YESSS! the P900 goes official in a few hours. here's the photos!

[luiscamino]

just in case you don't want to wait till the press release, you know they first have to finish the product's webpage. and they already uploaded many official small pics: http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p900/p900_firstofficial.jpg

thanks to great guys in esato, we had the page cached and here are some texts:

Smart, elegant, powerful

First impression: the sleek and sophisticated design. Look further, and you will find a lot of power and smartness beneath that handsome exterior. Video camera, PDA functionality, a 65K display, great gaming... the P900 is the perfect work companion. And it's not bad for play, either.


A serious organiser

Stay on the move, yet stay synchronised. The P900 shows that mobile work is not a myth. Send and receive emails, download and share files and keep your calendar updated - just use your P900 like a PDA while you're on the move. Then connect via Bluetooth™ or Infrared to synchronise the data with your PC.


The P900 - an image worker

Still pictures and video - the P900 does both. Share your video clips and images with your friends via email or MMS. Or just save them in your P900 - with up to 16MB of user memory plus the 32MB Memory Stick Duo™ storage media, you've got plenty of space. Your images and your imagination: the P900 is a great tool for making the most of both.


Not forgetting the fun

Think of mobile entertainment, and you think of games. The P900 is all set to give you a new gaming experience over and over again. And when winning a game is no longer a challenge, just download a new one.
To bring even more entertainment punch to your phone, the P900 comes with an MP3 audio player and polyphonic ringtones. And because the P900 runs on Symbian OS, it is open for third party applications. Install and run the programs that fit your needs.

Sleek and sophisticated

Elegant, sleek, sophisticated: If you ever had any doubts, the P900 is living proof that it is possible to be smart and beautiful at the same time. Although absolutely bursting with features, the P900 is easy to use - and still compact enough to fit in your pocket.


Electrical flip - a nice touch

Keep your touch light. The buttons on the flip are electrical. Simply because details matter.


Flip open

Open or detach the flip, and the screen grows to a huge 208 x 320 pixels. Use the convenient pen to navigate, work and play.




P900 - the PDA replacement.

The P900 is designed to make life easier. So let it act as your personal organiser. Use the Calendar to keep track of your appointments. Organise your contacts in the Phonebook. Send and receive emails. And don't worry about updating information on different platforms: just connect your P900 to your PC and get your personal information - phonebook, calendars, email - synchronised.
You can choose to connect via Bluetooth™, Infrared or cable.


Bluetooth™ - step into the wireless world

Connecting wireless through Bluetooth™ is connecting with convenience. The P900 features excellent Bluetooth™ functionality. Connect to other phones or a computer, and share images, sounds and other files. Sharing couldn't be easier. Just drag and drop.
Bluetooth™ accessories available include the Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-60 and the Bluetooth™ Car Handsfree HCB-30. Excellent, reliable performance. Without wires.

Browse the web

Browsing the web with the P900 is pure satisfaction. The P900 has a combined HTML and WAP browser, allowing you to browse web pages the way you want.
The HTML browser lets you download web pages. The P900 features the latest WAP browser - WAP 2.0. This standard enables browsing in colour, secure banking and shopping and formatted web content.

You will also find the Opera browser included on your phone kit CD. The Opera browser adapts web content to the P900’s screen size, download speed and resolution.


Memory Stick Duo™ storage

With up to 16MB user memory, the P900 comes with plenty of storage space. But when you need more room for your files, Memory Stick Duo™ is the way to go. Store as many pictures, video clips and sound files as you want. You might even want to build up your own mobile file library - when the 32MB Memory Stick Duo™ unit that comes with your phone kit is full, just replace it with a new one.
Memory Stick Duo™ also provides an easy way to move large files from one phone to another - or to a PC.


The power of openness

The power and openness of the P900 allow you to install and run the programs that fit your needs.

[jmburt]

Thanks for the update and link to the pics.
This makes me want the damn handset even more!

