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Nissan Wings Mobile Navigation

Nissan Wings Mobile NavigationNTT DoCoMo and Nissan Motor are flying in tandem through a new tie-up between i-mode and the carmaker’s Carwings navigation system. The new service, Okutto-Keitai, allows drivers to receive destination-based i-mode digital maps and restaurant data via their NTT DoCoMo mobile handset. Drivers can also request information from Carwings’ live operator or by selecting information manually through the navigation system. Digital maps are provided by Zenrin; restaurant information through Gourmet Navigator, Inc.

Given the GPS technology on many wireless handsets these days plus the rich variety of navigation content sites, the main offering navigation systems have going for them is bigger screens. DoCoMo competitor KDDI would have you just lose the navigation console completely and rely on their increasingly micro-comprehensive 3G “Navi” systems. Nevertheless, automotive electronic devices continue to show strong growth here. A recent survey of auto parts makers by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) estimates sales of auto electronic devices — including car navigation systems — will hit 2.79 trillion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2005.

Siemens to Bring the First HSDPA Solution to Market

Siemens Communications will be the first vendor to bring an end-to-end solution for “High Speed Downlink Packet Access” (HSDPA) to market, complete with PC card. This UMTS extension will enable operators to significantly boost data rates in UMTS networks and provide their subscribers with average download speeds of up to 2 to 3 megabits per second. That roughly corresponds to what the fastest DSL connections are currently capable of offering. In January 2005, Siemens will be conducting the first live demonstrations with a HSDPA network.

Wi-LAN Launches Mobilis at ITS World Congress 2004

Wi-LAN Inc., the global provider of market-leading broadband wireless communications products and technologies and the original charter member of the WiMAX Forum, today launched Mobilis, the first commercially available two-way broadband wireless product designed for a high-speed mobile environment, at the ITS World Congress 2004 in Nagoya, Japan. Wi-LAN is initially targeting Mobilis at the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) market. ITS wireless applications include real-time video surveillance, streaming advertising, and hotspot Internet access for passengers.

Sharp's New 4GB Hard Drive PDA

Sharp will begin marketing November 10 the latest model in the Personal Mobile Tool Zaurus series of PDAs. The SL-C3000 PDA [.jpg image] is the first in the industry to feature a built-in 4GB hard drive to enable users to carry large-volume data such as business documents, photo images, music and video. It can also be doubled as an external hard drive when linked to a PC via a bundled USB cable.

NEC to 'Get Personal' in China

Japanese electronics firm NEC aims to double or triple its shipment of mobile phones and build its brand into the most respected and innovative in the Chinese market. The company had launched a branding strategy called “Get Personal” to shorten its distance from customers. NEC (China) is to release about 20 models in the second half of the year and the product line will extend from its current high-end segment to middle and low-end customers.

SkyWave and LignUp Partnership Builds on Channel in Japan

SkyWave, Inc., Ltd., a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) pioneer and leading provider of VoIP services and solutions in Japan, and LignUp Corporation, a leading provider of SIP-based voice applications and software infrastructure for the enterprise, today announced that the companies will build on channel and customer successes in Japan by partnering to jointly develop and market SIP solutions that enhance enterprise communications while reducing long distance costs, reducing telecom operating costs, and eliminating redundant infrastructure costs.