DoCoMo Announces New Investments
DoCoMo has announced plans to invest approx. $234 million in Japanese handset software companies Access and Aplix. Firming it’s position as the second largest investor in Access, DoCoMo will increase their current 7% holding to just over 11% for an estimated cost of $124 million. DoCoMo uses the company’s NetFront browser in most of its 3G FOMA handsets and Access recently acquired PalmSource. Another $110 million investment in Aplix will give DoCoMo the top shareholder in that software developer with nearly 18 percent. Applix is working with Sun Microsystems on the so-called Star Project to improve Java software control systems for mobile devices.
– Press Release on Aplix
Aplix develops embedded software, mainly middleware for mobile phones and PCs, as well as markets software. Its Java? products are sold under the brand name JBlend?.
DoCoMo and Aplix already enjoy a close working relationship in the development of DoJa?/Java platforms, which have enabled an increasing number of Java products to be adapted to 3G FOMA? handsets. Following the share purchasing, they expect to enhance their partnership by forming technical tie-ups in handset middleware centered on Java technology, which will enhance the capability of DoCoMo’s Java handsets and raise the efficiency of handset development.
Aplix was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Tokyo. It had capital of about 6.73 billion yen as of June 2005 and 141 employees, or 202 on a consolidated basis, as of December 2004
– Press Release on Access
ACCESS develops and markets Internet software, mainly for mobile phones. Their products are marketed under the brand name NetFront?. DoCoMo and ACCESS have been strengthening their partnership to develop mobile phone browsers and ACCESS’s browser is widely used in DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA? handsets. Through this investment, DoCoMo and ACCESS aim to enhance their already close working relationship in development of upper layer application software centered on browser technology.
ACCESS was established in 1984 and is headquartered in Tokyo. It had capital of about 9.18 billion yen and 422 employees, or 647 on a consolidated basis, as of July 2005