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$20 Cellphones Possible with TI's New Chip

Posted by timothy on from the ever-cheaper dept.

swimgeek writes "Texas Instrument's Indian branch has succeeded in developing a single chip which combines the functions usually performed by multiple chips in a GSM cellphone. By doing so, cellphone costs can be dramatically reduced, thus making cellphones more affordable in developing economies. Nokia has been contracted to make the initial sets, with market launch in as soon as 9 months. More coverage here and here."

8 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    can I buy one with a couple hundred prepaid minutes anonymously, in cash, and throw it away when I'm done? I don't want to be GPS'ed everywhere I go. Posted anonymously for obvious reasons...

    1. Re:Yeah, but... by Eunuchswear · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ok Osama, I'll get right on to the marketing department to see what we can do.

      --
      Watch this Heartland Institute video
  2. Uh, what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Okay cool, next time I'm hiking someplace and get bitten by a snake or hit by falling rocks, or if I'm out sailing and the boat starts taking on water, I'll just reach for that handy landline.

    1. Re:Uh, what? by NanoGator · · Score: 1, Funny

      "Okay cool, next time I'm hiking someplace and get bitten by a snake or hit by falling rocks, or if I'm out sailing and the boat starts taking on water, I'll just reach for that handy landline."

      Wouldn't you have to leave the house or something in order to do any of that?

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:Uh, what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
      Okay cool, next time I'm hiking someplace and get bitten by a snake or hit by falling rocks, or if I'm out sailing and the boat starts taking on water, I'll just reach for that handy landline.
      You dang kids with your fancy "landlines." Why back in my day when our ship sank and we washed up on a deserted island's craggy shore and climbed up the face of the cliff only to be knocked into a pit of snakes by falling rocks we had to signal for help using smoke signals from the fire we started by rubbing two of the cobras together, AND WE LIKE IT!
  3. Big Deal by HeroreV · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let me know when service won't cost just as much.

  4. Re:Dupe... by damsa · · Score: 2, Funny

    That is newsworthy. Now the people in the developing countries can use that extra dollars to buy Britney Spears ringtones.

  5. Re:Is It Just Me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Even more ironic that a technology company should have the name "Texas" in it at all.