Sony Ericsson T707

Sony Ericsson T707 review: Off it glows

Sony Ericsson T707 is a new addition to the T-series but it's nothing like the T-series as you know them. Not only is it the first flip in the bunch, it also has a different brief than virtually any other T-series handset. Codenamed Elle, Sony Ericsson T707 will be trying to please the ladies but maybe it's not as simple as just sticking that less-a-gadget, more-an-accessory label.

As one of the product designers claims, the Sony Ericsson T707 was inspired by rainbows and the array of paintjobs it will be released in will make sure it won't go unnoticed. The light effects, the stealthy external screen and the ripple-and-circle patterns inside give this otherwise modest mid-ranger a distinct personality and visual appeal.

Key features:

• Quad-band GSM and 3G with HSDPA support
• 3.15 megapixel camera with Cell-ID geotagging
• 2.2" 256K-color TFT display with 240 x 320 pixels resolution
• Secondary monochrome external display (36 x 128 pixels)
• Scratch-resistant surface for both displays
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• Hot-swappable M2 card slot (up to 16 GB)
• FM radio with RDS
• Basic multi-tasking support
• Gesture control
• Light effects with 5 colors, assignable to contacts
• Smart dialing
• Threaded messaging

Main disadvantages

• Camera doesn’t have auto focus or LED flash
• Low-res video recording (QVGA@15fps)
• External display not legible in sunlight
• Keyboard lacks adequate typing feedback (might be changed in final product)
• The light effects are too dim (might be changed in final product)
• No document viewer
• No video-call camera (W508 has one)
• No accelerometer sensor (W508 has one)

Sony Ericsson have put quite some effort into advertizing the T707 as an all-around stylish package that's even fit for the tennis star Maria Sharapova as seen from the numerous photo ads.

The front of the Sony Ericsson T707 is where rainbows are made - the exterior is surely an eye catcher. The light effects it offers are a way to add a bit of individuality integrated with practical functionality - the two circular elements on the front panel can be backlit in a choice of five different colors and these colors are in fact assignable to individual contacts.

For our review we received the Sony Ericsson T707 in Mysterious Black. Now that we've got our proper introduction, we'd gladly take you down the road with an inspection of looks and ergonomics.

LG KM900 Arena

LG KM900 Arena preview: First look

The LG Arena is getting set to storm its way across Europe but not before a proper courtesy call. Yes sir, one of the Barcelona Mobile World Congress headliners is feeling right at home at the arena. And the pleasure is ours too.

The well-rounded feature set - which could've been a major asset in any reputable handset - is easily eclipsed by the interface that boasts some of the best looks and handling in quite a while. S-class is a not a name to misuse so let's hope the Arena lives up to the expectations.

Our LG namesake is the first ever handset to run the new touch UI of the Korean company. In addition, you get a state of the art connectivity package and a nicely sounding 5 megapixel shooter. Well, obviously it's not a top of the line imaging monster like the Renoir but the target audience is different here.

Having made a great first impression with its brilliant screen and inspiring UI, the LG KM900 Arena is now to face a more serious test. It's a quick little preview we've got for you here but hopefully the Arena will have no secrets left.

For starters let's have a look at the LG KM900 Arena main specs.

LG KM900 Arena at a glance

• General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 2100 or 850/1900 MHz, EDGE class 10, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• Dimensions: 105.9 x 55.3 x 12 mm, 105 g
• Display: 3" 16M-color capacitive TFT touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)
• Memory: 8GB flash storage, microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
• User interface: S-Class Touch UI
• Still camera: 5 megapixel autofocus camera, Schneider-Kreuznach optics, autofocus, LED flash
• Video recording: 3GP D1 (720x480)@30fps, QVGA@120fps high-speed recording, QVGA time lapse recording
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack, TV-out, microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS
• Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate, Multi-touch input, 3D hardware accelerator, DivX support, Dolby for Mobile audio enhancement, FM radio, FM transmitter, office document viewer
• Battery: Li-Ion 1000 mAh, Talk time: 3 h 50 min, Standby: 300 h, Music playback: 30 h
• Retail price: 400 euro (540 US dollars)

There are several things to note on the KM900 Arena specs sheet. To begin with, the screen is a giant leap for LG. No, WVGA is not unheard of but the company sure was stuck at WQVGA far too long. The all-round functionality isn't unprecedented either but this here package is quite well balanced. Save for omitting an 8MP shooter the LG Arena hardly has anything else missing.

However, the more important test for the Arena is usability and user experience. If the S-Class manages to reinforce the first impression we may certainly have a winner here.

But let's not rush. That would be the worst thing to do with plenty of work on our hands and so little time. Hit the jump for the design and ergonomics of the LG KM900 Arena.

Samsung S7350 Ultra s

Samsung S7350 Ultra s preview: First look

The Samsung S7350 Ultra s is a pretty obvious successor of the Samsung S7330. What sets the two apart is that the new slider has ditched the touchpad. Also, the S7350 Ultra s has a higher-resolution, bigger 2.6" WQVGA screen, a GPS receiver with Samsung Mobile Navigator (by Route66) and a more modern styling in tone with the latest Samsung lineup. There's also the 5 megapixel auto focus camera.

The Samsung S7350 Ultra s is easily another Soul offshoot, though the real successor of the U900 Soul is the already announced S8300 UltraTOUCH.

Samsung S7350 Ultra s at a glance:

• General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 MHz, GPRS/EDGE class 10, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• Form factor: Widescreen slider
• Dimensions: 109.0 x 50.5 x 12.6 mm
• Display: 2.6-inch TFT, WQVGA resolution (240 x 400 pixels)
• Memory: hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
• Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus camera with dual LED flash, and WVGA video@30fps
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS and navigation software by Route66
• Misc: FM radio with RDS, DivX/XviD video support
• Battery: 880 mAh battery

Being a quad-band phone with HSDPA support, the S7350 Ultra s has the usual Bluetooth and microUSB connectivity, lacking only Wi-Fi. Among the nice extras that more and more Samsung phones are featuring are turn-to-mute, music recognition and smart search.

Samsung S7350 Ultra s shares quite a number of design elements with the S8300 UltraTOUCH and S7220 Ultra b. One of the most obvious features is the finely brushed metallic frame around the display, which extends to cover the top part of the phone as well.