Sony Ericcson’s Aspen is the first Windows Phone to use Windows Mobile 6.5.3

photo courtesy of Sony Ericsson Product Blog

Talk about trying to sneak one in under the radar! Sony Ericcson is announcing a new device, the Aspen, today in the UK. According to the Sony Ericsson Product Blog,”This phone is targeting a business user or the consumer who is really into messaging. With both touch screen and QWERTY keyboard it really ticks all the boxes for fast messaging. It will run on Windows mobile 6.5.3 which delivers a really finger friendly touch experience.” The Aspen is the first phone that I am aware of that is using Windows Mobile 6.5.3, which “will deliver incremental improvement between major releases.” These improvements include:

• Ease of Use
  • Capacitive touchscreen support
  • Platform to enable multi-touch
  • Touch controls throughout system (no need for stylus)
  • Consistent Navigation
  • Horizontal scroll bar replaces tabs (think settings>system>about screen)
  • Magnifier brings touch support to legacy applications
  • Simplified out-of-box experience with fewer steps
  • Drag and drop icons on Start Screen
• Browser Performance
  • Page load time decreased
  • Memory management improved>
  • Pan & flick gestures smoothed
  • Zoom & rotation speed increased
• Quality and Customer Satisfaction
  • Updated runtime tools (.NET CF 3.5, SQL CE 3.1)
  • Arabic read/write document support
  • Watson (error reporting) improvements and bug fixes

It sounds like 6.5.3 will take care of at least some of the complaints people have had with 6.5; it’s too bad there isn’t likely to be an easy upgrade path.

Here is the Aspen’s release with specs; pictures of it and a few from Windows Mobile 6.5.3 follow:

02 February 2010

•Latest addition to GreenHeart™ portfolio now allows consumers and companies to make a green choice on their Windows Phone
•Office at your fingertips with the latest version of Windows Phone
•Maximised message experience with QWERTY keyboard and finger friendly touch

Have fun with Media Browser and PlayNow™

February 2, London, UK – Today sees the announcement of Sony Ericsson Aspen™, the business mobile phone with green credentials at its core. The newest edition to the successful Sony Ericsson GreenHeart™ portfolio, Sony Ericsson Aspen™, allows easy multi-tasking combining the touch experience and a real QWERTY keyboard. Organise and adapt panels to change during the day and use Slide View for quick access to common features.

With Sony Ericsson Aspen™, view and edit office files easily and comfortably with one touch operation, or just access the internet in one click. The QWERTY keyboard is made for fast and easy typing. Simple email set up allows for a maximized messaging experience on the go. Secure the phone’s contents through the Microsoft MyPhone service, which remotely erases phone data when the handset is lost or stolen.

“Sony Ericsson Aspen™ is the business phone with a conscience, perfect for any consumer or company who want to make a green choice in their daily work life.” Said Quentin Cordier, Global Marketing Manager, Sony Ericsson. “An affordable GreenHeart™ phone with the latest version of Windows Phone, the Sony Ericsson Aspen™ has a rich user interface and powerful productivity tools. But it’s not all about work, stay in touch with the fun parts of life with Media Browser and PlayNow ™, with simple access to social networks and quick and easy access to media files. Find the fun with a-GPS, Google Maps™ and snap pictures with the 3.2megapixel camera.”

Sony Ericsson Aspen™

• Modern office at your fingertips – latest version of Windows Phone
• Easy multi-tasking – Sony Ericsson Slide View and customisable panels
• Maximised message experience – QWERTY keyboard and finger friendly touch experience
• GreenHeart™ – for a greener choice
• Stay in touch with the fun parts of life – access fun applications at PlayNow™ such as games and new music
• Media browser – access music, photos and videos
• Social network tool (Windows Live™ Messenger, Facebook™)
• Human curvature design – fits into the palm of the hand

Sony Ericsson Aspen™ supports HSPA 900/2100 and EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA 850/900/2100 and EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.

Sony Ericsson Aspen™ will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Iconic Black and White Silver.

Create your own phone booth with optional extra Bluetooth™ Noise Shield Handsfree VH700 and charge your phone the eco-friendly way with the Energy Saving Mini-Charger EP800.

Log on to The Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products

Sony Ericsson Aspen™

Camera

• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 4x digital zoom
• Multishot
• Self timer
• Smart contrast

Music

• Album art
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Equalizer
• Sony Ericsson media player
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• PlayNow™
• Stereo speakers
• Windows Media® Player Mobile

Web

• Bookmarks
• Google™ search
• Internet Explorer® Mobile
• Pan & zoom
• Web feeds

Voice

• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert

Messaging

• Email
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
• Handwriting recognition
• Instant messaging
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Auto rotate
• Media browser
• Picture wallpaper
• Full keyboard
• Touchscreen
• Wallpaper animation
• Windows Phone®

Entertainment

• 3D games
• Facebook™
• FM radio with RDS
• Java™
• Skype™
• Video streaming
• Video viewing
• YouTube™

Organiser

• Adobe® PDF Reader
• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Microsoft Office® Mobile
• Notes
• Outlook® Mobile
• Phone book
• Stopwatch
• Tasks

Connectivity

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• A-GPS
• Bluetooth™ technology
• Google Maps™
• Micro USB connector
• Modem
• Synchronisation
• USB mass storage support
• USB support
• Wi-Fi™

Applications and panels

• SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 (Professional)
• SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 (Lifestyle)
• SEMC Greenheart Panel
• Microsoft Today
• Facebook™
• Panel Manager
• SlideView
• Google Maps Latitude
• Google Mobile Application
• Send My Location
• Unified Search Application
• SPB Traveler and Weather combo
• Skype
• YouTube™ panel
• Communication City/Day
• Communication City/Night
• CNN
• On-The-Road Panel
• Windows® Live
• Twitter
• Gokivo Weather Panel
• Eco mate application

GreenHeart™ indentity

• GreenHeart™ panel
• Power saving mode
• Eco mate application
• E-manual
• Waterborne painting
• Recycle materials (Green charger, Green PHF, Green Box.

Screen

• 65,536 colour TFT
• 2.4 inches
• 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)

Accessories

• In-Box:
• Sony Ericsson Aspen™
• Battery
• Green charger
• HPM-60J GreenHeart™ Stereo portable handsfree
• 3.5mm jack
• Micro USB cable
• E-manual

• Optional:
• Bluetooth™ Noise Shield Handsfree VH700
• Dual connect charger
• 4GB MicroSD card
• Car charger

Facts

• Size: 117 x 60 x 12.45 mm
• Weight: 130 grams

• Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB

• Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.5.3

• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hours
• Standby time: GSM/GPRS: Up to 450hrs

• Talk time UMTS: Up to 8 hours
• Standby time: UMTS: Up to 600 hrsMusic listening  time: Up to 12hrs

Availability and versions

• Networks

• UMTS HSPA 900/2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

• UMTS HSPA 850/900/2100
• GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

• Available in selected markets in Q2 2010

Colour

• Iconic Black
• White Silver

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Tags: Microsoft Windows Phone Devices