Sony Ericsson G705 brings full HTML, UMA

Sony Ericsson used the opening of the second CTIA show of the year to launch the G705. The device is another of the cellphone maker's 3.2-megapixel slider cameraphones but is fairly unique among Sony Ericsson phones in supporting full HTML web browsing as well as an iPhone-like tilt sensor that auto-rotates to landscape view. The handset also combines its HSDPA-based 3G access with Wi-Fi to produce full-speed Internet access indoors and will be one of the first Sony Ericsson phones to gain native YouTube support for both uploads and downloads; more information will be available later, the company says.

Another first is the addition of Wi-Fi calling in a special G705u variant. Built just for the European carrier Orange, the second edition adds Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) that allows the phone to bridge between GSM and Wi-Fi for calls and potentially save minutes on a voice plan.

Either G705 supports AAC/MP3 audio playback, FM radio and assisted GPS; a 1GB Memory Stick Micro is bundled in the box. Sony Ericsson will ship both a Europe-oriented G705 and the G705u in the fall, but plans to launch a North American model in early 2009 that supports HSDPA through AT&T and Rogers.