14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Ericsson W580i has just started shipping, but has proved to be a big disappointment to those who hurried to buy one. The handset has experienced problems with its keypad, a very good reason for several such devices to be sent back to the shop for replacement.
Sony Ericsson has presented its W580i phone model as a highly innovative one. No problem here, as the device truly brings some special features that not every other phone out there is capable of offering. The Walkman phone introduces the "shaking" function for handling the playlist. With some specific quick hand movements, the user can rapidly change songs and easily manage the phone's functions.
Fortunately for Sony Ericsson, this special feature that the mobile phone has to bring is not the reason for the first users' dissatisfaction. The keypads are prone to cracking, one unusual, but highly troublesome situation for the producer. Several thousand W580i phones experienced this situation, which makes the issue one of large proportions.
Sony Ericsson acknowledged the problem and it looks that the company has taken account of it and is now working on finding ways to solve it. They have currently stopped the phone sales, although several such devices have already been sold to some people who experienced a different kind of "shake" from the phone.
In total, approximately five to 10 percent of the first shipment has had this type of problems. Sony Ericsson did not explain what might have caused the keys to split. Their investigations on the matter and the attempt of solving the situation should provide an answer to this question pretty soon.
It looks like a bad start for the Sony Ericsson W580i phone model. The first three such devices sold at Carphone Warehouse have all been returned. The producer has stopped this phone's shipments, with no word on the date when the device will be back in stores.