The new Sony Xperia T smartphone – used by 007 himself in the next instalment of the James Bond franchise – will be launched in Ireland today, becoming available from operators and retailers nationwide on 1 October.
Skyfall will hit cinemas on 26 October, but 007 wannabes will be able to pick up the ‘Bond Phone’ sooner than that. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a smartphone tie-in with a film franchise, but the Bond Phone is a little bit more than just a smartphone wrapped in a tuxedo, unlike Nokia’s ‘Batphone’.
For O2 customers, the new Xperia T will come pre-loaded with content from the film for viewing on its 4.6-inch HD Reality display powered by Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine, plus the 007 ringtone, themes, screensavers, Skyfall images geo-tagged with locations from the film and exclusive James Bond packaging. Customers that pre-order will also be rewarded with an exclusive free gift while stocks last. (A voucher for a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred, perhaps?)
UPDATE (amended from our original update, by request): The exclusive free gift offered with the Bond Phone is worth €80 and will be available to customers that pre-order the Sony Xperia T from the dedicated O2 website, while stocks last.
Though not as packed with gadgets and gimmicks as a device from Q, Sony’s new flagship smartphone does come with a 13MP fast-capture camera – apparently one of the highest spec cameras on the market. The camera can also capture 1080p HD video recording.
The Xperia T, first unveiled at IFA 2012 last month, packs a latest-generation 1.5GHz dual-core processor, built-in NFC capabilities for one-touch sharing, and will launch on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, but a Jelly Bean upgrade is due to follow.
As can be expected from a Sony smartphone, the Xperia T is PlayStation-certified. It also comes with shatter-proof and scratch-resistant glass. You know, for when you do this:
Sony Mobile and O2 are teaming up to give the Bond Phone a grand unveiling in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin at lunchtime today. Watch this space for a hands-on video to follow.
