i-mode
i-mode

DoCoMo Unveil's FOMA N880iES 3G Phone

The new “Easy & Simple” NEC handset [.jpg image] is equipped with a camera that has an effective resolution of 320,000 pixels, and is the first model in the “Raku Raku Phone” series to be compatible with the 3G network. Users can receive voice calls and videophone calls by following the blinking keys and the instructions displayed on the screen. As with previous easy-to-use handsets, this model displays detailed image-based instructions to smoothly walk users through each step of basic operations such as creating and sending mail.

DoCoMo NOT to Drop i-mode in Japan

UPDATE 2: The Feature has “sort of” come clean, admitting their original story that DoCoMo was going to “drop i-mode” was utter rubbish. Of course, we smelt a rat as soon as the story, written by someone poorly translating a Japanese source, flashed around tech pages, as noted from the text following this update…”This story sounds a little fishy to us, since the reference to a Nikkei Shimbun story came from Total Telecom via Techdirt we’ve done some quick fact checks and seems that perhaps its a translation issue and/or a mis-understanding of terms.”

While it is true that DoCoMo is beginning to push migration of 2G (PDC) users to their 3G (W-CDMA) network, that has nothing to do with the i-mode service itself. Most telling is that NE AsiaBP who run the english side of Nikkei have no mention of what would be perhaps one of the most significant stories coming out of Tokyo this month.

UPDATE FINAL: We asked for clarification from DoCoMo PR and will set the record straight. “There is definitely no plan to end the i-mode brand in Japan,” according to the company’s Masanori Goto Saturday on July 24 at 16:00 JST.

Yamaha Offers MTV for i-mode Users

Launched on 20 July by Yamaha, MTV Movies features mobile content that is closely tied to movie programs broadcast by MTV Japan. The i-mode site offers ring tunes, i-Motion movies, and movie trailers for titles including both old and new. The content service initially features 2,000 ring tunes and 200 songs, and Yamaha adds 40 titles every month. It costs 315 yen/month; the company is aiming for first-year sales of 100 mn with a total of 50,000 subscribers.

JCB, AEON Develop QUICPay for FeliCa

JCB, the international payment brand, AEON Credit Service, the retail-affiliated credit card company, and NTT DoCoMo jointly announced today that JCB and AEON have developed the QUICPay payment solution for cards with contactless IC chips. The QUICPay service is also compatible with NTT DoCoMo’s smart-card handsets. A trial project for the new QUICPay solution will begin this autumn.

Wind to Launch 3G on i-mode's Success

Wind is Italy’s 3rd largest mobile player, with a 16% market share gained in just three years from launch of its mobile service. Wind also runs Italy’s most successful internet Portal (Italia On Line) and is the Italian largest Internet Service Provider (ISP). Wind launched i-mode™, on 28th November 2003 following the signing of the agreement with DoCoMo in June 2002. The partnership between Wind and NTT DoCoMo is a five-year agreement and is exclusive for 4 years for 2G and 3G in Italy.