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Mobile Networks Stressed by p0rn?

This saucy story has been making the rounds and we felt obliged to offer a balance observation, so here goes. It come as no surprise that, just like the PC world, adult is a major content category, certainly this is not a recent development. We have had mobile flat-rate data plans since 2006, do you really think it’s taken this long for the demand to spike? Note, DoCoMo just rolled out a new video download platform – BeeTV – this spring and is agressively advertising that despite supposedly being overwhelmed by demand for salaryman snacks. More after the hop.

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.

Custom QR Code for Marc Jacobs Japan

Those talented and hyper-creative folks over at SET Japan keep cranking out the stylish QR codes with the un-veiling of their new creation for Marc Jacobs Japan. According to this announcement the latest design is a hand-drawn feature of the company mascot – Miss Marc – and will be used to drive traffic to their newly minted mobile website which launches today. Talk about style meets function.. Nice One!

Taking Wireless to a New Level

Real-time control of wheelchairs with brain waves ― A new signal processing technology for brain machine interface (BMI) application. The BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center announced it has succeeded in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair using brain waves. Plans are underway to utilize this technology in a wide range of applications centered on medicine and nursing care management. Video after the jump.

Samsung Jet Test Flight on Video

Samsung JET on VideoWireless Watch Japan spent an interesting week in Singapore at the annual CommunicAsia conference and trade show recently where we managed to shoot this demo of the latest Samsung Jet offering which made it’s debut there on June 15th. Billed as ‘Smarter than a Smartphone’ the AMOLED display is super crisp at 480dpi and it’s 800MHz processor lends power to the speedy brand name. The companies Touch Whiz UI, with drag and drop widgets, and the newly minted Dolphin browser featuring one finger zoom while enabling tabbed browsing of up to five web pages at one time were all impressive additions. Watch the video and see for yourself — Special thanks to Mr. Shin from Samsung for taking the time!