- Walkman 2.0 Media Player with one-touch music shuffle and dedicated music control keys on the front; integrated FM radio
- Quad-band connectivity for global roaming and EDGE data network compatibility for AT&T Mobile Music streaming and downloads
- 2-megapixel camera with video capture; Memory Stick Micro expansion; Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR connectivity with stereo music streaming
- Built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and Internet surfing; mobile email and messaging via AOL, Yahoo!, and MSN
- Includes: Battery, Charger, Corded Headset, USB Cable, User's Manual and Quick Start Guide
Sony Ericsson shakes things up with its new quad-band W580i Walkman phone, introducing an innovative "shake to shuffle" feature that randomly chooses another song stored on your phone with just a flick of the wrist. This thin, slider-style phone also features a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, fast Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR connectivity with music streaming, Memory Stick Micro expansion, Web browser for viewing full Internet sites, email access, an FM radio with RDS, and EDGE data support.
The slim slider W580i measures just 0.55 inches thin and features a brightly colorful QVGA screen, external music keys, and a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder. |
With AT&T's Mobile Music service, you can access your Napster subscription service for music downloads to keep you booming out the tunes for up to 20 hours. |
AT&T Service The W580i operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"), with availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. This third-generation, high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service lets you do more than just stream videos--it enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. It also features AT&T Mobile Music, which provides access to the Napster subscription music service in addition to Music ID song-recognition software, music videos and The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)
Phone Features
The W580i Walkman phone offers a full-function digital audio player that's compatible with MP3 and AAC files. The front of this slider phone includes dedicated music control buttons, and it includes Sony Ericsson's innovative "shake to shuffle" feature. With Shake control activated, press and hold the Walkman key and flick your wrist. A vibration lets you know that the track has been changed--a new song from your current playlist is randomly selected and automatically played.
With the TrackID service, you can identify any song that you can hear by just recording a snippet of sound using the microphone. After sending the file for recognition, you'll have the name, artist and album sent to your phone. Other Walkman features include MegaBass enhancement for added depth of sound, a flight mode that lets you keep listening to tunes with the phone's network connectivity turned off, and Disc2Phone software for easy transfer of song files between phone and PC. It also includes a built-in FM radio with RDS, which displays the name of the currently playing song (when tuned to compatible radio stations).
This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity with EDR (enhanced data rate), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and audio/video remote control. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
The built-in 2.0 megapixel camera captures stills and video--and playback of video or still pictures is only limited to the memory card size. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be setup to fit your personality. It provides support for PictBridge technology so you can print your photos without the need of a PC (either using USB or Bluetooth). And the W580i makes it easy to send snapped photos directly to a blog or an online photo, complete with text. This phone is also compatible with RTSP/3GPP streaming video playback
You can even take your favorite tracks to the track with the W580i, which will count your steps, your calories and monitor your running speed/distance/time with the integrated motion sensor. Your workout results are stored in your phone so you can monitor your progress.
The phone also ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, while the included Access NetFront Web Browser allows you to surf full HTML web sites. It also supports RSS feeds, allowing you to use your phone to view up-to-the-minute news and other content from selected Web sites and blogs. Just subscribe to the feed and let it come to you. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages.
The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard. This means the phone can be used with the included Sony Ericsson Sync Station software, which lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks on your PC with the phone.
Other features include:
- 2-inch LCD with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and support for 262K colors
- Up to 1000 contact entries, each with five number fields
- Built-in pedometer and fitness applications
- Picture blogging with Google Blogger
- Mobile email and messaging via AOL/AIM, Yahoo!, and MSN
- Java support for online and offline 3D games (preloaded games include PacMan and Ms. PacMan)
- USB 2.0 wired connectivity with mass storage capability
- PIM functions including calendar, tasks, notes, alarm, calculator, stopwatch, and timer
- T9 text entry technology
- 72-chord polyphonic ringtones and MP3 ringtones
- Digital audio file formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+
Vital Statistics
The W580i weighs 3.32 ounces and measures 3.9 x 1.85 x 0.55 inches. Its 930 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 370 hours of digital standby time; the phone will also play for up to 20 hours when in Music Mode. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.
