<span class="vcard">editors</span>
editors

Korean Wireless Broadband Confusion

Following last week’s announcement that a number of companies in the space were working on so-called Super 3G, both Samsung and LG spoke up against the group, suggesting it was really an attempt by NTT DoCoMo to do an end run around efforts to settle on a 4G standard. Ed’s Note: Interesting that Samsung’s comment ignored Vodafone which was also one of the 26 companies on this group announcement.

Korea Set to Launch Mobile Broadcast

South Korea is poised to nudge past Japan in commercializing satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), thanks in large part to its strength in the cell phone industry. TU Media, the affiliate of Korea’s No. 1 mobile carrier SK Telecom, plans to start the world’s first handset-based satellite DMB services next Monday. By contrast, Japan’s Mobile Broadcasting Corp. (MBCo) has been suffering setbacks in drawing customers to its newly launched DMB services with non cell-phone terminals.

Samsung Wins 3G Order From KDDI

Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s second-largest handset maker, said it won orders to supply Japan’s KDDI Corp. with $800 million worth of telco equipment for 3G mobile phone services. Samsung was selected as the sole supplier of high-speed mobile-phone network equipment for Japan’s second-largest cell-phone operator said, Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung in an e-mail.

Portable Cell Phone Booth

The Portable Cellular Phone Booth provides a visual image of social sacrifices and opportunities to interact with one another lost due to our own self-involvement. This ‘performance art’ retractable phone booth [ .jpg image ] is carried on your back and can slide up and over your head to completely isolate you from society; the action is fast and slick just like the flip action of a cell phone. Via: Gizmodo

Xybernaut and Stargate Mobile Deliver Wireless Computing for Auto Industries

Xybernaut Corp. and Stargate Mobile LLC today announced a partnership relationship under which Xybernaut mobile/wireless computing technologies and Stargate integration and solution expertise will be combined into a single solution for a variety of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and after-market applications within the automotive industry. Under the relationship, Stargate has joined Team Xybernaut(TM) as a systems integrator and solution provider working with Xybernaut in the automotive sectors. Both companies have been working together for more than six months to develop and deploy the integrated computing platforms.

Super 3G Global Standard

According to the Nikkei, the world’s 26 major mobile phone operators and handset makers have agreed to work on a global standard for a super-fast mobile transmission technology. The group includes NTT DoCoMo and NEC of Japan, Britain’s Vodafone Group PLC, US cell-phone carrier Cingular Wireless, Alcatel of France and Siemens AG of Germany. Super 3G can boost mobile transmission speeds to between 30 and 100 megabits per second to match existing land-line fiber-optic telecom technology.

Vodafone Releases 902SH 3G Phone

Vodafone K.K. just announced that the company will commence sales of their high-end V902SH 3G handset (by Sharp) on 29 December in the Kanto-Koshin region, with Japan nationwide rollout following thereafter. The V902SH [.jpg image] features a Mobile ASV display, which is based on ASV (Advanced Super View) liquid crystal display technology found in Sharp’s AQUOS line of LCD TVs. The company says customers can “enjoy remarkably clear viewing in bright locations outside and in dark spots indoors.” In addition, the handset display offers a 160-degree viewing angle from all angles without colour distortion in conformance with JEITA standards; it also has a 5:1 contrast ratio.

DoCoMo to Acquire Stake in DMG

NTT DoCoMo said today that the company will invest $4.2 million in newly issued stock for an equity stake in Digital Media Group Co., Ltd., which owns Beijing Eastlong Technology Development Co., Ltd., a company that produces and distributes digital advertisements, content and services for the subway stations and trains in Shanghai. The investment will take place in January 2005. Through Eastlong Technology, DMG is planning to expand its digital media business using the latest wireless technologies, starting from transportation ads in trains and at subway and monorail stations throughout China.

NEC Expanding China 3G Sales

NEC Corp will launch infrastructure-related operations for China’s 3G cellular phone market, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, without citing sources. NEC is also expanding its cellular handset operation in China, the newspaper said. Shipments of the current generation of cell phones exceeded 1 million units as of Nov 30, exceeding the total for financial 2003, it said. NEC estimates that shipments will reach 2 mln units for the full fiscal year and grow to 3 mln in financial 2005, according to the article.