Sony Ericsson W810i Walkman

So the W810i specifications and what it's all about;

The screen is totally amazing. The clarity of everything is second to none, and something I have never seen before on a mobile phone. It has a 262.144 colour TFT screen which is 176 x 220 pixels. Exceptional I must say. When playing games, sending texts and watching videos etc, it really is in a class of its own.
The memory is also quite exceptional, a huge step up from the S700i that I purchased a little over a year ago. 20MB internal memory comes as standard (depending on what your service provider has thrown onto it, and most of it can be deleted if you want to). It also comes with a memory stick PRO Duo 512 MB, this can also be used with the New Sony Play Station I believe. More about the memory later on…
It also works on the following networks;

• EDGE
• GSM 850
• GSM 900
• GSM 1800
• GSM 1900

Most of this makes no real difference to us of course and is all preset for us, but it's nice to know you can use it anywhere in the world. It is worth noting that the EDGE technology makes the use of surfing the net on the phone much, much quicker than previous phones I've had.
The phone itself comes in Black Satin with some very sleek orange bits here and there. The feel of the phone is quite amazing, it's really comfortable to use too. It will make no difference if you are right or left handed as there are buttons on both sides of the phone. You also have a little joy pad on the phone like the S700i with a larger pad around the side unlike a lot of the Sony Ericsson phone were you get a little stick that does it all, which is a total nightmare.
The size of the phone is 100 x 46 x 19.5 mm, this sits in your hand just perfectly. The buttons and the dials are set out just right too, so you don't get the problem of touching the buttons you don't want to touch. It weighs 99grams which converts into 3.5 oz. A great weight and easily forgotten if it's in your pocket… (Don't wash it):O)

***WHAT'S IN THE BOX***

The box is pretty amazing too (for a box), beautifully done in a matt black with small boxes inside. Obviously the phone is inside, a battery that according to independent sources exceeds the life of the iPod!! It also comes with a charger, and a superb headphone set. This is detachable, coming in two pieces, ideal for the walkman with almost crystal clear sound, and also an answer and disconnect button. Sony Ericsson also throw in a sync lead that attaches to the phone and to a USB on your PC/Laptop, this also charges your phone at the same time which can be really helpful. Naturally, with this they give you all the software you need to run it on the PC. It also includes various editing software which is actually really good.

***THE FEATURES***

Below is an explanation of the vast majority of the features the W810i has, some I have left out because it's naturally obvious.

~*~Controls~*~

Vibrating Alert; (The phone vibrates whilst on silent, ideal if you are in a meeting).

Camera Button; (A dedicated camera button. Press once and the integrated camera activates).

Navigation Key; (Allows you to move around the menus with ease).

Menu Shortcuts; (Quick navigation, allows you to go directly to your favourites).

12 Icons on the Desktop; (Displays twelve icons on the main screen, leading to other menus).

Sleep Mode; (Switches the radio or MP3 player off after a set time).

Selection Keys; (Access to Calls or other options).

Side Volume Keys; (Allows you to control the volume of the Radio, Media Player and call Volumes).

Redial; (Quick redial option).

Voice Mail; (Button that allows immediate call to your voicemail).

SIM Card Lock; (Only allows you to access the phone by entering a four digit pin code).

Voice Control; (enables you to make calls by talking into the phone).

Status View; (Shows you the status of your phone on one page, also shows your mobile number).

~*~Imaging~*~

4 x Digital Zoom; (This allows you to digitally zoom onto the subject you are focusing on).

2 Mega pixel Camera; (Allows high quality digital photos to be taken, most common mobile phone mega pixel camera's have just 1.3 mega pixel).

Camera Integrated; (Built-in digital camera with screen viewfinder, this has dedicated menus and direct interaction with in-phone imaging and messaging features. This is an amazing feature).

Photo Light; (Should be used to increase the quality of the picture you wish to take when the light is poor).
Video Clip; (This allows you to view the video clips you have taken on your camera, or videos that have been sent to you).

Video Record; (This is where you record mini movies, you can choose to save them on the memory card or onto the phone itself. Once transferred to your PC/Laptop, to play them you will need to have QuickTime media installed).

Video Streaming; (You can set this up so you are able to have a 'live cam' for example).

Auto focus; (The camera automatically focuses on the subject in the focus area in the centre of the screen/viewfinder. It really does make all the difference to the pictures you take, always keeping them looking sharp and of high quality).

