Watch-phone tops teens' wish lists

Justin Boersma models the gadget. Photo / Janna Dixon

A gadget made popular in comic strips and TV shows is vying for the top of teenage wish lists this Christmas.

Combining a wristwatch with a mobile phone, the Burg makes calls and texts. Pricier models also have a touch screen and miniature camera, and include a two mega-pixel camera, MP3 player and radio.

Users can talk into their phone like Dick Tracy or James Bond or connect it to an earpiece via Bluetooth.

While not on sale yet, distributors are in talks with mobile phone companies to rush them on to the market before Christmas, at a price tag between $60 and $400.

Although watch phones have been around for over a decade, distributor Justin Boersma said it was the first time a model had been sold in New Zealand.

He said: "It's where cool meets convenience. You can go mountain biking or skateboarding and know it's not going to fall out of your pocket."

Boersma, founding director of marketing company Run The Red, expected buyers to be teenagers or adults looking for a second phone.

He was in discussion with telecommunications companies to market the products and they were looking for franchisers to set up kiosks in Westfield malls.

Burg phones have been on sale in the US since August.

Students at Orewa College were given the smart phones to try out.

"They loved them, especially being able to text their friends," said Boersma.