VTech launches IS6110 instant messaging phone

Let's just get this out of the way: VTech packed a lot of ugly into the IS6110. That said, the phone isn't too shabby, using DECT 6.0 for call clarity, and supporting AIM and Windows Live Messenger instant messaging. To set it up you just plug the phone into a standard outlet, plug a USB cable into your PC and start LOL'ing all your buddies with abandon. The full QWERTY keyboard and color LCD should make the IM experience passable, but we're guessing this is going to be a price of quality scenario, with parents viewing the phone as a $99 solution to getting the chilluns off the PC for an hour or two so they can get some real work done on Bookworm Adventures. The phone is out in February.

[Adnan Osmani @ Jan 8th 2008 11:42AM]

I thought the point of having any mobile device for instant messaging was that it was..y'know..completely mobile.

Why on earth would I buy something that required me to plug it into a PC to work too?.

If it could work off of just a standard telephone line and ethernet cable..fair dues, but this just seems like a good idea that's been badly executed.

[justin @ Jan 8th 2008 11:41AM]

*looks at pda*

...then why the hell would I need YOU?

*pda starts braiding a noose in a depressing fashion*

[Ty @ Jan 8th 2008 11:43AM]

Wait, so you have to be actually plugged into the pc to use the IM features? Once you are at the PC why would you need this to IM?

[JPN @ Jan 8th 2008 11:55AM]

No, it looks that like thing to the right is the base/transmitter. It has a "find handset" button.

So...it's a VOIP phone with IM capability?

Ohhhhh...I was thinking it was a slider phone, but the picture on the left is the phone in the base. Duh. What an ugly, tiny screen.

[christopher Powers @ Jan 8th 2008 12:10PM]

I've actually been waiting for this device for a year and a half, as its been on VTech's website for that time as "coming soon".

I really don't give a crap about the AIM part but there's a few other features this phone is supposed to have. Realtime weather from Weather.Com and also you can get Traffic. It'd be nice to glance at the phone on the way out the door in the morning to see the weather instantly instead of having to hop on the computer... Traffic is also a plus..

Chris

[christopher Powers @ Jan 8th 2008 12:11PM]

http://www.vtechphones.com/vtechui/store/dsp_product.cfm?itemID=3514

This I guess replaces the phone that was on their website, a little more "Nokia" looking of a design now..

[MW @ Jan 8th 2008 12:12PM]

Yeah that's a very deceptive picture, my first thought was "Damn that thing is HUGE and UGLY." Then I realized it was sitting in the charging base. It's still ugly, but not so big.

[Chris @ Jan 8th 2008 1:34PM]

I am going to put this comment in here hoping that VTech will read this. You need to put some kind of firmware update or put the functionality on the phone. There needs to be TTY support. My fiance is deaf and she could really use a ttd/tty that would be able to follow her around the house. Also there are some 10 million people that are deaf or hard of hearing in the united states. Imagine VTech builds a product for those 10 million people. let alone the endless teenagers that this will be produced for. VTECH PLEASE PRODUCE THIS PRODUCT WITH TTY.

[umm....hello??? @ Jan 8th 2008 1:59PM]

better yet, why don't you find VTech's website and email/phone them about your interest in this product rather than having them find your post? otherwise, good luck with the latter.

[Chris @ Jan 8th 2008 4:20PM]

Some other company or product designer will see that post, and say hey maybe we can do that.

[Valgas @ Jan 10th 2008 1:16AM]

How does he know to pronounce "children" "chilluns"? Is he.....