Sony Ericsson Zylo, Spiro phones launched

Two new affordable Walkman phones – the Zylo and Spiro – have been added to Sony Ericsson’s mobile phone portfolio, it has been announced.

According to the brand – which was established in October 2001 – the new handsets have both music and social networking at the forefront of their designs.

It states: “From Twitter to Facebook, consumers can catch up with friends at just a touch of a button while still listening to their favourite music on the Walkman player.”

In addition, the Zylo also has the interesting feature of offering preloaded sounds that owners can use to play in the background while you’re talking to your friends or family.

So, you can trick them into thinking you’re still you’re at work as they hear the furious pitter-patter of fingers on keyboards when really you’re in the pub.

It does seem a funny idea, but I’m not sure whether this will just encourage people to lie their faces off!

As for the Spiro, users have instant access to the PlayNow music store, where they can download music, games, ringtones, applications, wallpapers and themes.

The handset also has shake control and video calling capabilities.

Following the launch of the two new products, Jenny Maltesson, marketing business manager at Sony Ericsson, said: “By combining the best of the Walkman functionality with a myriad of social networking capabilities, Sony Ericsson Zylo and Sony Ericsson Spiro offer consumers the chance to access and get a taste of what our communication entertainment portfolio has to offer.”