Sony Ericsson ups the ante for Nokia

Sony Ericsson has launched its first joint brand mobile phone handsets with functionality that will leave the developers at Nokia sweating over their place as the world's number one.

Sony Ericsson is intent on toppling Finnish giant Nokia and the new handsets which offer users such features as Java technology, Bluetooth connectivity and a colour screen, as well as mass-market-friendly extras such as a built in camera and the ability to send multimedia messages or download games, certainly throw down the gauntlet. Nokia is set to respond later this year with its own new range.

There are no prices given for the new handsets which will become available later this year.

Sony Ericsson also reiterated earlier promises to deliver 3G handsets by the end of this year.