Sony Ericsson W580i White Phone (AT&T)

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Product Details

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• Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches ; 3.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000UWGSWM
• Item model number: W580i
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,836 in Cell Phones & Service (See Bestsellers in Cell Phones & Service)

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Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Sony Ericsson shakes things up with its new quad-band W580i Walkman phone, introducing an innovative "shake to shuffle" feature that randomly chooses another song stored on your phone with just a flick of the wrist. This thin, slider-style phone also features a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, fast Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR connectivity with music streaming, Memory Stick Micro expansion, Web browser for viewing full Internet sites, email access, an FM radio with RDS, and EDGE data support.

The slim slider W580i measures just 0.55 inches thin and features a brightly colorful QVGA screen, external music keys, and a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder.

With AT&T's Mobile Music service, you can access your Napster subscription service for music downloads to keep you booming out the tunes for up to 20 hours.

AT&T Service
The W580i operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"), with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. This third-generation, high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. It also features AT&T Mobile Music, which provides access to the Napster subscription music service in addition to Music ID song-recognition software, music videos and The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)

Phone Features
The W580i Walkman phone offers a full-function digital audio player that's compatible with MP3 and AAC files. The front of this slider phone includes dedicated music control buttons, and it includes Sony Ericsson's innovative "shake to shuffle" feature. With Shake control activated, press and hold the Walkman key and flick your wrist. A vibration lets you know that the track has been changed--a new song from your current playlist is randomly selected and automatically played.

With the TrackID service, you can identify any song that you can hear by just recording a snippet of sound using the microphone. After sending the file for recognition, you'll have the name, artist and album sent to your phone. Other Walkman features include MegaBass enhancement for added depth of sound, a flight mode that lets you keep listening to tunes with the phone's network connectivity turned off, and Disc2Phone software for easy transfer of song files between phone and PC. It also includes a built-in FM radio with RDS, which displays the name of the currently playing song (when tuned to compatible radio stations).

This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity with EDR (enhanced data rate), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.

The built-in 2.0 megapixel camera captures stills and video--and playback of video or still pictures is only limited to the memory card size. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be setup to fit your personality. It provides support for PictBridge technology so you can print your photos without the need of a PC (either using USB or Bluetooth). And the W580i makes it easy to send snapped photos directly to a blog or an online photo, complete with text. This phone is also compatible with RTSP/3GPP streaming video playback

You can even take your favorite tracks to the track with the W580i, which will count your steps, your calories and monitor your running speed/distance/time with the integrated motion sensor. Your workout results are stored in your phone so you can monitor your progress.

The phone also ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, while the included Access NetFront Web Browser allows you to surf full HTML web sites. It also supports RSS feeds, allowing you to use your phone to view up-to-the-minute news and other content from selected Web sites and blogs. Just subscribe to the feed and let it come to you. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages.

The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard. This means the phone can be used with the included Sony Ericsson Sync Station software, which lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks on your PC with the phone.

Other features include:

• 2-inch LCD with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and support for 262K colors
• Up to 1000 contact entries, each with five number fields
• Built-in pedometer and fitness applications
• Picture blogging with Google Blogger
• Mobile email and messaging via AOL/AIM, Yahoo!, and MSN
• Java support for online and offline 3D games (preloaded games include PacMan and Ms. PacMan)
• USB 2.0 wired connectivity with mass storage capability
• PIM functions including calendar, tasks, notes, alarm, calculator, stopwatch, and timer
• T9 text entry technology
• 72-chord polyphonic ringtones and MP3 ringtones
• Digital audio file formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+

Vital Statistics
The W580i weighs 3.32 ounces and measures 3.9 x 1.85 x 0.55 inches. Its 930 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 370 hours of digital standby time; the phone will also play for up to 20 hours when in Music Mode. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

Product Description
The slim form factor of the W580 hides the Walkman 2.0 music player to make it simple to organize and play your favorite music. Easily create custom playlists. The Disc2Phone music management software and included USB cable make it easy to transfer music from a PC on to the phone. Additionally you can listen to favorite radio programming as the W580 offers an RDS-FM radio. The TrackID feature powered by Gracenote makes it easy to identify music tracks you don't recognize. The W580 also features a 2.0 Megapixel camera and functions as a portable photo album and pocket gaming device. A large 2-inch color screen is ideal for gaming as well as web browsing and viewing your camera photos. TrackID music recognition software Disc2Phone Music Management Software Multiple Music Format Support (MP3/AAC/AAC+/e-AAC+/WMA) A2DP (Bluetooth streaming sound) Music Illumination Effects Stereo Headset Speakerphone Connectivity & Messaging - Bluetooth 2.0, Java MIDP 2.0, Full HTML Browser with RSS, Instant messaging & USB Mass storage

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent slider. Great Value. Slick Design, August 27, 2007

By	AreYouKidding? - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

A long-time Motorola phone user now converted. Not only is this phone lightweight and amazing looking, it's feature packed.

