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The result of NTT and Nintendo teaming up
Back in November when we heard about Japanese telecoms provider Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp combining forces with Nintendo to promote the Wii and its online capabilities, we weren't sure what kind of adverts would be the result. In the commercial above, we get a small glimpse at Smash Bros. Brawl, but the majority of the ad is populated by a happy woman and some kind of egg deal. What is the significance of the egg? Someone please explain the egg to us?[Via Kotaku]
iPhone coming to Japan's NTT DoCoMo?
According to the Wall Street Journal Asia, Jobs and Co are in Japan working out the details for a domestic iPhone launch. It's no surprise then that Jobs was rumored to have just met with NTT DoCoMo's president, Masao Nakamur, to discuss the deal with the largest carrier in the world's second-largest economy. As usual, Apple seems to be playing the carriers off one another with rumors that The Steve is courting Softbank as well. However, "people familiar with the situation" say that DoCoMo is the first choice. While the revenue sharing is a sticking point as usual, WSJA says that Apple doesn't expect to have any difficulty closing the deal. Funny, that's what everyone was saying about Vodafone in Europe.P.S. -For what it's worth, NTT DoCoMo does not run a GSM / EDGE network. Any iPhone released on DoCoMo's FOMA service will be UMTS / HSDPA -- right, the 3G iPhone.
NTT and Nintendo team up to push Wii's online features
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/nintendo_wii/NTT_and_Nintendo_team_up_to_push_Wii_s_online_features_in_Japan'; Before the launch of downloadable games on Wii Ware, Nintendo has decided they need to push the online features of the Wii console in Japan. So, they've teamed up with Japanese telecoms provider Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp to do just that.As part of the deal, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp will offer up discounted internet start up packages and set-up help to Wii owners. By doing so, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp hopes to boost penetration for fiber optic internet service by hooking in some of the Wii's large user base.Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp senior exec VP Tetsuo Koga hopes to have "20 million subscribers by the year ending March 2011."
NTT DoCoMo shutters French subsidiary, doesn't mean much
You know how the old saying goes: when one NTT DoCoMo office opens, another closes. Okay, we just totally made that up, but it's appropriate here seeing how Japan's largest carrier is shutting down its French subsidiary -- named "DoCoMo Europe (France) S.A.S.," if you must know -- and replacing it with a more pedestrian "representative office" in January of next year. Ultimately, the move means very little to anyone outside NTT DoCoMo; the subsidiary had been created to help Europe and Japan stay on the same page regarding UMTS standardization way back in '98, and now that said task is complete, there's not much purpose for its existence. For what it's worth, the newly minted representative office will be "monitoring" Europe's telecom industry, so be warned, folks: NTT DoCoMo is watching you.
NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 905i handsets on the loose in Japan
It's just not fair. While we're lucky to bear witness to a single hot handset release per month, our Japanese brethren just received a batch of 10 new handsets to swoon over courtesy of NTT DoCoMo. The very best of the best from the new FOMA 905i series includes the Panasonic Viera P905iTV and 5 megapixel Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot SO905iCS. As you'd expect from a handset sporting the Viera branding, the P905iTV is all about the mobile TV with a feature that smooths-out 1Seg's 15fps mobile broadcast rate to display it at 30fps on that 3.5-inch 480 x 854 pixel display. The 17.7-mm (0.7-inch) slab also packs HSDPA and a battery capable of a 1-month standby. Otherwise, it'll pump that TV-to-vein fix for 6-hours straight or up to 80 hours of SD-Audio or 65 hours of WMA if that's your preference. Meanwhile, the Cyber-shot SO905iCS brings a 5 megapixel CMOS camera with 3x optical zoom and 2.7-inch, 480 x 864 pixel display to the Japanese market. It features an LED flash, face recognition and anti-shake stabilization while busting a 24-mm (nearly 1-inch) girth. Plenty more of these two in the gallery below.%Gallery-9589%[Via The Unwired and Impress]
NTT DoCoMo's Wellness Navigator thinks you're fat, smell funny
When you don't have any friends and your robot has been locked up for "juicing granny," there's always the Wellness Navigator ready to give it to you straight. The NTT DoCoMo / Mitsubishi device is said to include a pedometer and pulse rate monitor while measuring such social taboos as bad breath and body fat content. We assume it makes phone calls too. No pricing or availability yet, but we're pretty sure it will ship with a free subscription to Cosmo and a one-week "starter pack" of diet pills.
Japanese research group developing next-next-gen optical Internet
Word that Brett Favre broke the NFL's touchdown pass record shot around the world pretty fast today, but if Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology has anything to do with it, you'll be hearing about such things even faster in 2015, when the group and several private companies intend to launch a next-generation optical network with peak data-transfer speeds of 10 gigabits. Although similar projects are underway in both the US and Europe, the Japanese effort has some heavy-hitters behind it, including NTT, Fujitsu, KDDI, Hitachi, Toshiba, and NEC. The system, which will cost a projected $260M over the next five years, will be able to support 100 billion devices but still maintain those gaudy transfer rates, even for mobile users. No word on when the tech will hit the States, sadly, but here's hoping.
