Sony Ericsson's new partner, the Taiwan-based Mobinnova, which has been reported to be producing the next version of XPERIA, has recently announced its new smartphone, dubbed Mobinnova ICE. The new Windows Mobile handset is said to be working under GSM, WCDMA and HSDPA networks, and also to come with two innovative touch-sensitive controls, the mobiShift and mobiToday, both meant to facilitate the interaction between the user and the phone.

“Today we are proud to announce the Mobinnova ICE, a new sensation in touch-screen mobile phones, as once again, feel becomes more important than simple touch.” said KC Kuo, chairman of Mobinnova. “Users of the Mobinnova ICE, feel a tactile response through their fingertips, whenever they touch the 3” screen, through our unique mobiFeel technology.”

The new Mobinnova ICE features a 3.0-megapixel, autofocus camera that also includes dedicated shutter control, besides a second camera for video calling. The user interface sports the mobiFeel control in addition to mobiToday and mobiShift. Users are also enabled to stay in contact and ready for business through a direct push-email that features compatibility with Microsoft Exchange.

ICE measures only 114 x 53.5 x 13mm and weighs 120g with battery. It includes 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM memory and also sports a microSD expansion slot that also supports SDCH. The new device comes with built-in FM Radio with RDS/RBDS function, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR / A2DP, which allows usage with Bluetooth stereo headsets, mini USB 2.0, as well as TV-Out, CVBS and L/R audio.

The new smartphone features a Qualcomm MSM7201ATM (528MHz) chipset and a 3” WQVGA flat TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen. The device is reported to come with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 professional, and its 1080mAh rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery is expected to provide up to 6 hours of conversation, while remaining up to 160 hours in stand-by.