Camera Matrix in C905?

What is the sensor being used in the C905. There are three rumors going around.
1. Samsung CMOS sensor similar to the i8510 INNOV8 but poorer in quality.
2. Sony CCD sensor ICX636/646. (PDF Spec Sheet)
3. Sony EXMOR CMOS

"The C905 comes with an Exmor CMOS image sensor and its unique Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique and dual noise reduction with even higher sensitivity and lower noise. The development of a image sensor that combine ease-of-use, advanced image quality and cutting-edge pixel miniaturization and with a focal length of 5.91mm."

The last one makes most sense since it is similar to the sensor used in the Japanese SO905iCS except larger.

Sony Ericsson increases UK share

July 31, 2008

Sony Ericsson increases UK market share by five per cent, to 25 per cent, as it gears up for Q4 dogfight for top spot with Nokia

Sony Ericsson maintained a 25 per cent UK market share for the fourth week running last week as the global business reported a massive 97 per cent slump in its Q2 earnings and threatened to axe 2,000 staff.

It has gained five percentage points in UK market share in recent weeks on the back of the launch of the C902 on contract, and the W350i and W380i on prepay.

In addition the W910i and W580i, last year's models, are selling well on low-end contracts and prepay.

Sony Ericsson is looking to cut €300 million (£236.7m) per year in costs. It is unclear if jobs will go in the UK, but Sony Ericsson UK and Ireland managing director John Harber (pictured) said: "No one escapes the microscope."

The Q2 slump was put down to Sony Ericsson's increased production costs and expanded product portfolio.

It produced around 15 more handset models last year, compared with the previous year. Sources claimed each new device requires in excess of 100 extra engineering and marketing staff.

"It can cost tens of millions to launch a new handset unnecessarily, and hundreds of staff for each one," said a source close to the situation.

"Sony Ericsson has over expanded too quickly, like Nokia did a couple of years ago."

The planned 2,000 job cuts are in line with extra staff numbers taken on last year to manage its extended portfolio.

In the UK, where it remains number two behind Nokia and expects to fight with it for the Q4 number one spot for the third year running, Sony Ericsson's retail and network customers selected a handset range in line with 2006/7's numbers.

Globally, Sony Ericsson shipped 24.4 million units in the quarter ended June 30. Sales were €2,820 million (£2,222), a fall of nine per cent year-on-year. It cited "unfavourable exchange rate fluctuation, continued slowing market growth in mid to high-end phones and increased competition."

Gross margin also decreased compared with a year ago, reflecting a less favourable product mix, with particular impact in Europe and increased price competition in general.

Link

More Paris/Hikaro pics

Ingrosso on Flickr posted the following shots of Paris or possibly Hikaro, which is the Paris replacement. I have to say the colors are great and hope a phone in this form factor comes out.

JavaOne Device in HiDef

USEB has published a better looking picture of the device seen in the JavaOne video demo seen earlier this year. From the, picture we see a large touchscreen device that might slide in 3 ways: vertically up, vertically down, and horizontally like a HTC TYTN and other Windows Mobile devices. Is this device the next version of the X1 or a UIQ version? Only time will tell.

Link

Sony Ericsson C905 review

The Dial a phone website has put up a review of the C905. Overall they like it and they like all the features of the phone. This is a great phone and will be coming out shortly.

Link

New Demo Videos

Maximys has posted 4 demo videos for some Sony Ericsson phones. Check them out below

F305


S302


K330


J132

Introducing the G705

The next Sony Ericsson G-Series phone, the G705 was leaked on SE4M.com, the Arabic Sony Ericsson forum site. Specs include the following

-2.4" QVGA display
-3.2MP fixed focus camera with LED flash
-GPS
-JAVA A200

It should be one of the phones announced in 2 weeks along with Remi.



















Link

C905 Sample pics

Anders Hansen posted on Flickr 11 Pics taken with his Sony Ericsson C905 and they look stunning. Very nice pictures for a cameraphone. Follow the link to see all of them.


Link

Next SE announcement in 2 weeks?

Is the next Sony Ericsson announcement scheduled to happen within 2 weeks? Some people believe so and it could happen.

Link

C905 Launch Date

The C905 is planned to be released in Late Aug/Early September. This is sooner then expected because of heated competition from Samsung and Nokia.

