Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

“Japanese youngsters are getting so addicted to Internet-linking cell phones that the government is starting a program warning parents and schools to limit their use among children.The government is worried about how elementary and junior high school students are getting sucked into cyberspace crimes, spending long hours exchanging mobile e-mail and suffering other negative effects of cell phone overuse, Masaharu Kuba, a government official overseeing the initiative, said Tuesday.

“Japanese parents are giving cell phones to their children without giving it enough thought,” he said. “In Japan, cell phones have become an expensive toy.”

The recommendations have been submitted from an education reform panel to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda’s administration, and were approved this week….

“After a decade as the dominant provider, NTT DoCoMo Inc. can no longer say it provides most Japanese with their mobile phones, March figures show, with smaller rivals grabbing share in a fierce fight ahead of the start of the academic and business year.”

“Japanese handset supplier Kyocera Corp said on Friday it planned to stop using NEC Tokin Corp batteries in the future after some ruptured or caught fire, injuring three people.”

“NTT DoCoMo Inc, Japan’s biggest mobile phone carrier, filed for an injunction to halt sale of a handset using No. 3 Softbank Corp’s network, marking the latest move in a bitter fight for market share.”

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and Google Inc. today jointly announced that they formed a partnership that includes providing search services, search-related advertisement and potential applications to i-mode(TM) users.The two companies will also collaborate to enhance the user-friendliness of i-mode services, by making various Google services easier to access through i-mode handsets. The default pre-loading of Google Maps(TM) application into upcoming DoCoMo i-mode handsets is one of the initial initiatives being discussed.

Google, one of the largest search engines in the world, is aiming to fulfill the mission of “organizing the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” i-mode, the pioneering mobile Internet service provided by DoCoMo, boasts nearly 48 million mobile Internet users. By connecting i-mode with various services provided by Google, the parties together intend to increase accessibility, user-friendliness and further develop the usefulness of mobile Internet services in the Japanese market.

In addition to the existing i-mode menu site search service, through the partnership with Google, i-mode users will be served Google search results for mobile and PC web sites via the i-mode portal search-box. Launch of the expanded search services is scheduled in spring 2008. The new search-box will be placed on the top-page of the i-mode portal, increasing the immediate accessibility and convenience of searches on i-mode.

Simultaneously with the launch of the new search services in spring 2008, key-word based advertisements using Google’s ad platform AdWords(TM) will also be provided on the search-result pages in conjunction with the search results.

As a first initiative beyond searches, Google Maps for Mobile is under discussion to become a standard pre-installed application on upcoming i-mode handsets to be launched in the near future. The parties are also planning to collaborate around other services and search-related functions. The parties intend to make it easier for i-mode users to use Google services such as Gmail(TM) YouTube(TM) and Picasa(TM)by giving users more seamless and immediate access over the mobile phone. Furthermore, in all upcoming DoCoMo full-browser capable handsets, Google will be set to appear as the default start-page on the full-browser.

Google, in conjunction with DoCoMo and its subsidiaries, will also further study the possibility of new mobile marketing services directed towards i-mode users. DoCoMo and Google will also continue to study the possibility of bringing Android based handsets to the Japanese market. Android, a revolutionary platform for mobile phones, was announced by the Open Handset Alliance(TM) (OHA) last fall, in which Google was the key initiator of the Android project.

* i-mode and FOMA are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries. NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA service is only available to subscribers in Japan. * Google and the Google logo are trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks

Internet Initiative Japan, Inc., one of Japan’s leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, today announced the launch of IIJ Mobile, a mobile data communications service for corporate customers. This represents IIJ’s first foray into the mobile communications market as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), providing comprehensive solutions for businesses employing mobile broadband.IIJ Mobile is IIJ’s first offering in this market and uses NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA network and data communications terminals to provide Internet access with high-speed mobile data communications up to 3.6 Mbps. IIJ plans to expand service offerings and functions, such as providing access to closed networks without going through the Internet, or providing mobile access as a part of the WAN using some of IIJ’s existing services. This will enable IIJ to provide one-stop corporate network construction and operation that includes mobile data communications.

With the introduction of broadband to mobile data communications, the need for mobile access that rivals conventional fixed communications services is growing, even in corporate network use. However, there has also been concern about a number of security issues, including data leaks, virus infections, and problems with compliance. This new service is a high value-added mobile solution that answers these customer needs and problems, providing both high-speed mobile communications and ensuring security as only an MVNO can.

“Japan’s Softbank Corp., seeking to lure more mobile phone users away from its bigger rivals, plans to scrap monthly basic fees for three years for students signing up to the carrier for the first time.”

“Japanese mobile carriers NTT DoCoMo Inc, Softbank Corp and KDDI Corp and their partners filed on Thursday for licences to supply high-speed wireless Internet access.”

EMOBILE Ltd. commences its mobile broadband data service in the metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya from March 31, 2007. EMOBILE offers flat rate mobile broadband data service, including full Internet access from PCs.”EM Mobile Broadband” adopts 3.5G HSDPA technology in all of its service areas. The service offers 3.6Mbps maximum downlink speed and 384kbps maximum uplink speed.

The price per month flat rate without any data limit at speeds of 3.6Mbps for PDAs, laptops and PCs is YEN 4980 (US$ 43, EURO 32).

