Sony Ericsson to launch games phone in Feb?

News

Tim Green Sep 7 2007, 11:15am

Sony Ericsson will unveil a gaming phone at the Mobility World Congress, ME understands.

Whispers that the handset manufacturer might be planning a device based around gaming functions have been circulating for years, especially after the success of its Cyber-shot imaging range and Walkman music family.

There’s been feverish speculation that the company is working on a PlayStation-branded phone – and insiders suggest this is being explored.

However, ME understands that the forthcoming device will not be PSP branded and will be unveiled in February.

It will offer a games-oriented user interface and styling, and comprise technical innovations such as motion-sensitivity, which will pave the way for Wii-like gameplay on a handset.

The speculation hardened a year ago when Sony Ericsson’s design guru, Rikko Sakaguchi, hinted he was working on a gaming concept. Earlier this summer, the blogs re-printed what were said to be drawings of a prototype. SE has enjoyed huge success with Cyber-shot and Walkman phones – and has even launched a Bravia-branded phone in Japan.

The drive towards a mobile gaming handset, or at least strategy, is certainly building among the hardware vendors. In November, Nokia will launch its new N-Gage platform – not a device this time, but a storefront that connects to state-of-the-art community-led games.