Mobile-phone maker Siemens announced a unique new sliding phone it will sell through AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and Cingular Wireless L.L.C. The company said it created the phone in conjunction with its longtime design partner Designafairs, a European creative firm.
Siemens’ move comes after a previous announcement from the company to develop slimmed-down phones for fashion-conscious consumers. Other phone firms including Motorola Inc. have teamed with fashion and design firms recently to innovate on phone designs, and Kyocera Wireless Corp. recently introduced its own sliding phone.
Siemens new SL56 features a sliding keyboard and a color screen. The company introduced the phone in conjunction with its sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The SL56 will sell for $250.
Separately, Siemens’ venture-capital arm announced it will invest in Mobixell Networks Inc., which works to offer real-time adaptation of mobile multimedia content. Terms of the investment were not disclosed. Siemens Mobile Acceleration has invested in a range of content companies during the past few months.
