The wireless version of Etch A Sketch offers many features --including a drawing screen with the trademark red border -- that will look familiar to those who have doodled with the classic drawing toy. For example, pressing the erase button causes the phone to vibrate as the sketch disappears, simulating the shaking action required to erase a drawing on the traditional Etch A Sketch. As an adaptation to the electronic medium, the sketching stylus can be controlled using either the numerical keypad or arrow keys, and up to three separate sketches can be stored in the handset's memory.

"From the time we figured out how to clutch a crayon, we all have doodled from time to time," said Craig Holland, president of Thumbworks. "Since Etch A Sketch has always been a compact, portable drawing tool, it seems only natural to adapt it to a compact, portable medium like the cell phone. Because of Get It Now from Verizon Wireless and BREW technology from QUALCOMM, my kids are always bugging me to borrow my phone so they can draw a picture or play a game."

In addition to a free demo, consumers have three purchasing options for Etch A Sketch: $2.25 for a monthly subscription, $5.75 for a 12-month subscription, and $6.99 for unlimited use of the application. Initially, Etch A Sketch will be available on two of Verizon Wireless' most popular Get It Now handsets: the Kyocera 3035 and the Verizon Wireless Z-800.

Get It Now -- a service that lets Verizon Wireless subscribers download applications over the air onto their phones -- is expected to strengthen Verizon Wireless's position as the largest wireless service provider in the United States and the leader in mobile data. Get It Now-enabled phones are available through more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, at participating Radio Shack stores, or on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

QUALCOMM's BREW platform is a thin application execution environment that provides an open, standard platform for wireless devices. The BREW platform is part of a complete, end-to-end solution for wireless applications development, device configuration, application distribution, and billing and payment. The complete BREW solution includes the BREW SDK(TM) (software development kit) for developers, the BREW applications platform and porting tools for device manufacturers, and the BREW Distribution System (BDS) that is controlled and managed by carriers -- enabling them to easily get applications from developers to market and coordinate the billing and payment process. Carriers' BREW-based services will enable consumers to customize their handsets by downloading applications over the air from a carrier's application download server. The BREW platform is a product of QUALCOMM Internet Services (QIS), a division within the QUALCOMM Wireless & Internet (QWI) Group of QUALCOMM Incorporated.

About Etch A Sketch

The Ohio Art Company began producing and marketing Etch A Sketch in July of 1960. Since then, well over 100 million Etch A Sketches have been sold in over 70 countries worldwide. Official Web site: www.etch-a-sketch.com

About The Ohio Art Company

Established in 1908 and headquartered in Bryan, Ohio, The Ohio Art Company manufactures and markets the world famous Etch A Sketch drawing toy, as well as a complete line of toys that enhance and provide development, creativity, and positive reinforcement. Product lines include "Making Creativity Fun" activity toys, such as Etch A Sketch, Glitter Writer(R), Zooper(TM) Sounds Etch A Sketch, Betty Spaghetty(R) Fashion doll, and Water T Ball(TM). In addition, the Company's Diversified Products Division manufactures specialty plastic and lithographed products for the automotive, photographic, food container, and specialty premium markets.

About Thumbworks

Thumbworks Inc. is a publisher of marketing-driven applications for mobile phones and other wireless devices for consumers. With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Thumbworks is helping market leaders take advantage of the emerging mobile medium to build their brands and promote their products. Its applications include Etch A Sketch(R) and the soon-to-be-released Suzuki Motocross Challenge. In addition to wireless publishing, Thumbworks also provides strategic marketing research and consulting for its clients, including QUALCOMM, Suzuki, Vivendi Universal Net, and Flipside.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 30.3 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone. Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.

About BREW

QUALCOMM's BREW platform is a thin application execution environment that provides an open, standard platform for wireless devices. The BREW platform is part of a complete, end-to-end solution for wireless applications development and application distribution. The complete BREW solution includes the BREW Software Development Kit(TM) (SDK) for developers, the BREW applications platform and porting tools for device manufacturers, and the BREW Distribution System (BDS) that is controlled and managed by carriers enabling them to easily get applications from developers and take them to market. BREW is a product of the QUALCOMM Internet Services (QIS) division and QUALCOMM Wireless & Internet (QWI) group of QUALCOMM.

QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS, OmniExpress and Eudora are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. BREW, BREW SDK and QChat are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services, Incorporated.

The Etch A Sketch product name and the configuration of the Etch A Sketch product are registered trademarks owned by The Ohio Art Company.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.