Live 2000 Nuggets: Ericsson Chatboard brings finger relief

Typing an email or SMS message on a mobile phone can be such a test of stamina and endurance that it ought to be included in the Olympics. Well, don't bother applying for a lottery grant just yet, matey, 'coz at Live 2000 Ericsson has been showing off a keyboard for mobiles.

The Chatboard CHA-10 is a miniature qwerty keyboard, and slots onto the bottom of the phone. The 49 keys are pretty tiny, but we found that it's a damn sight easier to knock out a few words than with a keypad or roller. There are shortcut buttons for email, SMS, phonebook, and Web access too.

Don't worry about extra hassles either, coz the Chatboard is a real featherweight at 35g and measures 105x51x12mm. Looks like it's compatible with most Ericsson phones.

You also get a web page thrown in, that you can edit via your Chatboard. Sounds a bit fishy to us, but the Ericsson boys reckon you'll soon be chatting with other 'Boarders online.

And the price? £19.99 including VAT.

• Ericsson Chatboard

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