Features
Befitting of its designation in the "Walkman" line, the w800i's highlighted feature is its music player. This is the best music player I've yet to see in a cell phone, by far outdoing the much-maligned
Motorola E1 ROKR and its watered-down version of Apple's iTunes software. The w800i's Walkman application supports mp3 and AAC audio files, and the included 512MB Memory Stick Duo card has room for a few albums' worth of songs with no 100 song limit like the ROKR has. Serious multimedia junkies can upgrade to a 2GB Memory Stick. Music is organized by artist, track, and playlist, and navigation with the joystick is straightforward and (for the most part) snappy. A graphic equalizer with preset and manual modes, shuffle and loop playback modes, and an FM radio with 20 presets are also part of the package. The Walkman application can also run in the background, with track information scrolled along the top of the screen above whatever else the phone is doing.
Sony includes a handsfree 3.5mm headphone adaptor and premium in-ear earphones with the w800i. The adaptor connects to the phone via the bottom-mount connector port, and the earphones plug into a standard stereo jack on the other end of the line, where a microphone and answer/disconnect button are also located. This setup is quite nice, as it allows for music listening and handsfree use of the phone using the same headset (the phone automatically pauses music when an incoming call is detected). Out of the box the w800i actually sounds better than an iPod because it ships with far better earphones, though the standard 3.5mm jack allows the use of whatever headphones you might prefer. My only complaint is that because the assembly plugs into the phone's connector port, the phone cannot be charged or connected to a computer while earphones are being used. Sony would have done better fitting the phone itself with a 3.5mm jack.
Access to the phone's plentiful connectivity options, applications, customization settings, and 510-entry phone book with picture and ringtone user ID is intuitive using either the static or Flash-animated user interfaces. All of the features one expects from a high-end handset are here: Datebook with to-do list and alarm reminders, MIDI and mp3/AAC ringtone support, vibrate mode, voice dialing and memo support, and speakerphone. Contact and datebook syncing is supported via USB (a data cable is included) and Bluetooth, and works with both Windows and Mac-based computers. The phone even features a Remote Control mode that lets you take command of your computer's cursor via Bluetooth: Geeks rejoice!
The file manager application provides on-phone management of audio, video, photo, game and other files, including Bluetooth/USB transfer and installation/deletion of applications. The included software CD is PC-only and supports file transfer and management when your phone and computer are connected (or if you pop the Memory Stick out of the phone and mount it on your PC's desktop). Mac users can browse the phone from their computers without any software (my Mac launched iPhoto upon connection, treating the phone just like a digital camera), and third-party applications that support advanced file transfer and management are available.
Many JAVA-based games are available for download to the w800i, though I have to say that I was disappointed to see that Sony did not preinstall Super Real Tennis on the phone. I first tried this stunningly beautiful game on the K750i and still love it.
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