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KDDI Labs Unveil Mobile Motion Sensor

KDDI R&D Labs have developed a software only motion sensor function for their BREW driven OS handset fleet. Early motion-capable models, such as the V603SH for Vodafone by Sharp, required additional on-board hardware to calculate spatial information in order to perform operations simply by moving the handset up, down, left or right. According to the company statement potential applications include menu navigation, gaming and enhanced location mapping services.

Improved Image Stabilization for Camera Phones

Osaka, Japan-based tech startup Eamex Corp. has developed an extremely compact new optical image stabilizer device targeted at use in camera phones. Given their small size, optical image stabilizers have generally proven unsuited to the size and power constraints presented in camera phones. The prototype module is just 14mm across and 1.5mm thick. Inside, the company has crafted a 12mm polymer actuator with a mass of just 0.024 grams, sandwiched between two electrode plates that provide for power – and hence control.

LG Ships New i-mode Handsets to EU

The LG L343i with i-mode on-board appears to be coming soon to O2 in the UK and in some other markets as well. It’s a low-budget GSM / GPRS unit and the handset spec. is very basic with a 128×160 pixel 262K colour TFT display, VGA resolution (0.3 megapixel digital camera) plus Bluetooth but no data card. Reminds us of the early i-mode days (circa 2001) here in Japan.

Nokia Ships N71 Handset to Japan

Nokia has started deliveries of Nokia N71 (Vodafone 804NK) in Japan. The Nokia N71 customized for Vodafone K.K. will be marketed in Vodafone K.K.’s 3G lineup under the name “Nokia N71 (Vodafone 804NK)” and became commercially available in Japan from August 12. Nokia has provided Vodafone K.K. with three 3G models so far: The Nokia 6680 (Vodafone 702NK II) which became available in December 2005 and the Nokia 6630 (Vodafone 702NK) which became available in December 2004, and the Nokia 6650 (V-NM701), which was added in August 2003.

Pantech's New 3G Model for KDDI

Pantech Group, South Korea’s No. 2 mobile phone maker, has signed an agreement to ship it’s second 3G model to KDDI in a deal pegged at $110 million. The A1406PT handset will be available in September targeting middle-aged and elderly Japanese consumers, Pantech said in a statement. The agreement comes six months after Pantech offered its A1405PT model, the first shipment to Japan by a Korean cellphone maker.

Proof is in the Mobile Pudding

The good folks over at CIAJ (Communications and Information Network of Japan) issued a press item last week to announce results of their annual study on cellular phone use. According to CIAJ, “The study aims to capture on-going changes in the domestic mobile communications market and has been conducted since 1998.”

The study includes some interesting results related to actual usage of mobile Internet services, including email, music, GPS, mobile TV, e-wallets, number portability and more. The organization says they mailed questionnaires to 600 cellular phone users (male: 303, female: 297; by age group, under 20: 102, twenties: 101, thirties: 108, forties: 95, fifties: 95, sixties and above: 99) residing in the larger Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan areas from the end of March through April, 2006…