Kuma Phone Teddy bear design concept is fun and frolic

Our Japanese perpetrators are always on the forefront when it comes to technology and more specifically mobile phone concepts, and this time too, they live up to their reputation. PHS mobile provider Willcom displayed their Kuma Phone (Bear phone) at the 2008 Good Design Expo this late summer. It’s nothing but a stuffed bear that holds a SIM card and can actually be used for making and receiving phone calls by holding up to your ears. Willcom’s new Nico. Marble candy themed phone was put up for demonstration and visitors were allowed to use them and the idea was adored by the expo crowd. The bear could save upto 4 speed dial numbers, storing each number in each paw, which was activated by pinching each paw. The phone vibrates and makes weird noises for incoming calls and calls could be answered and ended by pressing the tail. Cute indeed! The Kuma phone was priced at $500 in a pamphlet, which is a little pricey for a ‘toy’ phone, but we may expect a concession once the phone makes it to the market.