Paris Replace, Hikaro to be announced in weeks

The Paris/Hecaro replacement will be Hikaro. It is to be announced in as little as 4-6 weeks. This P-Series phone will be in a similar form factor to what we have seen in the cancelled Paris, slider phone with QWERTY P1i rocker style keys. The following are the rumored specs

-8MP AF camera similar to what is seen in the C905
-VGA 30FPS video
-WiFi b/g
-Slider
-QWERTY rocker keys
-GPS
-8GB internal memory with M2 Slot
-UIQ (most likely 3.3)
-TouchScreen (res/size unknown)

C905 and XPERIA X1 Preview

Smape.com put up a little preview of the upcoming C905 and XPERIA X1. The C905 is coming out October with a price of 550€ but it is sure to fall fast. The X1 will be coming out in November with a 700-750€ price but will likely fall due to an increase in competition. There is also a video of each on the preview page linked below.

Link

New M610i demo video

This newly released demo video of the Sony Ericsson M610i has popped up on YouTube. This phone was never released and it was supposed to be an updated M600i with WiFi.

Live Video of W902, W595, and W302

Detox and Xonio put up live videos of the just announce W902, W595, and W302. Follow the links below to see the videos

W902

W595

W302

Live pics of W302 and W595

SE-Community has posted live pics of both the W302 and W595. Follow the link below for more pics.

Link

SE new Walkman Phones and Accessories

Music is reborn as Sony Ericsson announces three new Walkman™ phones and the next generation music accessories

22 July 2008

To coincide with the Walkman™ phone’s third birthday, Sony Ericsson has unveiled three brand new mobile phones giving music on the go to more users than ever. Best-in-class sound quality takes music on your mobile to the next level.

London July 22 - Building on three year’s experience and technology 30 years in the making, Sony Ericsson continues to lead the way in the mobile phone music arena with cutting edge music technology and unique accessories.

Today, Sony Ericsson unveils its latest innovative additions to the Walkman™ phone family: the W902, W595 and W302, and seven new music accessories. Sony Ericsson is unveiling phones and accessories with superior sound quality and pioneering features that take Walkman™ phones beyond music and expectations with fantastic extras such as great imaging and video capabilities.

“Since the launch of our first Walkman™ phone in 2005, Sony Ericsson has continued to pioneer a superior mobile music experience - and the 77 million Walkman™ phones sold to date are testament to this commitment,” says Ben Padley, Head of the Music Category at Sony Ericsson. “With this latest range of phones and accessories, we are offering high quality sound and a rich feature set that cements our position as a leader in the music phone category. We are pushing the boundaries of what people think is possible and are offering best-in-class sound quality and our most exciting Walkman™ phones to date.”

The list of pioneering and innovative features found on Walkman™ phones continues to be unmatched in the industry. Features like the music recognition application TrackID™, SensMe™, for matching your mood to the music and Shake control to change tracks with the flick of your hand make Walkman™ phones stand out from the rest.

Sony Ericsson can now also announce best-in-class sound quality and a clear audio experience from its W902 Walkman™. The W902 features the same superior sound quality as the W980, about to launch shortly, which was rated ”best audio experience” this month, in a trial conducted in Germany by TESTfactory*.

With the W902, users can listen to music the way it should be heard: true to original. It’s also a mobile phone for those that want it all, with a five megapixel camera and great video capturing and sharing capabilities, an 8GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) for storing more than 8,000 songs**, the W902 is a top-of-the-range device that will make you the envy of your friends.

The W595 Walkman™ is perfect for those who want to share sounds with their friends. Store and play more than 1,900 songs** through the built in stereo speakers. Plug in the in-box sharing jack to listen silently to your tunes with a friend or Bluetooth™ your sounds to Sony Ericsson’s range of wireless speakers.

The new W302 Walkman™ is packed with impressive features in an affordable no-compromise slim handset. Targeting all audiences, the phone comes complete with an impressive two megapixel camera, FM radio, TrackID™ and 512MB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2).

The next generation of accessories includes three new sets of speakers, the MBS-200, MBS-400 and MPS-100, to help music lovers go beyond the individual and play music directly from their mobile phone. Enhancing its music accessories collection Sony Ericsson has also introduced three new stereo headphones, HBH-IS800, HPM-88 and HPM-66 for the optimal listening experience.

