For the first time in its history, Sony Ericcson unveiled a
smart phone powered by Microsoft’s Windows Mobile.
Called Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 the mobile phone is seen as a
potential iPhone killer, due to its 3 inch touch screen.
Unlike iPhone, Xperia X1 includes also a full QWERTY
keyboard within a quality metal-finish body and it offers also a stylus and a
3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus.
Xperia X1, which represents the first brand that is truly
borne from within Sony Ericsson, as Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson
said, is powered by Windows Mobile 6, the latest OS for smart phones released
by the Redmond
company.
For Microsoft, the alliance with the fourth largest handset
maker is a real step forward in promoting its Windows Mobile in a market
dominated by Symbian.
The phone has quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz) and 4
bands of HSDPA/HSUPA (850/1700/1900/2100MHz or 900/1700/1900/2100MHz) support.
It includes also WiFi connectivity. Xperia X1 measures 110mm x 53mm x 17mm
(4.3" x 2.1" x .7") and weighs in at 145g (5.1oz) and it
includes also GPS support.
Unveiled at the last year’s 3GSM World Congress Windows
Mobile 6.0 was meant to be similar to Windows Vista and there are three
editions available: Windows Mobile 6 Standard, Windows Mobile 6 Professional and
Windows Mobile 6 Classic.
Though, Microsoft has managed to sell only 11 million units
of Windows Mobile during the last year.
According to a research release last week by Canalys, iPhone
has already surpassed Windows Mobile in terms of market share.
However, if Xperia X1, which is set for release in the
second half of the year, will be a success it is possible that Sony Ericsson would
consider another smart phones with Windows Mobile. Also there are rumors that
Microsoft is trying to sign a partnership with Nokia, one the owners of Symbian
platform, along with sony Ericssson, Samsung and Panasonc.
In another piece of news about Sony Ericsson, the Wall Street
Journal reports that Sony Ericsson's new Chief Executive Hideki Komiyama that despite
the company’s efforts to increase its presence in the US, Sony Ericsson
is not interested in acquiring Motorola’s mobile phone division.
"The idea
is not attractive," said Mr. Komiyama. "Motorola itself is a strong
brand. Changing Motorola to something else would be killing this brand,"
he continued. Plus, there are all the distractions of a large merger to
consider, he added. "Our U.S.
strategy is already set on organic growth."