Pros:

- Crystal-clear calling. No static and loud when needed.
- The screen is amazing. The resolution is awesome. By far the best I've ever seen on a phone this size.
- This phone is tiny; in a good way. Super-slim and tucks nicely in your pocket. Being that it's a slider, you'll never have to worry about pocket-dialing. :)
- The software is very easy to navigate. This is nicely improved over the Motorola interface of my older RAZR.
- The MP3 player rocks; no pun intended. The Walkman software lets you sort by Artists, Albums, Tracks, Playlists and more. This is light-years ahead of the my old RAZR's MP3 player. This one rivals any standalone MP3 device I've used.
- The stereo headphones that comes with it include a 3.5mm adapter. While the included headphones sound great, this adapter gives you the flexibility to use your Bose, Shure or other stereo headphones. A very nice option.
- Unlike "some" other sliders, the camera is protected and kept under cover when the slide is closed. This works great in keeping dust off the lens.
- The 2.0MP camera is actually pretty good. It takes great outdoor photos.
- I LOVE the fitness/step counter. It measures distance in steps and calculated miles along with the calories you've burned. It also keeps a daily average and each days results.

Cons:

- No 3G
- Sony Proprietary Memory Stick Micro M2 versus easy to find and less expensive MicroSD
- No LED Flash or Photo Light

In conclusion, if you are looking for a super-slim phone with great call quality and superb music capability, look no further. This Sony wears the Walkman name with pride.

UPDATE 9/27/07: I bought a SanDisk SDMSM2-4096-A11M 4GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) and it works perfectly. 4GB of music!!!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Happy With This Phone, October 19, 2007

By	Tab1715 (Northbrook, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Even though this phone received good reviews on CNET and elsewhere, I must admit being hesitant to get a slider phone. I was afraid I would accidentally being making calls or snapping pictures from my purse as I had done with a bar phone. I decided to give it a try though, and I am very happy with it. As a phone, it functions great with clear calls, long battery life, etc. However, it has some additional features that I found very useful.

What I like:
*Automatic key lock option - Turn this on, and you don't have to worry about accidentally calling anyone. All the outside buttons are 'locked' or protected until you touch two buttons. However, answering a call still functions as normal without pushing any extra buttons, and if you slide the phone open, you don't have unlock it either.
*Programmable outside buttons - You can program 4 outside buttons as 'shortcuts'. I have one set to toggle my bluetooth on and off, one to go to my phone directory, one to go the camera, and one to my files. Very handy!
*Synchronization - The supplied cable makes synchronization with outlook and transferring music a breeze! Download the PC Ericsson phone suite from their website. However, you can also tranfer via bluetooth and even by using your memory stick with the supplied adapter and Windows Explorer.
*Presentation Remote - If you have bluetooth, you can use this phone as a presentation remote from Power Point, or navigate your desktop/media center from afar.
*Pedometer/fitness trainer - Like it! Lets you keep a past history of your walking/running for the day.
*Walkman feature - Love it! I upgraded my memory to 2 gb first thing.
*Ringtones - Short MP3 files can be used as ringtones. You can also use the MusicDJ to make your own or even use the 'recorder' and save what you record as a ringtone.
*FM radio - another plus
*Password saver - This in an password protected area where you can save passwords or other sensitive information you want access to, but not have to worry if you lose your phone.
*Notes - You can synch Notes from Outlook, but you can also select a note to show in 'standby'. I've used this to keep an address handy or a train schedule.
*Screen - Very bright and clear. (I've even used it as a 'flashlight' at night to find my keys.) I did put on screen protector though to help prevent the inevitable scratches.

What I don't like:
*Battery cover very hard to put on or take off.
*Memory cover seems very flimsy - As though it would easily break.
*Lanyard holes - So small, I couldn't get any of any lanyards to thread through it.

What I wish it had:
*3G
*Ability to play audio books (and bookmark your place)
*Enhanced video playback capabilities
*Ability to show your calendar for the day in standby.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars And now for the CONS, October 14, 2007

By	C. Evans "Slynky" (McDonough, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can spend some time on the PROS, but mostly, if anyone is like me, they want to know just what it is that doesn't live up to what is billed.

MOSTLY, I can't believe the rated talktime versus the actual talktime in practical experience. 9 hours rated. Now, I haven't talked till the phone died. Nor have I just turned it on and talked after a full charge to get an idea of how long I MIGHT be able to talk. But I can say about 45 - 60 minutes of talk time and 3 days of standby put the battery into the 50+% range. Which leads me to believe that phone will get no where near 9 hours talk time on a single charge. (I realize these ratings are under the best conditions as tested by the manufacturer...and the usual rounding up but if anyone gets 5 hours of talk out of it, post a message about it)

Numerable messages on forums about the keypad cracking. Do a search and make your own decision. I learned of it after I bought it.

It's the first slider phone I have and while this is not necessarily a CON in the truest sense of the word (i.e., advertised as one thing yet doesn't funciton as advertised), one must understand that the screen is exposed all the time. That means, most likely, scratches and smudges will become the mainstay of that screen...I bought it knowing that but others should know it. Also, because it is a slider phone, more buttons are exposed and available to being pressed by accident than a flip phone.

When dialing, one must (duh) slide open the phone. The keys light up. But, if you find yourself stuck in voice mail menu hell and have to wait to see what key to press, you had better be in a lighted area...the key lights go off pretty quickly and then they are quite hard to see.

Finally, if you like the idea of the cute little flashing lights one can choose from, you should know in advance that the 10 (or is it 15) or so lighting choices one has to choose from off the menu are quite similar. In fact, some menu choices look exactly the same (just a different name). So, there's not as much variety as you might originally think.

Otherwise, most everything else I have used has met or exceeded my hopes and expectations. I give it 4 - stars even with what I have listed.