Forum > Sony Ericsson / Sony > Android > Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™ delivers unique social music experience for smartphones

On 2011-08-23 09:07:04, lolstebbo wrote:

1. If you look at the specs for SE's 2011 models versus HTC's and Samsung's and everyone else's, Sony is the least fragmented. The internals are pretty much the same across the board, just in different sized and configured packaging. This helps with parts costs, especially compared to other Android manufacturers. Stocking multiple screen sizes for different models is probably cheaper than stocking a massive variety of chipsets in addition to multiple screen sizes.

2. This builds more on my first point, but by repackaging the same architecture, ends up with a lineup of general devices physically designed for different markets. I think they're trying to position themselves as a lifestyle brand instead of a "try to please every kind of consumer" brand. Each model has some kind of general broad appeal, but the physical design helps target a more specific audience without being too limiting in demographic, the PLAY being an exception.

3. Swap-out keyboard? I can't imagine that being fun to engineer or program for since the software would have to be tailored to accomodate two sets of input instead of just one or the other.

4. Interchangeable back panel? Unless you're referring to something similar to iPhone keyboard cases, do you have any idea how to engineer something like that? It would actually increase development and parts costs, if anything.

On 2011-08-23 09:55:30, jplacson wrote:

1) I agree on this, but the other manufacturers do have the funding to do so. doesn't.

2) This strategy would work for larger companies that have the distribution and manufacturing of say HTC, LG and Samsung... again, is a very small player, spreading themselves too thin IMO. Focusing on a couple of segments would be more beneficial to them.

3) It would be the same as programming any of their Pro models w/ keyboards, since they all work when the keyboard is closed, as if there was no keyboard.

4) Initially yes, but gives them more flexibility per model since customers would be more willing to spend on a keyboard or controller accessory than a secondary phone. The really small Israeli phone company Modu had a similar approach, albeit a bit more extreme as the core component was just a basic phone. already has the tech for it, it was used on the P910i keyboard. The form factor may be different, but the connector was essentially the same. It's not a major change in the unit itself, just provisions for external keypads/keyboards. Considering that the ray is about half the thickness of the Pro, it shouldn't be too difficult to make an external keyboard attachment that isn't too thick.

On 2011-12-27 16:13:14, Bonovox wrote:
A decent review of the ever dying Walkman brand u