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The Sony Ericsson Aspen, introduced Feb. 2, is the newest smartphone addition to the company’s GreenHeart line of environmentally minded devices.
The Aspen is geared toward “green” enterprise workers, and consumers with intense texting needs, said Sony Ericsson, which with the Aspen has combined Microsoft’s Windows Phone software with a qwerty keyboard, multitasking capabilities, Microsoft Office Mobile, Outlook Mobile, an Adobe PDF reader, Wi-Fi connectivity and the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 operating system.
Arriving in the second quarter of 2010, the Aspen measures approximately 4.6 by 2.4 by 0.5 inches, features a 2.4-inch QVGA screen with 240 by 320 pixels, has a MicroSD slot for up to 4GB of additional memory and offers 10 hours of GSM/GPRS talk time or up to 8 hours on a UMTS network.
Support for e-mail, IM, MMS and SMS are included, along with an FM radio and quick ties to Facebook, Skype and YouTube.
“An affordable GreenHeart phone with the latest version of Windows Phone, the Sony Ericsson Aspen has a rich user interface and powerful productivity tools,” said Quentin Cordier, Sony Ericsson’s global marketing manager, in a statement.
“But it’s not all about work,” Cordier continued. “Stay in touch with the fun parts of life with Media Browser and PlayNow, with simple access to social networks and quick and easy access to media files. Find the fun with a-GPS, Google Maps and snap pictures with the 3.2-megapixel camera.”
The Aspen’s green credentials include a power-saving mode, an e-manual, the EcoMate application – which offers tips on “how to lead a more environmentally friendly life” – recycled materials, a low-power-consuming charger, no lead and waterborne paints.
The Aspen is compatible with Sony Ericsson’s Bluetooth Noise Shield Handsfree VH700 earpiece and will be available in Iconic Black and White Silver.
Sony Ericsson earlier grew its GreenHeart line with the December introduction of the Hazel and the Elm, which followed June’s news of the Naite and the C901.