First PS3 Compatible Cell Phone, Available In October (In The UK...)

Well heres the next step. Sony has announced their latest European phone The Aino back in May, but no one expected it to be ready so quickly. Sony says the new phone will be available in the UK in October. A US release has not been spoken of at this time.

This thing has it all:

  • Watch the latest videos, podcasts, music, Facebook and YouTube on the 3 inch touch screen with 30 frames per second high quality playback, 16.7 million colours and video recording in VGA 25 frames per second.
  • Enjoy music with great sound with the Clear audio experience Bluetooth headset, 3.5mm jack, easy-to-use music controls and FM radio.
  • Personalise Aino with music, movies and games from the PlayNow arena, which offers a full range of mobile entertainment. It also features new, specially developed ringtones, music tones and DRM-free music tracks.
  • Aino combines a traditional keypad with an intuitive touch user interface when in media mode. The intuitive 3D scrolling media browser gives users a clear overview and one touch direct access to their content.
  • Play and organise content with Media Go, which automatically formats all content on a computer to be compatible with Aino.
  • Insert Aino into its charging stand and Media Home automatically pulls new content from Media Go on a PC via Wi-Fi.
  • Access the PlayTV service to watch, pause and record live TV from a huge range of free to air channels.
  • Aino features an 8.1 megapixel camera, featuring face detection, Geo tagging, Photo flash and auto focus.
  • A huge 8GB SD memory card to store downloadable content.

And if that's not enough it will work remotely with your PS3. Yes as long as you are connected to a wireless network or 3G network, you can access all your goodies on the PS3.

My only real concern is what happens to the PSPGo. If this is the direction that Cellphones and smartphones are going, will this be the death of the portable handheld? Or will a market always be there to support devices such as the Nintendo DS, PSP go, and iTouch? And what about my game boy?

Reference: Q&A posted by the Euro Playstation Blog

What are you offering PlayStation3 users in your upcoming range of phones?

Aino is one of the first handsets in Sony Ericsson’s new Communications Entertainment proposition. It offers a unique multimedia experience for all PlayStation3 fans as they can seamlessly access and control their PS3 media content anywhere, anytime using Remote Play.

Remote Play with Aino lets you turn your PS3 on and off, browse and control the XMB and access the internet browser from anywhere in the world. Remote Play also lets you control and access the HD Drive’s media content on PS3 using the built-in WiFi or 3G connections via Aino.

You can also access PlayStation Store via Remote Play or chat with friends via PlayStation Network. It is also possible to buy and download a new game from the Store via Aino so it is ready and waiting for you when you get home.

How exactly do users access Remote Play?

Users simply start Remote Play by selecting the Remote Play icon in the entertainment menu of their Aino.

The set up is easy and only neccessary once – the PS3 generates the registration code to be entered into Aino.

You navigate the XMB with the Aino keypad.