Personalized cell phones hit the the market<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post was recently invited to Singapore to cover the
\nlaunching of the latest Motorola mobile phone model. The
\nfollowing is Moch. N. Kurniawan's report<\/p>\n
For some people, a personalized device is a must, while for
\nothers the most important thing is that the device does its job.<\/p>\n
However, the trend is definitely on the side of those who
\nadore personalized devices.<\/p>\n
In the mobile phone sector, for example, a number of
\nmanufacturers now produce personalized mobile phones where users
\ncan pick their favorite design, color, music, camera, games and
\nother features.<\/p>\n
Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and others are
\ncompeting to improve the designs and the features of their
\nproducts, rendering mobile phones no longer mere communications
\ntools for telephone calls and texting.<\/p>\n
Just take a look on the street and you will see many different
\nkinds of personalized mobile phones. Some people use their mobile
\nphones for their original purpose, making phone calls, while
\nothers avail of their mobile phones to take photographs, listen
\nto the radio or play games.<\/p>\n
The latest Motorola model, the E398, which was launched in
\nSingapore on June 4, is at the cutting edge when it comes to
\npersonalized mobile phones.<\/p>\n
The E398 is touted as being focused on \"mobile music and
\nsensory experiences\". The phone, which combines 3D sound with MP3
\nto bring music alive, flashes and vibrates to the beat of the
\nmusic.<\/p>\n
It contains an integrated VGA-quality camera that provides
\nflash, advanced photo messaging and a tool that can be used to
\ndownload games, music, ring tones and wallpaper.<\/p>\n
The phone also provides a removable memory card that enables
\nusers to carry a personalized list of songs around with them.<\/p>\n
Neil Stewart, Motorola marketing director for the personal
\ncommunications sector in South Asia, said at a press briefing
\nthat the E398 was a personalized mobile phone that was
\nparticularly targeted at young people between the ages of 17 and
\n25.<\/p>\n
\"We see a continuous trend of people choosing mobile phones
\nlike they select watches -- based on lifestyle choices. The
\nnumber of people who use mobile phones as mere communication
\ntools is decreasing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asia is now a major growth market for mobile phones.<\/p>\n
The Yankee Group has projected mobile subscriber usage to grow
\nfrom 312 million users in 2001 to 649 million by year-end 2006 in
\nAsia Pacific.<\/p>\n
Antonio Conto, MTV vice president for advertising sales
\nNetwork Asia, concurred with Stewart.<\/p>\n
\"We have conducted various studies on young people's
\nlifestyles. Young people usually want to be themselves in various
\nways, including possessing mobile phones that give them multiple
\nfeatures that they like,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Julisa, a journalist, said she loved her
\npersonalized mobile phone as she could do various things with it,
\nsuch as listening to music and playing games.<\/p>\n
\"It should come as no surprise that the producers continue to
\noffer us more and more personalized mobile phones,\" she said.<\/p>\n
But one young journalist was not impressed with the
\npersonalized mobile phones, including the new Motorola model.<\/p>\n
\"For me, a mobile phone is just a communications device. As
\nlong as it has a long-lasting battery, we can make phone calls
\nand send text messages, and it is not expensive. That's good
\nenough,\" he said defiantly.<\/p>\n
\"But I know my views are not popular so I might have to buy a
\npersonalized mobile phone in the future if they stop making
\nordinary mobile phones,\" he added with a wry grin.<\/p>",
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