Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001

Disposable air clips next for cell phones

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Cellular users might be throwing away their phones by the end of this year.

Following the lead of companies touting disposable razors and cameras, Telespree Communications has unveiled plans to introduce a partly disposable cellular phone into the U.S. market by year's end.

The Telespree phones with AirClips, disposable clip-on battery packs that keep track of how many cellular minutes are left, will be priced at less than $30.

The AirClips will be sold in 60-, 90- and 120-minute packages at drug stores, supermarkets, gas stations and other retail outlets, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco-based company said.

Once they've used all the prepaid minutes, consumers can keep the colorful handsets and throw away the battery and airtime packs.

"Like the razor blade in a razor, the air clips can be changed. That is the only truly disposable part of the phone," Telespree chief executive Alon Segal said yesterday.

Marketed as simple and easy to use, the phones have only two buttons and use voice recognition technology.

To make a call, the user simply presses the on/off button and says the number. Telespree users also will be able to develop online speed dial lists.

"Imagine giving a wireless phone to your 8-year-old child so he can call you to pick him up after school by saying, 'Call home,"' said Segal.

Segal said the new concept in prepaid phones will make cellular a technology that is "everywhere for everyone."