications features. The Z500 is the company’s first phone featuring EDGE technology, which provides fast access to wireless data, content downloads, messaging and interactive online gaming. The Z500 is also enabled with Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) that allows two-way radio style communication.
Following on the success of the market leading Sony Ericsson GC82 EDGE PC Card, Sony Ericsson’s first EDGE mobile phone, the Z500, takes advantage of the latest network enhancements to access business e-mail, fun Java games, Instant Messaging and Push-to-Talk functionality at speeds up to 240 kbps. The Z500 supports Class 10 EDGE for sending and receiving data, which will be the fastest EDGE-solution available on the market.
The Z500’s built-in VGA camera can be used for recording still images and video clips and with QuickShare(TM), consumers are just a few clicks away from taking, sending and sharing pictures, sounds and video, offering the unique Sony Ericsson ease-of-use experience on this innovative handset. The bright 65,536 colour display is ideal for enjoying images as well as viewing streaming video, which is madeeasier and faster thanks to the fast EDGE data connectivity. With the Z500 closed, its external 4,096 colour display serves as a viewfinder
for capturing images or to display Picture CallerID (the name and picture of the person calling), or even read text messages without the need to open the phone.
“The Sony Ericsson Z500 is ideal for the ‘on demand’ consumer who wants fast data access, speedy connections and instant entertainment,” said Urban Gillström, President of Sony Ericsson USA.
“The Z500 is feature-packed, providing consumers the ultimate mobile experience while setting the new standard for technology and style and provides an important addition to our product portfolio for the USA.”
The Z500 adds video messaging to offer a full range of communication possibilities, such as e-mail, MMS and Instant Messaging. The Instant Messaging client is based on the Wireless Village standard, allowing chat and presence services. It also features organizer functions, which can easily be synchronized with PC to always have the most up-to date information.
Push to talk is a new mobile technology standard for quick one-to-one or one-to-group communication, in a similar manner as two-way radios. The service fits an array of different situations, and is well suited for small and medium enterprises that need frequent intermediate contacts, or consumers that want to chat with friends and family. The
Push to talk capability in Sony Ericsson phones is delivered through cooperation with Sonim and based on the Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) standard, ensuring the interoperability and compatibility required to create substantial subscriber adoption and user-friendly services that work across networks and handsets.
With the highly entertaining 16-track MusicDJ(TM) application, it is fun and easy to create unique polyphonic ring tones in different musical styles such as reggae, hip hop or dance. With expressive style, a sleek clamshell design, the Sony Ericsson Z500 is also ready to be personalised; on the outside with Style-Up(TM) exchangeable front and back covers and on the inside with full-colour wallpapers, screensavers and ring signals.
Playing the latest 3D Java games on the Z500 is a great experience. The rich 65,536 colour screen, polyphonic sound, vibration feedback and well laid-out keyboard make the Z500 an ideal gaming companion. Add a Sony Ericsson Gameboard and the experience becomes all the more real.
Available in Q3 2004 in the Americas the Sony Ericsson Z500 EDGE camera phone will enable a host of fast wireless data applications for business use, but will keep life fun for its users with a rich suite of imaging and entertainment features.