The Walkman™ phone through history
Walkman™ phone continues to chart high

• August 2005 – Sony Ericsson launches its very first Walkman™ phone – the W800
• December 2005 - Three million Walkman™ phones sold to date
• April 2006 – Sony Ericsson launches its first Walkman™ phone music accessories; MPS-60 portable speakers, which goes on to sell millions of units worldwide
• October 2006 – Sony Ericsson launches its first slider Walkman™ phone – the W850 which also introduces the unique TrackID™ music recognition application
• November 2006 –Sony Ericsson launches the W950 Walkman™ with the biggest storage yet - 4GB
• December 2006 – 20 million Walkman™ phones sold to date
• February 2007 – Sony Ericsson launches its slimmest Walkman™ - the W880
• November 2007 – W910 Walkman™ phone with Turbo 3G/HSDPA launches as a complete entertainment device
• December 2007 – Walkman™ phone sales hit 57 million
• February 2008 – Sony Ericsson launches the W350, with Walkman™ on top and W380 with gesture control
• July 2008 – W980 Walkman™ phone with clear audio experience launches

With Sony Ericsson today music is reborn. What are you waiting for? Join the Walkman™ phone family and experience music how it was meant to be heard.

For more information visit www.sonyericsson.com/reveals

The W302 Walkman™ is an EDGE/GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Midnight Black and Sparkling White in Q4 of 2008.

The W902 Walkman™ is a UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and EDGE/GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Volcanic Black, Wine Red and Earth Green in Q4 of 2008.

The W595 Walkman™ is a UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and EDGE/GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White, Jungle Grey and Lava Black in Q4 of 2008.

The W595c Walkman™ is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White and Jungle Grey in Q4 of 2008.

The W595a Walkman™ is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White, Jungle Grey and Lava Black in Q4 of 2008.

The Wireless Portable Speaker MBS-200 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Wireless Portable Speaker MBS-400 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Portable Speakers MPS-100 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008

The Wireless Stereo Headphones HBH-IS800 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008

The Noise Cancelling Headphones HPM-88 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008

The Active Headphones HPM-66 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008

Link

Lots of Accessories

Sony Ericsson delivers the ultimate music experience with an enhanced range of accessories

22 July 2008

Listening to music has never been easier following the launch of Sony Ericsson’s latest range of music accessories. With innovative wireless music solutions and premium quality headsets that enhance the Sony Ericsson clear audio experience, the new range offers you something no matter how and where you want to listen to music!

London, July 22 - Sony Ericsson knows how important music is to everyday life and has delivered a brand new range of accessories that are smart, innovative and convenient for any music situation.

Today the market-leader in music phones has unveiled three new sets of speakers, the MBS-200, MBS-400 and MPS-100, to help music lovers go beyond the individual and play music directly from their mobile phone. Enhancing its music accessories collection Sony Ericsson has also introduced three new stereo headphones, HBH-IS800, HPM-88 and HPM-66 for the optimal listening experience.

“Sharing music and experiencing high quality sound is a fundamental human desire.” said Jacob Sten, Head of the Accessories Division at Sony Ericsson, “Whether you are in the car, at a party or listening to the radio at work, music is around us all the time. We have designed our new range to ensure users get great performance with extensive listening time, crystal clear sound and sophisticated design that suits the needs of music fans everywhere. Our accessories ensure that people have an optimal experience however they choose to listen to music.”

Premium wireless music
If you’re after music wherever you go, free your music with powerful sound from the MBS-200 wireless portable speaker. Stream music from your mobile phone via Bluetooth™ which then mutes if you receive a phone call. No cords, no hassle and no complicated set ups – just breathtaking design and great music for all to enjoy.

For those who want a more powerful sound, the MBS-400 comes with two speakers and allows you to experience high-quality stereo sound wherever you are.

Free your music
Wireless music has never looked better with the HBH-IS800 wireless stereo headphones. Made up of sleek headphones and a short cable that give you the freedom to listen to music and answer calls discretely, this Bluetooth™ beauty is the smallest headset of its type on the market and a benchmark for the industry. The stylish and compact headset rests discretely on your neck and boasts a top of the range audio performance.

