Makers of new-style video mobile phones said yesterday that they are looking at ways of getting errant husbands and wives off the hook if a spouse calls at an awkward time.
If the technology succeeds, a special setting will allow owners of third-generation (3G) phones to select the background of their choice before answering a call.
The breakthrough might allow a husband who is in a bar to answer the call with a photograph of the office in the background.
Alternatively, a wife who wants her husband to believe she is at home would be able to project an image of the living room as a backdrop at the flick of a switch.
While the foreground image of the phone owner would be live video, the background would remain static -- meaning users would have to be careful not to capture any out-of-date calendars in the background image.
Max Wong, spokeswoman for phone makers Hutchison 3G, said: "We're exploring the possibility of the background-change option. Our experts are looking into it."
She said the technology was still being worked on and it was too soon to know when it would be available to callers.
Currently, 3G customers have the option of answering calls on "voice-only" mode or using a still picture of themselves on screen when they pick up a call, although the use of either option can stir suspicion in an uncertain spouse or partner.
An industry source said: "It's a fascinating prospect. A background-change option might be highly popular with husbands and wives who, for whatever reason, don't want to let their other half know where they are."
It may take more than a leap in technology to get errant phone users off the hook, however. It may require a leap of faith too, because even if experts find a way of getting the "background change" option to work, there is the problem of ambient noise.
Husbands may find themselves having to explain why there is the hubbub of a crowded pub from an otherwise empty office.
A cheating wife may have to explain away a knock on the door and the call of "room service" from a deserted living room.
"Of course the experts may also come up with another button to make all the right background noises to match the scenery as well," the source said.
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