Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

“NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan’s top mobile phone operator, plans to cut its handset prices, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday, bucking an industry trend to boost handset prices in return for lower calling fees.”

“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.”

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that in experiments being carried out jointly with Professor Kazuo Sutoh of the Department of Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor Shoji Takeuchi of the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, it has successfully demonstrated the world’s first molecular delivery system for molecular communication.DoCoMo has been pioneering research into the field of molecular communication, a new communication paradigm in which molecules are used as a communication medium. By combining communication technology and biochemistry, DoCoMo aims to develop systems that could transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress or disease.

The experiment has confirmed the feasibility of a proposed delivery system to transport specific molecules using artificially synthesized DNAs and chemically energized motor proteins, typically found in muscles and nerve cells, which are capable of moving autonomously by converting chemical energy into mechanical work.

The system, which functions on its own because it does not require external power supply or control, could help lead to the realization of a biochemical analyzer, or biochip, a fingertip-sized microchip for biological and chemical analysis.

The envisioned molecular delivery system could have many applications in medicine and healthcare. For instance, it may be possible to diagnose diseases or stress by directly analyzing biomolecules in a drop of sweat or blood using a mobile phone equipped with a biochip. The molecular delivery system would be packaged in the biochip, and the data generated in the biochemical analysis would be transmitted to a medical specialist via a mobile phone using traditional wireless technology. The system could be used, for example, for remote health checks or preventive medicine.

A mobile phone with a biochip could also have applications in the fields of environment (e.g., water analysis) and entertainment (e.g., fortune telling).

DoCoMo and The University of Tokyo are continuing their collaborative research into practical uses of molecular communication to identify applicable molecules and to develop an actual molecular delivery system for installation in a biochip.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced that it has recorded a downlink transmission rate of 250Mbps over a high-speed wireless network in an outdoor test of an experimental Super 3G system for mobile communications.DoCoMo has been field-testing and refining its experimental Super 3G system using an actual wireless environment near its R&D labs in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo, since February. The test involves four Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas for base-station transmission and mobile-station reception in the 20MHz bandwidth, the maximum under new Super 3G standards.

DoCoMo is continuing to test connection handover from one base station to another, and the functionality of applications in indoor and outdoor environments.

Super 3G, which features low-latency data transmission and high spectrum efficiency, is an evolution beyond the High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) protocols of W-CDMA, an original technology for 3G packet transmissions. Super 3G, also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and core specifications have been approved already.

DoCoMo began accepting proposals from suppliers for Super 3G test equipment in July 2006. By 2009, the company expects to complete development of the technologies required for the eventual launch of a Super 3G network.

Detailed results of the test will be presented by DoCoMo during the CTIA Wireless 2008 tradeshow that will begin in the U.S. city of Las Vegas on April 1.

Motorola, Inc., a major contributor to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard, has joined the LTE/System Architecture Evolution (SAE) Trial Initiative (LSTI). This industry group is driving the acceleration of commercial and interoperable next-generation LTE mobile broadband systems through the collaborative efforts of leading telecommunications companies worldwide.”Motorola has significant expertise in OFDM-based technologies and mobile broadband innovation,” said Darren McQueen, vice president, IMS, Cellular and Broadband Network Technologies, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility. “Joining the LSTI supports our commitment from our networks and mobile devices teams to the advancement of technologies that will deliver the media mobility experiences that consumers today have come to expect.”

Motorola is leveraging its success in being among the first to deliver 802.16e commercial systems by reusing a significant amount of its WiMAX research and development, coupled with its rich heritage in cellular networking, Motorola chipsets, network and video head-end solutions, and professional services to deliver its end-to-end LTE solution.

Motorola is among the vendors selected by Verizon Wireless and Vodafone to participate in their joint LTE trials during 2008. Motorola also is planning a number of other field trials during 2008. For more details about Motorola’s LTE solutions please visit: http://www.motorola.com/lte

About LSTI

The LTE/SAE Trial Initiative (LSTI) is a global, collaborative technology trial initiative focused on accelerating the availability of commercial and interoperable next generation LTE mobile broadband systems. The Initiative was formally launched in May 2007 by leading telecommunications companies Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Orange, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, T-Mobile and Vodafone. Since its inception LSTI has expanded to also include in its membership China Mobile, Huawei, LG Electronics, NTT DoCoMo, NXP, Samsung, Signalion, Telecom Italia, Qualcomm, ZTE, Rohde and Schwarz, and Motorola.

“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.”

“Sony Ericsson, a joint venture between Sony Corp. and Ericsson, said it would continue developing cellphones for NTT DoCoMo Inc., denying a newspaper report that it plans to substantially scale back its mobile business with Japan’s top wireless operator.”

“Sony Corp. will stop manufacturing cellular phones for NTT DoCoMo Inc. by the end of this year to focus on overseas customers amid a saturated domestic market, The Nikkei learned Sunday.”

