Cellphone Maker Sony Ericsson Unveils Five New Color Models
By BUSTER KANTROW DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
STOCKHOLM -- Mobile-phone maker Sony Ericsson Tuesday unveiled five new color-screen models, ramping up efforts to boost its market share and stem its losses.
The phone manufacturer, a joint venture of Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson and Sony Corp., said all of the phones will be available by midyear. Sony Ericsson, which is the world's fifth-largest phone maker, has vowed to be profitable this year.
The T310 color-screen phone will begin shipping this week in certain markets. It supports picture messaging and email and includes a joystick and a skateboarding game. A camera can be attached to the phone. A version of the T310, known as the T316, will be launched in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2003, the company said.
The T610 color-screen phone, which includes a built-in camera, will begin shipping in Europe, Asia and North America in the second quarter of 2003. Sony Ericsson said it will provide a phone flash accessory that will allow pictures to be taken in bars and other dimly lit environments.
Both phones are designed for networks using the GSM, or global system for mobile communications, standard. GSM is the world's largest network standard.
The T606 color-screen phone will be available in the second quarter in North America. It is designed for mobile networks using the code division multiple access standard. Verizon and Sprint are among the North American operators that use CDMA. The T606 includes a joystick and can be used with an attachable camera.
The T608 color-screen phone will be available in North America in the second quarter for use with CDMA networks. It will be the first CDMA phone with Bluetooth wireless technology available in the U.S., the company said. It includes a joystick and a navigational joystick.
Sony Ericsson said it had begun shipping its A1301S model to KDDI and Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co. in Japan. The clamshell model, developed for the Japanese market, includes a 290-degree rotating camera and supports CDMA2000 1x technology.
Write to Buster Kantrow at buster.kantrow@dowjones.com |
