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NEC MEDIAS WP N-06C hands-on
There aren't really that many choices when it comes to waterproof Android phones, let alone those that also happen to be razor thin, so excuse us for getting all giddy when our Engadget Chinese brethren stumbled upon this NEC MEDIAS WP N-06C at Sin Tak, Hong Kong. Here's a quick recap: what we have here is a 7.9mm-thick Android 2.3.3 handset that packs a 4-inch 480 x 854 LCD, 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 chip, 512MB RAM, 1GB ROM, and 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Additionally, this phone also boasts IPX5 and IPX7 protection ratings -- the former for protection against water jets, and the latter for immersion up to one meter (and for the record, the "X" indicates no solid protection rated here). Read on for our hands-on impressions. %Gallery-128511%
NTT DoCoMo to power cellphone towers with renewable energy, tenderness
When they're not busy carving handsets out of teak (or rockin' out with their pupils), the folks over at NTT DoCoMo apparently focus their efforts on saving the environment. Next year, the Japanese provider will begin outfitting its expansive cellphone tower network with ten "green transmission stations," to be powered by an artillery of biofuels, wind and solar energy. This kind of infrastructure would obviously bring a smile to the face of ol' Mama Nature, but it could also help mitigate the adverse effects of power outages and elfin insurgents. And for that, we should all be grateful.
NTT showcases next-gen 802.11ac wireless LAN solution, hopes for near-term commercialization
NTT DoCoMo's never been one to back down from the future, and some might say this carrier is actually already living in 2012. You know -- Land of the Rising Sun and all. At any rate, its latest foray into what's next came at the Wireless Technology Park in Yokohama, where it demonstrated a fully-functional 802.11ac prototype wireless system. For those unaware, that's what is scheduled to make 802.11n look like the 101 at lunchtime, with an effective throughput of 1Gbps per system. If all goes well, NTT will be commercializing the system "within a few years," and based on a demonstrated throughout of 120Mbps (as in, real-world results), we're hoping "few" becomes "one."
NTT DoCoMo exhibits on-the-fly speech translation, lets both parties just talk (video)
The race to smash linguistic barriers with simultaneous speech-to-speech translation is still wide open, and Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo has just joined Google Translate and DARPA on the track. Whereas Google Translate's Conversation Mode was a turn-based affair when it was demoed back in January, requiring each party to pause awkwardly between exchanges, NTT DoCoMo's approach seems a lot more natural. It isn't based on new technology as such, but brings together a range of existing cloud-based services that recognize your words, translate them and then synthesize new speech in the other language -- hopefully all before your cross-cultural buddy gets bored and hangs up. As you'll see in the video after the break, this speed comes with the sacrifice of accuracy and it will need a lot of work after it's trialled later in the year. But hey, combine NTT DoCoMo's system with a Telenoid robot or kiss transmission device and you can always underline your meaning physically.
NTT DoCoMo introduces Palette UI for Android, breathes life into your app tray
If you blinked for even a second during the announcement of NTT DoCoMo's summer lineup, you may have missed the mention of an exclusive Android skin dubbed "docomo Palette UI." At the time, all we knew about this international-interface-of-mystery was that it had a heavy emphasis on app management. After gazing upon a recently-published YouTube video and doing a little digging, we can now wrap our minds visually around what to expect. The demo you'll witness below shows off an app tray that's sorted by categories, rather than one buffet that bundles every app you own. It's a welcome idea that will likely be an added value for consumers, but there's one small concern: we've seen this before, most recently in the latest version of MotoBlur, so we would hardly call it innovative. We should expect to see the Palette UI on at least four Android devices coming out this summer, most notably the superthin Medias WP N-06C and powerful Galaxy S II --though we're curious to see what happens to TouchWiz 4.0 on the latter. [Thanks, Derek]
NTT DoCoMo announces 24 new mobile wonders (yes, really) to flood its network
So, Japan... want a new mobile device? How about 24? This grandiose announcement comes straight from NTT DoCoMo, which commonly lays its cards on the table for the delight of consumers. Among the selection you'll find eight new Gingerbread phones, six incredibly high-res shooters (ranging between 12.2 and 16.3 megapixels), eight waterproof handsets, and one embedded with Swarovski crystals. We're particularly thrilled to see the mighty Galaxy S II, 3D-capturing Aquos SH-12C, 700-nit Optimus Bright (contrastingly-named but nearly identical to the Optimus Black), ultra-slim MEDIAS WP N-06C, and mobile payment-enabled Xperia Acro. Oh, and don't forget about the LOOX F-07C -- a multi-talented handset that's running Symbian and Windows 7 Home Premium -- while two LTE-enabled WiFi routers are sneaking into DoCoMo's party, too. That's a lot to absorb, so check out the source for individual release timeframes, which begin now and continue through August -- or just check out the PR after the break.
