It was almost inevitable that the Sony PSP portable games console would eventually evolve into a phone, given that Sony are major players in both markets, and that both types of device revolve around a large screen and portability. One thing we could not have been so sure of is just how good this model would be when it did arrive. Now thanks to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, this idea is a reality and it has certainly exceeded all expectations.
A pleasing aspect of this new model is that Sony have not let the gaming side of thing over shadow the models capabilities as a mobile phone. First and foremost, the Xperia Play run on the always impressive Android operating system, with the latest 2.3 version installed here. With thousands of applications already available, there are a wealth of options open to the user with regards to downloads. 2.3, or Gingerbread as it is also known has an improved text input system for the composition of texts and e mails. Users should also find battery life of this phone impressive thanks to improvements in the power management department. As with previous versions, when browsing the web the system offers full flash support, enabling you to view your favorite websites in all there glory. The Xperia play combines this ability with a great browser and good connectivity option to give a very rounded online experience. When in range of a compatible network, you can benefit from the fastest possible connection thanks to WiFI, however when on the move the experience is nearly as impressive thanks to the phone use of 3G connectivity to give you the fastest possible data transfer speeds.
When looking at the phone for the first time, you would be forgiven for thinking that the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is just another smartphone as all of the gaming controls are neatly hidden away behind the screen on a slider mechanism. This slider does ensure that the phone does carry a little more bulk than some of the wafer thin handset available, but this is however a fair trade for the great gaming experience on offer which is enhanced by a 3D graphics chip. When you operate the slider, you are faced with a control panel that will look familiar to all PS3 fans and also Xbox users, with a set of buttons and a directional pad on the outer edges of the layout. Obviously to incorporate the physical joystick elements would be impossible, but they are substituted with two very responsive circular sections which are part of the reason why this model is head and shoulders above its rivals in terms of gaming.
What Sony Ericsson have done with the Xperia Play is produce a device that is not only a superb mobile phone, but also doubles as a great portable gaming unit, making this the perfect blend of phone and games that all users hoped it would be.
