Korea’s Samsung Electronics has raised the bar on high-resolution camera phones so far that other handset makers are going to need a ladder to scramble over. The company’s new SCH-S250 handset boasts five (Count ’em: 5!) megapixels. To date, three megapixels has been the industry top — and available in only a very few Korean and Japanese handsets (which hit retail shelves just several short months ago).
Last week, Hiroyuki Ida, from Mobile Broadcasting Corp.’s marketing department, confirmed the satellite-to-mobile broadcaster’s subscriber targets. The company is Japan’s (and, as far as we know, the world’s) first to offer digital audio, video, and data services to dedicated consumer terminals via satellite. Commercial services started on October 20. We’ll have more coverage in the near future.
NTT DoCoMo announced that Japanese customers of its 3G FOMA-based WORLD CALL service will be able to exchange videophone calls with users of compatible 3G/W-CDMA services offered by Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) beginning 2 November 2004. SingTel is currently offering 3G services on a trial basis, so DoCoMo customers initially will be able to place videophone calls to SingTel users participating in the trial.
Dilithium Networks, a leading provider of wireless multimedia solutions, today announced that the largest mobile telecommunications operator in the world, China Mobile, has purchased the Dilithium Networks Analyzer (DNA) the industry-leading 3G protocol analysis and test tool. The DNA will be used for interoperability testing and standards compliance with equipment manufacturers.
Sharp Corporation has developed a large-capacity, high-transmission-speed contactless IC module for electronic passports (e-passports). The world’s first IC module based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) e-passport recommendations, this product has just been put into use by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for an e-passport pilot program that began this October.
NTT DoCoMo and Nissan Motor are flying in tandem through a new tie-up between i-mode and the carmaker’s Carwings navigation system. The new service, Okutto-Keitai, allows drivers to receive destination-based i-mode digital maps and restaurant data via their NTT DoCoMo mobile handset. Drivers can also request information from Carwings’ live operator or by selecting information manually through the navigation system. Digital maps are provided by Zenrin; restaurant information through Gourmet Navigator, Inc.
Given the GPS technology on many wireless handsets these days plus the rich variety of navigation content sites, the main offering navigation systems have going for them is bigger screens. DoCoMo competitor KDDI would have you just lose the navigation console completely and rely on their increasingly micro-comprehensive 3G “Navi” systems. Nevertheless, automotive electronic devices continue to show strong growth here. A recent survey of auto parts makers by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) estimates sales of auto electronic devices — including car navigation systems — will hit 2.79 trillion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2005.
He’s hot, he has superhuman fighting skills, an enormous broadsword, black leather pants, and a really big motorcycle — and he uses a DoCoMo P900iV 3G celly. Yeah, baby! He’s Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII and the all-new DVD Advent Children — and he’s not afraid to talk on the phone. NTT DoCoMo and handset maker Panasonic scored big time in a comprehensive tie-up with Final Fantasy series producer Square Enix securing very visible handset placement in the hugely anticipated DVD movie of Square’s most enduring Final Fantasy saga.
Samsung Electronics will market the world’s first 5-megapixel camera phone [.jpg image]. The company said Wednesday that its new cell phone handsets equipped with a 5-megapixel camera will be sold through SK Telecom beginning late this month.
Macromedia and NTT DoCoMo, Inc. just announced that members of the DoCoMo-led global alliance of i-mode® licensing companies will be offered Macromedia Flash Lite. “NTT DoCoMo demonstrated their vision and leadership by adopting Flash Lite more than a year ago,” said Juha Christensen, president of mobile and devices for Macromedia. “Based on their success with the technology, they’ve chosen to expand its use throughout their partner community. As a result, Flash Lite will reach a greater audience much more quickly than could have been done without their support.”
The organizer of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture launched a cell phone website Thursday to provide the latest news about the event as well as information about tickets and access to the venue through the website. Reservations for some pavilions and events can also be made through the website starting Feb 25, a month ahead of the March 25 opening of the exposition.
