In a sign that mobile phones are becoming secondary to the features they support, Sony Ericsson have unveiled the new Sony Ericsson W980 Walkman phone at MWC 2008 that at first glance looks nothing like a mobile phone.

The W980 looks in every respect like a Walkman, and nothing at all like a phone. It's only when you open it up that you realise it's a clamshell in disguise.

What this means is that the phone as a device has become so ubiquitous, it's no longer necessary for a phone to look like a phone. You can already see this trend with camera phones, which look more and more like cameras, and less like phones, with every new release.

Phones are now so pervasive, we pretty much expect to find mobile functionality in every new electronic gadget that's released, and in many respects, having a phone that looks nothing like a phone has now become a fashion statement in itself.

In this, the Sony Ericsson W980 is perfect, as it looks just like a high end MP3 player. Sony Ericsson haven't skimped on the internals, either. Like many other phones announced at MWC 2008, the W980 comes with HSDPA, enabling super-fast downloads, as well as complete integration with Sony Ericsson's PlayNow online music service, including the ability to download tracks over the air (something the iPhone can't do, despite its tight integration with iTunes).

Completing the music package, the W980 comes equipped with 8GB of internal memory, which according to Sony Ericsson, lets you store up to 8,000 tunes - however, this calculation assumes each tune is only 1MB in size, which means either really poor quality, or a really short tune!

You also get the TrackID service, which will automatically recognize any tune it hears, and which you can then buy and download from the PlayNow service over the air.

This actually sounds like a great idea. If you hear a song on the radio, or the in the pub, and you've no idea who it's by but you know that you want it, you simply let your W980 listen to the tune and send it to the TrackID service. You then get the name of the artist and the tune sent back to you, and a link to buy and download it over the air from the Play Now service.

In seconds, you've not only found out the identity of a new tune, you've also got it on your phone.

It sounds great, and it's been around for a while now on many other Sony Ericsson Walkman phones, but I've never once heard anyone comment on it other than in a new phone's press release at its public unveiling! I'll do some more research into this and se how popular it is, and, more importantly, how well it actually works!

The W980 also comes with Sony Ericsson's Shake control, letting you select tracks by shaking the phone, and a built-in FM transmitter, meaning you can beam your tunes to your car stereo via its radio without having to buy an external FM transmitter to do the job for you.

Oh, and did I mention a 3.2 megapixel camera and video recorder? PictBridge printing and Bluetooth 2.0? How about email, photo blogging and an FM radio with RDS? Oh yes, the W980 is one seriously well equipped phone!

Personally, I think the W980 is going to be a huge success. It's absolutely stuffed to the gills with features, yet looks fantastic. Sony Ericsson are onto a real winner with this one.

Sony Ericsson W980 Specification

The specifications of the Sony Ericsson W980 are as follows:

Music and Entertainment

• Walkman® player
• Clear stereo
• Clear bass
• Album art
• FM transmitter
• Shake control
• SensMe™
• PlayNow™
• TrackID™
• Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
• Music tones (MP3/AAC)
• 3D games
• Java™
• FM radio with RDS
• Video streaming
• Video viewing

Camera

• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 3.2x digital zoom
• Picture blogging
• Video blogging
• Video recording with 4x digital zoom
• Photo fix
• Auto rotate
• x-Pict Story™
• PictBridge printing

Internet

• Access NetFront™ Web browser
• Web feeds
• Photo feeds

Communication & Messaging

• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Video calling
• Email
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design

• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Wallpaper animation

Connectivity

• Bluetooth™ technology
• Modem
• Synchronization
• Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
• USB mass storage
• USB support

Organizer

• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Flight mode
• Notes
• Phone book
• Stopwatch
• Tasks
• Timer

Accessories

In-Box:

• Battery (BST-38)
• Charger (CST-70)
• USB Cable (DCU-60)
• Stereo Portable Handsfree (HPM-77)
• Sony Ericsson PC Suite
• Media Manager
• User guide

Optional:

• Active Speaker MAS-100
• Protective case with built-in speaker and FM radio antenna: Bring and share your music outdoors.
• Bluetooth™ Car Speakerphone HCB-150
• A portable handsfree solution for use in the car.
• Music Portable Bluetooth™ Speaker MBS-100
• Designed for rich sound.
• Music Desk Stand CDS-75
• The smart and convenient way to charge your phone.

Facts and Figures

• Size: 92 x 46 x 16.9 mm
• Weight: 100 grams
• Colour: Piano Black
• Main screen: 262,144 colour TFT
• Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
• Size: 2.2 inches
• External screen: 262,144 colour TFT
• Resolution: 176 x 176 pixels

• Phone memory: Up to 8 GB
• Talk time GSM: 9h
• Standby time GSM: TBD300h

• Talk time UMTS: 3.5h
• Standby time UMTS: 300h
• Music listening time: 16h

Networks:

• UMTS/HSDPA 2100
• GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900

The Sony Ericsson W980 release date is set for Q3 2008.