Siemens puts fashion way out in front

German phone-maker Siemens has unveiled the latest in its series of Xelibri fashion phones. Like the other devices in the range, the Xelibri 3 is designed for the young set, placing style ahead of function.

The Xelibri 3 certainly fits the bill: weighing 55 grams and measuring 81x42x19mm, it is small enough to hang around the most svelte of necks.

Siemens does not even describe the device as a phone, billing it as a personal communication device.

To quote Siemens: 'Our tiny voice-controlled Personal Communication Device (PCD). Particles in your voice are processed into instructions. You say 'call', it 'calls'! Amazing but true.' Amazing.

The phone does have some traditional features. The Xelibri 3 is a dual-band GSM handset with short message service (SMS), enhanced messaging service, polyphonic ring tones, talk-time of 240 minutes and stand-by time of 200 hours.

Hong Kong is rumoured to be first in line to see the handset when it comes out some time in the first half of the year.

The company is taking pre-orders on its Web site at www.xelibri.com. Other models in the line-up range from 199 euros to 275 euros (about HK$1,700 to HK$2,340). But you have to pay extra for the key-free voice activation. The Xelibri 3 will sell for 399 euros.

One final line of advice from the Xelibri marketing team: 'Check your hair in a mirror and dry your palms on your backside, because you are about to meet tomorrow!' Advice that German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, above right, seems to be manfully trying to follow.