[Jejoma]

I'm probably being a bit thick but apart from the pretty new dress, what's the difference from the P800?

[Michael]

There isn't much of one. I can't reveal specifics until after the announcement.

[bklieger]

what time will that be?

[luiscamino]

tomorrow 21st... unknown hour. they could take the advantage of the opportunity to say something about other rumoured models... we'll see.

[jmburt]

michael
any chance of getting the p900 for a review?
do you think ACS will really have the handset in November?

[Naveen]

i must say that i thought all of the sony phones were ugly until i saw the p900---the phone looks awesome

[Michael]

Originally posted by jmburt
michael
any chance of getting the p900 for a review?
do you think ACS will really have the handset in November?

I expect to have one soon (I spoke with SE today about that), and I do expect ACS will have them (as will others) by November.

[zrxoddie]

MB said that there were phone firmware updates available on-line so that we no longer need to send phones to service centers. Was not able to find this feature on sonyericsson.com

Anyone know if its true - or just a rumor that got me all excited?

Why do these companies announce these things before they are available?

[Michael]

The official SE press event hasn't taken place yet, so perhaps they haven't activated it yet.

And how would it be a rumor? I quoted it from the press release.

Additionally, it doesn't say anywhere that there will be updates for all phones available:

"Starting today, there are also on-line phone update services available from sonyericsson.com. They allow consumers to download the latest version of the phone software directly to the phone without having to visit a service centre."
Since that was from the P900 press release, I think it would be reasonable to take that as meaning there is the service for the P900 - and not the others.

The T630 release made no mention of user upgrades.

[bklieger]

Michael-
You know this indutry better than i do.
Theoretically would it be easier? and cheaper to pick a phone like this up in Hong Kong? thanks for the insight Ben.

[Michael]

Yeah, could be. But these days everybody can get phones from anywhere, so you might not save all that much.

I mean, if you are going to be in HK anyway, sure....but don't plan a trip just to buy phones.

[bklieger]

i am there for a week next month anyway, i would only buy if there was substanial savings. availability seems not to be an issue from what you tell me. thanks ben

[bklieger]

the real question is where sctually to go? can anybody recommend a good shop in hong kong?

[Michael]

I received my P900 this morning.

Hate me. I know you want to.

[bklieger]

and? first impression is............

[Skavold]

I hate you Michael! No, just kiddin'. But what do you think so far?

[jmburt]

Michael
Any suggestions on where to track one down? Other than ACS?
I really don't feel like paying the SE $500 developer fee to get one next week.

I am jealous....

[onepiece]

I would also like to hear about any shops in HK that offer UNLOCKED phones...in particular the P900 at reasonable rates.

Smartone shops tend to sell phones at full retail. Any suggested shop's names??? Locations??? Price impressions??

Thanks

OP

[Michael]

Mine came from Sony Ericsson. I don't know of anybody that is selling them yet.

First impressions are as expected. It's way cool.

Feels nice and solid, quicker, screen is nice, keypad is a vast improvement.

I have a P800 with me and will start some side-by-side tests tonight.

I'll post some photos in a gallery tomorrow sometime.

[The Roo]

extract taken from ZDNET UK:
----------- ------------- --------------
Richard Dorman, marketing manager for UK and Ireland at Sony Ericsson said he expected the VPN client to make the phone popular among mobile workers.

"It's enterprise-ready. The P800 didn't offer access to corporate VPNs -- that is something we are now enabling."

Dorman said he expects the phone to cost around £500 without a contract.
------------ ------------- -------------

nice to know it can handle more professional/business-like app's other than just the usual symbian stuff.
and we seem to have a general price for it too now.

looking forward to reading you thoughts on the P900 after your initial play with it, Michael.

[onepiece]

Michael...or ANY P900 user.

Part of the press release / write-up (perhaps I saw it on mobile-review.com) said that the P900 could be "localized"....

Does that mean that a unit could be "branded" much like Vodaphone branded the Sharp GX-20?? Any gouge on what "localized" means would be appreciated...

