Sony Ericsson, una radio AM/FM/GSM

Lo voglio. E mi sembra molto intelligente la decisione di Sony Ericsson, che prima ha concepito due radio tascabili AM/FM (con RDS) dotate in margine di funzionalità GSM/GPRS. E poi ha oculatamente deciso di indirizzare i due nuovi telefonini (con scritto sopra a chiare lettere: "radio", che bravi ragazzi) verso un mercato emergente come quello indiano, dove le emittenti FM impazzano per popolarità. Ho letto la notizia proprio su un blog indiano e anche il comunicato stampa è stato rilasciato da Sony Ericsson in India, dove i due modelli R300 e 306 saranno commercializzati a partire dalla prossima primavera. Si pensa tra l'altro a un prezzo stracciato, tra le 3.500 e le 5.000 rupie. Quanto varrà mai una rupia, mi sono chiesto... Il currency converter mi dice che 5.000 rupie sono 85 euro!

Oltre che di una buona telecamera, i telefonini radiofonici supportano il sistema Sony Ericsson TrackID. Altra genialata, finora disponibile solo sui telefonini SE più costosi: se non conosci il titolo del brano musicale che stai ascoltando registri qualche secondo, lo spedisci a un server che ti risponde con il nome e l'autore. Mirabile esempio di come è possibile combinare una sofisticata tecnologia degitale con una modulazione "obsoleta" come l'FM. Ma le implicazioni non si fermano qui. L'industria del cellulare oggi ragiona in termini di volumi come nessun altro segmento dell'elettronica di consumo ha mai fatto. Oggi il silicio di questi due apparecchietti estrae la modulazione d'ampiezza, di frequenza, l'RDS... Domani sarà l'OFDM del DAB+, del DMB. Per il momento ci accontentiamo, ma io sono pronto a scommettere che se vogliamo vedere una implementazione di massa di una piattaforma di radio digitale, dobbiamo passare dai padroni del telefonino.

Sony Ericsson tunes-in to emerging markets and radio fans
24 January 2008

The new Sony Ericsson R300 Radio and R306 Radio place the first combined AM/FM radio experience at the heart of the mobile phone.

Delhi, India – 24th January 2008 – Sony Ericsson today announced the launch of two new mobile phones, the R300 Radio and R306 Radio, both designed to deliver a credible radio-listening experience to a global audience, and ideally suited to emerging markets such as India. “The R300 Radio and R306 Radio allow you to tune-in to your favourite music shows or sports reports, across both AM and FM broadcasts,” said Howard Lewis, Vice President and Head of Entry Level Products at Sony Ericsson. “They certainly look and sound the part, offering a radio-inspired design and feature set on a choice of either a candy bar or clamshell phone.”

True radio design

Both of these new phones are designed to have a clear radio look-and-feel. Sit either phone on its side and let the radio blast out through the dedicated loudspeaker…in stereo in the case of the R306 Radio. Preset buttons on the front of both the R300 Radio and R306 Radio let you switch easily between your favourite stations. It takes just one click to boost the volume when you want to share music on the radio or the live action from the sports ground.
These two phones really let you get the most from the radio. Set it as your alarm clock or record the final moments of your team’s winning match and play back the commentary again and again. You can even record a clip of a song and use it as your ringtone.

Who sang that song?

TrackID is now a familiar feature on many of Sony Ericsson’s high tier phones. It now comes as standard on both the R300 Radio and R306 Radio, turning listeners into instant music experts! Record a clip of a song from an external source, such as a sound system in a coffee shop or bar, and find out within seconds who sang it, the name of the track and which album it is from. All in just one click.

Play it loud!

With the R300 Radio you can listen-in via the stereo headphones provided or ‘play it loud’ thanks to the high performance speaker integrated into the phone. Switch on 3D sound enhancement or volume boost with the dedicated Audio Enhancer key on the phone.

True radio experience

The R306 Radio opens up into a clamshell with two integrated stereo speakers that face the listener. Again featuring the Audio Enhancer key, you can activate volume boost when listening to the radio through the speakers or 3D sound enhancement when you have the stereo headset plugged in, ensuring a first-class radio listening experience even when it is noisy around you. See which station you are tuned-in to on the phone’s external display.

Perfect harmony

Both phones feature Bluetooth™ technology, allowing you to handle your phone calls handsfree with optional accessories such as the Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV703.
The R300 Radio offers a built-in VGA camera and the R306 Radio boasts a step-up to a 1.3 megapixel camera on-board. So whether you are listening to the radio or not, these two new phones are set to hit the right note.
The R300 Radio will launch in two colours: Antique Copper and Steel Black. It is a GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets from Q2 2008. The R300a Radio is a GSM/GPRS 850/1800/1900 phone, available in the same timeframe.
The R306 Radio will launch in two colours: Coffee Black and Champagne White. It is a GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets from Q3 2008.
The R306a Radio is a GSM/GPRS 850/1800/1900 phone, available in the same timeframe.