Arnell Stephen P. Techico
Sony Ericsson launched the Z520i a mobile phone in an appealing, stylish design. The Z520's high-tech features are wrapped inside the smooth sleek body of an elegant clamshell, creating a small and inviting handset that fits in the hand as easily as it does in the pocket or bag.
The new Z520 was designed for the stylish younger generation, who want to carry an attractive accessory just as much as a mobile communications device. The attractive design is small and neat, and it showcases a great new caller ID feature using a rim of blue lights that can be easily personalized depending on who the caller is.
The Z520 fits into any fashion scheme, although this Bluetooth and infrared-enabled device is a fully featured phone that works all over the world. It operates in four (4) different frequencies, hence quad-band. It comes in a wide choice of color schemes based on white and silver frames, and additional casings/covers with different patterns allow for personalization, making the Z520 fit for any occasion.
Designed to support a busy social or working life, the external screen displays the caller's picture if it is associated with their number. An ingenious light effect, which uses blue lights built into the phone's perimeter, lets you know who's calling by flashing one of the eight light patterns, which are paired with melodies. All of these effects are linked to the phonebook contacts.
The VGA camera with 4X digital zoom can take pictures or video clips with the phone open or closed. The camera lens is on the same side as the external 1 inch, 4K color screen, which acts as a reference viewfinder, so you can easily take shots of yourself or with friends. When the phone is open, the 1.8 inch, 65K color, TFT display shows the full resolution pictures. Images can be linked to contacts, shared around locally using infrared or Bluetooth, or sent to friends as an MMS message.
The integrated media player works as a music player and video player all in one. It supports MP3, MIDI, AAC, AMR and WAV file types. Whereas if you wish to compose or edit melodies, you can do these with MusicDJ. And also, with VideoDJ, you can create and edit movies by combining video clips and pictures that you have saved in your phone.
The built-in Java game, NY Nights is an entertaining way to discover the fun of city life. Players can find out how they would fare if they arrived in New York with just a few dollars in their pocket. Another built-in Java game is QuadraPop, which is like a mix of Tetris and Bounce. Downloading more games and ringtones is easy with PlayNow, where users can preview games or pre-listen to ringtones from a frequently updated selection, then just click to download. The phone's 16MB memory can store plenty of ringtones, pictures or video clips.
Sharing the fun and staying in touch is easy. Users can SMS, instant message, e-mail or send still pictures or video clips by MMS. The simple-to-use Internet browser means that movie schedules, e-mail, news, etc., can be checked and because it's quad-band the phone can be used anywhere in the world.
The Z520 can be accessorised with Bluetooth headsets, car hands-free kits and hand straps. Style-Up covers are available in Pale Blue, Sandy Grey, Ceramic White, Espresso Brown, Peach, Mint, Pale Yellow and Pale Pink.
