If you are someone addicted to social networking, then you can take a look at the upcoming Sony Ericsson txt, a sleek feature phone with a full QWERTY keyboard on a candybar body. The Japanese-Swedish cell phone maker has loaded the mobile phone with a bevy of messaging features that will keep you connected to your friends and family on the go.

Sony Ericsson Txt Features

Design

The 4.2-inch long, 2.4-inch wide and 0.6-inch thick, feature phone will hit the shelves in the third quarter of this year in white, black, pink and blue colors. The keys on the QWERTY keypad are evenly spaced. The dedicated SMS shortcut key allows users to compose their text messages speedily with utmost ease.

Display

Sony Ericsson txt sports a 320×240-pixel resolution 2.55-inch standard display. Made out of scratch resistant glass, the screen of the feature phone could display colorful photos and standard definition videos.

Camera

Sony Ericsson phones are noted for their high-end camera features that can offer tough competition to standalone digital cameras. However, this new Sony Ericsson feature phone’s camera will disappoint shutterbugs who were expecting a Sony Ericsson phone with an impressive camera. Sony Ericsson has endowed Sony Ericsson txt with a standard 3.2-megapixel camera. You can snap photos and record standard definition videos with the phone camera. The photos and videos could be uploaded to blogs or social networking sites and shared with friends through emails directly from the cell phone.

Messaging

This new feature phone is equipped with a Friends app that allows users to track the activities of five friends on the go. You can check their latest updates on Facebook and their new tweets, and promptly respond to your friends’ messages with the help of the Friends app. Facebook and Twitter apps are preloaded on the feature phone. You can manage your Facebook activities and convey to the world about your ideas through your tweets right from your Sony Ericsson txt handset. Sony Ericsson txt supports instant messaging through Google Talk. It enables communication with friends and family without consuming the minutes of the call plan. With the help of the built-in email client users can access their emails at any time, from any place. You can check your inbox and send emails from your cell phone.

Entertainment

For music and movie lovers, Sony Ericsson has integrated a media player in the device. You can listen to your favorite songs and view videos created with the feature phone or streamed from PC or other sources. Cannot remember who sang a particular song or the name of the album that features a certain music track? With the TrackID music recognition feature, you can access information on artist, album and music track simply by recording a song on the phone for a few seconds.

Songs and games could be downloaded on Sony Ericsson txt through PlayNow. The built-in FM radio with RDS will connect you to your favorite radio stations at any time. Videos created with the built-in video recorder of the Sony Ericsson device could be uploaded to YouTube through the preinstalled YouTube app. You can also view videos on YouTube with the help of this app.

Web browsing

Web browsing is supported by Obigo Q7 browser. The browser supports standard internet protocols. This browser might not enrich your web surfing experience by displaying rich multimedia contents and Flash videos, nonetheless, you can watch standard images and videos on websites optimized for mobile phones.

Connectivity

Sony Ericsson txt flaunts standard connectivity features. The embedded Bluetooth technology allows users to connect the device to Bluetooth enabled headsets and other accessories. It comes with a 3.5mm headset jack. For speedy web browsing, you can use the Wi-Fi connection of Sony Ericsson txt in wireless hotspots. Contents stored in the device could be shared with PCs through the micro USB port.

Other features

The integrated loudspeaker aids hands free communication. Sony Ericsson txt also features timer, stopwatch, alarm clock, calculator and calendar. It can be used in the flight mode.

Memory

Sony Ericsson txt offers limited onboard storage space. 100MB onboard memory might not be sufficient for stashing a large number of files. For additional storage space, you can opt for memory expansion via microSD memory card. The Sony Ericsson feature phone supports up to 32GB external memory expansion.

Network

This Sony Ericsson phone works on quad band GSM, GPRS or EDGE network.

Battery power

The 1000mAh battery could power the cell phone for up to 3 hours 12 minutes. It supports up to 416 hours of standby time. You can play video files continuously for up to 5 hours and 15 minutes, and for up to 23 hours you can continuously listen to your favorite songs on Sony Ericsson txt.

Should you buy Sony Ericsson txt?

Sony Ericsson txt is a watered down version of Sony Ericsson txt Pro. From the features and functions it is clear that it is an entry level phone that targets the low to mid range segment. The standard hardware packed in the device could not support robust multitasking and other high-end functions. This is perhaps a gift that you can give your teenage son or daughter. Absence of 3G connectivity is a major lacuna of the device. It will prevent users from enjoying fast internet browsing.

Comparison with similar cell phones

Sony Ericsson txt vs. Nokia C3

Sony Ericsson txt is a close competitor to Nokia C3. Both the devices feature a candybar body with a QWERTY keyboard. Both the cell phones sport similar display. However, the Sony Ericsson device boasts of a better camera. It features a 3.2MP camera, whereas its rival is equipped with a 2MP camera. Stereo FM radio with RDS and music player are present in both the feature phones.

For browsing, the Nokia phone uses Opera Mini browser, while its rival relies on Obigo Q7 browser for internet surfing. Nokia C3 supports longer talk time and standby time. The 1320mAh battery of Nokia C3 supports up to seven hours of talk time. In contrast, the 1000mAh battery of Sony Ericsson txt supports only around three hours of talk time.