Clear audio experience
For those who want to bring the music but leave the noise, the HPM-88 noise cancelling headphones allows you to listen to music without background noise, reducing outside sound by up to 75 per cent. Using Sony technology, this is the first noise cancelling mobile phone headset on the market that is powered by the phone itself.

When combined with a compatible Sony Ericsson phone, clear audio allows you to listen to music as it was meant to be heard.

Enhanced range
• The new affordable MPS-100 builds on the success of the very first and best-selling portable speaker, the iconic MPS-60, giving impressive sound from mini-speakers that plug into your phone for ultra-portable sound wherever you are.

• The Active, behind the ear, stereo headphones HPM-66 allows you to get active with your music. Convenient and easy to use these comfortable and stable headphones will help you go that extra mile.

• Want to protect your phone? Keep your Sony Ericsson Walkman™ phone safe with a new stylish phone case, IPC-40, which is available in two colours.

With this new range of accessories Sony Ericsson looks beyond the individual and continues to let you experience music on your mobile.

The Wireless Portable Speaker MBS-200 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Wireless Stereo Speaker MBS-400 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Portable Speakers MPS-100 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Wireless Stereo Headphones HBH-IS800 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Noise Cancelling Headphones HPM-88 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Active Stereo Headphones HPM-66 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

The Phone Case IPC-40 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

Link

W302

Sony Ericsson unveils the W302 Walkman™ – a phone that doesn’t compromise

22 July 2008

Sony Ericsson has expanded its best-selling Walkman™ phone portfolio to include the W302 designed to deliver music and much more to the masses. Building on successful and classic Walkman™ features, Sony Ericsson now introduces a phone that truly delivers beyond expectations.

London July 22 - Sony Ericsson’s new W302 is packed with impressive Walkman™ features in an affordable no-compromise 10.5mm slim, aluminium front handset. Targeting all audiences, the phone comes complete with an impressive two megapixel camera, FM radio, TrackID™ and 512MB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2).

“To deliver Walkman™ phones that target all segments of the market has always been our aim since the successful launch of our first - the W800.” said Ben Padley, Head of the Music Category at Sony Ericsson, “It has always been our vision to deliver music on the go to the masses, by developing a range that caters to a wide variety of requirements, tastes and price-points. Our new W302 phone is our most affordable Walkman™ phone to date, without compromising on the premium feel and stylish design that customers expect of Sony Ericsson. The W302 is also a perfect match for the new portable MPS-100 speakers, launched today, which are small and compact enough to fit in your pocket.”

The W302 allows users to discover and experience music on the go. Play songs randomly or create your own playlists and listen to them anywhere, whether it’s on the bus, walking to work or at college. Listen the radio on the go and if you’re not sure who the artist is, the W302 has TrackID™ music recognition which will give you all the answers. Use the two megapixel camera to send picture messages to your friends and upload images to your W302 blog site using the picture blogging function.

Easy to carry and with no complicated set-up required the MPS-100 portable speakers are the easiest way to share your favourite tunes with others. Just separate the two speakers plug them into your music mobile phone and you are ready to be the king or queen of the party and dance to your heart’s content.

The W302
Discover music with style

• Walkman™ player – music on the go
• FM Radio –Just plug in the handsfree, turn on the FM radio and tune in
• Premium style and design – compact metal finish and only10.5mm wide
• 2 megapixel camera – capture your favourite moments forever
• Bluetooth™ Stereo – send & listen your music wirelessly

The W302 Walkman™ is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in Midnight Black and Sparkling White in Q4 2008.

The Portable Speakers MPS-100 will be available in selected markets from Q4 2008

Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.
2) Talk and standby times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2008.

The liquid identity, SensMe, TrackID, PlayNow and BestPic™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony, Walkman and the Walkman logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.
TrackID is powered by Gracenote Mobile MusicID. Gracenote and Gracenote Mobile MusicID are trademarks of Gracenote, Inc.
Bluetooth is a trademark or registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc.
Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Subject to change without prior notice

Sony Ericsson is a top global industry player with sales of over 100 million phones in 2007. Diversity is one of the core strengths of the company, with operations in over 80 countries including manufacturing in China and R&D sites in China, Europe, India, Japan and North America. Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London.

