March 31, 2004
Virgin Mobile launches the world's first left-handed phone
This is the other article that made me wonder if it was an April Fool's joke or the real thing. I'll let you decide, but please note it's dated March 31st.
PRNewswire writes that "Virgin Mobile has unveiled a new mobile phone specifically designed for left-handed people. Available, exclusively from Virgin Mobile, the new Sony Ericsson LH-Z200 has a unique keypad layout with the number keys positioned from right to left, instead of the standard left to right".
The usefullness of such a phone is even backed up by some facts and trivia:
"In Britain today twelve per cent of the population is left-handed which equates to a massive seven million people who are frustrated by the right-handed bias in the product design of phones. Famous left-handers include Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman, Prince William, glamour model Melinda Messenger and former Sex Pistols front man and 'I'm a Celebrity' contestant John `Rotten' Lydon.
Virgin Mobile and Sony Ericsson plan to produce a range of left-handed phones and their soon to launch 3G phones will also have left-hand friendly keypads".
I'm going to see what my son thinks, he's left handed. Does anyone have a left-handed computer keyboard? I've never heard of one...
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