Three of Japan’s major electronics manufacturers have agreed on a standard interface specification for a type of memory in 3G mobile phones that will allow the companies to use a common component design to help phones function better. The companies will begin production of memory parts based on the specification in March 2005, according to a statement.
CYBIRD announced that it will demonstrate its interactive communication technology that allows users to receive detailed information on digital TV programs and commercials on their mobile phones via infrared connection, at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2004 to be held in Amsterdam beginning September 10. Jointly developed by CYBIRD, IMAGICA, and IMAGICA DC21, the OnePush technology enables people to use a mobile phone to access information aired on a TV program or commercial by receiving the URL of the information on the handset that functions as a TV remote.
Softbank Corp., Japan’s largest Internet provider, complained that its plan to offer a new mobile phone service could be thwarted by the government’s refusal to provide the necessary bandwidth. Masayoshi Son, the billionaire founder and chief executive of Softbank, told a news conference Monday that the company wanted to begin offering 3G service utilizing CDMA2000 technology. But he said the telecommunications ministry’s decision to allocate the key 800mhz band exclusively to NTT DoCoMo Inc. and to KDDI Corp., is blocking Softbank from launching the service.
China Telecom will adopt a cautious approach to the introduction of its 3G mobile network once it has received its license, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Industry watchers had previously speculated that China Telecom were planning to spend RMB90 billion (US$10 billion) on the construction of a nationwide 3G network, using WCDMA technology.
The HP Bazaar and Wireless Watch Japan crew have teamed up to organize Tokyo’s first Mobile Monday (MoMo) Event at the Pink Cow in Shibuya. MobileMonday is an open forum for people in the mobile industry. Anyone can attend this informal free-of-charge gathering. Come join in and meet other people in the industry — MoMo is an interactive forum where you can acquire global flair for local enterprises.
Global sales of mobile telephones surged a record 35 percent to 156 million units in the second quarter from the same period in 2003, a study published by the US research group Gartner showed. According to the study, more than 300 million handsets were sold between January and June, leading to a full-year sales forecast of at least 620 million units, compared with 520 million in 2003.
