Adobe Systems Incorporated and NTT DoCoMo, Inc. today announced an agreement for DoCoMo to adopt Adobe Reader LE software for its 3G FOMA handsets, providing customers of the popular i-mode™ service with access to high-impact, reliable content delivered in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Utilizing Adobe Reader LE technology, i-mode customers will be able to view and interact with a wide range of new business and entertainment content, making their mobile Internet experience easier, more productive and more secure. 

This version of Adobe Reader is optimized for FOMA and has been co-developed by ACCESS Co., Ltd., a mutual business partner of DoCoMo and Adobe. It will include i-mode’s features such as “Web to,” “Mail to” and “Phone to,” enabling customers to quickly navigate from a PDF document to visit a Web site link, send e-mail to a contact or dial a phone number. It also includes many common features available for Adobe Reader on personal computers, such as text search and page layout rotation for ease of small-screen navigation and viewing.

DoCoMo will become the first operator in Japan to bring a robust PDF content experience to its mobile Internet customers. This represents a significant new opportunity for i-mode content providers, enabling them to develop a wide range of services leveraging the rich presentation, enhanced security and easy navigation of PDF for the first time. Potential applications for this new capability include downloadable brochures and subway maps, delivery of bank statements and analyst reports, and reliable interaction with PDF documents on Web sites.

“Adobe has a long history of helping content developers communicate ideas and information in an effective, reliable way,” said Bruce Chizen, CEO of Adobe. “We see the mobile market as a natural and important extension and evolution of that communication. DoCoMo has set an exceptional example for the industry in the success of its i-mode service, particularly in the way they have connected a universe of work and entertainment content with a large and growing base of mobile consumers. We’re happy to have the opportunity to partner with them to deliver an even richer customer experience, and we expect this to be a first step in even greater collaboration to come.”

“Adobe PDF is a de facto standard for reliably exchanging and delivering digital content,” said Mr. Takeshi Natsuno, Managing Director of DoCoMo’s Multimedia Services. “Adobe Reader LE will enable our FOMA handsets to access PDF files, which will enhance the experience of not only our personal customers, but our corporate customers as well. We anticipate that Adobe Reader will expand the future potential of our FOMA service.”

About NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
NTT DoCoMo is the world’s leading mobile communications company, serving more than 49 million customers. The company offers a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services, including i-mode™ which provides e-mail and Internet access to over 43 million subscribers as the world’s most popular mobile Internet service, and FOMA, launched in 2001 as the world’s first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA. In addition to wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and North America, the company is expanding its global reach through strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in Asia-Pacific and Europe. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM), and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.nttdocomo.com.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe is the world’s leading provider of software solutions to create, manage and deliver high-impact, reliable digital content. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

Related posts:

1. NTT DoCoMo to Offer Video Streaming Service for FOMA Phones
2. NTT DoCoMo Unveils New 3G FOMA Videophones
3. NTT DoCoMo and Motorola Announce 3G FOMA Handset Developement
4. ACCESS Announces Global Profile for NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode Service
5. mmO2 AND NTT DoCoMo ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT ON i-mode

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we been been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!