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sony Ericsson Global Communications & PR
Mattias Holm: +44 208 762 6065
General Press: +44 208 762 5858
E-mail: press.global@SonyEricsson.com
Product images: www.sonyericsson.com/press

Sony Ericsson W302 Walkman™ – At A Glance

W302 Walkman™
Camera
• 2 megapixel camera
• 2.5x digital zoom
• Photo fix
• Picture blogging
• PictBridge printing
• Video recording

Music/Entertainment
• Walkman™ player
• Bluetooth™ Stereo (A2DP)
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™
• TrackID™
• FM radio
• 3D games
• Java
• Video viewing

Web/Internet
• WAP 2.0 XHTML

Communication & Messaging
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Email
• Text messaging (SMS)
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder

Design
• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Wallpaper animation

Connectivity
• Bluetooth™ technology
• Modem
• USB mass storage
• USB support

Organiser
• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Phone book
• Stopwatch
• Tasks
• Timer

Accessories
In-Box:
• Battery,
• Charger,
• USB cable,
• Stereo Portable Handsfree
• 512 MB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™)
• User guide

Optional:

MPS-100 Portable speakers
Share your favourite tunes with others

Facts and Figures
Size: 100 x 46 x 10,5 mm
Weight: 78 grams

Colours:
Midnight Black
Sparkling White

Screen: 262,144 colour TFT
Resolution: 176x220 pixels
Size: 2 inches

Phone memory: Up to 20MB
Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support

Talk time GSM: Up to 7 hrs
Standby time: Up to 300 hrs

Music listening time: Up to 10 hours

Availability and Versions
Networks:

GSM/GPRS/EDGE
850/900/1800/1900

Available in selected markets from Q4 2008.

Link

W595 and W902

Beyond music with Sony Ericsson’s W902 & W595 Walkman™ phones

22 July 2008

Sony Ericsson today has announced the innovative W902 Walkman™ for those who want it all. The 8GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) lets you store more than 8,000* songs and switches seamlessly from music to media to experience crystal clear video capabilities. The W595 is also unveiled today and is packed full of innovations that get you and your friends ready to rock.

London July 22 - No longer do you need to make a choice between music, media and imaging when picking your next phone. Compromise is now a thing of the past thanks to Sony Ericsson’s new W902 Walkman™, a phone that goes beyond music and gives users everything they need in one pocket-sized stylish device. Downsize your bag, free your pockets and leave your music player and camera at home - use the premium W902 phone to play your favourite tunes, snap those precious moments or watch crystal clear video on the bright, scratch-resistant 2.2” QVGA display.

“We all want more from our mobile phones than ever before.” said Ben Padley, Head of the Music Category at Sony Ericsson, “If you love music but don’t want to compromise on imaging and video, we have used our expertise as music phone specialists to give users a truly multimedia experience with this latest phone. The W902 is one of our most high-performing phones yet and perfect for those who want it all.”

The W902 delivers music as it was meant to be heard through Sony Ericsson’s revolutionary clear audio experience. With crystal clear sound quality and a dramatically richer bass, together with Sony Ericsson premium headphones, HPM-77 included in-box, your favourite tracks will sound better than ever. The W902 features the same superior sound quality as the W980, about to launch shortly, which was rated ”best audio experience” this month, in a trial conducted in Germany by TESTfactory**.

The W902 with clear audio experience
Fast forward to fantastic sounds

• Outstanding music sound – Clear Stereo + Clear Bass+ premium headphones = clear audio experience
• Retro music navigation keys – skip forward, back, play and pause with the push of a button
• Crystal clear video playback
• 5 megapixel camera – snap your stills and videos
• Scratch-resistant 2.2” QVGA screen and lens - made with mineral glass
• 8GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) for more than 8,000 songs

For the real rocker in you, the W595 Walkman™, is packed full of innovations for great music and media moments. Just as the W902 it too features a 2.2” bright and large screen for impressing video capabilities. Store and play over 1900* tunes in the 2GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) or share great sounds through the built in stereo speakers. Get up close and personal with the stereo Share jack so your best friend can listen in from an additional headset. Make play lists that match your moods with SensMe™ and change your tune or raise the volume with a flick of your wrist using Shake control. The W595 also comes with preloaded games for a full entertainment package - the possibilities are endless!

