Cell phone becoming fashion accessories<\/p>\n
I. Christianto, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Mobile phones have gradually entered a new niche as fashion
\naccessories with the widespread availability of interchangeable
\ncovers, personalized ring tones and artful displays.<\/p>\n
They are more stylish now, with casings produced in different
\ncolors and with more futuristic and chic designs, combined with
\nan all-in-one functionality.<\/p>\n
Cell phone manufacturers are creating cell phones beyond our
\nimagination, and many of them have special design teams to study
\nthe latest and future trends of cell phone models with the
\npotential to attract consumers.<\/p>\n
For example, German company Siemens has a subsidiary that
\nspecializes in handset designs, while other cellular phone makers
\n-- including Finnish Nokia, South Korean Samsung and Japanese-
\nSwedish Sony-Ericsson and American Motorola -- have supporting
\ndivisions for designing fashionable terminals. Still others also
\noperate survey divisions to study users' cellular phone habits.<\/p>\n
With the rapid development of new technology and following the
\nminiaturization of the electronic components, makers are now
\nchanging the look of theirs gadgets because they can. Not too
\nlong ago, technological limitations would have made it impossible
\nto design some of the cell phones of today.<\/p>\n
Another reason for the newfound excitement in design is that
\ncell phones are now seen as a lifestyle product and customers
\nexpect their phone to match their clothes or fashion style. This
\nmeans that cell phones have potential as fashion accessories like
\nwatches, handbags and shoes -- and the trend may soon lead people
\nto buy many fashion accessory phones to match their every mood,
\noccasion or attire.<\/p>\n
Above all, within such an environment, it makes sense to
\nbelieve that most people purchase cell phones to show off -- just
\nlike their cars, jewelry or homes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, gender, age, purchasing power and other
\ncharacteristics of a target market influence the look of cell
\nphones. To meet particular characteristics, several terminals
\nhave been designed to include devices for fun and entertainment,
\nsuch as MP3 players or radio bands. Such features affect the
\nphones' appearance, especially in the arrangement of the number
\npad Therefore there are unique designs with extraordinary
\narrangements of buttons.<\/p>\n
The users' character also allows fashion designers to enter
\nthe cellular phone business. Designers are able to turn ordinary
\ncell phones into colorful fashion statements with vivid looks.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Samsung recently encouraged fashion
\ndesigners to combine cellular phones and other digital devices
\ninto their designs. The result included a wearable digital phone
\nset with screen and keypad belts and a wearable antenna.<\/p>\n
Other makers have also become trendsetters in successfully
\ncombining good design with high functionality. For example, Sony-
\nEricsson is developing sophisticated wristband smart phones,
\nwhich will use Bluetooth technology.<\/p>\n
Siemens, on the other hand, has its Xelibri products, which
\nare marketed as fashion accessories that can make phone calls.
\nEach Xelibri collection will consist of four phones and, as in
\nfashion, there will be spring\/summer and fall\/winter collections.
\nThe phones will be available in limited quantities and have a
\nlife span of twelve months, which is significantly shorter than
\nexisting cell phones.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Motorola has released its V878 and V690 with VGA
\ncamera and video recorder. It has also developed the V300, which
\npackages state-of-the-art wireless capabilities in a sporty and
\nstylish design.<\/p>\n
Nokia has expanded its range of classic phones with the
\nintroduction of a new phone with an appealing design and rich
\nfeatures, the 3120. The phone is classic, yet contemporary, and
\nis functional with a solid selection of digital technology that
\nprovides an enhanced cellular experience.<\/p>\n
Nokia has also introduced its new 7200 series, its first flip-
\ntop phone model, which offers sensuous elegance in its textile
\ncovers.<\/p>\n
In fact, cellular phones enable users to access the Internet,
\ntake pictures, take and play video clips, download and play
\nsongs, dispatch text and multimedia messages and play video
\ngames. Soon, users will be able to tap into streaming live video,
\nlocate coordinates with Global Positioning System (GPS)
\ntechnology, record hour-long videos and store shopping lists.<\/p>\n
There seems to be no limit to what handsets can, and will, be.
\nIt is easy to imagine that cell phones will one day be a
\ntelevision, camera and video recorder, computer, PDA, iPod,
\nNintendo and GPS system, all rolled into one.<\/p>\n
Responding to the demands of stylish urban sophisticates,
\nphone makers will most likely enjoy better incomes alongside
\nrising sales, as customers vie to keep up with the latest
\ntrends.<\/p>\n
Still, there is no doubt that convenience and functionality
\ncontinue to be the main draw for consumers.<\/p>",
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