Month: <span>July 2009</span>
Month: July 2009

Month: July 2009

The Android Magic Launch in Japan

DoCoMo rolled-out the very first Android powered device in Japan today, labeled as the HT-03A, with somewhat less fan-fare than other product launches (cough-cough: iPhone) we’ve seen in the past. Besides the obvious absence of long line-ups full of eager gadget geeks, we find nothing on Google News (strange considering who runs that show) and very little so far on the main Japanese tech sites. Basically, Abracadabra – Boo! – it’s surprisingly quiet here on the eastern front.

YAPPA Rolls MagaStore iPhone App

The good folks over at YAPPA have launched an interesting platform, in conjunction with Dentsu, for browsing and purchasing magazines. The MagaStore, initially targeting the iPhone but eventually available for other mobile platforms, debuts with 30 titles provided by 20 mainstream publishers including Asahi Shimbun, ALBA, Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shinchosha, SONY, Hankyu and Fuso.

DoCoMo Develops Home Area Femtocell BTS

DoCoMo is taking the wraps off their new compact Femtocell base transceiver station [.pdf] developed for their “Home Area” platform. The concept of course is to off-load mobile data access to fixed-line PC’s when their customers are keitai surfing while at home. This latest model also will enable e-mail notification for parents when a child arrives home, as their handset is detected, while another possible service centers around electronic coupons sent from a store to nearby potential customers.

NTT Com to Combine Mobile Data & WLAN

NTT Com announced today that it will begin taking applications for a new wireless service targeted at enterprise uses which combines mobile access the DoCoMo 3G HSDPA network and Wi-Fi connectivity via their HOTSPOT WLAN platform. The service will offer speeds up to 7.2 Mbps and wide national coverage via DoCoMo combined with VPN access and global roaming into partners service areas in over 150 countries worldwide. The service is slated to launch in September.

DoCoMo Takes Position in PacketVideo

DoCoMo just announced it has acquired 35% of PacketVideo for $45.5 million in all-cash transaction effective immediately. The companies have worked together over the last 10 years, with the PV CORE technology embedded into over 90 FOMA models, and continued growth in the mobile multimedia space the companies statement suggest it’s a natural evolution. Considering the recent JV with AVEX to launch BeeTV this spring, and expected moves into other markets, this strategic alliance may well prove most interesting as next-gen. networks come into place.

New Mobile Banking Service by DoCoMo

DoCoMo has announced they will launch a new mobile banking service on 21 July allowing users to transfer up to approx. $200 per transaction and $2,000 per month to any other DoCoMo customer. The mobile remittance does not require a new bank account and the total fee per transaction is set at $1.65 The funds can be sent to recipients personal bank account or credited to their DoCoMo monthly phone bill. Apparently, this platform will not be made available to corporate subscribers.