Sony Ericsson has now officially announced the G705, confirming pretty much everything we knew about it until now and even manages to pack a few surprises in its slider form factor. The G705 turns out to be quite internet savvy with support for what is dubbed as “turbo 3G,” a full HTML browser with a nifty zoom-in function not unlike the latest Symbian browser, and a largish 2.4-inch display. Also included is an RSS Reader, which acts as a ticker displaying the latest news from the feeds you have subscribed to when the handset is in standby mode, the option to directly upload videos taken on its 3.2mpx cam to YouTube and a Google shortcut for quick access to information when needed. While we knew about its aGPS with Google Maps and WiFi, features that we didn’t anticipate are the accelerometer for automatic orientation between portrait/landscape modes and an FM radio, sweet surprises indeed. The press release also details a variation called the Sony G705u tailor-made exclusively for Orange that allows users to switch seamlessly between GSM and WiFi networks. Sounds like a wholly nice feature set in an equally attractive package. No price details are revealed at the time of this post, but look for it to land in the US in the first quarter of 2009.

G705 Specifications:

• Size: 95 x 47 x 14.3 mm, Weight: 98 grams
• Display: 262,144 color TFT, 240 x 320 pixels resolution, 2.4 inches
• Memory: Internal memory up to 120MB with Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support
• Camera: 3.2 megapixel camera with up to 3.2x digital zoom and video recording
• Music/Entertainment: Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP), Media player, Mega Bass™, TrackID™, PlayNow™, Album Art, Music tones (MP3/AAC), 3D games, Java™, FM Radio, Video streaming, Video viewing
• Web/Internet: Full HTML browser with auto rotate, RSS feeds on desktop, Photo feeds, Web shortcut keys
• Connectivity: Bluetooth™ technology, Modem, Synchronisation, USB mass storage, USB support, Wi-Fi, DLNA Certified™
• Inbuilt aGPS with Google Maps™ and Wayfinder™ navigation (three month trial version)
• Talktime: GSM/GPRS up to 10 hrs, standby time GSM/GPRS up to 400 hrs, UMTS Up to 4 hours, Standby UMTS up to 350 hours, video talk time: Up to 3 hours
• Networks: G705 and G705u: GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 2100. G705 (American version): GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSUPA 850/1900/2100
• Available in: Silky Gold, Majestic Black, Luminous Black (G705u only)

SE Press