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VoIP in the Palm of your Hand

Anyuser Global’s tiny VoIP IMphone flash drive brings voice communications to any PC. Scheduled to go on sale in Japan this August, the unit streamlines installation into a USB plug and play solution. All the VoIP software and circuitry is packed right inside along with 64MB of flash memory. That means PC vagabonds can use it on any machine with an Internet connection – at Internet cafes, friends houses, conducting “Alias” style international intrigue. Not bad for a unit the size of a packet of gum.

Barrier Free Mobile Directory Service

Mobile phones may be an all access pass to fun for most of us but for the physically or visually impaired it’s one more ‘no entry’ barrier. Vodafone Japan along with TU-KA Cellular in Tokyo, Kansai, and Tokai are making mobile services a little easier for people with disabilities through a new free directory service [.pdf]. Dubbed ‘Smile Call’ subscribers punch in 104 to connect to a directory service operator who can assist them in placing calls. Generally 104 calls through mobile lines are fee-based but this system developed with Japan Multimedia Services Corporation creates free access to registered users. After completing the registration process, subscribers punch in 104, identify themselves to the operator and once their name has been verified, proceed with questions and assistance.

KDDI Plans Ultra 3G: EV-DO Rev.A

KDDI will introduce EV-DO Rev.A that enhances the function of the CDMA2000 1x EV-DO method, which is the infrastructure for their data communication on au cellphones, by the end of 2006. It is assumed that with the construction of an “Ultra 3G” network, the fixed movement integrated communication infrastructure will enable improved connection speed of up to 3.1Mbps service. The decision for this next generation standard was made at a recent 3GPP2 meeting in the United States by joint proposal of 29 major telecomm equipment manufacturer companies worldwide.

Motorola Debuts 3G Smartphone in Japan

Motorola Debuts 3G Smartphone in JapanDoCoMo’s hybrid 3G-PDA M1000 handset is off the showroom floor and finally on the street. WWJ was at the launch event and we’ve put together a quick video program showing just what sort of hoops this smartphone jumps through. Previewed at an April 15 press conference, the tri-band business-use handset from Motorola juggles W-CDMA, GSM and GPRS for global roaming, opens Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs as well as PDF files, and allows multiple email functions including POP and IMAP email. Internet access channels through the Opera 7.5 browser. DoCoMo took the (daring) step of dropping i-mode capability for the M1000 in favor of global compatibility. More PDA than phone, all navigation is through the bright, 2.9-inch touch screen.

Mobile Phones Shake up Shareholder Meetings

Mobile Phones Shake up Shareholder Meetings

What is the sound of one hand tapping? If you are a shareholder in NTT DoCoMo it could be a pretty loud sound indeed reverberating right into the executive boardroom. Shareholders at NTT DoCoMo’s Tuesday, 21 June, shareholders meeting will be able to vote by cell phone through a secure site tapping in ‘yea’ and ‘nay’ at their convenience without trudging all the way down to the New Otani Hotel in Akasaka.

NTT is one of a growing number of Japanese corporations mainstreaming cell phones into shareholder operations. Panasonic, video game maker Taito Corp., [.pdf] and Sony [.pdf] are each allowing M-votes at shareholder meetings this year. Voters receive an access code and password in their voter’s invitation/agenda (generally sent out a couple of weeks in advance). For the Panasonic meeting on 29 June, m-voters connect quickly to the secure site by scanning a QR code (scroll down) which kick starts the password process. DoCoMo shareholders also streamline through with a QR code. Both secure mobile and Internet voting sites may be handled by banks such as UFJ for Sony’s meeting or Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking at Panasonic’s.

DoCoMo's Premini II S: Lightweight Phone Fun

DoCoMo's Premini II S: Lightweight Phone Fun

DoCoMo’s tiny Mova Premini mobile-phone series by Sony Ericsson is getting a color boost for summer. New Premini II S color combinations of orange/silver, white/lavender, and blue/green push the palm-size handset beyond its mini-macho borders into new territory.

For the Premini II S, the company created a playful Flash movie site called Premini TV. Click on ‘Color Shuffle’ and ‘Light On’ plus the colored dots positioned above them for light effects, then run the mouse over the musical Premini II S handsets covering the screen. It may not sell any phones but it’s fun and DoCoMo needs to keep that frontal lobe awareness with younger consumers.