Sony Ericsson has taken the wraps off a new smartphone called Aspen that is based on the latest release of Windows Mobile from Microsoft. Together with Sony Ericsson’s recently announced Android-based XPERIA X10 device, the new Aspen handset forms part of the company’s new strategy for addressing the lack of a significant smartphone in its product portfolio.
“This phone is targeting a business user or the consumer who is really into messaging,” said Sony Ericsson spokesperson Mattias Holm. “With both touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, it really ticks all the boxes for fast messaging” and “it will run on Windows mobile 6.5.3, which delivers a really finger-friendly touch experience.”
Combining Business and Pleasure
Sporting a 2.4-inch touch-sensitive color display, Aspen integrates a 3.2-megapixel camera; Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi wireless chips; a 4GB microSD card; and a pair of stereo speakers. Enterprise users will also appreciate the availability of business-oriented software, such as an Adobe PDF reader and Microsoft’s popular Office productivity suite.
Outlook Mobile and Exchange Server synchronization offerings are on tap in support of enterprise e-mail, giving users the ability to manage multiple accounts right from their phones. And business users will even be able to secure Aspen’s contents by using Microsoft’s My Phone service, which can remotely erase data should the handset become lost or stolen.
Slated for release in the second quarter, Aspen will ship with Skype, which means business travelers will have the option of placing and receiving overseas calls at a fraction of standard cellular rates. Designed to deliver up to 10 hours of talk time from a single battery charge, the new handset also will incorporate a full range of GSM, EDGE and HSPA radios.
Beyond addressing the needs of mobile workers, Aspen offers users the option of enjoying a full-blown entertainment experience, whether listening to favorite music…