Sony Ericsson Unveils Motion Gaming Cell Phone

Fans of the Nintendo Wii may want to take a look at Sony Ericsson's latest cell phone, as it lets users control games with a flick of the wrist.

The F305 is an entry-level slider phone that has gaming at its heart. The handset features dedicated gaming buttons, but the real draw is using the built-in motion sensors to control a video game. For example, users can mimic throwing a strike in a bowling game and those actions will be immediately translated into the game.

"We have used motion-sensor technology before in our phones, and integrating it into game play is a natural progression," said Sven Totte, head of product marketing at Sony Ericsson, in a written statement.

The handset has a 2-inch screen, is capable of 3-D graphics, and it can be held horizontally to play games. Three motion games will be preloaded on the phone, and more than 50 games will be available to download from Gameloft.

The phone also has a media player, is Bluetooth capable, and has an Internet browser that can be used on EDGE networks. The F305 measures 3.8 by 1.9 by 0.6 inches, and weighs 3.4 ounces. It's expected to hit selected markets in the third quarter of this year, and no price was given.

The success of motion gaming is undeniable, as the Wii has handily outsold its technologically advanced competitors.

Bringing motion gaming to the mobile market could be a good move for Sony Ericsson, which said it's firmly targeting the youth market with this device. But the F305 will face some stiff competition from Apple's iPhone 3G, which will also offer motion-activated games.