Picture Wallpaper; (Speaks for itself, keep your favourite picture on your phone all the time to view).

Video DJ; (This is a great and very clever little feature, you can put all your various clips together, enabling you to make a personal movie, you can also add music and other bits and bobs to it).

Viewfinder Display; (This allows you to view what will be in your picture before you decide to take it).

Wallpaper Animation; (This feature allows you to have moving animated pictures on your phone, depends on your taste, but you can literary choose from thousands now, search carefully because most are free!).

~*~ Entertainment ~*~

RDS FM Radio; (This is quite a new feature to Sony Ericsson phones, upgrading it to RDS helps you find the station you wish to listen to quickly by displaying the name of the station. It will also store tons of stations on your phone of your choosing or you can allow it to automatically find the strongest signalled stations in your area. It will then store them automatically for you).

Games Embedded; (This is just the games that are already pre installed on your phone when you purchase it. Actually they are quite good; I'm totally addicted to 'Quadra Pop'. The other one is called 'JC does Texas').

Java; (This mobile phone has built in support for this type of operating platform).

Music Tones (MP3/AAC); (Music tones, also called master tones, are DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected music by original artists. Various digital audio formats are supported).

Music DJ; (With this little gem you can compose your own polyphonic tunes, be it reggae to rap).

Play Now; (Short cut allowing to listen and download music in just a couple of clicks, saves going through all the menu system).

Polyphonic Ring Tones; (Speaks for itself, came after two tone and before true tone, some are still quite good actually).

3D Games; (3D graphic games, these are much better quality with deep graphics etc).

Mega Bass; (Enhances the bass on the phone regardless if you listen to it through the 3 speakers on the phone itself or the headphones).

Music Mode; (A brilliant feature this. It allows you to switch on your phone without using the phone as a phone, but as an MP3 player only. This is ideal for when you maybe in hospital or in a plane).

~*~Organiser~*~

Calendar; (Speaks for itself, enter birthdays meetings etc and it will remind you when you want it to)

Contacts; (A little more than your standard phone book it must be said. Naturally store the persons name, assign as many phone numbers as you like, as many email addresses, personal web pages, work address and home address, picture, exclusive ring tone and voice recognition… the list goes on).

File Manager; (A great system that allows you to build your own file network for music pictures and videos, much like windows on your pc).

Memory Stick; (Storage device, you get 512mb with the phone, gives extra memory to the phone for storing stuff and quick transfers between devices).

PIM Sync; (Synchronize organizer in PC with phone).

Alarm Clock; (Set the time you want to wake up, also has a second reoccurrence alarm that you can set for particular days in the week).

Business Card Exchange; (A function that lets you send and receive digital business cards with name, numbers and other contact information).

Calculator; (Mathematic device lol).

Conference Calls; (This function allows you to have multiple calls in progress so everyone can talk and listen at the same time).

Speakerphone; (Usually, this feature hasn't been all that, but the speaker is crystal clear and works really well. Saves you holding your phone if you're a lazy sod like me sometimes).

Stop Watch; (Speaks for itself, quite good actually).

Tasks; (Similar to the calendar, can put in meetings and stuff with a reminder).

Timer; (Much like a stopwatch but it counts down).

Notes; (Again, similar to tasks).

~*~Connectivity~*~

Bluetooth; (Most phones now have this feature, Sony Ericsson seems to have mastered it, unlike most Nokia's and other brands, files transfer much quicker, saves send stuff via MMS which saves you a small fortune. However, you need to be within a 100 meter radius with another Bluetooth device. You can also use it for transferring files with you PC/laptop).

GPRS; (General Packet Radio Services - a communications standard enabling packet data transfer similar to Internet - 28.8 kbps - 58.6 kbps. It is recommended that you have GPRS to use MMS and content download services).

Infrared; (If you don't have Bluetooth, every phone has this feature, takes forever to transfer data, but you just align you phone with their phone to transfer).

USB Support; (You can connect the phone directly to your PC via a lead which they kindly supply).

EDGE; (EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is a radio technology that can give up to three times faster communication rates than GPRS. Ideal for surfing the internet via your phone).

Fast Port; (A system connector that enables faster data transfer from phone to PC and PC to phone. It also serves as a charging port).

Synchronization PC; (Synchronize and share phone content with PC).

USB Mass Storage; (Connect your phone to a PC with a USB cable, and the expandable and/or phone memory appears on the PC screen as a mass storage device).

