They are calling it the “anti iPhoneâ€, a $10 ultra light (77 grams) GSM phone with talk time of up to four hours and 150 hours of standby time. The pre-paid Hop1800 from Hop-On Inc, is perfect as a backup cell phone when your phone doesn't work or its battery dies. It's also great for adventure travelers who don't want to risk endangering pricey handsets, or for kids who always seem to be lose their phones.
The sharp looking black phone is 14mm thick with Polyphonic ringtones and vibration. It's available worldwide in two models, a Dual-band 850/1900MHz and a 900/1800MHz. Furthermore, to encourage recycling rather than disposing the phone, the company offers a $5 rebate for returning the phone to “Keep it Greenâ€.
Hop-On CEO Peter Michaels says, “Though the iPhone is an amazing device, I challenge anyone to make a call faster than with the HOP1800. With the cost of living and roaming fees going though the roof, the HOP1800 is also the perfect iPhone traveling companion. Just buy a local SIM card and you can use the HOP1800 with over 40 domestic wireless carriers.â€
According to the press release, though low in cost, the HOP1800 uses reliable Infineon chip sets for excellent audio quality, reception and call stability.
Another cool twist is that in addition to being available to retailers such as drug and convenience stores, big box retailers, Hop-On is promoting it to businesses looking for a unique branding opportunity where they can imprint corporate logos, sport teams or any promotional image on the phone, making it a unique and useful promotional item.
$10 Anti-iPhones
The Recyclable Hop1800
Trend Themes
1. $10 Ultra Light GSM Phone - The trend of affordable and lightweight GSM phones like the Hop1800 presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the mobile phone industry to cater to budget-conscious consumers and those in need of backup or travel phones.
2. Recyclable Cell Phones - The trend of promoting recycling and sustainability in electronics, as seen with the Hop1800's $5 rebate for returning the phone, creates opportunities for the electronics industry to develop more eco-friendly and customizable devices.
3. Unique Branded Promo Items - The trend of offering customizable promotional items, such as the Hop1800 with imprintable corporate logos or promotional images, presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the marketing and advertising industry to engage consumers with unique and practical merchandise.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Phone Industry - The mobile phone industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by developing affordable, lightweight, and feature-rich GSM phones to cater to the needs of budget-conscious consumers and those in need of backup or travel phones.
2. Electronics Industry - The electronics industry can capitalize on the trend of promoting recycling and sustainability in electronics by designing and manufacturing more recyclable and eco-friendly devices, creating a competitive edge in the market.
3. Marketing and Advertising Industry - The marketing and advertising industry can leverage the trend of unique branded promotional items, like the Hop1800 with imprintable logos or images, to create innovative marketing campaigns that provide practical value to consumers while promoting brand awareness.