Introduction

As manufacturers put out more camera phones, ultra-thin handhelds, gaming devices, music players, and entertainment powerhouses, one segment has largely been neglected; phones for the tweens, specifically kids ages 12 and under.

New on the Cingular network, the Firefly Mobile hopes to fill the need of worried parents. Awarded the 2006 'Best of Innovations' Award in the telephone category from the Consumer Electronics Association (CES), the Firefly was designed to give parents freedom and piece of mind, but with parental controls other phones just don't offer.

With just five keys instead of a regular dial pad, parents use a private PIN to program up to 22 outgoing numbers into the phone, including speed-dial keys for Mom and Dad. Kids can place calls by pressing the Mom or Dad key, or by selecting a name in the parent-defined Phone Book. Caller ID lets children know who's calling, and an optional call screening feature can be activated, allowing the Firefly to accept incoming calls from only those numbers programmed into the phone.

As a device designed for both parents and kids, the Firefly Mobile is uniquely innovative, offering flexibility plus extra security and parental control other phones have lacked on the market today.

Design

Measuring a mere 3.46 x 1.73 x 0.79 inches and weighing only two ounces, the Firefly was designed to fit comfortably in young hands. The exterior features a rugged blue oval faceplate (additional colors can be purchased separately), easily withstanding the everyday wear and tear or bump and drop that's occasional expected.

Lighting up when the phone rings, fun animation sequences glow intermittently when in use, charging or in standby mode. Letting kids personalize their own phone through fun preinstalled ringtones, animations, and backlight colors, they'll want to take the Firefly with them wherever they go.

On the front, a black and white screen displays time, date, and battery and signal levels, and the names of incoming and outgoing calls. Below, a Phone Book Key is surrounded by Send, End, and dedicated "Mom" and "Dad" Keys.

Along the right side, the Emergency 911 Call Button is activated by pressing and holding, to avoid any accidental misdials. While the left side includes Volume Keys, and a fun Firefly Fireworks Button, used to flash fun colors and lights.

The bottom houses the Charger Port and Accessory Hook, used to attach Firefly accessories such as a lanyard or backpack clip.

Out of the box, the Firefly Mobile comes with a Li-Ion Battery (Rechargeable Non-Removable), Travel charger, Backpack Clip, Quick Start Guide, and User Manual.

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