Speculations about a PlayStation Portable (PSP) phone in the works have been swirling on the Web for the longest time. While the Aino isn't it, this Sony Ericsson slider with its interesting mix of touchscreen and non-touchscreen features may be the next best thing. Even more so if you own a PlayStation 3 (PS3) gaming console.
We tested this out on our 60GB PS3 console and came away with mixed feelings. Setting up the Aino to "talk" to the PS3 was straightforward for most part, but there were settings that needed to be changed in order to get the most out of the Remote Play feature. For example, auto login for the PlayStation Network (PSN) account and Remote Start option should be enabled. This lets us remotely activate the console and stream music, videos, browse photo albums and access the PSN store. We couldn't play games via Remote Play, but that's not a big deal since the gaming experience will be radically different (probably not ideal) using the controller compared with the keypad on the Aino.
During the review, we could connect the Aino and PS3 over a Wi-Fi connection, but not on 3G. Sony Ericsson explained that this could be a port issue on the router, which may require users to manually configure some settings. To that, we were told that the company will launch a microsite next week that aims to guide users on how to set up the Remote Play feature properly. While we couldn't get the Aino to connect to the PS3 via 3G in our review, understandably this should work once the setup issues have been ironed out. A point to note is to watch the data consumption, especially if you are not on an unlimited data plan.
According to Sony Ericsson, the Remote Play feature on the Aino requires PlayStation 3.0 firmware on the console. Existing PS3 owners can download the software in the settings.
When Sony Ericsson announced its Entertainment Unlimited concept at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress in February, we didn't grasp then how the company intended to integrate its various multimedia services. With the Aino, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Aside from the Remote Play function, another novelty in wireless connectivity is the Media Home--a feature that lets the user transfer files as well as synchronize content from the Media Go application on the PC to the handset via Wi-Fi.
The Aino also supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) as a host and a player. In a nutshell, if you have compatible devices hooked up to the home Wi-Fi network, you can share media between them. If you're using a notebook with DLNA, you'll need to have a software for it to function as a host. One example is the Windows Media Player. File formats have to be supported on devices that are sharing content with each other.
Overall, we felt that the Remote Play, Media Home and DLNA complement each other to deliver a "connected" experience. But what Sony Ericsson needs to address now are teething issues with setting up the various devices in order to ensure a seamless user experience.
When closed, there's an arrow which you slide up like a window shade. This brings you to the camera, gallery, music player, videos and FM radio. The onscreen buttons are eye-catching and large enough to recognize finger-based commands. Plus, they are responsive except in camera mode. Some people may find this "limited" touchscreen function confusing, but we felt that it's actually quite well thought-out and does away with potential issues if it was implemented throughout the phone software. The Aino is available in black and white. And if you are gunning for the Star Wars stormtrooper look, the white version is the way to go.
Around the back is an 8.1-megapixel camera with LED flash. Unfortunately, there's no front-facing shooter for video calls, which is a real pity. The buttons on the control panel a bit small, especially the left/right softkeys, shortcut and Cancel. But we liked the ample headroom above the panel, so our thumbs won't keep hitting the bottom edge of the top slider. While the numeric keypad has generous buttons, we found these rather stiff to us. The slider mechanism also wasn't as smooth as we'd have liked and felt jerky at various stages of opening.
What's interesting about the Aino is its wireless radio feature. Typically, users will need to plug in the headset and use it as an antenna. On the Aino, this wired connection has been replaced with the Bluetooth dongle/headset. The latter comes also with a 3.5mm audio port so you can use your own earbuds as well. When paired, you can stream radio to the directly to the Bluetooth headset. This way, the phone can be tucked away in the pocket and you need to deal with only a small dongle for listening to tunes.
Microsoft Exchange is supported on the Aino and that's good news for users who wish to want to receive their work email, as well as synchronize with their office Exchange server. Configuring an account requires you go into the sub-menus (Settings -> Connectivity -> Synchronization), but at least the option is available should you want to use it.
