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July 06, 2005
Mobile Phones for Children
Recent developments in the area of children and mobile phones.
From Disney Mobile press release:
"The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) and Sprint (NYSE: FON) today announced an agreement through which Disney will create the first national U.S. wireless phone service specifically designed for families. The service, called Disney Mobile, will use the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network and is slated to launch next year. ...
'As one of the most powerful brands in media and entertainment, Disney Mobile will appeal to families and loyal fans who want an immediate way to enrich and personalize their wireless communications experience," said Tim Kelly, president, Sprint Consumer Solutions. "Combining Disney's family-friendly content and applications with the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network will help spur consumer demand for data services within this important segment.'"
Firefly mobile phone for kids announcement:
"Firefly Mobile, Inc., a leading developer and innovator of mobile phones and services that uniquely address the needs of underserved customers, today announced the launch of the Firefly phone, the first and only mobile phone explicitly designed for tweens that satisfies parents' concerns about unrestricted mobile phone use and monthly costs. The Firefly phone is a pioneering voice-only phone designed for the smaller hands of kids aged eight to 12 years old. With just five keys instead of a regular dial pad, parents use a PIN to program up to 22 outgoing numbers into the phone, including speed-dial keys for Mom and Dad. The patented phone lights up like a firefly when in use and intermittently when in standby mode. It is about the size of a small pocket calculator and weighs two ounces. The Firefly phone is currently available through select regional wireless operators, and will be offered nationwide at www.fireflymobile.com in May, 2005. In July 2005, Firefly phones with a Firefly branded, pay-as-you-go/pre-paid calling plan will be available through Target stores nationwide. ..."
Posted by Steve Wilhelm at July 6, 2005 09:21 AM
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Comments
Sounds like Firefly has done a good job understanding what kids "need" in a cell phone, or a combination of what kids and their parents want in one. Is there a part of your studies of persuavie technology that look at when an innovation or new technology is a "good" thing and when it's not. Surely persuasion of any sort is not always a good thing, and with all the new technology becoming accessible these days it would neat for technologists to have some type of guidelines...
Posted by: Andre Charland at July 16, 2005 11:53 PM