The W595
Share your great music moments

• Walkman™ player – music on the go
• 2GB Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) – store and play more than 1,900 songs
• Share jack and stereo speakers – share your sounds
• Bluetooth™ - use the many wireless speakers for loud sound
• TrackID™ and SensMe™ - lets you know what you are listening to
• 3.2 megapixel camera – snap some great shots and share with friends

Look beyond music and have it all with the new W902 and W595. Convenient, stylish and compact – why carry your life around in your bag when it can fit in your pocket?

The W902 Walkman™ is a UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Volcanic Black, Wine Red and Earth Green in Q4 of 2008.

The W595 Walkman™ is a UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White, Jungle Grey and Lava Black in Q4 of 2008.

The W595c Walkman™ is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White and Jungle Grey in Q4 of 2008.

The W595a Walkman™ is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets in Active Blue, Cosmopolitan White, Jungle Grey and Lava Black in Q4 of 2008.

Link

W595 and W902 promo video

W595



W902

W302 Promo Video

Maximys over at SE Blog posted the W302 promo video. It has a 2MP fixed focus camera. Tomorrow is the big day for Walkman fans ;)




Link

Esmertec‘s Jbed Java Solution selected by Sony Ericsson for Xperia Range

DUEBENDORF-ZURICH, Switzerland, Esmertec™ (SWX: ESMN), a leading edge provider of software platforms, applications and services to communication device manufacturers and mobile telecom operators, is pleased to announce that Sony Ericsson, a global leading provider of mobile phones, has selected Esmertec‘s Jbed Java Multitasking Virtual Machine to power its new revolutionary multimedia XPERIA™ mobile phone range. The first handset X1 will be available in selected markets in the second half of 2008.

XPERIA X1 is Sony Ericsson‘s distinctive arc-slider mobile phone delivering premium, converged mobile experience. It features among others a customizable "panel" interface designed for fingertip navigation, an 800x480 pixel touch screen, a wide-pitch keyboard and Web 2.0 communication for ultimate mobile browsing.

Esmertec‘s high performance Jbed Java platform is tightly integrated on X1 and contributes significantly to ensuring end users an enriched mobile user experience. With Jbed inside, end users will get fast, easy and stable access to Java-enabled content on the phone. In addition, the Jbed platform provides Sony Ericsson the best possible conditions for boosting innovation and a richer content on phones: Application developers will have access to a scalable mobile software platform that enable them to easily create and deploy cutting-edge Java applications and services across all phones in the XPERIA range. Thanks to its flexible nature, Jbed can also be seamlessly integrated with Sony Ericsson‘s new revolutionary technology, referred to as Capuchin. This will allow developers to utilize the best attributes of various technologies to create next-generation mobile applications.

—Sony Ericsson is shipping millions of innovative mobile phones each year and we are pleased that a world leader has recognized the strength and opportunities that our Jbed software technology offers inside mobile phones,“ says Thomas Hornung, CEO of Esmertec.

—We look forward to continuing working with Sony Ericsson to bring pioneering Java solutions that enable them to achieve the flexibility and functionality they are demanding for their next-generation mobile phones.“

—Sony Ericsson has created XPERIA X1 to be a revolutionary premium mobile user experience“, said Ib Green, Head of Software of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications.

—Esmertec has demonstrated its capabilities in delivering advanced mobile Java technology and to fulfil our high requirements when supporting our existing Java Platform strategy. Therefore, the smooth integration of Jbed with our XPERIA X1 makes Esmertec a key development partner to realise some of the X1 promises.“

About Esmertec

Esmertec is a leading provider of Java™ in-device engines and mobile services platforms. The company‘s high-performance solutions enable consumers to easily discover and access content and services on any mobile phone. Esmertec‘s customer database has grown to more than 90 customers, including mobile operators and manufacturers of mobile handsets, set-top boxes and interactive televisions. Its in device engines power 1 out of 10 new phones (shipped in more than 233 million devices) and its USSD mobile services platforms serves more than 138 million mobile subscribers world-wide.

Esmertec is a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, delivering customized solutions for Android, the mobile platform initiated by Google.

