DoCoMo Releases N506is Handset

Yesterday, NTT DoCoMo announced the 2G N506iS by NEC [.jpg], which the company says is the world’s first mobile phone featuring a flat-panel display that also functions as a speaker. The flat-panel speaker emits sound by sending vibrations throughout the entire display panel. A user can hear the person on the other end by placing an ear anywhere on the panel. DoCoMo says that this makes audiovisual content more vivid than conventional handsets, whose speakers are located on the side of the display.

The N506iS includes the 180-degree display “reverse style” rotation feature as well as the “shuttlekey” function that enables telephoning, e-mailing and browsing after the handset has been opened, rotated and then closed again.

The handset makes it easy to take pictures because any of the 0 to 9 dial buttons can be used as the shutter. In addition, the camera can be activated and operated even when the handset is in the rotated position.

In addition, the handset offers TV hookup capability for viewing of photos and video. Other functions include an access reader that allows storage of information from business cards written in Japanese to the phone’s address book, as well as dictionary searches for unfamiliar words.

Via: NTT DoCoMo Press Release, full spec details in English Here