Year: <span>2003</span>
Year: 2003

Japan Handsets Technology Isn't Everything

Japanese companies have a technology edge derived from digital media expertise, and particularly long experience with displays and cameras; experience in multimedia applications, from i-mode in the domestic market, has led to software and application expertise. Japanese companies have a technology edge derived from digital media expertise, and particularly long experience with displays and cameras; experience in multimedia applications, from i-mode in the domestic market, has led to software and application expertise.

Mobile Healthcare Inc. Launches 'Lifewatcher'

Mobile Healthcare Inc. today announced the launch of Lifewatcher, a world first in integrated mobile disease management. The new service, which operates over a mobile phone or other handheld device, is the first comprehensive mobile disease self-management system for diabetes or obesity sufferers or individuals with restricted dietary and health needs.

Face-Recognition Magic Comes to Mobile

Face-Recognition Magic Comes to MobileSure, you can access your bank account balance and buy stuff via celly, but what happens if you loose your handset and some bad dude gets your PIN number? And remember: in Japan, tens of thousands of keitais are lost each year. But one thing the baddies (except for certain famous movie serial cannibals) can’t steal is your face – and today we show you an innovative face-recognition system that’s been ported to mobile phones. “Kaopass” works well and demonstrates one possibility for keitai security in the future. Full Program Run-Time 13:25

Partners to Develop PDF Browsers for Non-PCs

Access said Tuesday that it has tied up with US software developer Adobe Systems to enable car navigation systems and Internet-accessible home appliances to read PDF (portable document format) files. Users must pay for software to convert files into PDF, an electronic text format that Adobe developed, but can download software for read-only access free of charge.

505i Launch Event: DoCoMo Finger Scanner Boo-Boo with Fujitsu Celly

During the 505i launch event on Tuesday, Takeshi Natsuno was on stage to demonstrate the F505i’s capabilities – including the fingerprintreader used to authenticate access to the phone’s address book, mail, picture store, and scheduler. When Natsuno applied his finger onto the reader platen glass (located at the bottom of the phone), **nothing happened!** “OK – we’ll try that later,” he added somewhat sheepishly, after waiting for some 30 seconds…

Natsuno and Ai Kato Launch 505i; and WWJ – Facing a Transition

Herewith, I’d like to query you, the loyal and keen WWJ readers (some 30% of whom are in Europe, according to last fall’s subscriber survey), on what an outsider needs to know about Europe’s mobile Internet. What are the companies, technologies, business models, and content services serving to boost the future? What – and who – matters most? Which will triumph: i-mode or Vodafone Live? Can Japanese terminal makers kick their way into the market? And will the Open Mobile Alliance boost Europe’s wireless industry far ahead of Japan’s – given sufficient buy-in from content providers and software creators?

NTT DoCoMo Unveils 505i Series i-mode Mobile Phones

NTT DoCoMo today unveiled specifications of its new 505i mobile phones, a series of six enhanced PDC (2G)-compatible models equipped for advanced i-appli applications based on Macromedia Flash and Java technology. Each 505i model also comes with a camera, infrared port, and external memory slot. DoCoMo expects to introduce the models one by one beginning in mid-May.

bitWallet: Sony & DoCoMo Make Mobile Money

bitWallet: Sony & DoCoMo Make Mobile MoneyWe’ve told you before that the celly is morphing into an e-wallet, and it looks as though it’s going to happen in 2003. bitWallet is a joint venture between Sony, NTT DoCoMo, and a bevy of banks and other interested players all salivating over potential profits. Although there are no details yet on what an e-wallet-enabled keitai will ultimately look like, today’s program shows how contactless smart cards are being used in Japan. Features an in-depth interview with sr. bitWallet staff; if you want a glimpse of the future – don’t miss this one.