The slim form factor of the W580 hides the Walkman 2.0 music player to make it simple to organize and play your favorite music. Easily create custom playlists. The Disc2Phone music management software and included USB cable make it easy to transfer music from a PC on to the phone. Additionally you can listen to favorite radio programming as the W580 offers an RDS-FM radio. The TrackID feature powered by Gracenote makes it easy to identify music tracks you don't recognize. The W580 also features a 2.0 Megapixel camera and functions as a portable photo album and pocket gaming device. A large 2-inch color screen is ideal for gaming as well as web browsing and viewing your camera photos. TrackID music recognition software Disc2Phone Music Management Software Multiple Music Format Support (MP3/AAC/AAC+/e-AAC+/WMA) A2DP (Bluetooth streaming sound) Music Illumination Effects Stereo Headset Speakerphone Connectivity & Messaging - Bluetooth 2.0, Java MIDP 2.0, Full HTML Browser with RSS, Instant messaging & USB Mass storage
| Looking for a new phone | 2010-03-19 | 3 / 5 |
|
| Had a problem with the keys cracking, and it is very difficult to text on if you need to use the 1, 2, or 3 keys, because the top part of the phone (it is a slide phone) gets in the way. Also, if you need to text the actual numeral 1, you have to go through about 15 symbols first. Other than that, it is a very nice phone. I did have to return it once for the keys cracking and another time for it turning itself off. I am looking for a phone now with a full keyboard. |
| I'll give it a meh. | 2009-12-01 | 3 / 5 |
|
I liked this phone at first, but after just under a year of usage, I'd be happy to get rid of it. The pound key (which functions as the space key in text messages) works about once every 5 times I press it. The camera takes extremely grainy pictures unless it's in very bright light-- then it's decent quality. The memory card I put in it pops out occasionally due to the cheap plastic latch sort of thing that's supposed to hold it in place. The edges of the phone look completely chewed up, which confuses me since the phone rarely leaves the comfort of my pocket. I know three other people with the same phone who have all had similar problems with broken keys and scratched edges. Also, the internet button is placed just right to get accidentally pressed, which happens frequently.
On the bright side, I dropped it in a puddle of Coke a few months back and it still works. |
| Poor Quality Phone | 2009-11-28 | 2 / 5 |
|
| This phone was all hype for the first week or so, with awesome features like the mp3 player and such. However, it died after a couple months of use. The screen went all black. Sometimes it comes back on but with a lot of blurriness and pixelation and lines all over the screen. It's a poor quality phone for sure. If you're more into the fashion sense of the phone, go for it, but if you want a phone that functions, I don't recommend this phone. |
|
I've had this phone for about a year. I am getting a new one soon. It's cheaply made. I got a screw loose in mine and it won't slid down now. It randomly shuts off. It says I don't have my smartcard in when I do. The keys break in half after about a month, and the themes shut off if you've had it on too long. The charger port gets messed up easily. It has too low of a speaker, I struggle with phone calls. They have an internet button on the front that I've clicked while it's in my pocket, without me knowing, charging a lot of money to my bill.
On the bright side, screen is amazing. |
| My Sony Ericsson W580i has served me well. | 2009-05-03 | 4 / 5 |
|
I purchased my gray Sony Ericsson W580i directly from AT&T in 2007 and spent $[...] after rebates. At the time, this phone offered the most features for a compact phone at a reasonable price. I usually keep a cell phone for longer than the two year contract period so I look for a phone with fun and techie features that will help make it easy to hang onto.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Capabilities & features (music/radio, 2MP camera, video, internet, bluetooth, speakerphone, organization and fitness apps, accepts memory card, etc.)
- Long lasting talk-time battery life
Cons:
- Proprietary accessories (headphone & power cable jacks, Micro M2 memory card)
- Small keypad and buttons (including exterior hot keys for music and internet that I've easily activated by accident)
- Continuous use of the Bluetooth zaps down the battery power
- Short ring span before callers go to voicemail (I'm slow!)
I am surprised by the number of reviewers that have commented about issues with the durability of the phone. My phone has suffered the depths of my overcrowded purse, been dropped onto the street, and gone sliding off of the dash onto the floor of my car, and does not yet look worse for the wear.
Overall, I am pleased with this purchase and would give this phone 4.5 stars. |
)
