Mobile Phone and Telecommunications

Posted: 23-Oct-2006 [Source: Virgin Mobile USA]
[Virgin Mobile USA launches the new SLICE bar-style handset from UTStarcom measuring 0.4″ thin.]

Warren, NJ and Hauppauge, NY — The saying “flat as a pancake” takes on a whole new meaning when used to describe the newest mobile phone from Virgin Mobile USA and UTStarcom Personal Communications, a division of UTStarcom, Inc. Named the SLICE, this trim bar-style handset is the thinnest cell phone currently available in the U.S. without a contract or an activation fee, measuring just 0.4″ — less than half an inch. The SLICE is available now at Virgin Mobile retail partners and will be available online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com as of November 2nd, at the “slim” price of $49.99.

“It’s unbelievable that something as thin as a CD jewel case boasts both the latest in technology and an array of the industry’s hottest mobile features,” said Dan Schulman, chief executive officer, Virgin Mobile USA. “The SLICE’s stylish design, slim profile and unique flat keypad, combined with Virgin Mobile’s Pay As You Go wireless service, will make this an incredibly appealing handset for our youthful customer base.” According to Virgin Mobile’s own research, 33% of current cell phone users(1) say they want a thin design for their next mobile phone.

The SLICE comes pre-loaded with hot new games, including Midnight Pool Players Club and Platinum Solitaire Players Club, from Virgin Mobile. With a powerful Lithium Ion 900 mAh battery, continuous talk time for the SLICE is up to 230 minutes (3.8 hours), standby is up to 270 hours. The SLICE measures 4.3″ (h) x 1.8″ (w) x 0.4″ (d) and weighs only 2.3 ounces. The seamless keypad, which emits a bright blue backlight when pressed, makes text messaging a cinch.

With a built-in speakerphone for hands-free talking, the SLICE features a 1.5″ 65K Color STN (128 x 128) color screen with 32 MB/8 MB (Flash/RAM) memory capacity that can hold up to 500 phone book entries. The SLICE also utilizes Qualcomm’s CMX(TM)-enabled ringtones and screensavers, which supports popular audio (MIDI, QCP, MP3, MPD) and image (PNG, JPG, GIF, Animated GIF) formats. Virgin Mobile customers can download superphonic ringtones, games and screensavers.

Posted: 23-Oct-2006 [Source: T-Mobile USA]
[T-Mobile is now offering the Nokia 6133 featuring a 1.3 megapixel camera, integrated music player, MicroSD card slot, and Bluetooth.]

Irving, TX — Beginning today, customers can bring home the sleek and powerful Nokia 6133 handset, available from T-Mobile USA. Featuring a tapered design measuring just 17 mm (.67 in) tall, the Nokia 6133 phone delivers desired technologies such as a 1.3 megapixel camera, integrated music player and T-Mobile’s new myFaves(SM) service, which offers unlimited nationwide calling to the five U.S. phone numbers of those who matter most.

The Nokia 6133 phone’s wide array of multimedia features and service offerings make it the perfect phone while on-the-go. The video recorder and 1.3 megapixel camera feature an 8x zoom, allowing those last-minute, memorable moments to be captured and shared with friends and family across the country. The device is also great while traveling abroad, offering quad-band technology to keep you talking to the people who matter most across international lines. For international usage, separate additional international calling or roaming charges apply.

Whether headed to the next tourist destination or to the office, the Nokia 6133 handset’s integrated music player keeps the tunes flowing. Supporting multiple audio formats including MP3, AAC, AAC+ and eAAC+, the phone also can store approximately 750 songs on an optional 1 GB hot-swappable MicroSD memory card, and uses an optional wired stereo headset or wireless stereo headset using Bluetooth technology.

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Phones 4U have invested a massive amount of money into their new (but familiar) ad campaign - and they are expecting even bigger returns

Heather Dale spoke to the company’s marketing & CRM director

Phones 4U have launched a new advertising campaign worth a hefty GBP9.5 million. The new campaign hopes to retain the quirky charm of the last one, and will continue to show Phones 4U’s trademark strange and confused characters, like Scary Mary

The very amusing, if slightly annoying, American protagonist from the Phones 4U adverts is also back. “Jack” has been on our screens now for two years. (Yes, people have been trying to copy Jack’s ‘Phones-four-U’ hand signals for that long) and it appears he will be on our screens for many years to come.

Marketing and CRM Director for Phones 4U, Jim Slater told us a little more about what we can expect to see from the new advertising campaign.

“The campaign builds on the already established role of good-natured American, “Jack” who helped characters like “Scary-Mary” in the original adverts.”
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