By Claire Reilly
Telstra launched its Christmas product line-up today, with the telco announcing a range of pre-paid and post-paid mobile offerings in conjunction with its manufacturing partners Sony Ericsson, LG and Motorola.
Vying for attention amongst the range of products on show, Sony Ericsson Oceania MD John Featherstone was at the launch to promote the company’s newest smartphone, the Sony Xperia Arc S.
Featherstone was eager to point out what he called the “Sonyness” of the smartphone, potentially playing down any Ericsson-esque elements following this week's news that Sony would be buying out Ericsson's stake in the joint telecommunications company. Obscure adjectival descriptors aside, Featherstone noted that the device would form part of Sony’s new “four screen strategy” which encompasses Bravia televisions, PC and gaming, tablet devices and Xperia mobile.
The device is “aimed at the work hard, play hard consumer”, according to Featherstone.
“It’s for those who want it all and they want it now,” he said. “It might be multiple emails and simple calendar stuff, but if they have a camera experience, they want the best. If they want to listen to music, they want to have it like they’re really there. On top of that, it has a really good design – it’s about looking good as well.”
The phone will manage this ‘everything right now’ experience with the 1.4 GHz processor and Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) operating system. It also boasts a 4.2-inch capacitive touch screen, DLNA and HDMI connectivity (an HDMI cable comes in the box), HD voice on the Telstra network, and a unique concave back that makes the phone 7.7 millimetres at its thinnest point.
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In terms of the ‘best in class’ camera experience that Featherstone discussed, the 8.1 megapixel camera features an Exmor R sensor, scene and smile detection, image stabiliser and geotagging.
The camera also offers 3D sweep panorama shooting which creates 3D images that are designed to be viewed on a large screen TV. Though an interesting idea, based on today’s demonstration this 3D feature appears to be in prototype phase.
However, Featherstone insisted that “the Xperia Arc S combines the design brilliance of Sony and the best in smartphone entertainment.
“Bursting with the Sony technology consumers have come to expect, the Xperia Arc S combines Sony Ericsson’s award winning design and multimedia technologies with high quality calling on the world’s largest mobile HD Voice network from Telstra.”
The smartphone will be exclusive to Telstra from November 15. It will be available outright for RRP $600, or can be purchased on Telstra’s Freedom Connect Plans, including the $59 Freedom Connect Plan for 24 months (with $10 per month mobile repayment option).