Founded in 1999, Esmertec is headquartered in Zurich-Switzerland with subsidiaries
in China, France, South Korea, and the USA, and offices in Taiwan and the UK. Since
2005, Esmertec is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (ESMN). www.esmertec.com

PDF Link

Another UIQ 3.3 Beibei demo walkthrough

PhonerX has posted another walkthrough of UIQ 3.3 on a Beibei proto. This time we see Opera Mini 9.5, SMS, and the media player and gallery.

Live pics of TM506

More live pics of the T-Mobile TM506 has been released, this time from the ePrice site. Enjoy the pics and get more from the link below









Link

Sony Ericsson to lay off 2,000 jobs

Looks like SE is going to 2,000 people go. This comes in response to the poor Q2 results. SE seems to be in trouble. They had better come out with better higher end products with more innovation of their hey days in order to become a leader in the mobile world again.

Sony Ericsson to axe 2,000 jobs

Sony Ericsson is one of the world's largest makers of mobile phones

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson has said it will shed 2,000 jobs worldwide over the coming year to cut costs.

The news came as Sony Ericsson reported an operating loss of 2m euros ($3.1m; £1.59m) for the second quarter, against a profit of 315m euros a year ago.

Sony Ericsson said it was aiming to cut operating costs by £300m a year.

In June, the company had warned its profits would be less than previously forecast as demand for expensive handsets waned.

Sales in the quarter fell by 9.4% to 2.82 bn euros.

A company spokesman said a review of all operations, including those in the UK, would be taken before any decisions were made about where jobs would be cut.

Spending squeeze

The company is a joint venture between electronics firm Sony and telecoms equipment maker Ericsson.

Consumer demand has been hurt by a credit crunch that has prompted banks to withdraw many loans and mortgages.

As a result, many consumers have had less money to spend and have had to cut back on their outgoings.

The slowdown in many of the world's largest economies such as the US, UK and Japan has hit both consumer and corporate spending.

'More agile'

Sony Ericsson has been trying to do more business in emerging markets, as European trade reaches near-saturation levels.

That has meant the sale of more low-end, less costly, phones.

"Our target is to achieve a reduction in operating expenses of 300m euros annually, with the full effect expected to appear within a year," Sony Ericsson chief executive Dick Komiyama said.

"The measures we are taking are aimed at becoming a faster, more agile and more cost efficient organisation that can continue to create innovative products that excite consumers."

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W902 sample pics

varsamakos from Mobile Review posted the following sample pics from the upcoming W902. They look very nice and typical results from a 5MP camera phone from SE.








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SE Q2 2008 results

Well this past quarter has been rough on every one and Sony Ericsson was no exception. Income went from 315€ million Q2 2007 to negative 2€ million Q2 2008. Even compared to Q1 2008, which was 184€ million income, that is a big drop. SE actually sold more phones Q2 compared to Q1, but the avg price went down from 121€ to 116€. SE has been concentrating on low to mid end and it shows with lackluster showing of higher end devices. The second half of 2008 should prove better results though. Q3 should be rough, but Q4 should be great.

Sony Ericsson reports second quarter results

18 July 2008

Q2 Highlights:

• Break even results amid challenging market conditions and increased competition
• Announcement of Open Mobile Software platform and Symbian Foundation
• R&D investment continues
• Alignment of operations to help restore profitable growth

London, UK - The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008 is as follows:

	Q2 2007	Q1 2008	Q2 2008
Number of units shipped (million)	24.9	22.3	24.4
Sales (Euro m.)	3,112	2,702	2,820
Gross margin (%)	29.6%	29.2%	23.1%
Operating income (Euro m.)	315	184	-2
Operating margin (%)	10.1%	6.8%	-0.1%
Income before taxes (Euro m.)	327	193	8
Net income (Euro m.)	220	133	6
Average selling price (Euro)	125	121	116

Units shipped in the quarter were 24.4 million, in line with our June 27, 2008 interim announcement of 24 million units. Sales for the quarter were Euro 2,820 million, a decrease of 9% compared to the second quarter of 2007 due to unfavourable exchange rate fluctuation, continued slowing market growth in mid- to high-end phones and increased competition. Gross margin also decreased compared with a year ago reflecting a less favourable product mix, with particular impact in Europe, and increased price competition in general. Income before taxes for the quarter decreased compared to the second quarter of 2007 for the same reasons, as well as due to higher R&D investments as a percentage of sales.

