As news filters through of yet another boomtastic Nokia cellphone, staff at Unstrung fear for our less gregarious readers reliant on the ecstatic pleasures of a Purring Kitty.

Described as “the ultimate companion,” Purring Kitty promises to transform Nokia handsets into “discrete [sic], vibrating massagers.” [Ed. note: Are you sure this is legal?]

But with the Finnish company’s handsets doing a pretty good impersonation of sticks of dynamite, its possible that this particular Kitty could face a somewhat neutered future (see Nokia's Flaming Fortunes).

Unstrung’s very own Dan Jones is finding the prospect of going without just too much to take in. “Life without my tender, purring friend would be unbearable,” he moaned into his Grape Nuts this morning. “With winter coming I really need those luuurrrvving vibrations.”

As for the latest blow-up, a new report from Reuters describes a young Vietnamese woman injured with burns after her 8210 cellphone exploded in her pocket.

Fortunately Chung Xao Le didn’t exactly have far to travel for help -- the hospital worker was taking a break in the staff cafeteria and was immediately rushed to the, er… next room.

Nokia says that the flameouts are down to people using batteries that it hasn't authorized for use in its phones.

— Justin "more of a dog person, really" Springham, Senior Editor, Europe, Unstrung