FT Mobile eases the pain of information overload

NEWS The Financial Times today launched its FT Mobile service to save UK executives from information overload. For the time being, the 'Daily Me' personalised service for 'the international business executive' will only provide the service in the UK. The FT quoted a NOP poll which estimated that one third of UK executives face a daily struggle to 'keep up'. Although the phone will not be pink, it will feature a discreet logo. It is sold through the Carphone Warehouse in a joint revenue-sharing deal. Users will get access to FT Mobile Gold, which costs other phone users £10 a month. Mobile Gold allows customers to look up live share prices and search for news stories. Newsflash sends out text messages on big stories as they happen and a further set of up to four alerts chosen from market reports, sectors or specific companies. Each alert costs 15p. FT spokeswoman Joanna Manning-Cooper told silicon.com: "We have made our investment in our digital platform and will be able to roll out other services at little cost." She said plans to extend the service, particularly to the US, were on the drawing board and added: "The phone can, of course, be used in the States, but the service will not be available." Costs are: £29.99 for the Motorola Timeport 250 and £49.99 for the Nokia 6210 the Sony Z5 and Siemens Sl45 are expected to be £100 and £200 respectively.