The clever French folk at Orange have just launched the BIC Phone which is a handset designed to shave you closer, write reliably and cheaply, make phone calls while on the move. It comes with an hour’s worth of calls pre-loaded, a charged up battery and the SIM in place. All you’ve got to do is tear off the packaging and start calling and texting. Oh and it’s got an FM radio in it too. I think.
There appears to be some confusion also as to whether it’s a disposable phone or not. Apparently you can use it in throw away mode, or you can send off a registration form to Orange to get it activated for longer term use. The handset is priced at £40.00, and will be available from corner shops, supermarkets and other purveyors of high quality, brightly coloured plastic implements. More here.
The BIC phone is ready to go! It comes with 60 free minutes, the battery charged, and the SIM card already in place. # With the BIC phone, you pay as you go, with a prepaid “mobicarte” refill card. # The BIC phone is easy to use since it focuses on cell phone basics: sending and receiving calls and SMS. # The BIC phone pack will be easy to find. It will be sold over the counter, in major supermarkets and local convenience stores (tobacco shops, newsstands, train stations, airports…), and will be available on 7 August 2008, at a suggested retail price of €49 including tax. The BIC phone will be sold in Metropolitan France only.
Now that’s what I call environmentally friendly……
Yeah L., you’re very right. Maybe I should flag it ‘dumb tech’? :-)
Jason Bourne will love these too. No records of the owner.
Call in the bomb sqaud and chuck it in the bin!
@ Mike : LOL thats true. The way he used cellphones in the movies, it was like he was buying candy bars at randoms. Yep, this one can be like use & throw
They should be required to charge a returnable deposit on these (like bottles and cans) to force people to turn them in when finished with them. Otherwise, just more landfill and more energy usage to produce.
That’s a good idea E.G.
I think this is a very interesting product. Many people are very conscious of their phone as a sign of status. There is a lot of competition as to who has the coolest phone. The appearence of Bic phones will destroy some of this status competition as it shows the phone being as ordinary as the ball-point pen. Of course I hope the recicling issue will be resolved soon. And I believe it will. Go Bic go!