Sony Ericsson W300i

As a Walkman phone, the new Sony Ericsson W300i from Cingular offers a viable alternative to a separate MP3 player. Praised for its design and functionality, Walkman phones such as the W600i and W810i have become best sellers, integrating features and functions without the limitations imposed on many other music phones.

As a mid-level clamshell, the W300i offers many of the features of high-end devices, in a reasonably-priced package. Closest to the previously launched Sony Ericsson Z525a, some may despair the lack of a Push-to-Talk option. Regardless, with speakerphone, conference calls, caller ID and voicemail also all available, the phone meets most call standards.

The W300i covers the basics in organizational applications, featuring a Calendar, Task list, Alarm Clock, and Notepad. Other handy tools include such old favorites as the Stopwatch, Timer, and Calculator. With a full entertainment package and standard organizational applications, this phone should keep users both on time and on track during hectic times, and blissfully occupied during downtime.