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Verizon, Cingular Pull Kid Phones

Apr 12, 2007, 1:17 PM by (staff)

Verizon and Cingular are each cutting back sales of kid-specific models. Cingular is pulling the Firefly from its stores and will only sell the limited-function handset on its website. Verizon has pulled the LG Migo from its lineup altogether, instead directing parents to the LG VX3450L, which looks and acts like basic cell phone but lacks access to Get It Now download services. Manufacturers have not announced any new limited-functionality handsets for kids to replace these models. Kid friendly MVNOs like Disney Mobile only offer traditionally styled phones to their young customers, indicating these kid-specific handsets may have been a short-lived trend.

RCR Wireless »

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LG Migo VX-1000

Display: 96 x 32 pixels
1,000 mAh battery

Firefly Mobile Firefly

Display: x pixels

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

cwcanty

Apr 12, 2007, 2:35 PM

Thank God!

All you need is phones where you can block out certain features (texting, internet, etc). If your kids needs a migo, and can't handle all 9 numbers on a cell phone, then they prolly shouldnt have a cell phone. Kids now a days are pretty tech savvy and I think a 10-12 year old can handle a phone with all nine numbers.

Just give parents control over minutes, texts, and internet and I think everyone will be happy.

Chris

mmcnier

And one more thing... WTF does your 5 year old need a phone for anyway? Their 5. They shouldnt be without someone watching them, who is responsible to get hold of the parent who SHOULD have a phone!

...

jskrenes

The other thing to consider is that you have to sign a 2 yr contract to get these phones. A migo might be ok for a 12 year old, but they'll be the laughing stock of their peers when they're 14. Plus, those phones are notoriously easy to hack and kids...
(continues)

...

prepyjuan

Apr 12, 2007, 7:35 PM

Junior Ketai are a hit in Japan!

It still amazes me how different our markets are compared to Japan. AU (KDDI Japan) launched "junior ketai" phones earlier this year specifically for kids, they've been a big success! These phones are phones that kids (and even teens!) want to flaunt. 🙂 With built in GPS, megapixel camera, and that cuteness factor that is soo ketai!

Check it out:

http://www.au.kddi.com/english/product/lineup/a5525s ... »

It seems like those phones are there to stay compared to the "fad" that they once were here.

crood

I'm not sure I understand your point. The kids phones being discontinued don't have dial pads. They have individual buttons that can be programmed with the numbers of a parent of other contact. They also have a dedicated emergency button

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StoreLead

Apr 12, 2007, 3:18 PM

just following in sprints footsteps

man... sprint doesn't even need to follow suit... we've had a phone like that for months now. 😛

duckbutter

StoreLead said:
man... sprint doesn't even need to follow suit... we've had a phone like that for months now. 😛

What? I'm confused the article says they are pulling these phones. What you said was that verizon ...
(continues)

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Corpsman-Up

😳 well I guess spint is on the score board with doing ONE thing right then..yippie

techman01

Apr 12, 2007, 4:49 PM

Chaperone

What happens to their Chaperone service from Verizon?

shagVZW

There are a lot of phones which can be the parent or the child on the chaperone service with VZW. Most people prefer the actual "phone" rather than the migo so this is a good move.

jackieramossteel

There are lots of phones that will work with it... Just no other "Child phones".

TradeMark_310

Apr 12, 2007, 6:32 PM

T-Mob wins again!

No kid wants those ugly phones, and just because a phone can't download, doesn't mean it won't go over the minutes. Looks like T-Mob was the only ones able to put a good enough package together for the kiddies!

muchdrama

Apr 12, 2007, 6:01 PM

Even kids...

...are culturally savvy.

They don't want crappy kid phones...they want what they see their brothers and sisters with.

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