Entertainment mobile launches

The new phone looks and feels different

Experts have welcomed the launch of a new mobile phone combined with a music centre - but warn buyers could be put off by frequent re-charging.

The Nokia 5510 mobile phone will be available in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific area for the lucrative Christmas market, and is expected to sell at £250 in the UK.

It weighs 155g but includes a phone, an MP3 player, an FM radio, WAP and a game function.

New technology expert Gavin Robertson, of the Association of Independent Music, told BBC News Online: "The problem with MP3 is memory space and battery power - users could be charging it up every two or three hours, and the question is, will people do that?

"But it is an opportunity to get music away from the home computer, and I genuinely hope it succeeds."

Games

The device, which looks rather like a Gameboy, is said to allow users to store up to two hours of music in the MP3 format.

The phone also comes with a PC connection cable and software, to allow users to download music from their computer - and "rip" MP3 files from CDs.

The phone also comes with SMS messaging capabilities, including multiple chat functions.

The games which come embedded in the device are Bumper, Space Impact, Snake ll, Pairs ll, and Bantumi.

The keyboard - which is split around a central screen - is intended to provide rapid text messaging and easier e-mail via WAP.

Mr Robertson added: "Putting all these functions together is great. But it has to be practical.

"If they cram all these things together and it doesn't weigh a ton, that's promising."