Year: <span>2004</span>
Year: 2004

Year: 2004

DoCoMo's 506i Series Launch Event

DoCoMo's 506i Launch EventWe’re not too sure about NTT DoCoMo’s motivation for fielding the first three models of the new 506i-series second-gen cellys. Sure, Big D have got to stay in front of the public eye with new models, new colours, etc. Japan’s consumer terminal market is nothing if not intensely competitive and trying to sell six-month old cell phones — which have often already lost 50% of their value at retail — is like, Oh, Soooo six-months old… Missing a slot in the handset upgrade cycle can be costly, as No. 3 competitior Vodafone has found to their regret. Full Program Run-time 14:32

Gaining 3G Handset Market Share

In the burgeoning global WCDMA handset market, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are gaining market share. Hutchison Telecom is reportedly in talks with LG to purchase WCDMA handsets worth 1 billion dollars, or several million units. Last year, Hutchison Telecom procured 3G phones from Motorola and Sony-Ericsson. The carrier, however, experienced a delay in supply of handsets for several months due to fatal defects in software of 3 million units of 3G handsets received from NEC of Japan and Motorola.

NEC's 525 HDM Leads GoWireless

NEC America, Inc. and Vuico, LLC, announced the availability of Vuico’s GoWireless PRO solution for NEC’s 525 High Definition Mobile (HDM) phones. The program was developed to provide a compelling solution for mobile users and includes free cell phones (after rebates) with the purchase of wireless and data services. The 525 HDM model is a GSM/GPRS quad band mobile handset, allowing individuals to access their email when traveling internationally.

Vodafone Launches 3G in Europe

Vodafone has chosen South Korea’s Samsung to provide its first 3G phone for their kickstart launch of services in Germany and Portugal, but hopes to expand its range over the coming months to include handsets from Sony Ericsson. People close to the operator said Vodafone was also in discussions with LG of Korea and Japan’s Sanyo to purchase additional phones, highlighting Asian manufacturers’ lead in 3G technology. However, Finland’s Nokia is also developing a phone for Vodafone.

Sharp's Galileo PVR with WiFi

Sharp Electronics, in partnership with Instant802 Networks, has just released the Galileo Personal Video Recorder (PVR) with wireless 802.11g video distribution technology in Japan. It has the ability to communicate and serve up video, photos, music, or any type of file on its hard drive to just about any Web enabled PC, PDA, or Cellphone.