Like the Satio we reviewed earlier, we couldn't get a GPS lock with the WisePilot navigation software on the Aino with our MobileOne SIM card. It did work with the SingTel and StarHub cards, though, so this is probably a telco issue. We'll probably have to update this later. Meanwhile, Google Maps 3.0 is also preinstalled and comes with Latitude. When signed in, we were able to see our friends' locations on the map and get directions to them. There's also a privacy option in the event you don't wish your friends to see where you are.
Tags: multimedia, Aino, Camera, touch screen, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
Remote Play, Media Home And DLNA
The Sony Ericsson Aino features Remote Play, initially available on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PSP, which lets users remotely control and browse multimedia content stored on the PS3 hard drive (HDD) via Wi-Fi or 3G. So, in addition to the flash memory (built-in and 8GB microSD card) on the handset, you have access to all your music, pictures and videos on the PS3 via the familiar Xross Media Bar interface.)
During the review, we could connect the Aino and PS3 over a Wi-Fi connection, but not on 3G. Sony Ericsson explained that this could be a port issue on the router, which may require users to manually configure some settings. To that, we were told that the company will launch a microsite next week that aims to guide users on how to set up the Remote Play feature properly. While we couldn't get the Aino to connect to the PS3 via 3G in our review, understandably this should work once the setup issues have been ironed out. A point to note is to watch the data consumption, especially if you are not on an unlimited data plan.
According to Sony Ericsson, the Remote Play feature on the Aino requires PlayStation 3.0 firmware on the console. Existing PS3 owners can download the software in the settings.
When Sony Ericsson announced its Entertainment Unlimited concept at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress in February, we didn't grasp then how the company intended to integrate its various multimedia services. With the Aino, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Aside from the Remote Play function, another novelty in wireless connectivity is the Media Home--a feature that lets the user transfer files as well as synchronize content from the Media Go application on the PC to the handset via Wi-Fi.
The Aino also supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) as a host and a player. In a nutshell, if you have compatible devices hooked up to the home Wi-Fi network, you can share media between them. If you're using a notebook with DLNA, you'll need to have a software for it to function as a host. One example is the Windows Media Player. File formats have to be supported on devices that are sharing content with each other.
Overall, we felt that the Remote Play, Media Home and DLNA complement each other to deliver a "connected" experience. But what Sony Ericsson needs to address now are teething issues with setting up the various devices in order to ensure a seamless user experience.
Design And Features
The Aino has an understated elegance with a matte finish that feels fine in the hands. There are no buttons on the front, which gives the impression that it's a full touchscreen handset. It isn't. In fact, the touchscreen works only for the multimedia browser and camera. This concept isn't entirely new as we've seen it before on the LG Secret.)
)
What's interesting about the Aino is its wireless radio feature. Typically, users will need to plug in the headset and use it as an antenna. On the Aino, this wired connection has been replaced with the Bluetooth dongle/headset. The latter comes also with a 3.5mm audio port so you can use your own earbuds as well. When paired, you can stream radio to the directly to the Bluetooth headset. This way, the phone can be tucked away in the pocket and you need to deal with only a small dongle for listening to tunes.
Microsoft Exchange is supported on the Aino and that's good news for users who wish to want to receive their work email, as well as synchronize with their office Exchange server. Configuring an account requires you go into the sub-menus (Settings -> Connectivity -> Synchronization), but at least the option is available should you want to use it.
Like the Satio we reviewed earlier, we couldn't get a GPS lock with the WisePilot navigation software on the Aino with our MobileOne SIM card. It did work with the SingTel and StarHub cards, though, so this is probably a telco issue. We'll probably have to update this later. Meanwhile, Google Maps 3.0 is also preinstalled and comes with Latitude. When signed in, we were able to see our friends' locations on the map and get directions to them. There's also a privacy option in the event you don't wish your friends to see where you are.
Tags: multimedia, Aino, Camera, touch screen, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