New research has estimated that over 2.6 billion mobile tickets will be delivered to just over 208 million mobile phone users by 2011. This is one of the key statistics from a landmark study by Juniper Research. The report found clear evidence that the sector is gearing up for major launches over the next few years. Early trials, mainly led by mobile network operators, are now migrating into commercial services that are controlled by the ticketing issuers themselves.Benefits for the ticketing issuers include reduced cost, better security to help the fight against fraud and improved environmental footprint by reducing paper. Early use of mobile barcode technology will be gradually complimented by the emergence of NFC (Near Field Communications), in particular for the transportation ticketing sector where there are already commercial deployments in the Far East and important trials in Western Europe and North America.

Most encouraging for the sector is the wide adoption by some of the major organisations that control the issuance of tickets, such as Ticketmaster, British Airways and Tickets.com. This is coupled with the involvement of the key operators and technology providers such as O2, NTT, DoCoMo, Vodafone, Nokia and Samsung.

Juniper Research illustrates the current and near-future status of mobile ticketing with analysis and interviews from representatives of some of the leading organisations in the growing mobile ticket industry.

Key findings from the report include:

– Savings for the airline industry of $500 million each year by migrating to mobile boarding passes

– A total of almost $87 billion worth of mobile ticketing transactions by 2011

– NFC will start to create traction from 2009 onwards.

The report summarised that 2007 had been an important and groundbreaking year for the sector with trials and commercial deployments expected to continue throughout 2008 and beyond.

“Mitsubishi Electric said it plans to exit its loss-making mobile phone business, becoming the latest Japanese electronics maker to withdraw from a market dominated by overseas giants such as Nokia.”

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that it will form a business and capital alliance with Acrodea, Inc., a maker of software technologies for mobile-phone user interfaces. The agreement, which will result in Acrodea products being embedded in DoCoMo handsets for heightened functionality, user friendliness and user enjoyment, will also strengthen the efficiency of DoCoMo’s handset-development process, as well as enhance the partners’ overall existing relationship.DoCoMo will acquire 4,500 newly allocated shares valued at 1.8 billion yen, or 402,220 yen per share, accounting for about 5.7% of Acrodea’s outstanding shares. DoCoMo expects to complete the share acquisition by March 13. In addition, DoCoMo has requested that JAIC Advanced-Tech No.1 Venture Capital Investment, L.P., of which DoCoMo is a limited partner, transfer 2,800 of its Acrodea shares to DoCoMo by around the end of March, as soon as the necessary approval is authorized by the general partner.

The two transactions will leave DoCoMo with an approximate 9.26% stake in Acrodea, and the DoCoMo Group a combined approximate 13.06% stake, including the 3,000 shares in Acrodea held by DoCoMo.com, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary.

Acrodea’s main product, VIVID UI middleware, is used in Kisekae Tool(TM), a feature for customizing screen layouts, calendars and other content in FOMA(TM) 905i Series handsets and other models. DoCoMo first began using VIVID UI in 2006 and started licensing the middleware from Acrodea in August 2007.

* i-mode, FOMA and Kisekae Tool 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.

NTT DoCoMo will participate in GSMA Mobile World Congress 2008, the largest exhibition of its kind in Europe attracting a large number of GSM technology related businesses, held February 11-14 in Barcelona, Spain. The exhibition is a platform for participating corporations to announce new products and technologies and attracts great attention internationally.From high-spec mobile phones and services to cutting-edge technologies such as the “Wellness Handset” prototype and networks such as Super 3G (LTE) and 4G, we will be showcasing a wide range of exhibits based on the theme of “advancement” and “technological prowess” — DoCoMo’s major strengths.

Don’t miss the chance to experience DoCoMo’s innovative technologies firsthand and discover how we imagine the near future. Further information about the displays

Latest Handsets — The “Multi-Talented” 905i Series / Latest Services

* Chokkan Games (intuitive motion/voice-activated gaming)

* Music & Video services

* One-Segment mobile TV

* GPS services, etc.

R&D

* Super 3G (also known as LTE)

* 4G demonstration experiments

“Wellness Handset” Prototype

* We are introducing a mobile phone prototype which monitors health with sensors that measure body fat, footsteps, heart rate, halitosis (bad breath), etc.

Lifestyle Infrastructure

* Mobile Internet service i-mode and i-channel (push-based information service)

* “Osaifu-Keitai” mobile wallet services, usage scenarios and business solutions

Conceptual Handsets — The “One-of-a-Kind” 705i Series

* Ultra-thin handsets

* Waterproof handsets

* Designer handsets

Global Business

* interTouch, a high-speed Internet access provider

* DoCoMo’s presence outside Japan

CSR

* Universal design phones: Raku-Raku PHONE, Kids’ PHONE

* “Sound Leaf Plus”, a bone conduction receiver/microphone

* Environmental activities: handset collection and recycling

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

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced today that the company, ACCA Wireless Co., Ltd. and ACCA Networks Co., Ltd. have dissolved the strategic partnership that they established on August 31, 2007 for the purpose of securing a license to provide broadband wireless services based on mobile WiMAX technology. Since Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications granted the two available broadband wireless service licenses to other bidding groups on December 21, 2007, the strategic partnership was no longer relevant.

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.

