I recently bought a new mobile. Or actually, a PDA. I’m the proud owner of the MDA Vario (T-mobile). I’ve been wanting to buy a new phone for a while. A new phone with extras like a camera… It’s quite useful. I can go online wherever I want, when I want. It’s not really the best way of surfing certain websites, but it’s possible and that’s something…

My previous (smart)phone was a SPV E200. With the phone itself, I was quite happy. But the contract eventually started to bug me. I received “spam”, which is the new trend these days, spam on your phone. My ass, I don’t want spam on my phone I didn’t ask for. And Orange told me they couldn’t stop it. I had to contact the company or person that spammed me. I did some research and found who sent the spam. And there “supposedly” was a way to stop the spam. Of course I tried this, but I kept on receiving the same spam every day. Three text messages a day, whether you asked for it or not. Any idiot can sign you up on some website (or wherever they get the numbers from) and you’ll have to pay for it, literally too. And it sucks.

Luckily I have a new phone with a brand new and fresh contract and I’m pretty proud

Published: Wednesday, 4 February, 2004, 08:05 GMT

Tamagotchi reborn as an adult
Tamagotchi, the interactive robot pet, is to get a new lease of life.

Bandai, the Japanese toy firm behind the egg-shaped plastic toy, has said it plans to relaunch the Tamagotchi robot next month.

But the new Tamagotchi’s habits will be more grown up than the original version; it will be able to go on dates, marry and have babies.

The original pocket sized Tamagotchi toys won hearts by beeping to demand regular attention from their owners.

But their demands for affection were more limited, focused largely on food and drink.

Tamagotchis that did not receive enough love died, shutting down their screens.

The new Tamagotchi Plus will be able to mingle, chat and date with other Tamagotchis using infrared portals, according to its makers, Bandai.

Tamagotchi was first launched in 1996 and had sold 40 million units within a couple of years.

Tamagotchi Plus will go on sale on 2 March priced at 1,980 yen ($19).

I found this press release on the BBC News website. I myself was completely into the Tamagotchi hype back in 1997, when Tamagotchi came to Dutch stores for the first time. I had three authentic Tamagotchi’s and a few fake ones too, although I gave the fake Tamagotchi’s away. Anyway. I decided to look my Tamagotchi’s up and give it another try. I might even start collecting them again.

This morning, my Tamagotchi was *completed* after 7 years (which is 7 days). I gave it another shot. We’ll see how it goes.