Cingular Wireless, Firefly Mobile launch kids mobile phone

Firefly Mobile continues to push for wider availability of its Firefly wireless phone designed with tweens and their parents in mind. Cingular Wireless has signed on as the first national carrier in the U.S. to offer the device.

The Firefly phone is a voice-only handset designed with 8- to 12-year-olds in mind, weighing two ounces and about the size of a small pocket calculator (3.46" by 1.73" by 0.79"). To meet the needs of a tween, the handset's shells can be interchanged with a host of translucent shells; it sports five animations, 12 ringtones, seven color screens and a hook for a backpack clip.

For the parents, the Firefly phone has several parental controls built in, including a PIN-activated program to enable parents to preprogram up to 22 outgoing numbers, Mom and Dad speed dial buttons, the ability to set up an approved incoming call list and a 911 button. The phone features just five buttons.

"With the Firefly phone, parents can easily control their kids' calling activity, while kids can enjoy the cool look and feel of the device and stay connected to friends and parents while on the go," says David Garver, Cingular's executive director, segment marketing and sponsorships.

Cingular is offering the handset for $49.99, after a $25 mail-in rebate and with a two-year signed contract. The carrier also is making the Firefly phone available for use on its $9.99 a month FamilyTalk plan.

The Firefly phone also is available nationally through partnerships with Target, select shopping malls and the fireflymobile.com Website.

Source: Wireless Week