Sony Ericsson Idou pictured with stylus Images of Sony Ericsson's upcoming 12.1 megapixel camera phone, code-named Idou, have been revealed, and they show a Sony Ericsson branded stylus which is suspected to form part of the release package.

The stylus would allow users to utilise the device's touchscreen capabilities in a more specialised way than by simply using fingers. The addition could allow for more contact sensitivity, as the device could react in different ways depending on the stylus pressure - much like the Nintendo DS.

The add-on could also eliminate users' preliminary worries about causing any screen damage. Although first unveiled at last month's Mobile World Congress, the Sony Ericsson Idou was then an unfinished device. Now its release into the market is beginning to look close, and fans of the mobile phone firm are beginning anticipate the device more strongly than ever.

With a 12.1 megapixel camera, the Idou is one of the most powerful camera phones to enter the market. What's more, its resistive touchscreen - similar to that of the Nokia XpressMusic 5800 - is bound to please mobile fans who expect their handsets to take after the immensely popular iPhone 3G.

The Idou will come packing the Nokia-owned Symbian operating system on its 3.5 inch, 640x320 pixel (16:9) touchscreen, and is expected to be released sometime in the second half of 2009. It is likely that the code-name of the device will change before it is released, though plans for the new name have not been revealed.

There are no pricing details as yet.