Sony Ericsson G502 Z780

Fulfilling promises set yesterday, Sony Ericsson today has launched two new 3G phones, including one destined for the US. The G502 is the third device in the handset maker's G series and is one of the few non-Windows phones to explicitly support Microsoft's ActiveSync for pulling Exchange contacts and e-mail in real time. The phone is one of the company's first in the class to support HSDPA Internet access and uses this both for fast e-mail downloads and for Google Maps, RSS feeds, and a custom weather forecast tool.

The bar phone comes with a 2-megapixel camera and will ship in black and hazel colors during the spring, but is believed to be focused on Europe without support for 850MHz bands. Pricing isn't available.

A sibling phone, the Z780, is set for a much wider release, according to the company. The flip phone shares the same 2-megapixel camera, ActiveSync support, and apps for RSS and weather but adds native North American GSM calling and HSDPA support in a special Z780a version. It also includes assisted GPS support for non-native but still real-time navigation through Google Maps. Sony Ericsson delivers the clamshell in white with either black or purple trim and will make it available by the spring, though AT&T hasn't said whether it will carry the device.

By Electronista Staff