NTT's HC-1000 puts you in control of home security
Here in America, we don't take our home security systems lightly, but for those in Japan, it appears that they haven't resorted to installing sensor-triggered weapons in their windows just yet. The HC-1000 camera can be controlled via the internet or a FOMA mobile, and allows users to take a peek at what's going on without actually being on the premises. The device sports a three-megapixel CMOS sensor, Ethernet port, 802.11a/b/g, 2x digital zoom, and a QVGA video mode to boot. Additionally, a "defense support" system can enable the piercing siren to let loose a wail, and the built-in microphone / speaker can even open up two-way communication between you and your home-wrecker (or faraway relative). The HC-1000 itself will run you a modest ¥29,400 ($247), but those looking to totally lock down their dwelling can spend up to ¥141,750 ($1,191) for an elaborate whole home system.[Via CScout, thanks Mike]
NTT's touchscreen VP2000 videophone
Japan's NTT has expanded its videophone service with the introduction of its latest "Flet's Phone", the VP2000. The device -- an update to this model we saw way back in 2004 -- features a 12.1-inch, XGA touchscreen which will allow users to access email, browse the web, get weather and news, write memos, and obviously make voice and video calls. The phone utilizes the Japanese teleco's ADSL service, has a built-in webcam, and includes a USB port as well as RGB and RCA outputs. Additionally, if you happen to be over 60 and really excited about getting one of these puppies in your kitchen, the company is offering a discount for seniors, knocking down the regular price of ¥62,790 (about $513) to ¥57,540 ($470).[Via Akihabara News]
NTT's Tangible-3D prototype gives feeling to on-screen imagery
Regardless of general consensus, it looks like 3D display technology is making a run for our wallets (and to a lesser extent, our hearts), and just days after getting wind of Philips' latest iteration, NTT is hitting back with a newfangled approach of its own. Based around an improved version of the company's original 3D display, this prototype system relies on a sophisticated array of cameras and an actuator-stuffed glove that can allow the wearer to "feel the image" that shows up on the LCD. As the object changes, the glove moves along in real-time to give the user a lifelike idea of what the on-screen matter actually feels like, but unfortunately, it doesn't allow the individual to react. Thankfully, a two-way system that will enable tactile transmissions to be channeled in both directions is in the works, but those parked in Japan can check out the current system at the Industrial Virtual Reality Expo later next week.[Via Slashgear image courtesy of Mainichi]
NTT DoCoMo sees profits fall, but data revenue increases
Japanese mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo stated that the fiscal year just ended at the end of March showed no growth over the previous year. Oops -- wha? That's correct -- DoCoMo reported that it only had a teeny, tiny increase in yearly revenue to the tune of only 0.5 percent. The figure came in at 4.788 trillion ¥, or $39.90 billion. While that's not the best news, it became worse quickly. DoCoMo's profit during the same period fell like a sack of potatoes, dropping 25.1 percent to 457.3 billion ¥, or $3.81 billion. DoComo's rather paltry performance was due to higher sales promotion fees and the lack of "special gains" from the previous year, according to the incumbent Japanese carrier. However, DoCoMo's customer ARPU (average revenue per user) fell only 3 percent to 6,530 ¥ per month ($54.69) while revenue from data transmission use increased by 11.3 percent to 535,436 million ¥ ($4.5 billion) for the year. That's some serious xHTML browsing.
NTT DoCoMo announces new FOMA 904i handsets
We've all accepted the reality that Japan has the straight up coolest handsets on the planet, and this lineup of NTT DoCoMo's new flagship 9 series does nothing but up the ante. From the pic's top left to bottom right, we have the NEC N904i, Sharp SH904i, Panasonic P904i, Fujitsu F904i, and Mitsubishi D904i. As an upgrade to the FOMA 903i series, the new 904i stable brings a pile of new goodies to the table with features like "2in1" support (more on that in a moment), Uta-hodai (full track download), and Chokkan Game (game downloads with motion control), with One-Seg mobile TV reception and HSDPA on select models The 2in1 support is one of our faves, with two separate phone numbers, email addresses, and address books, all accessed via a mode-switching function which allows a, b, or dual-mode -- no word if dual-mode enables both numbers at once. We're also loving the Chokkan Game support, but the press release shared no detail about the touted "intuitive motion" beyond mention of finger tracing, tilting and waving as means of control. Pocket Wii, anyone?
Some of NTT DoCoMo's 904i series phones in the wild
NTT DoCoMo is poised to unleash yet another torrent of new models on an unsuspecting (or are they "suspecting" by now?) Japanese public, this time around with the 904i series. As the name suggests, these models follow up the 903i series launched just a few months back, reinforcing our hatred for the rate of product development exhibited by pretty much every other carrier and manufacturer in the world. Shown here are the D904i, SH904i, and F904i in clockwise order from the upper left, from Mitsubishi, Sharp, and Fujitsu, respectively. Specs aren't yet official, but as usual, we can expect these phones to rock unreal displays, clean our bathrooms, and create world peace.
