Sub-smartphones
While the growth of Android has been unprecedented, and touch-screen phones are set to become the norm, handset OEMs haven't given up on the sub-smartphone market segments just yet.
Non-smartphones are now generally termed feature phones, which is a legacy term from when phones started to offer a bit more than just phone and text services a decade or so ago. Early data technologies such as WAP, and rudimentary personal organiser functionality, made feature phone distinct from just phones, much in the same way platforms like iOS and Android define smartphones.
We know all about the demise of early smartphone platforms such as Symbian and Windows Mobile, but that isn't stopping OEMs from developing their own proprietary platform software and using it in what may become a distinct category, which we'll call a sub-smartphone for now.
Two launches today from Sony Ericsson seem to fall squarely in that category. The Mix Walkman and txt pro phones both have three inch touch-screens and a fair bit of functionality that you might associate with full-blown smartphones. But they don't run Android, rather some nameless Sony Ericsson proprietary platform.
We'll leave the technical details to the spec lists and images below, and while these phones are expected to become available in Q3 there's no pricing guidance right now. However, given the positioning and that SE seems to have focused is marketing efforts on Facebook, we can safely assume these will be positioned as entry-level, youth-oriented products.
"We wanted to take advantage of our extensive Facebook fan base when announcing these phones, bringing the fans closer to both our products and brand," said Quentin Cordier of SE. "We are really pleased that consumers liked them for their music and social media functionality and expect them to become great additions to our overall portfolio of entertaining phones."
They'd better be pretty cheap though. Just yesterday Vodafone announced is was offering a full Android Huawei handset for just £60 on PAYG. There are some unique features, like the Zappin preview functionality in the Walkman phone (surely that brand doesn't mean anything to the yoof of today), and the txt phone seems to be inspired by the Xperia Mini line, but the sub-smartphone market looks like being highly price-competitive.
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Sony Ericsson Mix WalkmanTM phone
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Sony Ericsson txt pro
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Colours |
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Facts |
Size: 95.8 x 52.8 x 14.3mm Weight: 88g
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Size: 93 x 52 x 18mm Weight: 100g
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Camera |
3.2 megapixel camera Send to web Video recording
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3.2 megapixel camera Send to web Video recording
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Music |
BluetoothTM stereo (A2DP) Media player Music tones (MP3/AAC) PlayNowTM service * SensMeTM WalkmanTM player TrackIDTM music recognition
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BluetoothTM stereo (A2DP) Media player Music tones (MP3/AAC) PlayNowTM service * Clear stereo Sony Ericsson Music Player TrackIDTM music recognition
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Internet |
Bookmarks GoogleTM search Web browser (ObigoTM Q7)
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Bookmarks GoogleTM search Web browser (ObigoTM Q7)
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Communication |
Call list Conference calls FacebookTM application Polyphonic ringtones Speakerphone TwitterTM application Vibrating alert
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Call list Conference calls FacebookTM application Polyphonic ringtones Speakerphone TwitterTM application Vibrating alert
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Messaging |
Conversations Instant messaging Multimedia messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Sound recorder Text messaging (SMS) Friends application Google TalkTM Multiple IM
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Conversations Instant messaging Multimedia messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Sound recorder Text messaging (SMS) Friends application Google TalkTM Multiple IM
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Design |
Auto rotation Four corner home screen Keyboard (on-screen, 12-key) Picture wallpaper Touchscreen
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Auto rotation Four corner home screen Keyboard (on-screen, 12 key) Keyboard (QWERTY) Picture wallpaper Touchscreen
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Entertainment |
JavaTM Radio (FM radio with RDS) Video viewing Media browser
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JavaTM Radio (FM radio with RDS) Video viewing Media browser
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Organiser
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Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Flight mode Notes Phonebook Stopwatch Timer
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Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Flight mode Notes Phonebook Stopwatch Timer Widget manager
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Connectivity |
3.5 mm audio jack BluetoothTM technology Micro USB support USB mass storage USB High Speed 2.0 support USB support Wi-FiTM
All services mentioned may not be available in every market. |
3.5 mm audio jack BluetoothTM technology Micro USB support Modem USB mass storage USB High Speed 2.0 support Wi-Fi
All services mentioned may not be available in every market.
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Display |
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Memory |
Up to 100MB user-free memory Memory card support: microSDTM, up to 32GB
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Up to 100MB user-free memory Memory card support: microSDTM, up to 32GB
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Battery life |
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 9 hrs 40 min* Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 465 hrs* Music listening time: Up to 13 hrs* Video listening time: Up to 4 hrs
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Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 5 hrs 10 min* Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 400 hrs* |
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Networks |
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
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GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
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