Sony Ericsson has expanded its Walkman family with the addition of the W550i – a mobile phone, camera, MP3 player and gaming console all rolled into one.
“The W550i reflects another step in the constantly evolving Walkman phone series, stated Husni El-Assi, general manager of Sony Ericsson MEA. “Each new phone will have its distinct features targeting specific user groups. We are excited about the new W550i because its features are geared towards the youthful market, which is an attractive segment and one where Sony Ericsson has traditionally fared very well.”
The W550i – aimed at fashionistas, media buffs and gamers – is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera and 256MB of internal memory. All images can be stored or shared using MMS, Bluetooth, or via a USB cable.
The device also acts as a digital music player that users can listen to through two external speakers or via the supplied headphones. A direct music button gives users instant access to the Walkman music player, which can be used independently of the phone. Sony Ericsson claims the W550i allows users to listen to up to 30 hours of music when the phone function is switched off. Additionally, Disc2Phone software allows users to transfer music of their PC straight to the phone.
The firm says that users need not worry about the music player interfering with call notification, as when a call comes through the music pauses automatically, allowing the listener to take the call before resuming their tune.
On the gaming front, the W550i features a number of 3D games including Worms Forts: Under Siege 3D, Extreme Air Snowboarding, and a multiplayer version of Midway’s Gauntlet. The phone allows these games to be played with the screen configured horizontally, while the buttons on the left and right of the screen can be used for two-handed control. Multi-player P2P Bluetooth is also supported.
In contrast to Sony Ericsson’s W800i Walkman phone, the 550i offers 3D gaming support, but its digital camera is just 1.3-megapixel, compared to the 800i’s 2.0-megapixel camera. With regards to memory, the 550i boasts 256MB of internal memory, whereas the 800i features a total of 546MB, which can be upgraded further.
Sony Ericsson’s W550i is currently available in stores across the region for approximately $340.
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