“EM-ONE” Handset -

“EM-ONE” is the next-generation mobile broadband device, which is designed to deliver a high-speed, always-on broadband environment as an alternative to a personal computer. EM-ONE adopts Japan’s first W-VGA (800 X 480) under Windows Mobile 5.0 environment, and is also equipped with a 4.1 inch liquid crystal large screen. Furthermore, EM-ONE is equipped with the same keyboard structure as PCs (QWERTY keyboard), and has only 18.9 mm in width, which is considered to be one of the most slim mobile terminals with QWERTY keyboard in Japan.

EMOBILE, Sharp and Microsoft closely worked together from the basic planning stage, thus developing various functions that are released for the first time in Japan. The three companies plan to continue their alliance in the future to promote marketing in the growing mobile broadband market. Supported by the cutting-edge technology of Sharp, who is Japan’s leading vendor in mobile device development, and Microsoft’s technology, which combines Internet broadband communications and mobile device, EMOBILE launches its first strategic mobile handset EM-ONE. EM-ONE was named after EMOBILE as a new mobile handset, which satisfies the needs of mobile data communications for both private and business purposes.

EM-ONE Key Features:

-Dual High-speed Data Communications: HSDPA and Wireless LAN, EM-ONE supports EMOBILE’s HSDPA communications service with a maximum downlink speed of 3.6Mbps*1. In addition, EM-ONE has the built-in IEEE802.11b/g compliant wireless LAN feature. It can also be used as a high-speed communications modem for PCs when connected to a PC with a USB cable.

-One-segment Broadcasting: EM-ONE supports one-segment broadcasting without any additional equipment.

-Wide Display: EM-ONE incorporates the industry’s first*2 4.1 inch W-VGA (800X480 dot) high definition ASV LCD*3. Most PC websites can be viewed without horizontal scrolling. One-segment broadcasting widescreen programs can also be viewed.

-18.9mm-thin Mobile Device: Superior in mobility, EM-ONE is the first mobile communications terminal in Japan with QWERTY keyboard and has only 18.9mm in width.

-Three-operation Style “Dual Slide”: EM-ONE adopts the new-concept “Dual Slide Mechanism”, by which the operation panel can be opened and closed either horizontally or vertically. Users can select three operation styles according to their usages: “Control Style”, “Input Style”, and “View Style”.

-Built-in Digital Camera: EM-ONE has the built-in CMOS digital camera (1.31 mega pixels). Close-up, photo and video features are available. QR and JAN codes are also supported.

-Excellent Usability: EM-ONE has a mouse-like pointing device. With the newly developed “Net Walker”, users can view their favorite websites by simple operations of the scroll wheel, such as rotating or stopping. Home menu is also provided to store favorite applications and operate them by one touch.

-Touch Panel Operation: EM-ONE has “Touch Panel Operation”, by which simple operations can be made using a stylus pen. Touch panel display also allows smooth display and improves usability.

-PC Email Address: EM-ONE supports PC email addresses, by incorporating Microsoft OutlookMobile email software which uses POP, and SMTP*5. Users can send and receive email messages with attachments. In addition, EM-ONE installs Sharp’s original email software “SH Mail”, which improves the usability to send, receive and manage email.

-PC Documents: EM-ONE installs Windows Mobile 5.0, which supports mouse, pointing devices, QWERTY keyboard, as well as data reading for Power Point, PDF files, and data editing for Exceland Word files. Internet browsing software, Internet ExploreMobile reinforces various software functions, such as enhancing operability and high-resolution display. EM-ONE also installs Opera Mobile Internet browser, which allows multiple page tab display.

-USB Peripheral Devices: EM-ONE is equipped with USB port, which support USB peripheral devices for Windows Mobile, such as keyboard and mouse *6.

-Presentation: EM-ONE displays presentations on a big screen, by connecting to an LCD projector using an (optional) RGB adapter.

-Built-in BluetoothTM: EM-ONE has built-in Bluetooth, which allows wireless connection with other EM-ONE or Bluetooth compliant peripheral devices (such as keyboards) *7 within its 10m range.

-Synchronization: EM-ONE allows users to synchronize their data with PCs by using the ActiveSync feature. Moreover, EM-ONE can simultaneously synchronize with PC and charge its battery pack, by using an optional cradle.*8

-Comfortable and Stress-free Operating Environment: EM-ONE adopts “MarvellPXA270 application processor 520MHz”as its CPU. The processor has multimedia processing and low power consumption features for PDAs and mobile phones. EM-ONE also adopts Flash memory and RAM (512MB and 128MB), which enables a comfortable operating environment.

*1 Numbers are theoretical maximum downlink speeds, and do not indicate actual transmission speeds.

*2 As of February 19, 2007, Handsets with Windows Mobile within Japan

*3 ASV - Advanced Super View, which is suitable for playback of animation and static pictures requiring high definition display, offering an excellent response with high contrast.

*4 Computer keyboard setting. The name derives from the first six letters on the top row of letters on a keyboard.

*5 POP is a protocol used to receive email messages from the server on which the messages are stored on the Internet or Intranet. SMTP is a protocol to send and/or forward email messages. These are currently the most widely used protocols.

*6 Cable adapter is necessary, and not all USB equipment is supported.

*7 Not all wireless connections with Bluetooth equipment are supported.

*8 While the unit is being charged by its cradle, or while watching TV with it placed in its cradle, it is not possible to charge the battery pack and large capacity battery pack at the same time.

Available in three colors - deep plum, light sand, and a new addition, metallic red

Nokia today announced that it has started deliveries of Nokia N73 to SoftBank Mobile Corporation in Japan. Nokia N73 has been customized for SoftBank, and will be released by SoftBank under the name of Nokia N73 (SoftBank 705NK) from January 13. It will be available in three colors - deep plum, light sand, and newly added color, metallic red.