NEC MEDIAS WP N-06C announced in Japan, shows off slimness with waterproof body
Seriously, why does Japan get all the fun toys? The leaked brochure of this crazy thin NEC MEDIAS N-06C already got us all giddy last month, and now we have a launch date: fans of NTT DoCoMo will be able to nab this device around June or July, meaning owners need not seal this waterproof phone in a plastic bag before heading out for a summer swim. In case you missed the details, here we have a 7.9mm-thick Android 2.3 phone, which easily beats the chubby Galaxy S II at 8.49mm in terms of slimness; though to be fair, the N-06C packs about 9.7mm around its 5 megapixel camera. Inside this tight package you'll also find a 4-inch 854 x 480 LCD, a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255, 512MB RAM, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, and microSDHC expansion. But enough with the specs -- head over to Akihabara News for some wet hands-on pics.
Sharp Aquos Phone SH-12C has 3D cameras, qHD resolution, Gingerbread filling
The HTC EVO 3D and LG Optimus 3D just got themselves a new buddy in the three-dee picture-taking arena in the shape of Sharp's Aquos Phone SH-12C. We know, that name just rolls off the tongue. What's remarkable about the 12C is that the dual cameras on its back go all the way up to 8 megapixels (to the EVO 3D's 5), which will be creating quite the tasty workload for the 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 chip contained within. A qHD (540 x 960) screen resolution also keeps up with HTC's latest, though the 4.2-inch, 3D-capable display on the Aquos offers more pixel density and less in absolute real estate. Android 2.3, replete with some evident customizations, will serve as the OS, and 720p video recording in 3D will also be available when Sharp launches the 12C in Japan on May 20th. Rest of the world? Well, we can dream about it right now.
NEC's waterproof MEDIAS N-06C to get a sprinkle of Gingerbread and 1GHz power
The MEDIAS N-04C might well be the hotness in the world of super slim phones right now, but if you're looking for something with a little more oomph and protection against water, then NEC's also got you covered. According to a pamphlet obtained by datacider, the MEDIAS family will soon be welcoming a Gingerbread-powered N-06C, which closely resembles the N-04C except for the extra 0.2mm thickness plus 10g weight, as well as touch buttons instead of physical ones. But what we really care about here are the IPX5 and IPX7 waterproof ratings, meaning this 7.9mm-thick Android's been tested against small water jets and one-meter immersion, respectively. On the inside, apart from the faster 1GHz chip and 14Mbps FOMA download speed, the rest are pretty much what we've seen before: 4-inch 480 x 854 LCD, 1GB ROM, 512MB RAM, 802.11n WiFi, and 5 megapixel camera with 720p video. There's no clear indication on a release date, but you're welcome to kill some time by checking out the full spec sheet after the break. [Thanks, Pavlo L.]
