Mobile phone group Vodafone is lauching a new service which will allow customers to take photographs with their phones and send them on to friends as a photo message, in the same way as they may now send text messages.
The new service, called Vodafone Live, will be available on a new range of phones with built in digital cameras, which will be in shops from November 7.
As well as taking and sending pictures, the phones have a colour screen, and will let users download and play games in colour.
Sending a picture message will cost 49 cent, either to another picture phone, or to a website, from where you can print the picture.
The cheapest phone, the Sharp GX10 will cost contract customers €299, and pay-as-you-go customers €549. Two more expensive models - the Panasonic GD87 and Nokia 7650 - will cost €379 for contract, and €579 for pay-as-you-go.
Speaking at today's launch, Vodafone's European chief Peter Bamford said he hoped Vodafone Live would help increase the average revenue per Vodafone user (ARPU), which would be of benefit to the estimated 400,000 former Eircom shareholders who now hold Vodafone shares in Ireland.
