Sony Ericsson introduces blogging phones

It's just released the first two models in its new Cyber-shot phone range - the K800i (with an approximate price of £300), and a slightly cheaper version - the K790.

While various Java apps have been available to allow cameraphone shots to be uploaded directly to a blog, these new handsets are the first to come with a built-in blogging capability.

All the user has to do is select a picture and then pick the option for sending via 'blog' rather than MMS (picture messaging) or email. By default this will link the user directly to Google's Blogger service.

The first time the user selects 'blog', Google's servers automatically create a unique address on its blogspot for that particular handset/SIM card combination.

Better still it will be entirely feasible for the user to customize his or her blogspot address from the handset - no need to access a PC.

Sony Ericsson' Steve Walker claimed it will also be possible to alert friends and family to new blog postings via RSS - but presumably that will require PC access.

All of the seven new handsets Sony Ericsson announced today (February 28th) will be available Q2 2006 except for one - the W950 ultra thin Walkman handset.

This - along with Sony Ericsson's first clamshell Walkman phone, the W300 - will bring the number of Walkman handsets to seven.

Steve Walker neatly side-stepped a question about the very early Walkman phones frying their memory cards. Might be something to watch out for. Especially since the company in now using Memory Card Micro cards in the latest models. µ