SonyEricsson takes wraps off new handsets

SonyEricsson has unveiled several new handsets, including a megapixel S710a camera phone and the Z500i clamshell model, which run on Edge networks.

The Qwerty keyboard-equipped P910 is the latest in the Symbian-based smart phone line that started with the P800 and last year moved up to the P900. Both have been warmly received.

The S710a is being made available in the Americas and the Z500i in Europe and Asia. Both use Edge, which stands for Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution and is sometimes referred to as 2.75G, as its fast data rates of up to 240Kbps for downloading place it in-between 2.5G and 3G networks.

Both handsets focus on making taking photos and videos easier than before, while the Z500i offers push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) functionality, letting handsets work together more like walkie-talkies or in a one-to-many fashion.

The manufacturer's K500 handset is aimed at a younger market and will feature the 'Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow' game in 3D.

Availability starts in the fourth quarter of this year.