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Sony Ericsson to launch Wii-like gaming phone in February |
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Sony Ericsson are to launch a new gaming phone in February 2008 according to new rumours. There's been speculation for some time that a PSP-branded gaming phone was on the cards, ever since Sony Computer Entertainment exec.
"Could the PSP ever replace your cell phone? There is a possibility" in an interview with IGN last September.
Since then, there's been little further news, other than more rumours allegedly confirming that Sony Ericsson are working on such a device, but no hint as to what the device would be capable of.
Now, though, there's a little more meat on them rumours...
According to the respected wireless magazine Mobile Entertainment, Sony Ericsson are indeed working on a mobile gaming phone, and should have it ready for February 2007 (just in time for 3GSM). The new phone won't come with the PSP brand, though, but this is probably due to Sony Ericsson's conservative nature rather than any reflection on the phone's gaming potential.
Sony Ericsson likes to make sure its phones' features work perfectly before slapping one of Sony's treasured brands on them; hence the reason we had Sony Ericsson camera phones years before we had a Cyber Shot branded camera phone.
Equally, after the debacle of Nokia's N-Gage, which didn't exactly set the world on fire, it's only natural that Sony would be reluctant to lend Sony Ericsson the PSP brand until it was sure the world was ready for a gaming phone.
More interestingly, the new gaming phone is rumoured to comprise several technical innovations, including motion sensitivity for Wii-style gameplay, as well as a games-oriented user interface. Sony Ericsson have already employed such technology in the S500i, enabling you to change music tracks by shaking the phone. It's not too much of a leap of the imagination to see this technology working in a new gaming phone.
From the first rumour in September 2006 to potential launch in February 2008 is a long time for a new mobile phone development to see the light of day, though - Sony Ericsson haven't exactly been working overtime on this one! Let's just hope the finished product matches its expectations.
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