Purple Labs, a leading supplier of embedded Linux solutions for mobile phones, announced today that it has joined the LiMo Foundation and will support the organisation’s mission to develop a world-class Linux-based software platform for mobile devices. In joining the LiMo Foundation as an Associate member, Purple Labs becomes the first commercial Linux platform for feature phones in the consortium, thereby extending the LiMo initiative to mass-market mobile handsets.Founded by industry leaders Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone, the LiMo Foundation aims to create a rich ecosystem based on Linux, which will enable compelling and differentiated services for mobile users.

“LiMo Foundation is very pleased to welcome Purple Labs as a new Associate member. We are rapidly rolling out our open mobile terminal platform based on Linux and Purple Labs will undoubtedly help the Foundation to further extend its reach within the feature phones arena,” said Morgan Gillis, executive director, LiMo Foundation.

“We are also pleased to see Purple Labs joining the LiMo Foundation efforts and helping to bring Linux to the mass market,” added Guido Arnone, Director of Terminals Technology at Vodafone. “We believe Linux can become a relevant platform not just for smartphones but also for entry-level feature phones - thus the support of the Purple Labs team will add value to the LiMo Foundation.”

Purple Labs has developed a highly optimised platform enabling Linux to run on low-cost feature phones. The company’s comprehensive Linux suite, from Linux service package and middleware to mobile applications, is the first commercial solution running a single-core chipset architecture, allowing the development of very cost-effective, entry-level feature phones.

“Purple Labs is strongly committed to enabling LiMo-compliant mobile phones for the mass market,” stated Simon Wilkinson, chief executive officer of Purple Labs. “We look forward to working with other LiMo Foundation members in creating an open and tightly integrated environment for developing mobile handsets based on Linux.”

Ericsson has announced that a brand-new security device with positioning capabilities, enabled by Ericsson technology, has been launched in Japan.NTT DoCoMo, Inc., the Japanese telecoms giant, has launched a safety device that gets high-precision location information by using the GPS function. The device is designed to provide family members or authorities with positioning information or to enable location tracking when the user pulls the slide switch in a dangerous or emergency situation. The slide switch also triggers a crime prevention buzzer on the device.

The device is based on the U310 platform developed by Ericsson. The platform enables the modem and GPS functionality within the device, which is small enough to be carried inside a pocket or bag for easy activation in case of emergency.

Robert Puskaric, Head of Ericsson Mobile Platforms, says: “This shows that our platform technology is flexible and small enough to be implemented in devices other than the traditional mobile phone. We are also pleased to see that our platform has been included in a security device within the DoCoMo portfolio, as this proves its stability and quality.”

The product, CTG-001G, has been developed by Giant Electronics on behalf of DoCoMo, and was launched on the Japanese market on December 7.

“Japan’s NTT DoCoMo Inc is considering a tie-up with Google Inc., adopting the Web giant’s search and email features in its mobile phone Internet service, company sources said on Tuesday.”

“NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s biggest cellphone carrier, said Wednesday that its president, Masao Nakamura, has met with Apple Inc chief executive Steve Jobs, amid reports that their companies are in talks about launching Apple’s iPhone in Japan.”

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries announced today that the FOMA F801i, a new child-friendly 3G mobile phone loaded with special features for the safety and convenience of children, will go on sale December 20.Building on the popular FOMA SA800i model that DoCoMo released in March 2006, the F801i offers many new or improved child-friendly features for security, theft/loss prevention, ease of use and more.

In an emergency, the child can quickly switch on the phone’s 100-decibel alarm, which produces two types of noise alternately. When the alarm is activated, the phone also emits a bright light (high-intensity LED) that is easily visible to people in the surrounding area.

The phone can be set to automatically notify loved ones when the alarm is activated, and provide the handset’s current location as well. Computer-generated phone calls can be placed to up to three registered numbers and messages can be sent to registered individuals who subscribe to the i-mode location service called imadoco search. In addition, the child can discreetly message their location to a registered imadoco search user by simply pushing a button on the side of the phone.

If the phone’s power is switched off, a presetting can enable the handset to automatically turn back on (in as little as five minutes) and message the incident and the phone’s location to a registered DoCoMo phone.

An amulet-style remote controller worn by the child can be used to make a misplaced phone beep if within a range of about 10 meters (may vary with usage environment). If the user moves even farther from the handset, the phone can automatically lock (requires presetting). If the handset remains out of the amulet’s range for more than five minutes, a message can be sent automatically to a registered DoCoMo phone.

The F801i is ergonomically designed for easy use by small hands, and its waterproof body can withstand accidental immersion (up to 30 minutes at one-meter depth) or concentrated water sprays.

The phone’s soft-rectangle shape and round speaker grille enclosed by a ring-shape LED were conceived by renowned designer Kashiwa Sato to symbolize safety, peace of mind, creativity and the future.

DoCoMo, as part of its corporate social responsibility program, provides education on the proper use of mobile phones by children. The Mobile Phone Safety Program involves workshops for students from elementary through high school, as well as for parents. DoCoMo has conducted more than 3,600 workshops for some 540,000 people throughout Japan since 2004. This program, along with services for site-access restriction, location information, etc., form a broad framework within which DoCoMo works to provide parents and their children with a safe and secure environment for using mobile phones.