August 13, 2009

Diamond Shaped Phones Are a Girl’s Best Friend?

Sony Ericsson's Jalou, via Gizmodo

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While everything from laptops to Scrabble is getting dipped in Pepto Bismol and glitter to attract the ladies, Sony Ericsson has one-upped the rest of the gendered marketing world with the soon to be released Jalou phone.

Rather than slap some pink on it and call it a day, Sony Ericsson “explored art, architecture and furniture trends whilst delving deep into the couture and fashion world” to determine just what the ladies would be looking for in a cell phone in 2010. Evidently plaid is out but, “structured forms, intricate corners, hidden depths” are in. Um…sure.

The phone is shaped like a facet-cut diamond, and “depth” refers to a “variety of different shine and matt [sic] finishes,” not tech specs. The key pad also features diamond shaped keys—since concern about conflict diamonds was so last year.

The Jalou isn’t targeted to every woman. Rather, it is the lifestyle choice for the young, urban, and single with disposable income: “Share the good life. Chat on the treadmill, text in the taxi, snap and share photos from the club: Jalou™ lets you share your life in style.”

How does the Jalou offer help to do this?

“The two inch screen’s clever design means that at the touch of a button the screen becomes a mirror, offering a discreet way to make sure you look as good as your mobile phone. It is also the first Sony Ericsson to feature Walk Mate step counter, to help you stay in shape wherever you go. It also has an exclusive fashion interface which automatically updates with zodiac signs and special events throughout the year.”

Vanity, body image, and horoscopes aren’t the only stereotypes Sony Ericcson made sure cover. Catfights will also be all the rage in 2010. Jalou is derived from the french, jalouse meaning jealousy.

Strangely the phone does not actually come in pink direct from Ericcson, but in the semi-precious colors Deep Amethyst, Aquamarine Blue, and Onyx Black. You’ll have to splurge for the Dolce & Gabanna edition, which comes in “sparkling rose” complete with 24-gold karat plating, to really fulfill your gendered fashion needs—just forget about that pesky wage gap.

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THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

At least we hope they will, because that’s our approach to raising the $350,000 in online donations we need right now—during our high-stakes December fundraising push.

It’s the most important month of the year for our fundraising, with upward of 15 percent of our annual online total coming in during the final week—and there’s a lot to say about why Mother Jones’ journalism, and thus hitting that big number, matters tremendously right now.

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So we’re going to try making this as un-annoying as possible. In “Let the Facts Speak for Themselves” we give it our best shot, answering three questions that most any fundraising should try to speak to: Why us, why now, why does it matter?

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