Screen
Dual displays are featured on the Z500a. Externally, a 4096 color STN
screen measures 96 x 64 px. It offers frequently accessed information without
opening the clamshell, including support of Picture CallerID, carrier, time,
date, signal strength, and battery life. Meanwhile when flipped open, a
128 x 160 px internal screen capable of displaying 65K colors is reveals.
Both displays are STN (Super Twisted Nematic) rather than the more expensive
TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology. STN requires pixel locations to be
scanned instead of having transistors placed directly on the glass as TFT
does, resulting in slower response times; refresh rates which may be needed
fast changing applications.
Audio
The preinstalled Media Player converts the Z500a into a portable MP3
/ MPEG4 / H.263 player, allowing users to listen to their favorite tunes
as well as watch pictures or streamed or downloaded video clips.
 Additionally,
the Z500a is able to play polyphonic ringtones at up to 40 simultaneous
instruments. Polyphonic sounds and the MIDI format have revolutionized
the sound of ringtones in cell phones. With this format, users are also
able to compose, edit, and send melodies by using the built-in MusicDJ
sound synthesizer program.
But users won't be using MIDI files much. Fortunately, the Z500a supports
MP3 ringtones as well. Unlike polyphonic ringtones which are descriptions
which enables a local synthesizer to play the music from the instructions,
MP3 ringtones are straight recordings. Records that are the actual music,
including lyrics.
Messaging
Sony Ericsson has incorporated the latest messaging standards reacting
to enormous popularity of text messaging. Aside from standard SMS text messaging,
the Z500a also supports EMS and MMS. Great for sending multimedia birthday
or holiday greetings, or vacation postcard messages, MMS combines text with
photos, sounds, animation, and video. By utilizing the built-in VGA camera,
users can create interesting combinations of visually personalized messages
POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP email protocols are supported as well. The Z500a
allocates messages dynamically in its 6 MB internal storage. Users can conveniently
check email on the go from 3rd party email accounts.
To ensure interoperability of mobile instant messaging, Sony Ericsson,
Motorola, and Nokia have created Wireless Village. Unlike conventional text
message based instant messaging, Wireless Village specifications define
how the instant messaging provides an open connection with existing IM providers,
such as AOL, ICQ, Yahoo and MSN.
The result is a system for sharing personal information about the user's
status, (e.g., on-line, off-line, busy), location (home, work), and the
moods of their friends and colleagues (happy, angry). In addition, services
will allow users to participate in private or public chat rooms with search
capabilities. Ultimately network operators will be able to provide meeting
and conferencing type of services with shared content.
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