Also, I'm not rushing you... but do let me know if the OS will talk with the MS Outlook Address book OR if 3rd party software would be required to make that happen. Thanks,
OP
:)

[bklieger]

Originally posted by jmburt
Michael
Any suggestions on where to track one down? Other than ACS?
I really don't feel like paying the SE $500 developer fee to get one next week.

I am jealous....
ACS has a list price of $1499.00 as of tonite.

[haohmaru]

Originally posted by bklieger
ACS has a list price of $1499.00 as of tonite.

A least with the Core Membership you get much more than just the phone.

[Michael]

Originally posted by onepiece
Part of the press release / write-up (perhaps I saw it on mobile-review.com) said that the P900 could be "localized"....

Also, I'm not rushing you... but do let me know if the OS will talk with the MS Outlook Address book OR if 3rd party software would be required to make that happen. Thanks,
OP:)

I have no idea what they mean by localized. You could always set date/time format and that junk for local standards.

As for Syncing, the P800 could do that. That is nothing new.

[LukeTech]

Originally posted by bklieger
ACS has a list price of $1499.00 as of tonite.


Can someone spell out to me what is the name for ACS or their web address I'm not having any look finding anything in the search.

[LukeTech]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jmburt
Michael
Any suggestions on where to track one down? Other than ACS?
I really don't feel like paying the SE $500 developer fee to get one next week.

I am jealous.... [/QUOTE

I trying to find out more about how to get one when you mentioned $500 developer fee through SE what would I need to do if I'm not a developer. I'm just looking to get one before next year and I'm not looking to pay the $1500 quoted by bklieger

[Sid]

Originally posted by LukeTech
Can someone spell out to me what is the name for ACS or their web address I'm not having any look finding anything in the search.

try www.4cellular.com

[jase]

That thing looks huge to me! I guess if you want a PDA more than a phone, then it's a good choice?

--Jason

[n1ghtFLY]

Originally posted by onepiece

Part of the press release / write-up (perhaps I saw it on mobile-review.com) said that the P900 could be "localized"....

AFAIK the meaning of localisation is that you can change the layout of the input so for example become Russian keyboard layout

Cos there is a program for COmmunicator which is a localisation program and it change the layout of the input method or the keyboard

[LukeTech]

Originally posted by Sid
try www.4cellular.com

Thanks Sid

I went to Expansys UK and they have an estimated price of $466 and their site for the US has an estimated price of $749. Do you or any else know of any bad experiences from ordering from the UK. I'm ok with the shipping because the total cost with shipping would be around $490.

[Michael]

Yeah, it is big. But smaller than the P800. I'll post some comparison photos later today.

[jase]

Originally posted by Michael
Yeah, it is big. But smaller than the P800. I'll post some comparison photos later today.

Can you do a comparison to something besides the P800 -- say the Nokia 3650? I've never seen a P800 "in person" so some other gauge would be helpful.

--Jason

[jmburt]

any other reputable suppliers in the US (besides ACS), that would get stock on the p900?

talked to expansys today....and they said the US would probably not see stock before December.

thanks.

[Michael]

I don't have a 3650 handy. Maybe I'll toss in a T68i shot or something, but probably not until the full review.

As to who else would have the phone, I have no idea.

[jmburt]

Michael
Let us know if the WAP works on t-mob. A guy over on Esato says he is having trouble getting it to work.

Look forward to your review.

[asnpcwiz]

Michael, you have any idea of which service providers are expecting to get this phone. . .AT&T, T-Mobile, Cingular? I just want to get a heads up so I can look for it, if it should be exclusive to them. I admire you though, being one of the first to physically toy with one!

[JOEJOETHEJOEY]

Does anyone know whether there are improvements in video playback on the P900??

Would it be possible to encode a full length film to play on one of these babies?

[Michael]

Since the largest size memory stick you can put in one is 128MB, it seems highly unlikely that you could encode a movie.

