Sony Ericsson just announced the C510 Cyber-shot of which the C510a variation is heading to North America. This is the most affordable Cuber-shot phone that Sony Ericsson has ever launched and it also comes with a brand new technology: Smile Shutter.

Gone are the days of the 1-2-3-CHEESE – with the introduction of the C510 and Smile Shutter, your phone will automatically detect when your target is smiling and immediately take the picture! How it works or if it works well remains to be seen, but it’s a pretty neat idea. Personally, I’m a big fan of “candid” pictures and this would be a great way to ensure your candid photography is accompanied by a smiling subject. Smile Shutter will also be added to the C905 Cyber-shot phone.

As for the actual hardware, we’re looking at a 3.2 Megapixel camera that Sony Ericsson calls “reliable”. Additional camera features include face detection, auto-rotation, snapfish by HP, YouTube uploading, Photo editing/fixing, Slide in lense cover and auto focus.

It would be interesting to see how pictures from the Sony Ericsson C510 compare to other 3.2 Megapixel camera phones that don’t claim to be photo-centric.

If you’re a stickler for specs, we’ll oblige:

Camera

* 3.2 megapixel camera
* Auto focus
* Up to 3.2x digital zoom
* Smile Shutter™
* Face detection
* Photo fix
* Photo light
* Video light
* Picture blogging
* Video blogging
* Video recording

Music

* Media player
* Album art
* Mega Bass™
* PlayNow™
* TrackID™
* Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
* Music tones (MP3/AAC)

Web

* Access NetFront™ Web browser
* Web feeds
* Photo feeds

Communication

* Speakerphone
* Polyphonic ringtones
* Vibrating alert
* Video calling

Messaging

* Email
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Predictive text input
* Sound recorder
* Text messaging (SMS)
* Instant messaging
* Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync™
* Chat view

Design

* Navigation key
* Auto rotate
* Picture wallpaper
* Wallpaper animation

Entertainment

* Media
* YouTube™
* 3D games
* Motion gaming
* Java
* FM radio with RDS
* Video streaming
* Video viewing

Connectivity

* Bluetooth™ technology
* Modem
* Synchronisation
* USB mass storage
* USB support

Location-based services

* Geo tagging of photos (cell-id)
* Google Maps™

Organizer

* Alarm clock
* Calculator
* Calendar
* Flight mode
* Notes
* Phone book
* Stopwatch
* Tasks
* Timer

Accessories
In-Box:

* C510
* Battery
* Battery Charger

Optional:

* IM502 Camera Phone Tripod

* Stereo Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV715

* Digital Photo Frame IDP-100

Facts and Figures 1)2)

* Size: 107 x 47 x 12.5 mm
* Weight: 92 grams

* Colours:
* Future Black
* Radiation Silver

* Main screen: 262,144 colour TFT, scratch-resistant
* Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
* Size: 2.2 inches

* Phone memory: Up to 100MB
* Memory card support: Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™)

* Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hrs
* Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 400 hrs

* Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hrs
* Standby time UMTS: Up to 350 hrs

* Video call time: Up to 2 hrs 20 min

Availability and versions
Networks

* C510:
* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900
* UMTS/HSPA 2100

* C510a:
* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
* UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100

* C510c:
* GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900

* Available in selected markets from Q1 2009.

[Via Sony Ericsson PR]