14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Ericsson's gaming powerhouse smartphone, the Xperia PLAY, is now available for pre-order on the Australian market via wireless carrier Optus. Following various reports on the near availability of the device in the country, some more solid proof that it would soon make an official appearance there emerged.
Starting today, mobile phone users in the country have the possibility to reserve an Xperia PLAY unit from the carrier's online store for $0 upfront on the $79 Optus cap, for $7 per month on the $59 Optus cap, or for $12 per month on the $49 Optus cap.
According to the wireless services provider, the mobile phone is expected to start shipping by May 19th.
“Be one of the first to own the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. Built on the latest Android platform, it is a fantastic smart phone offering an engaging mobile gaming experience,” the wireless carrier notes on its website.
“Purchase yours with Optus and receive 3 bonus games on top of the 6 games already included. Pre-order before 16th May and we will aim to deliver by 19th May. While stocks last. Pre-order exclusive to online customers only.”
For those out of the loop, we should note that the new mobile phone sports a touchscreen display complemented by a sliding game pad with all the usual PlayStation buttons on board, and that it is the very first Android smartphone in the world to be PlayStation certified.
The handset's gaming capabilities are its main selling point, complemented by the inclusion of a dedicated search button in to the mix, through which users would find games optimized for the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY in the Android Market.
Xperia PLAY also comes with a series of pre-loaded games, including FIFA 10, Bruce Lee - Dragon Warrior, Sims 3, Madden NFL 11, Star Battalion, and Crash Bandicoot.
“The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY comes with 5 games pre-loaded via the ‘XPERIA PLAY’ BROWSER and the first of many PS1 games ‘CRASH BANDICOOT’ accessible through the ‘PLAYSTATION POCKET’ The ‘PLAYSTATION CERTIFIED’ gaming keys transform the experience from an Android Smartphone to the ultimate Smartphone phone gaming device,” the carrier explains.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is available for pre-order on Optus' website here (via Ausdroid).