Sony Ericsson announced 2 new “Touchscreen Organizers” based on UIQ 3
February 13, 2008 by Asri al-Baker
Well folks, if you are into “touch” based devices, these could be your cup of tea. Sony Ericsson has unveiled 2 smartphones which looks eerily similar with their non-smartphones. The newly announced G700 & G900 are both powered by Symbian UIQ 3 but at the same time, they look ordinary enough to attract average Joes.
IMHO, I have a mixed feelings about this. Yes, Sony Ericsson announced 2 smartphones on UIQ 3 but there’s nothing really NEW and FRESH here. They dont have HSPA, they dont have accelerometer, they dont have that COOL factor rather than looking “normal”. There’s no Xenon flash or even 30FPS video recording. I’m not saying this is bad but I’m very concerned because UIQ is a powerful platform. If Sony Ericsson continues this fashion releasing UIQ powered devices on old and outdated hardware, UIQ cant be pushed forward.
Full press release after the break!
The new G700 and G900 phones are designed to give back time. They place personal organiser features and easy finger-touch control within familiar form factors.
Barcelona, Spain – 10th February 2008 – Sony Ericsson today launched a new generation of phone: Touchscreen organisers with a broad appeal. The G700 and G900 phones are essential tools designed to organise the lives of all those with busy schedules to juggle, both at home and at work.
The G700 is here to help you live your life to the full. This personal organiser in-your-pocket keeps your contacts, calendars, notes, pictures and favourite Web sites all in one place and just a fingertip away. Touch and go.
The G900 has all the functions of the G700 with the added features of a unique new 5.0 megapixel Touch Auto Focus camera, touch photo album and editor. Perfect for those looking for a one-touch media experience combined with their organiser.
“Sony Ericsson is delivering touchscreen and innovative organiser capabilities to a wide audience without compromising on the size or shape of the phone. Both the G700 and G900 have regular keyboards and are no larger than a regular phone.” says Martin Winkler, Director Global Marketing and Head of Multimedia Web at Sony Ericsson. “These phones are ideal for users that are only interested in making their lives simpler. It’s not about technology for the sake of it.”
Sony Ericsson G700 phone
- One-touch full organiser functions
- Touch controlled Notes application - write and draw your memo’s
- Large 2.4″ display with unique single touch control menu
- 3,2 megapixel camera
- Compact size
Calendar is King
Access your calendar, reach family and friends and scribble and save your notes on your phone. With the G700, you can jot down a note on the screen with a stylus, just as you would with a pen on paper, and save it on your phone’s desktop to remind you - just as you’d stick a note on the fridge. You can even draw a map to the local shop or doodle personal notes to send them to your loved ones! Holding everything that is important to you wherever you go, the G700 is the most natural way to manage life. There’s no longer a need to have your home calendar separate from work – it works with you, the way you do.
Intuitively simple
With the G700 you can enjoy touchscreen text input, Web surfing, calendar and phone navigation. Want to contact someone at home? Just touch the relevant name in your phonebook and all of the various contact options will appear onscreen. It’s instantly intuitive messaging. You can even browse your photo album using the tip of your finger. The G700 also has dedicated keys for messaging, notes and a key lock on the side of the phone. All it takes is one press to unlock.
Sony Ericsson G900 phone
- One touch media experience
- 5.0 megapixel camera with touch Auto focus and Multi-shot function
- One- touch media and organiser menu
- Large 2.4″ display with single touch control menu
- Wi-Fi™ for high speed data transfer and internet browsing
Print-quality photos to keep
The G900’s 5.0 megapixel camera lets you take print-quality photos and share them with friends and family straight away.
Frame your shot and decide where you want to focus the camera by simply touching the screen. Also, with Camera Multi-Shot, hold down the camera key and take as many pictures as you like. Great for taking photos of your kids as they dash around the garden! Scroll through all of the photos on your phone with touch control and even edit them there with the Touch photo album and editor.
Stay mobile
Got a moment to surf? Access your favourite Web pages when you’re in a Wi-Fi™ hotspot and view them on the large 2.4” display. Use the stylus or your finger to zoom-in or pan around the page. When you’ve barely got a moment to spare, get RSS feeds direct to your phone for the latest updates; news, football scores or whatever you are in to.
Organize with a personal touch
Touch, type or write… Everything comes naturally with the G900. Organise your schedule, touch and tap to make calls and jot down notes before you forget it. The G900 works your way to let you get more into your day. It’s the power of personal touch.
The G700 will launch in Silk Bronze and the G900 will launch in Dark Red and Dark Brown. Both are UMTS 2100 and GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 phones that will be available in selected markets from Q2 2008.
think you missed the point…these are ENTRY LEVEL uiq smartphones, that can be easily used just with a dpad, but also have a touch screen…
they are not meant to push uiq technologicaly, although g900 does have a new processor, 5mp camera, wifi b+g, that does exist on the p1
do you know what is the estimated price for g900??? freaking 320 euros!!! and g700 270 euros, cheapest uiq phone ever! this will put uiq in mainstream
at the same time, high end UIQ stuf is also coming, and there you will find the top specs you want, but highly priced
@jon,
I know these 2 G-series are meant to be entry level UIQ smartphones. I’m not complaining about that. What I am worried is that these are build on nothing new. What’s wrong with having new technologies inside our smartphones? For example, G700 & G900 both have touchscreen which are good but they dont have accelerometer. You dont have to be a tech-freak to appreciate the usefulness of an accelerometer sensor where you can just tilt the device and the screen orientation will change. This is very useful not only for browsing the net but for viewing documents, scrolling spreadsheets and lots more.
An entry level smartphone does not have to be boring. If Sony Ericsson do really want to give the best to their potential customers, they can pack newer hardwares so users can feel the worth of their devices.
I’m not saying all these are bad, I just expressed my concerns.
If Sony Ericsson really want to push UIQ forward, new devices (plural) with more innovative technologies should be offered. I’m not talking about the price, it’s cool that UIQ phones can now be offered at a lower price but a little more advanced hardware would be nice
We are waiting for the “BeiBei” and “Paris” announcement which will be done anytime now. Until they are confirmed, what can we do?
Appreciate your comments. Keep them coming!