Sony Ericsson have announced the Sony Ericsson S500 slim slider phone.

The company has clearly been busy, announcing three new phones today, with the S500 being its latest designer phone (and a non-Walkman branded phone at that, which is actually quite a relief!).

The S500's main claim to fame is an innovative lighting theme.

The colour of both the phone's desktop and its external lights, change according to the time of day, the day of the week, or even with the seasons.

More details of the Sony Ericsson S500 after the jump.

Sony Ericsson S500

The Sony Ericsson S500 is a great-looking phone, it has to be said. I've been a bit harsh on the company recently, and although the S500 isn't particularly innovative in terms of its technical features (only a 2 megapixel camera, for example), it offers stunning looks and novel twists that really set it apart.

I particularly like the fact that the colour of the phone's effects can change with the seasons. This should be really subtle, making the phone seem to respond to what's happening outside. We Brits always tend to perk up when it's spring time (largely because our winters are so dreary), but just imagine when you see the colours of your phone starting to change in response to the change in climate. Suddenly, you don't just suspect that spring is round the corner, your S500 is telling you!

(Of course, the same holds true for winter, too, which may not be so welcome!)

Sony Ericsson S500 features

The S500 isn't quite as decked out with features as some of its rivals, but for a mid-range phone, it's pretty well-specced.

It comes with a 2 megapixel camera (no auto-focus), stereo Bluetooth, quad-band connectivity (GSM and EDGE, no 3G or HSDPA), Accent WebFront browser, email, and supports video streaming.

But it's not the features that set the S500 apart - it's its looks and its ability to change according to the seasons or the day of the week, or even the day. Sony Ericsson really seem to have got this designer phone business worked out now, and it bodes well for the rest of the company's future models.

Now, if only they could be persuaded to release the type of super-sophisticated techno-phones they release in Japan!

Details of the Sony Ericsson S500 phone

Full details of the S500 from Sony Ericsson:

Take a look at the Sony Ericsson S500 and expect the unexpected. Open the 14mm slim slider to reveal colour accents and ever changing desktop themes. You set the in-phone themes and external light effects to change when you want - with the seasons, as day turns to night or when the weekend begins.

“It’s the details that set these phones apart,” explains Steve Walker, Head of Product Marketing at Sony Ericsson. “Our designers have taken inspiration from nature and the Nordic light to produce phones that are beautiful to look at and alive with energy. They appeal to those that want to celebrate their individuality and express themselves through their choice of phone.”

The Sony Ericsson S500 comes with the following features:

• Ever-changing themes and illuminations that change as day turns to night hidden illumination
• Style with substance 2.0 megapixel camera revealed when the slider opens
• Individual colours Mysterious Green and Spring Yellow

Intelligent design Beyond the Mysterious Green and Spring Yellow exteriors, effort has been made to bring design alive with the Sony Ericsson S500. The visuals on the desktop or phone menu can change automatically as the seasons pass or as day turns to night. Hidden illumination appears to highlight a certain event and the keypad glows with energy when the slim slider is opened.

Vibrant images Have fun taking shots with the 2.0 megapixel camera and share moments of your life as they happen. Take a picture of where you are and blog it straight away. You can also send pictures or video to any mobile phone or email address.

Style with substance The S500 offers more than stunning aesthetics. Add colour to your free time with a media player and expandable Memory Stick slot. So you choose what size of music library is right for you. You can even add a music accessory such as the Music Bluetooth™ Receiver MBR-100 and play your phone music direct through your home stereo. Play 3D games or access the Web browser for easy surfing on the move.

Joined up thinking The S500 arrives with everything you need to connect your phone to your computer. Transfer your favourite music from PC to phone using Sony Ericsson Disc2Phone music management software. Or move images from your phone to your computer without the need for any software. When the S500 is connected, it appears as a drive on your computer. It also features Bluetooth™ 2.0, giving you same fast, robust connection to other Bluetooth™ devices as the T650.

The Sony Ericsson S500 is a 14mm slim 2.5G slider phone (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900), available in either Mysterious Green or Spring Yellow.

Sony Ericsson S500 release date

The Sony Ericsson S500 release date is curently scheduled for Q2 2007 - just in time for it turn a summery hue!

Sony Ericsson S500 Specification

The list of features of the S500 includes the following:

• 2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom
• Picture blogging
• Video recording
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Media player, supporting MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
• Music tones
• PlayNow™
• RSS feeds
• Access NetFront™ Web Browser
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Video calling
• Email
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder
• Text messaging (SMS)
• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Wallpaper animation
• 3D games
• Java
• Video streaming
• Video viewing
• Ever-changing theme
• Illumination effect
• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Notes
• Phone book
• Stopwatch
• Tasks
• Timer
• Bluetooth™ 2.0
• Modem
• Synchronization
• USB mass storage
• USB support

Sony Ericsson S500 summary

Sony Ericsson have provided something of a welcome surprise with its new phone. Expect the Sony Ericsson S500 to fly off the shelves when it's released in a couple of months' time.