Messaging
With the growing popularity of text messaging, Sony Ericsson has incorporated
the latest messaging standards including SMS (Short Messaging Service),
EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).
Letting users do more than send text, MMS and EMS allows consumers to
say it in words, in pictures, in animation, or in sounds. Combining multimedia
with text messaging, birthday and holiday greetings or images captured on
vacation can be attached to create digital postcards.
Using T9 predictive text, users save time when typing. Choosing from
a dictionary of words and phrases, the Z520a can anticipate what is being
written with fewer keystrokes.
Including Wireless Village instant messaging (My Friends), the Z520a's
Phonebook and messaging functionalities are merged to allow click access
to contacts via SMS, MMS, email, or chat. Going beyond previous mobile chat
features, Wireless Village specifications define open connection with existing
IM providers, such as AOL, ICQ, Yahoo and MSN.
 The
effect is a system for sharing personal information about Status, (Online,
Offline, or Busy), Location (Home or Work), and Moods (Happy or Angry).
Additionally, services can allow consumers to participate in private or
public chat rooms with search capabilities. Dependant upon carriers, the
Z520a may be able to access meeting and conferencing type services with
shared content.
Entertainment
The standard set of PIM (Personal Information Management) applications
are included on the Z520a including Calculator, Calendar, Code Memo, Notes,
Organizer, Remote Control, Sound Recorder, Stopwatch, Tasks, Timer, and
the previously discussed Music DJ, PhotoDJ, and VideoDJ software. Additionally
users are able to access email accounts through POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols.
For applications, the Z520a also contains SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia
Integration Language), an advanced XML-based protocol that gives users the
ability to create and transmit PowerPoint-style presentations on mobile
devices. By using a media editor, users can incorporate text, audio, images,
and video clips to assemble full multimedia presentations on the display.
Through the Media Player, consumers can access media on the Z520a. Video
and music codec support of MPEG-4, H.263, AMR, MP3, and 3GP allow users
to stream a variety of media information including music, news, videos,
radio broadcasts, and live traffic information.
Two games come with the Z520a, NY Nights and QuadraPop. Similar to The
Sims, Gameloft's eerily similar NY Nights challenges players to try to make
as much money as they can and end up with a girlfriend / boyfriend. QuadraPop
on the other hand, is a logic and puzzle game, similar to Tetris. Players
try to score points by sliding and positioning "musical notes" into place.
But even more exciting, the Z520a utilizes the Mascot Capsule Java 3D
gaming engine. Rendering 3D objects in real-time, the Z520a incorporates
sophisticated APIs resulting in more detailed games. More detailed than
regular games, Mascot improves graphics that react faster to user commands.
Should consumers tire of the preinstalled games, the Z520a supports Java-based
software based on the J2ME (Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition) platform; the
most popular platform for mobile devices. Backed by leading tool vendors,
there is an abundant supply of programs in a wide range of genres to choose
from; some free to download, however most for a small fee.
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