The NTT DoCoMo booth, aka "the candy store"
We were just reminiscing about the wonderful, albeit far too brief time we had at Spring CTIA last month, which naturally led us to start digging through our piles of leftover pictures from the event. The NTT DoCoMo booth was a special treat for many folks at the show who've never had the opportunity to experience the Japanese carrier's strange and wonderful wares in their natural environment -- Japan, that is -- so we took our sweet time perusing the goods. Even for jaded old hacks like ourselves who've pretty much seen it all, many of NTT's handsets continue to widen our eyes and put smiles on our faces when we finally have the chance to play with them. We hope this little gallery conveys even a small fraction of the fun we had at the booth! NTT DoCoMo at Spring CTIA 2007
NTT DoCoMo demonstrates simpler vocoder for mobiles
The actual process of encoding and decoding voice for transmission over the air is probably one of the less appreciated sciences (arts?) in the phone game, so we've got to take our hats off to NTT DoCoMo for circling back and taking another look at the process. It seems our favorite FOMA carrier has gotten together with DoCoMo Communications Laboratories USA (who else?) to lay the groundwork for a new vocoder that takes about half the processing power as methods currently in use, allegedly without sacrificing call quality. It's far past the theoretical stage, too: HTC Zs were used to demonstrate the tech at Wireless Technology Park 2007 last week in Japan. Of course, less processing power means less juice drain, so we're happy to throw our support behind this little initiative.
Let your fingers do the objecting
Excuse us if this post has a typo in it or something. We're dividing our time between writing it and packing up all our worldly possessions.You see, it's ... well, there's a Gyakuten Saiban 4 cell phone theme for the FOMA 903i that makes your phone's menu look like the game's menu, and puts GS4 backgrounds, animations, and sounds on the phone. It even has special screens associated with things like sending mail and receiving phone calls.Every time we use our only partially-themed phone (which only has a Phoenix Wright background and ringtone, and nothing else) causes us pain. We have to go to Japan, immediately.
NTT DoCoMo's latest FOMA device aids the elderly
Providing emergency assistant kits for the geriatric set seems to be all the rage these days, and now NTT DoCoMo is jumping into the mix in a presumed attempt to look after the constantly aging Japanese population. The firm's latest
McDoCoMo: McDonald's and NTT DoCoMo team up for payments
This is great use of cell technology -- we need this at Starbacks, like, yesterday... essentially, DoCoMo's FeliCa-based "Osaifu-Keitai" e-wallet service allows users to purchase goodies by just swiping their cell phone over a special reading device; no need to remember PINs and passwords or having to dig cash out of your pocket. A new deal struck between the two corporate giants gets Mickey D's into marketing Osaifu-Keitai based services, including the use of DoCoMo's "iD" platform for paying for those delicious McRibs and Chicken Selects. The companies will also be launching some sort of membership club this fall that'll presumably give special benefits for folks whipping out their phones instead of their cash or plastic. As long as we can keep splatter ketchup off our gorgeous SO903iTVs, we're cool.
Joint development of 3G platform coming from six manufacturers
We like it when some high-powered cellphone manufacturers get together and try to get everyone in the sandbox to play nice together -- at least in the Pacific Rim area. Mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo and handset makers Renesas Technology, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Sharp and Sony Ericsson said they will be developing a new handset platform to integrate 3G and 2G technologies in the same handset. This makes perfect sense, as almost all global wireless phones right now operate on 2G networks as 3G tech like HSDPA, W-CDMA and EV-DO Revision A make inroads to customers (and handsets) to put that portable broadband speed in your pocket. Combining HSDPA / W-CDMA and GSM / GPRS / EDGE, this consortium of companies want to make sure that bridge between the old and the new is as seamless as possible -- as to not disrupt all those stubborn business models that are rapidly changing with all this data flying around in the air now. Detail include an LSI chip that supports HSDPA and platform support for common functions and middleware to play nice with all the current mobile phone operating systems like Symbian and such.
NTT DoCoMo rolls out ten phones; in other news, sky is blue
We think we've finally ceased to be amazed when Japan's NTT DoCoMo drops some endless array of new phones on its domestic market. Sure, the latest gaggle -- which includes the multi-manufacturer 703i series, the SO903iTV from Sony Ericsson, and the D800iS from Mitsubishi -- holds a number of claims to fame, but we're trying our darndest to stand firm in our commitment to remain unmoved by the torrent of Far East-style technology. The 703i variants from NEC and Panasonic, denoted with a "μ" on the ends of their model numbers, are said to be the thinnest WCDMA handsets in the world at 11.4 millimeters, the D800iS includes a second display in place of the keypad for handwriting recognition and various "ooh, aah" kinds of functionality, and the Bravia-branded SO903iTV rocks 1seg for mobile TV reception. We have to admit, our resolve is wearing a bit thin here; anyone care to fly us out to Japan?
