hedge*hog*ging v. Interrupting conversations in an office environment by poking your head over the top of the cube
As you know from your own jobs, there is always something going on in the wireless industry that is worthy of a few comments. Some of it makes the editorial staff at RCR Wireless News stop what we’re working on to clap, kvetch or otherwise comment on the industry. Here’s what got us talking-or as we like to say, hedgehogging-last week.
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Motorola announced that its latest iDEN phones feature an antimicrobial technology from a company called AgION. According to Motorola, the antimicrobial “is incorporated into the (phone’s) coating and protects the phones by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as mold and mildew to help resist odor.” There you have it: Motorola is saving the world from stinky phones. Gross.
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We’ve noticed recently that cell phones are being used to market an amazing array of consumer products and services. For example, a recent e-mail advertisement for tires offered “a FREE BlackBerry or Razr with any tire purchase after rebate!” Another advertisement for Sylvan Learning, which tutors children with their school work, offers shoppers the chance to “get confidence-building tutoring and a FREE PHONE for your child!” We’ve never found the need to buy tires and cell phones at the same time … but hey, whatever works. In the early days of cellular, when today’s telecom giants were cobbling together their networks, they often had to throw a free phone into the mix to cement the deal. Evidently the strategy still works, whether it is for changing tires or trying to change test scores.
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Helio opened its first retail store. In its press release, the company said the store is “a media-centric space offset by sumptuous materials and high-end finishes, such as dark wood, mesh curtains, and concrete floors,” with “translucent illuminated ceilings and lower lighting throughout the space promote optimal viewing of Helio devices and the numerous flat screens.” Wow, huh? We can’t wait for the Denver Helio store to open so we can move in. P.S., there is a strikingly familiar green couch front and center in a photo from a Helio store. Wonder where that came from?
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Qualcomm’s chairman and founder, Irwin Jacobs, said the company is entering a new phase where it is becoming “very much of a law firm” as it defends its patents in courts around the globe. We can almost hear Qualcomm’s general counsel giggling with joy.
PHOTO CREDITS:
HEDGEHOG: BRIAN FORD/STOCK.XCHNG/dirty phone: www.icleanscreens2.com/neon phone: www.neon-signs.com/couch: www.balloonco.com/justice: www.kalilily.net