[augustus108]

Could u tell me is the software in the P900 same as the P800 and more? Example, does it still have the same game as the P800? Eg, Chess, Five stone? IS the Mp3 quality better?

Also, could u tell me does it contain the WOrd & Excel programs, but this time we can edit them? Could it read& write directly to the Duo?

Is it worth upgrading from P800 to P900?

And has anyone thought about Z1010?

[Sid]

Originally posted by Michael
Since the largest size memory stick you can put in one is 128MB, it seems highly unlikely that you could encode a movie.

Nah, I encoded the movie Equilibrium into MP4 format and it came out to be only 95 MB.

[Naveen]

Mike or Sid,
Can you guys compare the P900 to the new Sendo X? I think both of those are great phones...:confused:

[Michael]

We've never seen a Sendo X, so we can't really say. You can read the stat sheets in the snapshots as well as we can. I don't think we can offer any worthwhile opinions at this point.

And besides, one is a PDA and the other is a phone. The Sendo has no real means of text input other than T9. So they really aren't from the same class of devices.

[Naveen]

Originally posted by Michael
We've never seen a Sendo X, so we can't really say. You can read the stat sheets in the snapshots as well as we can. I don't think we can offer any worthwhile opinions at this point.

And besides, one is a PDA and the other is a phone. The Sendo has no real means of text input other than T9. So they really aren't from the same class of devices.
Mike,
Is the Sendo X a smartphone? If it is, what in the hec is a smartphone?

[n1ghtFLY]

Originally posted by Michael
Since the largest size memory stick you can put in one is 128MB, it seems highly unlikely that you could encode a movie.

so it is not possible to put bigger than 128 mb to p900 ?

cos there is mem stick duo pro with capacity of 256 and 512 :confused:

[Sid]

Originally posted by Naveen
Mike,
Is the Sendo X a smartphone? If it is, what in the hec is a smartphone?

Both are smartphones, but the P900 is smarter than the Sendo X since it has a real input method using handwriting recognition, while with Series 60 devices, you can only use the keypad. So, even though both are smartphones, they are still not in the same category.

[Sid]

Originally posted by n1ghtFLY
so it is not possible to put bigger than 128 mb to p900 ?

cos there is mem stick duo pro with capacity of 256 and 512 :confused:

Yes, but they are "Duo Pro". Note that the P800/P900 will ONLY accept Memory Stick Duo which is only available in 128 MB capacity for the time being.

[n1ghtFLY]

Originally posted by Sid
Yes, but they are "Duo Pro". Note that the P800/P900 will ONLY accept Memory Stick Duo which is only available in 128 MB capacity for the time being.

so it is not possible to use the Duo Pro ?? :o

[luiscamino]

i built a comparison table:
http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/en/products_p900.htm#table

[Sid]

Originally posted by n1ghtFLY
so it is not possible to use the Duo Pro ?? :o

Nope. They use a different connection, though they look similar.

[asnpcwiz]

Not to be picky, but can someone do a side by side comparison of the P900 with more frequently seen phones like the Sony Ericsson T68i, I don't have much experience with the other phones on that unofficial website.:(

[luiscamino]

you can compare specification tables of p800 (www.clubsonyericsson.com/en/products_p800.htm) and t610 (www.clubsonyericsson.com/en/products_t610.htm) but what you need is to read some p800 reviews in order to get the idea of what is this device and the p900 all about. you can find links to most useful reviews in all these pages.

[asnpcwiz]

Sorry, guess I was too vague, I meant side by side photo comparisons.

[Sid]

Originally posted by asnpcwiz
Sorry, guess I was too vague, I meant side by side photo comparisons.

Wait a couple of days, and Michael should have a nice review out, with pictures of the P900 vs T68i.

[luiscamino]

or you can see these photos comparing a p800 (almost the same as a p900) with a t65 (only a bit taller than t68i):

http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p800/p800t65_1.jpg
http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p800/p800t65_2.jpg
http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p800/p800t65_3.jpg
http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p800/p800t65_4.jpg
http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p800/p800t65_5.jpg

[The Roo]

Blimey, there are a LOT of questions on this thread that need answering.