Mesmerizing Touch Wood SH-08C ad showcases Japan's beauty, mankind's ingenuity (video)
Sharp isn't apt to sell but 15,000 of its Touch Wood SH-08C handsets, but after watching the ad below, you can bet there will be demand for more. It's a bit baffling to think of the trouble Drill, Inc. went through in order to assemble the pieces necessary for a wooden ball to trickle down a homegrown marimba, particularly in the midst of Kyushu, Japan's woodlands. Kenjiro Matsuo was responsible for the creation of the instrument, while Morihiro Harano is being handed credit for the idea itself; in fact, he confirmed to The New York Times that no artificial music was added whatsoever, with only the background levels being adjusted up for effect. You may have never listened to a piece of classical music in your life, but you're sorely missing out if you ignore Bach's Cantata 147, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Or, at least the version in that video below.
LG's 3D-shooting Optimus Pad nabs March 31st retail date in Japan as T-Mobile fiddles
Japan's NTT DOCOMO just announced a March 31st retail offering of LG's Optimus Pad. The Honeycomb tablet listed as model L-06C is the same 8.9-inch 1280 x 768 pixel slab known as the G-Slate 'round T-Mobile subscribers. Besides its 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor and internationally compatible 3G data and GPS, the Optimus Pad's most noteworthy features are the stereoscopic rear-facing video cameras capable of 1080p 3D capture which can viewed directly on the L-06C with a pair of passive glasses. Unfortunately, NTT DOCOMO is mum on pricing. Remember, although T-Mobile originally hedged with a spring launch (recently rumored for April 20th), LG told us that it'd be arriving on US soil in March. So... T-Mobile, anything you'd like to add before Thursday?
Elfoid is the human-shaped phone from Japan that tickles when it rings (video)
The Telenoid R1 achieved a new level of creepiness on the Japanese robotic front -- quite an achievement given the country's long history of oddball automated creations. Elfoid takes the cake, though. Developed at Osaka University and with help from NTT DoCoMo, Elfoid looks just like the Telenoid and, indeed, does much the same thing: giving you a human(ish) silhouette to talk to. This one, though, is designed to be stuffed in your pocket. It's basically a cellphone shaped like a vaguely human torso and head. You put it in your pocket and it tickles you when it rings. You talk into its belly and it speaks to you in response, playing the voice of whoever's on the other line through its face. It also moves and gesticulates to make you think that you're actually holding not Elfoid but that person you're conversing with. It's an odd concept, but holding a doll to your head still beats side talkin' on N-Gage.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc turns pink in Japan for March 24th launch
After having played with it back at CES, we'd argue that the Xperia Arc is a pretty stunning phone purely by virtue of its design; there's not really any need to spice it up with a crazy color. But hey, if you want to, you'll be able to -- if you're on Japan's NTT DoCoMo, anyway. The carrier has announced the Xperia Arc as the SO-01C in the local market with retail availability coming on March 24th -- right around the same time Europe should be getting it, too -- and the in-your-face "Sakura Pink" is joining Misty Silver and Midnight Blue for the launch palette. Retina damage seems inevitable in this particular segment of the visible light spectrum, but we'll admit: ultra-thin Gingerbread devices seem like a pretty good excuse to sustain said damage.
NTT DoCoMo begins lightning fast LTE-Advanced field tests
LTE may only just be launching in countries like the US and Sweden, but NTT DoCoMo recently announced that it's starting to field test the better, faster, stronger LTE-Advanced. The Japanese carrier is experimenting with the new technology in the cities of Yokosuka and Sagamihara and gathering data to evaluate performance in indoor vs. outdoor environments. LTE-Advanced is backwards-compatible with NTT DoCoMo's existing LTE network, but reaches speeds up to 1Gbps down and 200Mbps up. No word on when the carrier plans to make the new technology available to its customers.
Nikkei: PSP2 will have 3G cellular data, OLED touchscreen
We're only four days away from a supposed January 27th unveiling, but apparently there are still more juicy PSP2 rumors left to dole out -- Japan's often-reliable Nikkei newspaper reports that the handheld machine will sport a crisp OLED touchscreen and 3G data from NTT DoCoMo when it arrives later this year, with the latter enabling multiplayer action and even full video and game downloads over the Japanese cellular network. What's more, the paper confirms that the screen will be physically larger and powered by some potent new silicon. So, how will Sony differentiate this PSP2 from the PlayStation Phone and tempt you to buy both? The game system won't make calls. Note: In case you're not familiar, the image above is a relatively ancient reader mockup, and likely not representative of the final product. It is pretty sexy, though.
