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Euro Feedback and the Future of WWJ

April 22, 2003 October 13, 2023

WWJ subscribers did a great job of summarizing and opinion-izing on the state of the mobile Internet in Europe, and I would venture that the information contained below in today’s newsletter probably couldn’t be purchased anywhere – or if it could, the cost would be substantial. My overall take after reading, editing (slightly), and collating the responses is that – Wow! – Europe’s come a long way in the past two years. It strikes me that Europe 2003 is akin to Japan 2000, with new networks, data services, and innovative business models all being trialed, proven, and – in some cases (Did someone say “KPN i-mode?”) disproven.

Natsuno and Ai Kato Launch 505i; and WWJ – Facing a Transition

April 9, 2003 September 30, 2023

Herewith, I’d like to query you, the loyal and keen WWJ readers (some 30% of whom are in Europe, according to last fall’s subscriber survey), on what an outsider needs to know about Europe’s mobile Internet. What are the companies, technologies, business models, and content services serving to boost the future? What – and who – matters most? Which will triumph: i-mode or Vodafone Live? Can Japanese terminal makers kick their way into the market? And will the Open Mobile Alliance boost Europe’s wireless industry far ahead of Japan’s – given sufficient buy-in from content providers and software creators?

ROBODEX 2003 Shows Humanoid Bots, Astro Boy

April 8, 2003 September 30, 2023

ROBODEX 2003, a four-day exhibition featuring various robots, was held at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama April 3-6. The robots on display included pet robots, ASIMO and other human-shaped robots, and some others with different purposes. Many robots were seen with various capabilities for doing household chores.

NTT DoCoMo Unveils 505i Series i-mode Mobile Phones

April 8, 2003 September 30, 2023

NTT DoCoMo today unveiled specifications of its new 505i mobile phones, a series of six enhanced PDC (2G)-compatible models equipped for advanced i-appli applications based on Macromedia Flash and Java technology. Each 505i model also comes with a camera, infrared port, and external memory slot. DoCoMo expects to introduce the models one by one beginning in mid-May.

bitWallet: Sony & DoCoMo Make Mobile Money

April 2, 2003 October 20, 2023

bitWallet: Sony & DoCoMo Make Mobile Money We’ve told you before that the celly is morphing into an e-wallet, and it looks as though it’s going to happen in 2003. bitWallet is a joint venture between Sony, NTT DoCoMo, and a bevy of banks and other interested players all salivating over potential profits. Although there are no details yet on what an e-wallet-enabled keitai will ultimately look like, today’s program shows how contactless smart cards are being used in Japan. Features an in-depth interview with sr. bitWallet staff; if you want a glimpse of the future – don’t miss this one.

DoCoMo Plans Flat-rate Mobile Web Access Service

March 28, 2003 September 30, 2023

NTT DoCoMo said on Friday it plans to launch a flat-rate wireless Web access service using its personal handyphone system (PHS) network, in a bid to shore up its flagging PHS operation. NTT DoCoMo said on Friday it plans to launch a flat-rate wireless Web access service using its personal handyphone system (PHS) network, in a bid to shore up its flagging PHS operation.