Rumored Sony Ericsson "Kiki" handset isn't a boring one

That supposedly upcoming Android XPERIA that Mobil dug up might have our minds, but it's this leaked handset (which, to be fair, looks fairly sketchily rendered), the Sony Ericsson Kiki, that has won our hearts. The screen is made of glass, with an image seemingly rear-projected onto it (teleprompter style), while the keys are, um, scarce. Mobil was able to offer few hints as to how this works or what all it does, and it seems like it falls far short of the functionality of a feature phone, but we're sure we want one whatever it is.

[PhotoGuru Posted Jul 5th 2009 4:00PM]

Now that's unique lookin'- different from all the copycats out there- I like- well played Sony, but then again when does Sony not come up with unique products- they know how to do it.

[leafflash Posted Jul 5th 2009 4:46PM]

WTF?!

It's huge and terrible! This isn't the early 90s anymore!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 5th 2009 4:57PM]

This looks like garbage.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 5th 2009 11:57PM]

This looks like an odd phone but in a good way. I could see myself using this for about a week the getting bored. Phone is unique, just not unique enough to keep your attention

[theturtle Posted Jul 6th 2009 12:02PM]

WHEN is Sony going to give up that bullshit connector and start using mini- or micro-USB??? Every damn Sony phone I've owned has had that crappy connector and they always fail.

[Cypher Posted Jul 10th 2009 8:46AM]

Calm down dear it’s just a concept drawing, most likely leaked intentionally to gauge reactions, determine whether it’s worth making. I for one think it’s quite a nice design and would be successful as a fashion/designer phone, slap a Gucci etc. logo on it and watch the girls flock to the store. Mind you I’m referring to the black design, the green colour looks terrible.

I think it’s safe to dispel any rumours of WM or Android, half of the phone is a block of glass so the guts are very small. This would be a very basic phone most likely Symbian based. Not part of the XPERIA range, the X1 and Rachael are advanced handsets jammed full of tech and use the very well received mini USB, SE should switch to it for good. As for the keyboard I read somewhere it will light up when in use, leading me to believe its backlit touch sensitive keys, which should be easy enough to use, there is a keyboard centre locator so you would quickly learn to use it without staring at the keys. Haptic feedback would be neat to register the key presses. I’m curious about the screen technology and whether it would be any good for multimedia. I think, possibly a tad over engineered, a nice touch would be electric privacy glass tech to black out the back of the screen when viewing video, pics etc.

I say embrace the designer handsets otherwise manufacturers will stop experimenting altogether and a couple years down the line every handset will consist of a full front touch screen and design will amount to choosing which colour skin you want on it...