Cingular Wireless and Firefly Mobile, Inc. today announced the availability of the Firefly phone, a pioneering mobile phone designed specifically for kids ages 12 and under. Cingular is the first national U.S. carrier to launch this unique voice-only phone. Firefly Mobile also announced this week that the Firefly phone was awarded the prestigious 2006 'Best of Innovations' Award in the telephone category from the Consumer Electronics Association (CES).

The Firefly phone was designed 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 place calls by pressing the Mom or Dad key, or selecting a name in the Phone Book and pressing "send." Caller ID lets your child know who's calling. An optional call screening feature can be activated, allowing the phone to accept incoming calls from only those numbers programmed into the phone.

Kids Make The Firefly Phone Their Own Weighing only two ounces, the Firefly phone - The Mobile Phone for Mobile Kids - is designed to fit comfortably in a child's hand. The Firefly phone lights up like a firefly when the phone rings, and intermittently when it is in use, when charging and when in standby mode. Kids can personalize their Firefly phone whenever they wish by selecting ringtones, animations, and backlight colors that come preloaded on the phone.

The Firefly phone and accessories are available now through participating Cingular retail locations. The Firefly is $49.99, after a $25 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. The Firefly phone is available on Cingular's $9.99 FamilyTalk plan.

Features:

• Easy one-button calling
• 911 emergency button
• Mom and Dad instant call keys
• Phone Book stores 20 numbers
• 7 LCD screen backlight colors
• Screen and ringer Caller ID
• PIN-Protected calling restrictions
• Optional inbound calling restrictions
• Interchangeable translucent shells
• Backpack clip makes it hard to lose
• Weight: 2.12 oz
• Size: 3.46 x 1.73 x 0.79 inches
• Up to 6 hours of talk time

Firefly just got CES best innovation awards in 2005 this week. Read more about it here
http://www.slashphone.com/news/?m=show&id=3011

or read here for another kids phone in Taiwan
http://www.slashphone.com/82/1305.html