If you buy a Sony Ericsson phone from 3 in the next few months you’ll get a ton more web tools for your money. 3 is adding Facebook, YouTube and Windows Live Messenger apps to Sony Ericsson phones as well as offering free access to the web to use them.
The first phone to receive the new software is the Sony Ericsson C510. Since it’s a Cyber-shot phone, it makes perfect sense: owners will be able to gawp at photos on Facebook, send videos to YouTube and then, err, chat about them through Windows Live Messenger.
These aren’t just standard apps slapped on board though, they’re custom made for 3. The YouTube uploader tool, for instance, is tightly integrated with the C510 camera, prompting for owners to upload videos as soon as they’re taken. When the upload is complete, YouTube links can even be sent to friends via text.
Windows Live Messenger is also built into the phone’s software, showing the current online status of friends directly within the phonebook and alerting you to new messages, even when it’s minimised.
The new software makes the C510 from 3 a bit like the INQ 1 phone. Of course, it’s not quite so smart, but it’s definitely edging that way.
Out March | £TBC | 3
