Samsung's "Matrix Reloaded" phone

Samsung Electronics and Warner Bros. have struck a promotional deal covering the rights for the second and third installments of The Matrix trilogy. Designed by Matrix Reloaded set designers, the SPH-N270 features a bar-type pop-up screen "intenna" and enhanced voice dialling capabilities. The release coincides with the next movie -The Matrix Reloaded - in mid-May 2003.

As well as promoting its mobile phones, the partnership reportedly extends to the DVD/VHS releases of the next film and The Animatrix, a collection of nine short films that draw upon the world of the Matrix, plus the video game "Enter the Matrix."

The dedicated site at www.thematrixphone.com has been updated with phone specs, polyphonic tone dowloads and further details.

Samsung's association with the Matrix franchise follows the trend-setting appearance of the Nokia 8110 handset in the original 1999 film.