Average selling price (ASP) for Sony Ericsson decreased both sequentially and year-on-year due to the impact of a greater proportion of lower priced phones in the product portfolio, as well as increased price competition in the market for mid- to high-end phones. Market share for the second quarter is estimated to be around 8%.

During the second quarter Sony Ericsson announced seven new phones, including its first 8 Megapixel Cyber-shot™ model, the C905. In addition the company started shipping 12 new phones, including a number of mid- to high-end Cyber-shot™ and Walkman™ models toward the end of the quarter.

“We are aligning our operations and resources worldwide to meet an increasingly competitive business environment and to help restore our capability for profitable growth. The measures we are taking are aimed at becoming a faster, more agile and more cost efficient organisation that can continue to create innovative products that excite consumers,” said Dick Komiyama, President, Sony Ericsson. “Our target is to achieve a reduction in operating expenses of Euro 300 million annually, with the full effect expected to appear within a year. We estimate that our restructuring charges will be of the same magnitude as our reduction in operating expenses, and we will incur such charges as our measures are implemented.”

Sony Ericsson joined leading phone manufacturers, operators and vendors in announcing its support for the establishment of the Symbian Foundation, an initiative that will enable all members of the foundation to use the Symbian operating software platform, royalty-free. The Symbian Foundation is planned to be operational by the end of 2008.

Sony Ericsson forecasts that the global handset market for 2008 will grow at a rate of around 10% from more than 1.1 billion units in 2007, with continued decline in industry ASP. The majority of this growth is expected to be in emerging markets where lower priced phones dominate.

Challenging market conditions are expected to prevail for Sony Ericsson for at least the rest of 2008, and in particular for the third quarter.

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TransferJet allows for 560Mbps between devices

Sony has head started a consortium of consumer electronics and camera manufacturers into making a new close proximity wireless technology. Interesting member of this group is Sony Ericsson. This means that future SE phones will be able to transfer data between one another at speeds up to 560Mbps. One caveat is that the devices have to be 3cm or less away.

Consortium Established to Develop and Promote Close Proximity Wireless Technology “TransferJet”

17 July 2008

Tokyo, July 17, 2008 - Sony Corporation, Canon Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, Hitachi Ltd., Victor Company of Japan, KDDI Corporation, Kenwood Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), Nikon Corporation, Olympus Imaging Corporation, Pioneer Corporation, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Seiko Epson Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Toshiba Corporation today announced an agreement to form a consortium to develop specifications for interconnecting products using “TransferJet” a new interoperable wireless transfer technology that enables rapid transfer of high resolution video, music and images. The “TransferJet Consortium” (www.transferjet.org) plans to promote a wide range of products and services incorporating TransferJet technology with the aim of accelerating its adoption throughout the consumer electronics industry.

TransferJet wireless technology enables a high speed data transmission rate of 560Mbps, while eliminating the need for complex setup and operation. Directly touching two compliant electronic products together allows files to be transferred automatically, without the need for an access point. For example, touching a TV with a digital camera enables photos to be instantaneously displayed on the TV screen. Alternatively, downloaded music content can be easily enjoyed by touching a mobile phone to a portable audio player. TransferJet can be used as a universal interface across all consumer electronics devices.

The “TransferJet Consortium” will develop specifications and guidelines ensuring interoperability between products incorporating the technology, establish licensing schemes and administer the use of the TransferJet logo. The Consortium will also promote the advantages across industries and to consumers. Through these initiatives, the Consortium will aim to create and expand the market for TransferJet products.

”TransferJet Consortium” Members (as of July 17 2008)

Sony Corporation (”TransferJet Consortium” Administration)
Canon Inc.
Eastman Kodak Company
Hitachi Ltd.,
Victor Company of Japan
KDDI Corporation
Kenwood Corporation
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic)
Nikon Corporation
Olympus Imaging Corporation
Pioneer Corporation
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Seiko Epson Corporation
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
Toshiba Corporation

Contacts for “TransferJet Consortium”
URL: www.transferjet.org

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SE Walkman July 22 Teaser site

Sony Ericsson has launched a Walkman website with the history of SE Walkman phones. It also has a countdown to Tuesday's July 22 announcement where at least 4 more Walkman phones will be introduced. These include the W902, W707, W595, and W302. Only 5 more days...

I SE Music Reborn