You got your work cut out for you Michael!
The people impatiently wait for your review. No pressure.:D

[jmburt]

michael
i am sure you are having fun playing with that p900
when do expect to post a review?
by this weekend? maybe? hoping?

[Jam]

This is great news. i read the review of this at mobile-review.com but i must say it made me wish you had of wrote it ( because it was CRAP lol )

I realy cannot wait to read your review :D please oh please post it by this sunday at the most (the suspention is killing me)

Oh and gsmphonesoure.com (in america) has the P900 on sale now. for about double the price they want for a P800 though

[Michael]

I hope to have the first part of it up by Sunday evening New York time. There will likely be a number of updates because my device is not running all of the latest software and will need to be updated.

[sanjoy316]

hey mike could u tell me using which software did you convert the movie equlibriium into mp4....

[The Roo]

i think sid could answer that rather than mike...

[The Roo]

I mean Michael! Not Mike!! :D

[Sid]

Originally posted by sanjoy316
hey mike could u tell me using which software did you convert the movie equlibriium into mp4....

I used Nokia Multimedia Converter V2 Beta 2 (http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/1,6566,040,00.html?fsrParam=3-3-%2Fmain.html&fileID=2998)

I've tried using a lot of the P800 movie making utilities, and they have all given me problems with timing and audio. While the NMC makes video a little smaller than the P800 can handle(since it's designed for Series 60 phones), I think they look fine.

[Jam]

I just thought i would add this. on the My-Symbian.com site they have a picture of P900 in there gallery nothing wierd there ontill i looket closer at 2 of there pictures where they have a Duo card which is white sticking out ... i look even more closer to discover the word Gate on the edge of the duo.. which is "Magic Gate" so unless im wrong the P900 supports Magic Gate duo's :p

please michael if you can get your hands on a Magic Gate duo do try it :D

[Sid]

Originally posted by Jam
I just thought i would add this. on the My-Symbian.com site they have a picture of P900 in there gallery nothing wierd there ontill i looket closer at 2 of there pictures where they have a Duo card which is white sticking out ... i look even more closer to discover the word Gate on the edge of the duo.. which is "Magic Gate" so unless im wrong the P900 supports Magic Gate duo's :p

please michael if you can get your hands on a Magic Gate duo do try it :D

The P800 could support Magic Gate memory sticks too. In fact, I'm using a 128 MB Magic Gate Duo right now....

[Michael]

Originally posted by Jam
I just thought i would add this. on the My-Symbian.com site they have a picture of P900 in there gallery nothing wierd there ontill i looket closer at 2 of there pictures where they have a Duo card which is white sticking out ... i look even more closer to discover the word Gate on the edge of the duo.. which is "Magic Gate" so unless im wrong the P900 supports Magic Gate duo's :p

Um, all that proves is that the P900's Memory Stick slot can have a Magic Gate card partially inserted.

It says nothing at all about it supporting Magic Gate cards.

It might have been the only card the photographer had available, or it might work without supporting the encryption stuff. Either way, the photo proves nothing.

http://www.mobileburn.com/media/sonyericsson/fake/p900_duo_pro-157_5724.jpg

[Jam]

But are the Magic gate the ones that go upto 1GB ? ive seen 1GB magic gate ones im sure.:p

PLEASE GIVE ME insight

[Jam]

Originally posted by Michael
Um, all that proves is that the P900's Memory Stick slot can have a Magic Gate card partially inserted.

It says nothing at all about it supported Magic Gate cards.

It might have been the only card the photographer had available, or it might work without supporting the encryption stuff. Either way, the photo proves nothing.


Your so kind.. i can see now who i would want to shoot me

[Michael]

The P900 does not support cards larger than 128MB.

It says so quite plainly in the specs. Why do you people insist that it is capable of using larger cards?