~*~Internet~*~

Access Net Front Web Browser; (A browser for viewing content created for HTML 4.01, xHTML 1.0, CSS and Java script (ECMA script), WAP 2.0. Security protocols are SSL/TLS).

Modem; (GSM Internet dial-up support).

WAP 1.2.1; (A mobile Internet standard enabling you to access specially designed Internet sites).

WAP 2.0 XHTML; (A mobile Internet standard enabling you to access specially designed Internet sites. WAP 2.0 supports colour and interactive lists).

~*~Messaging~*~

Email; (Built in email within the phone, has inbox out box and you are able to compose. I've not used this feature as yet).

MMS (Multimedia Messaging); (Picture messaging with text and sound. Pictures can be ones taken with built-in camera or camera accessory or ones saved in your phone. Sounds can be recorded sounds, ring tones or other sounds stored in phone. Sony Ericsson's MMS solution allows you to see).

Predictive Text Input (When you write text, predictive text input software predicts what word you are writing and finishes it for you. The prediction is based on previous words used and a customizable dictionary. I personally don't get on with this, never have).

SMS Long (Text Messaging); (Really good when you have a lot to say, concatenated SMS text messaging up to 9600 characters. This feature must be enabled when sending text messages with pictures and sounds attached (EMS).

Sound Recorder; (A mini recording device in your phone that lets you record voice messages or other sounds. Also allows you to record the phone conversation as well!!)

~*~Performance~*~

EDGE
Talk Time 8 hours 0 min
Stand By 350 hours 0 min

GSM 850
Talk Time8 hours 0 min
Stand By 350 hours 0 min

GSM 900
Talk Time 8 hours 0 min
Stand By 350 hours 0 min

GSM 1800
Talk Time 8 hours 0 min
Stand By 350 hours 0 min

GSM 1900
Talk Time 8 hours 0 min
Stand By 350 hours 0 min

This is Sony Ericsson's guide only, however, in a phone magazine; it states that the phone lasts a lot longer than the iPod. How true that is I don't know because I don't own an iPod, and to be honest, if you have one of these, you won't need one! I on average, charge the phone once every five to six days at the moment. I'd expect that to become a little more frequent after time.

~*~ Overall Opinion ~*~

Well, I hope my enthusiasm of the phone shows, it has many more features, in a way it's silly really, just like having a mini computer in your pocket, and what is nice is that Sony now allow you to have your own choice of SMS message tone. The phone itself will keep you entertained for hours on end; it's still pretty hard to get hold of, (depending on the network). I'm with O2 and at the time of purchase they had only 14 left in the country, fortunately I had only to travel 40 miles for mine! I am aware of the new phone coming out, it has a 3.2 mega pixel camera, but I assessed this very carefully as I was about to upgrade and be tied to this phone for a year, and other than the camera pixel on the other phone, I feel everything else supersedes it, if not completely equal in other areas. It holds tons of music, more than I ever need to listen to, and a huge amount of pictures.
You can also purchase a memory card that will hold more information, but for most folks this will be more than you're ever need.
The menu system is a little like windows, it is smooth and very user friendly. The pictures are of a very high quality and the music is practically crystal clear.
I cannot think of a single fault with the phone, and to be honest, I couldn't think of anything else I'd want on it either.

The phone will cost a small fortune if purchased by itself, around £300.00; naturally it's not available on PAYG

~*~'SAR' INFORMATION ON THE SONY W810I~*~

The SAR value for this product is 0.64 W/kg. The government guidelines are a maximum of 1.6W/kg.

I have copied and paste this information for your reference; I say this because obviously I wouldn't know all the facts on it. I hope it helps!

SAR Information

Information on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values
To communicate with the network, mobile phones emit low levels of radio waves (also known as radiofrequency or ?RF? energy) when being used. Governments around the world have adopted comprehensive international safety guidelines, developed by independent scientific organizations, governing the exposure to RF energy. Mobile phones are designed to operate within these stringent limits.

What is SAR?

SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate, which is the unit of measurement for the amount of RF energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone. The SAR is determined at the highest certified power level in laboratory conditions. However, the actual SAR level of the phone while operating can be well below this value. This is because the phone is designed to use the minimum power required to reach the network. Therefore, the closer you are to a base station, the more likely it is that the actual SAR level will be lower.
Does a lower SAR mean that a phone is safer?
No. Variations in SAR do not mean that there are variations in safety. While there may be differences in SAR levels among phone models, all mobile phones must meet RF exposure guidelines.