Getting around the handset
The interface will be familiar to those who have used a Sony Ericsson handset recently. The layout is as easy to navigate through as ever and the style of menus can be changed through themes, with Flash themes being available to change the appearance of menu icons. Speaking of themes the handset comes pre-installed with five themes; Balance, Clarity, Stripe, Vibes, and Walkman. The themes are pretty enough I suppose and they do add a spot of fun to using the handset, but I dare say users will want to install their own themes. The Walkman theme is the default theme that is active when the handset is first turned on. Of the five themes three of them (Balance, Stripe, and Vibes) are Flash themes and change the appearance of the main menu although, like the pre-installed themes on the W890, they don’t change the menu layout, it remains in the 3×4 format. Also reminiscent of the W890 is that the Flash themes use Flash wallpapers, which means that they are animated and interface with the Walkman player. When a music track is playing the track is shown on the main screen.
In general the user interface is a pleasure to use; it’s simple, uncluttered, and responsive. The only time you are really presented with a multitude of options is when going into the settings for a particular function, but even then it’s hardly Byzantine.
Menus are navigated using the soft keys underneath the screen, each of which will correspond to a choice on screen. The familiar back key is also present to move you back between menus. This is old style, a back key, a C key, and two non-call dedicated soft keys. Traditionalists rejoice! There is also a dedicated internet button for quickly accessing the handset’s web browser and a short cut button for accessing the short cut menu, which contains options to quickly access key features.
