Motorola launches IMFree

Motorola introduces the IMfree, a cordless phone-like device for instant messaging. At US$99.99, it frees the computer to you, while kids go away IMing.

Motorola is marketing IMfree to young teens, and to young teenage girls in particular, because they found this group was a heavy user of instant messaging services. (Girls take to it immediately. Boys begin taking to it when they want to begin chatting with girls.)

The Motorola IMfree device can go from your bedroom to your backyard without missing a single LOL or OMG moment. A device that literally keeps up with you and your non-stop life, the Motorola IMfree offers a handy way of keeping in touch with up to six buddies at a time via IM - almost anywhere within 150 feet of an Internet connected computer with required base and with no additional monthly fees.

The IMfree is compatible with AOL Instant Messenger and uses current AIM Buddy Lists so you never have to wonder if your BFF is online or away. Walking and "talking" at the same time has never been so easy!

Like a cordless phone, IMfree works through a hub that must stay in one place — in other words, no taking this device to school. But that may not matter much to a young girl who’d rather IM her friends from her bedroom, even if the computer is in the living room or den. And her parents may appreciate being able to use the computer again.

Up to seven handhelds can be used at the same time on a single base

Supports up to 12 popular emoticons so your chat buddies are never left in the dark on how you really feel

Built-in parental controls can limit who can send messages to the handheld and block certain chat invitations

Works best on DSL but it even works great with a cable modem or dial up