Sony Ericsson W800: It's an MP3 Player, It's a Phone

Do you remember how excited you were when you got your first clunky car phone? It had to be wired into your car and it was big, hard to install and useless the moment you stepped away from your vehicle. Flash forward to today and never before have consumers demanded so much from one device. It's a phone, it's a calculator, it's an alarm. Our cell phones organize our addresses, deliver our email and entertain us with ring tones, games and built-in audio and video recording devices.

If you thought a cell phone couldn't possibly do any more, think again. Sony is about to make your mobile dreams come true.

Estimated to be released in the United States on August 26, the Sony Ericsson W800 flawlessly integrates a mobile phone with a built-in 2 mega pixel camera, MP3 player and FM radio (via RDS feeds). Packaged with a slick 512mb Memory Stick Duo (2GB optional), it can hold approximately 150 MP3s or 30 hours of music. A highly intuitive device, it comes with music management "drag and drop" software that enables users to quickly synchronize files directly from a computer using a USB cable, which is included. The kit also contains CD ripping software.

The battery life is incredible. You can play up to 15 hours of music if you keep the phone turned on or 30 hours if you switch the phone off. Music automatically pauses when a call comes through and you can listen through headphones or use the Stereo Portable Hands free HPM-70 which is included. Purchase the MMC-60 cable to connect to your stereo or the hands free HCA-60 to channel music through your car speakers.

If you like games, the W800 is embedded with them, and you can download more.

A child of the 80s, the W800 nears a sci-fi status in my mind. This phone does everything but beam me up to the mother ship. But with a list price of $499, the price is hardly child's play. The final verdict rests with consumers and we'll have to wait and see if it shows up more on wish lists than the lists of must-have items.

ACCESSORIES:
The W800i is Bluetooth enabled and compatible with Bluetooth Headset HBH-610, Akono Headset HBH-660, Akono Headset HBH-300, Akono Headset HBH-600, Bluetooth Media Viewer MMV-100, Advanced Car Hands free HCA-60, Bluetooth Car Hands free HCB-300, Antenna Cable HCE-12, Headset Holder CHH-300, Active Case IAC-25 and Standard Battery BST-37.