[Jam]

Sorry gosh.. please dont beat me up into a corner... :(

[Michael]

Originally posted by Jam
But are the Magic gate the ones that go upto 1GB ? ive seen 1GB magic gate ones im sure.:p

PLEASE GIVE ME insight There are Magic Gate Duo PRO cards that go that large, not Magic Gate Duo cards.

The P900, like the P800, does not support Duo Pro cards.

[The Roo]

HEY MICHAEL ! ! !
Is that photo of the 1GB Duo Pro card going into the P900 real???!!
OMG OMG!!

Surely that settles it then? It CAN take larger memory cards! Seeing is believing! This can't be fake. NOBODY has mad enough skillz in photoshop to do a mock up that real.

Spread the good word, people. The P900 is back in business.

[sanjoy316]

hey the new quicktime pro allows you to make mpeg 4 and 3gpp contents so u can convert any movie you want into these formats and download it onto your phone enjoy..............

[Jam]

Originally posted by Michael
There are Magic Gate Duo PRO cards that go that large, not Magic Gate Duo cards.

The P900, like the P800, does not support Duo Pro cards.

Thanks you michael ;) i was thinking if it could take magic gate then 1GB ones also. but i was WRONG. Thanks for clearing this up for me. i think ile just stick with my P800 :D

[BengalBoy]

Just wanted to say that was an excellent review Michael....

[Jam]

Very nice review. I dont suppose you could do some screen shots of the menu and all that :D no trouble though. the review was very good indeed.

[Michael]

Originally posted by Jam
Very nice review. I dont suppose you could do some screen shots of the menu and all that :D no trouble though. the review was very good indeed. There are screen caps of the menu, side by side with the P800 caps.

I realize there are a million pages in the review, so I can understand if you gave up before finding them.

I'm going to have to put together some sort of index system for the reviews.

[Jam]

Dont worry I read the whole thing I'm just unsure to upgrade to P900 from my P800.. at the moment im likeing the design of my P800 more.. but I am likeing the new size and flip .. and that 65K screen :P I think I'm going to need to try one in shop before i shell out for one.

[jeffharris]

As for you people asking about where to get a P900 in Hong Kong, I am there often, and have found that you need to look in 3 areas that have a lot of phones. I haven' found any "high end", or "professional" phone sstores, most of htem are small shops, or general electroinc shps that stock phones. First is Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and also off Nathan road in that area. Also, Times Square in Causeway Bay, and also o Temple Street in the Jordan Rd area of Kowloon. Make sure the phone workls, and don't be intimidated to bargain as much as possible. Although there is a carrier branded shop almost every block in HK, I can't imagine they will have a P900 at thhis time. Good luck.

[onepiece]

Originally posted by jeffharris
As for you people asking about where to get a P900 in Hong Kong, I am there often, and have found that you need to look in 3 areas that have a lot of phones. I haven' found any "high end", or "professional" phone sstores, most of htem are small shops, or general electroinc shps that stock phones. First is Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and also off Nathan road in that area. Also, Times Square in Causeway Bay, and also o Temple Street in the Jordan Rd area of Kowloon. Make sure the phone workls, and don't be intimidated to bargain as much as possible. Although there is a carrier branded shop almost every block in HK, I can't imagine they will have a P900 at thhis time. Good luck.

Jeff Harris has helped us by puting us in the right neighborhoods of Hong Kong & Kowloon to buy cell phones....

How about some of our full time Hong Kong residents lending a hand here with actual shop names, locations and prices paid...There is always a vendor around that the crowd "in the know" will flock to.
Thanks,
onepiece

[jeffharris]

I'd be happy to see if anyone comes up with a personal contact, or friend, as I will be there in 10 days or so, and altohugh I have a P900, I can buy some for my friends. A presonal contecr may help insure a correct phopne, but, I find, in HK, no one is your friend, and everyone is your friend. There is just one element in business ... money ... good friends don't get better discounts there ... if they can profit from you, then there's no emotion involved.