NTT DoCoMo, China Mobile, KT form partnership, every other carrier in the world should probably be concerned
What happens when you put two of the world's most technologically advanced wireless operators -- Japan's NTT DoCoMo and South Korea's KT -- in the same room with the largest operator in the world, China Mobile? We don't know, but we're going to find out... and something tells us it's going to be awesome. DoCoMo broke the news this week that the three titans of industry have formed a "business collaboration" designed to "provide mobile customers with new experiences and greater convenience in the rapidly growing regional market of Northeast Asia." They specifically say that they'll be eying "international roaming, enterprise services, LTE and other network technologies, smartphones and common platforms" -- and whenever we hear "partnership" and "roaming" in the same sentence, we can't help but wonder whether it could be extremely good news for customers traveling among the carriers involved. Follow the break for the press release.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10's pinch-to-zoom update starts rolling out this week -- in Japan
It's been a long, tough, road, but customers of Sony Ericsson's beleaguered X10 have some reason to celebrate this week as the Japanese version offered on NTT DoCoMo becomes the first to get an official multitouch software upgrade. Mind you, it's not a full, perfect multitouch implementation: pinch-to-zoom is actually the only gesture supported, which means rotation (in Maps, for example) won't work, and it's also not guaranteed to work in all multitouch-capable third-party apps. Furthermore, Sony Ericsson isn't yet talking about when the update will be available for other markets -- and considering the phased Android 2.1 rollout, some markets could be in for a bit of a wait. [Thanks, Vidit]
Docomo grants Japanese taxis with WiFi, PSPs, little red stickers
There are many hugely efficient ways to get around Tokyo, but for visitors taxis usually come at the bottom of that list. Drivers rarely speak English and, compared to the rest of the world, they're quite expensive (about $8 to start, going way up from there). But, should you find yourself in one they're naturally hugely clean and sophisticated, that sophistication getting a boost now by DoCoMo. 820 black sedans for hire in Tokyo will be outfitted with WiFi, freely available to customers who dishonor the back seats with their backsides. 100 of the cars will even have Sony PSPs back there too, which is odd because we were pretty sure everyone in Tokyo already had one -- or a DS, at least. These specially equipped taxis can be identified by the red DoCoMo WiFi stickers on the doors, so don't accept anything less, no matter how late you are for that KneuKlid Romance concert in Shinjuku.
Luke, I am your smartphone (video)
NTT DoCoMo recently launched the Samsung Galaxy S in the Japanese market and now we've come to discover that it's chosen a very forceful personality to represent the product to its discerning audience. Darth "roundabound" Vader has been starring in the carrier's latest round of "always with you" ads, wherein he serves as a (sort of) human representation of the phone, thus lending some anthropomorphic qualities to the cold slab of technology awaiting you in the shops. This whole outlandish idea really shouldn't work, but somehow it does -- we want a little Vader in our lives too now. Video after the break.
Cameraphone app analyzes your meal, disgusts you with factual calorie counts
It's a hard truth that's easy to swallow: our cubicle-dwelling lifestyles often get the best of our waistlines. We try to diet, but without a never-ending pile of Cheetos and Chicken McNuggets next to our laptops, we feel so very, very, very....alone. Luckily a Japanese company has developed a software companion to keep us company on our slimming endeavors: it's an app that will analyze a photo of your meal and tell you how many calories you're about to consume. While it can't actually prevent the food from hopping down our throats (2.0, maybe?) it will allow your meal's calorie content to be socially networked with your friends' meals' calorie contents, creating a weird long-distance eating competition with other connected dieters. But hold the Pad See Ew -- while it's good at figuring out Japanese staples, it's "not so good on stuff like Thai food." [Photo courtesy tnarik's flickr]
