Vodafone mobile-dispensing machine: an apology

You know how it is: it's Friday afternoon and you get a press release from Vodafone banging on about some mobile-dispensing machine in Manchester and you think "hold on a minute, we did something on this in October last year" and sure enough, it's more-or-less the same press release...

Well, not quite. Tucked in there somewhere was the breathtaking news that, as a result of this stunning innovation... "last night Vodafone won the Partnering in Innovation Awards at the annual UK Technology Innovation and Growth Awards. Together with Fujitsu, they produced the first mobile phone vending machine, which was installed in Manchester in October."

Now, we admit we missed that bit, buried as it was in the middle of a load of old twaddle about how the world is a brighter, happier place as a result of the Quickphone.

We are, however, going to accept no responsibility for this because all journalists are:

1. Stupid. Get the point across quick and in BIG LETTERS.
2. Lazy. Get the point in at the top and in BIG LETTERS.
3. Bored. Get the point in right away with an eyecatching headline in BIG LETTERS.

So, you're thinking, El Reg is not taking the rap for this outrage, so why the update? Here are the chilling facts: this morning a highly distraught PR operative rang Vulture Central because the powers that be were on their way over to her office in an unmarked black vehicle with two guys called "Vince" and "Leroy".

You get the idea: the price of failure in the PR world is indeed a hefty one. Accordingly, and in order that the person in question might get away with a simple two hours in the corner wearing the pointy hat with a big "D" on it, rather than the traditional punishment beating, we would like it to be known that Vodafone last week announced it and Fujitsu had won the Partnering in Innovation Awards at the annual UK Technology Innovation and Growth Awards for their Quickphone telephone vending machine.

The Quickphone, for the record, sells mobile telephones in return for money. There's more on its roll-out last October right here. ®