Inside: Sony Ericsson P900

Digital Journal — Sony Ericsson’s P900 isn’t entirely different from the P800, but it definitely looks sleeker and more refined than last year’s model. The functional enhancements and improved technology also make it a better phone/PDA than its already impressive predecessor.

One immediately noticeable upgrade is the touchscreen, which can display 65,000 colours instead of 4,000. More information is visible too, since the flip keypad — with space-saving rectangular keys rather than round ones — hides less screen space. With keypad in place, the P900 displays 208 x 208 pixels instead of the P800’s 208 x 144. That doesn’t seem like much, but it allows space for four extra lines of text.

Despite its overall sturdier look, the P900 is actually slightly lighter than the P800 (150 grams versus 158) and smaller, too (115 x 57 x 24 mm versus 117 x 59 x 27 mm). It also performs better as a phone: RF reception seems significantly improved.

However, it’s as a PDA that the P900 really shines. It offers Symbian OS, as well as UIQ pen-based user interface and a standard set of PDA-type applications. Over and beyond this, the P900 features plenty of enhancements: 16MB of usable internal memory; external storage via a 32MB Memory Stick Duo card with expandability up to 128MB; and a higher-capacity 1260mAh battery. The built-in VGA camera now also takes video clips, and the Opera Web browser is pre-installed to provide faster browsing. Designed especially for small mobile screens, it eliminates the need for horizontal scrolling and includes enhancements such as smooth zooming and scalable fonts.

Finally, emphasizing the P900’s PDA capabilities, there’s even a “Flight” mode in which radio functions are shut off and only non-phone applications are active — perfect for when you’re airborne and cell phones are verboten, but PDAs aren’t.

So here’s the new bottom line: If the price tag of $1,000 is no object, you’ll find it impossible to say no to the P900.

The phone:
The P900 works in two ways. Flip open the keypad and you have a large-screen environment where you click icons on the touchscreen. With the keypad closed, you navigate the smaller screen with the keypad and the jog dial exclusively.

This phone speaks Palm and PC:
A key spec for any phone aspiring to be a PDA is the ability to exchange data with other devices. Armed with Bluetooth, infrared port and USB PC-sync cradle, the P900 makes data transfer to your Palm, computer and other cell phones a breeze.

A great mobile Internet experience:
By subscribing to a GPRS package, you can tap the P900’s strengths as an Internet-capable phone. Unlike the P800, which had its own serviceable browser, the P900 comes with Opera. Although the GPRS speed is decent, you can browse faster by instructing Opera not to load images automatically. The P900’s email program is also easy to set up and use.

A more image-savvy phone:
The P900 incorporates a nifty VGA camera, like the P800. This one produces somewhat better photos, though, and boasts a significant enhancement: It can also record one-minute 176 x 144-pixel MP4 videos. Another enhancement is a small mirror under the lens to let you position yourself for arm’s-length self-portraits. The phone’s imaging software also offers simple editing functions.

Finding its voice:
The P900 features a voice recorder, voice activation, speakerphone and an MP3 player that’s way better than the P800’s. It also offers 24-tone polyphonic ringtones, or you can assign MP3s as ringtones instead. Music plays back acceptably on the phone’s speaker, but it’s best enjoyed with the supplied stereo headphones.