Year: <span>2005</span>
Year: 2005

Year: 2005

KDDI Announces Digital TV, Group-Chat Phone

KDDI have just announced two new WIN 3G models: the W33SA (Sanyo) and the W32T (Toshiba). The Sanyo is, according to the company, the world’s first commercial phone to feature digital TV reception, via the carrier’s new ‘EZ Television’ digi TV service. Using the onboard GPS-powered EZ Navi Walk navigation system, a digital TV broadcast can automatically deliver instructions on how to find a specific location. The phones can also do "PTT-like" group chat and voice. Users can also search the title of any background music playing in a TV broadcast. Details after log-in.

Results of Survey on Cellphone Usage

Online market researcher infoPLANT conducted research regarding mobile phone use among 16,833 phone users (operators limited to NTT DoCoMo, au, vodafone) from September 6 to 13, 2005. When asked how often they access Websites via mobile phones, 73.8% of the respondents answered “almost everyday”, followed by “a few days a week (10.9%)”, “four to five days a week (10.4%)”, and “about one day a week (3.1%)”. More than 70% men and women of every age group except men aged 50 or older and women aged 40 or older replied “almost everyday”.

DoCoMo's Nakamura Marathon Q&A

DoCoMo's Nakamura Marathon Q&AOn 29 September, NTT DoCoMo called a presser at the ultra-buttoned-down Otemachi Press Center and… there was no news! Instead, President and CEO Masao Nakamura faced tough questions from Kyodo, Nikkei, Bloomberg and tech media heavyweights on the latest subscriber and terminal numbers, new services and technologies, and how the carrier will respond to growing challenges such as new 3G licensees, mobile TV and number portability. Is Big D getting a little worried as 3G competition heats up?

NTT DoCoMo Unveils 3G Push-To-Talk Phones

NTT DoCoMo Unveils 3G Push-To-Talk PhonesNTT DoCoMo have just the new 902i-series of 3G FOMA handsets, featuring the new "PushTalk" walkie-talkie-style communication service. PushTalk will run over the 3G packet communication network and will allow phones to be used like walkie-talkies for simultaneous, one-way communication from one 902i user to as many as four other 902i users. The service will be launched in the near future concurrently with the 902i-series. DoCoMo said they are planning to waive communications charges (5.25 yen for each one-way call) through the end of December 2005.

The announcement confirms recent rumours (reported on WWJ) that the giant carrier would market a walkie-talkie-style service, already popular in the US, to defend falling market share and respond to flat-rate voice and data products offered by KDDI/au, Vodafone Japan and Willcom.

Microsoft Scores First Windows Mobile Japan Deal

Microsoft Scores First Windows Mobile Japan DealWillcom, Microsoft and electronics maker Sharp are teaming up to deliver a corporate-targeted PDA WLAN handset for the Japanese market that will incorporate Windows Mobile 5.0 as its operating system. Scheduled for a December release, the W-Zero3 will operate over Willcom’s PHS (personal handyphone system) network.

Equipped for both voice and data, the handset makes full use of its Microsoft connection to juggle an assortment of PC-based functions over its handy slide-out QWERTY keyboard in addition to the standard mobile touch pad. Users can access PC-based email addresses, edit Microsoft and Excel documents on a bright, 3.7-inch VGA touch screen (the unit comes with a PDA-style stylus) and thumb through Excel, Word, PowerPoint and PDF files.

Sanyo Epson Develops High-Resolution LCDs featuring Photo Fine Chromarich

Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation (“Sanyo Epson”) has announced the development of three new high-resolution LCDs featuring “Photo Fine Chromarich” technology that achieves more than 100% coverage of the NTSC* color gamut. Mass production of the displays will commence in early 2006. The fusion of telecommunications and broadcasting through digitization and the seamless integration of cable and mobile communication have raised expectations for next-generation mobile devices. Consumers hope such devices will bring more convenience, richer content, and wider service coverage. There is particularly increasing demand for LCDs with higher resolution, a wide color gamut, a wide viewing angle, and quick response, as well as being lightweight, compact, and ultra energy-efficient. The higher popularity and functionality of digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones mean that consumer demand for clearer displays are particularly strong in these areas.