Sony Ericsson Announces the Aspen

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/pressreleasedetails/sonyericssonaspen-20100202' target='_blank'>http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/cor...naspen-20100202</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"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."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1265111838.usr2.jpg" /></p><p>Sony Ericsson has done what Microsoft has been avoiding for months: it's made Windows Mobile 6.5.3 official, courtesy of its latest handset, the <a href="http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/pressreleasedetails/sonyericssonaspen-20100202" target="_blank">Aspen</a>. The QVGA touch-screen device supports quad-band GSM/EDGE and market-dependent dual-band (900/2100 MHz) or tri-band (850/900/2100 MHz) HSPA. Alongside that, there's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, an FM radio with RDS, a 3.2-megapixel camera, USB mass storage support, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSDHC slot supporting cards of up to 16 GB. Available in either black or white, the Aspen should hit store shelves in the second quarter. And we sure hope they're right about that, considering that their other Windows Mobile device has <a href="http://www.windowsphonethoughts.com/news/show/96257/sony-ericsson-s-xperia-x2-delayed.html" target="_blank">suffered massive delays</a> <a href="http://www.windowsphonethoughts.com/news/show/96609/sony-ericsson-s-xperia-x2a-appears-still-delayed.html" target="_blank">beyond public comprehension</a>.</p>

[wspears868]

I have the sony-ericsson Xperia X1 and love the device. It is fast, doesn't have excessive bloatware and is quite dependable. The only negatives that I have about the device was that it was expensive as hell and took forever to arrive. If it had been a month or more later, I would have given up and bought the touch pro. I sincerely hope that they have learned their lesson and deliver this new device on time and at a reasonable price.

[brianchris]

Does nayone know if ths in Windows Mobile Professional or Standard? Can't find that information out anywhere....I'd guess Professional because a lack of the physical soft keys.

[Darius Wey]

Does nayone know if ths in Windows Mobile Professional or Standard? Can't find that information out anywhere....I'd guess Professional because a lack of the physical soft keys.

It's a Professional device. It ships with a touch-screen, and interestingly enough, bundles Spb Mobile Shell, Spb Traveler, and Spb Weather. It's a massive score by Spb.

[Jason Dunn]

I like the design of it, but I've personally found that touch-screen devices with screens that small aren't great...so I'm not sure if they made the right decision going with Windows Mobile Professional and making it a touch screen. :confused:

[brianchris]

I like the design of it, but I've personally found that touch-screen devices with screens that small aren't great...so I'm not sure if they made the right decision going with Windows Mobile Professional and making it a touch screen. :confused:


I am VERY close to purchasing an HP Glisten, but that is my ONLY (and big)concern! It was a concern of mine before I've heard of your personal experience, and other's same issue via product reviews, which only make me more concerned! Maybe I should re-consider?!?

The Windows Mobile Standard OS is great, but it's getting harder and harder to find. Specifically, Windows Mobile Standard allows you to assign almost any function (application, file, contact number, contact SMS or email, etc. etc.) to a speed dial naitvely in the OS.....I don't think there is even a third party app for Windows Mobiel Professional that provides that excellent functionality (as it's certainly not built into the OS). Professional should have every feature that Standard does, plus more :mad:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Sony could've just used a 320x320 screen, judging from the amount of wasted space. I'm sure a company of Sony's calibre can pack the electronics better than that!

[Jason Dunn]

Sony could've just used a 320x320 screen, judging from the amount of wasted space. I'm sure a company of Sony's calibre can pack the electronics better than that!

Square screen resolution is going the way of the Dodo Bird on Windows Mobile - it was Palm who demanded/introduced them and gave developers a headache.

Myself, I'd have preferred to see a VGA screen on this. :D

[Richard76]

But again, another device without 1800 HSPA. Why can't they just make them all quad band, especially at these prices.

[brianchris]

Square screen resolution is going the way of the Dodo Bird on Windows Mobile - it was Palm who demanded/introduced them and gave developers a headache.

Myself, I'd have preferred to see a VGA screen on this. :D

I (obviously) think Windows Mobile is a superior OS than Blackberry, HOWEVER the Blackberry form factor (which includes a front facing, non-sliding qwerty keyboard) is a must for me, BUT that requires a square screen, which you, Jason, are saying is going away (and I know you have MS authorized peeks into the future of Windows Mobile). So you're saying that whole Blackberry form factor is going away in Windows Mobile world, and that if there will be a keyboard, it will be a sliding one?!?!? Please say this isn't so!

[Jason Dunn]

HOWEVER the Blackberry form factor (which includes a front facing, non-sliding qwerty keyboard) is a must for me, BUT that requires a square screen

Nope, it doesn't require a square screen - this device is 320 x 240, the HP iPAQ Glisten is 320 x 240, so is the HTC Snap in all its variations. I'm saying that the 240 x 240, 320 x 320 devices are going bye-bye. I'm a big fan of this form factor, and it's not going anywhere...though clearly most of the effort being put forth by HTC and the other OEMs is chasing after the iPhone. :rolleyes: