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KDDI shows off cellphone-linked e-paper display

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 14th 2008 at 8:01PM


KDDI (smartly) doesn't seem to be ready to go all Foleo / Redfly-like, but it apparently does see some benefit in a cellphone companion of sorts, and it's now showing off a considerably different spin on the idea that relies simply on a stripped-down e-paper display. Even more unconventionally, the setup makes use of good old IrDA to transfer images from the phone to the display (a 13.1-incher built by Bridgestone) which, when combined with the inherent slowness of the display itself, adds up to a page refresh time of 12 seconds. It is still in prototype form though, so there's at least a chance that a few of those seconds will get shaved off by the time it's released, and an equally decent chance that it never actually sees the light of day.

KDDI shows off Samsung-made 3.1-inch WVGA OLED display, 3D LCD panel

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 2nd 2008 at 6:57PM


It's been almost a full year since Samsung first announced its plans for a 3-inch WVGA OLED panel, but it's now finally delivered, and found a partner in the form of KDDI, which was showing off the panel at CEATEC. As Tech-On notes, the panel is quite the upgrade over Samsung's current top-end 3-inch QVGA panel and, best of all, KDDI says that it'll be showing up in actual products "shortly," though it's not about to get any more specific than that. As if that wasn't enough, KDDI also had a new "3D LCD" panel built by an unnamed "Japanese panel manufacturer" on hand at the show. It boasts the same WVGA resolution as the OLED and employs a "parallax barrier method" to magically "convert 2D images into 3D in real time -- check that out after the break, and look for the panels to be productized by the end of 2009.

[Via OLED-DISPLAY.net]

Continue reading KDDI shows off Samsung-made 3.1-inch WVGA OLED display, 3D LCD panel

Concept phone can see through walls -- in theory

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 3:29PM


Remember that scene in 'The Dark Knight' where (spoiler alert!) Batman uses the city's cell-phones to look through walls and find the bad guys? Totally awesome, right!? A group of scientists at KDDI apparently thought so too, creating a prototype they say could do something similar. Using geomagnetic sensors, accelerometers, and GPS, the device is able to determine its position and render its surroundings on the screen in OpenGL, including areas that are currently out of sight. We're guessing you must have already scanned those areas with the phone and that it can't actually see through walls, but we'd be happy to be proven wrong -- whenever they actually have something to show us. Like the group's funky concept phones we brought to you earlier, this one doesn't actually work. Yet.

Another look at KDDI's CEATEC concepts

by Chris Ziegler, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 2:16AM Featured Story


When the coup de grace of your CEATEC showing is a concept phone designed to look like a frickin' satellite, you know you've got some winners on your hands. KDDI's known for trotting out some really cool concepts in the past, and its latest batch is no exception -- check 'em out over on Engadget.

KDDI au concept phones invade CEATEC

by Donald Melanson, posted Sep 30th 2008 at 2:49PM


We already caught sight of KDDI au's cellphone as musical instrument concept devices last month, but it looks like the company's fanciful design group had plenty more than those to show off at CEATEC, as evidenced by Akihabara News' slew of pictures from the show. Those include the satellite-like device pictured above, as well as a neat little minimalist number pictured after the break and another folding contraption (also after the break) that we're still trying to wrap our heads around. Hopefully we'll get a chance to check these out ourselves before CEATEC wraps up but, until then, you can hit up the read link below for some more pics.

Continue reading KDDI au concept phones invade CEATEC

HTC Touch Pro to materialize in Japan as KDDI au's E30HT

by Chris Ziegler, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 5:46AM


Hard as it may be to believe, not every CDMA phone out of HTC is destined for North American soil. The company clearly sees the potential for its Touch Pro to win the hearts and minds of Windows Mobile lovers the world over, so it has partnered with KDDI au to bring it to Japan as the E30HT next spring. Thing is, au's a CDMA network through and through -- with EV-DO, of course -- so it comes as no surprise that the version launching over there looks suspiciously like the one coming to Sprint and other CDMA carriers in the coming months. Can't wait until the first part of 2009 to put it in your pocket? Well, tough cookies -- but at least you'll be able to catch an early glimpse at CEATEC at the end of this month where the E30HT is scheduled to make a cameo.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Sanyo and KDDI's W64SA brings light therapy to your handset

by Sean Cooper, posted Sep 5th 2008 at 5:41PM


Anybody who has been on a modern jet during a longhaul flight may remember seeing mellow shades of red, blue, and other calm colors during the trip. Well, KDDI and Sanyo's W64SA is set to do the same, but rather than calmly lifting the cash out of your wallet for senseless duty-free purchases, they're hoping the idea will sell you on this set. The W64SA features Bluetooth, a 2.8-inch LCD, 2 megapixel camera, remote wipe, mobile wallet, and a huge list of software titles you'll never, ever, enjoy over here. The two LEDs on the front will change depending on motion or activity -- Shake Illumi -- and slowly fade out when the set is sitting still -- Illumi Drop. No word on pricing, but if we hear something from KDDI au, we'll be sure to fill the gap. Follow the read link for some nonsensical Google translations of features we only half understand.

[Via textually.org]

Casio's 8 megapixel Exilim W63CA cellphone gets FCC approved

by Thomas Ricker, posted Aug 26th 2008 at 8:15AM


First off, the chance of this Japanese super-phone coming to the US or anywhere else outside of Nippon is slim. FCC approval or not, it's likely only being tested for global roaming. However, as slim is its chances are, they've improved dramatically now that Japan's government is behind a push to promote its twisty, folding phones abroad. This Exilim-branded Casio / Hitachi mashup sports an 8 megapixel camera and with any luck, it's using that new Omnivision sensor meant to revolutionize cameraphones. As followup to the W53CA, this 3G W63CA flip will no doubt feature the same high-resolution, 800 x 480 pixel swiveling display of its cousin. With autumn nearing, we expect to see the W63A announced any day in a typical shotgun blast of seasonal phones from KDDI.

KDDI's "Ply" concept lives up to its name

by Chris Ziegler, posted Aug 25th 2008 at 9:28AM


As carriers go, Japan's KDDI au seems to spend more time than just about anyone dreaming up crazy concept handsets -- some of which actually go on to become production models (this is Japan, after all). Alongside those Yamaha-branded musical instrument phones, KDDI has been showing off the plywood-inspired "Ply," an expansive touchscreen backed by a number of layers that represent the phone's various functions. Said functions are actually pretty far-fetched -- there's a printer, pico-projector, and analog clock with a minute hand that actually swings out beyond the body of the phone itself, for example -- but the phone itself is pretty stunningly beautiful, so we'd love to see it on the streets of Tokyo even if it meant nixing the printer.

[Via textually.org]

KDDI's au design project creates cellphones that double as instruments

by Donald Melanson, posted Aug 19th 2008 at 1:41PM


KDDI's au design project has churned out plenty of interesting cellphone concepts over the years, and it looks like its latest batch is no exception, with it enlisting the help of Yamaha to develop some cellphones that double as musical instruments. That includes the self-explanatory "Strings for fingers" and "Sticks in the air" concepts pictured above, as well as the "Box to play" synth / scratch pad combo, the "Key to touch" foldable keyboard, the "Trio in your hand" scratch pad / sampler, and the "Band in my pocket" device, which accommodates a number of accessories to create instruments ranging from a harmonica to a trumpet. What's more, unlike some concept devices, KDDI actually had some working prototypes to show off, which you can check out in action in the video after the break (be sure to dig into the links below for some more pics and videos as well).

[Via textually.org, Trends in Japan]

Continue reading KDDI's au design project creates cellphones that double as instruments

E Ink fits Vizplex displays into Casio, Hitachi handsets

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 3rd 2008 at 1:17PM


For those still thinking that flexible displays are far from being widely accessible, think again. E Ink has just announced that its Vizplex Imaging Film-based displays will be used in handsets by Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications. For starters, the Hitachi W61H (already available) boasts a 2.7-inch E Ink display that can scroll through 96 different images whenever a call is received or the clamshell is cracked open; the Casio G'zOne (shown after the jump) will feature the same technology on its secondary "silhouette display." Details beyond that are pretty scant, but the real news here is that these displays are finally making their way into reasonably affordable handsets. Open up the flood gates, we say.

[Via SlashPhone]

Continue reading E Ink fits Vizplex displays into Casio, Hitachi handsets

KDDi rolls out Toshiba Sportio W62T cellphone

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 20th 2008 at 4:02PM


We caught a brief glimpse of Toshiba's Sportio W62T when KDDi announced its vast summer 2008 lineup of phones, but the Japanese carrier is just now giving the handset its proper due with an official launch. As the rather unfortunate name suggests, this one's intended to help you out in your various athletic endeavors, with it packing an accelerometer and built-in GPS to keep track of how many steps you take and how far you've gone, as well as how many calories you've burned. As if that wasn't enough, you'll also apparently be able to "compose music" by jogging along to special tracks. Otherwise, you can expect a 2.2-inch 240 x 320 display, a built-in 1seg TV tuner, a 2-megapixel camera, and built-in Bluetooth -- no word on a price just yet though.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Study expects 32 million LTE subscribers in three years after launch

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 20th 2008 at 12:39AM

With Planet Earth's wireless juggernauts jumping on the LTE train while there's still room, we suppose the latest report from ABI Research isn't all that shocking. According to it, there will be some 32 million LTE network subscribers by 2013, and with the commercial launch not expected to go down before 2010, our abacus suggests that we're talking about 32 million over just 3 years. The firm asserts that the Asia-Pacific region will account for most of those folks (around 12 million), while the rest get split 60% / 40% between Western Europe and North America. You think we're just going to let you make this outlandish claim and then fuhgetaboutit, don't you ABI? Nah, we're creating a Google Calendar reminder for this day in 2013 right now to check back and see just how accurate you really were.

[Via SlashPhone]

KDDI au announces Summer 2008 collection

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jun 8th 2008 at 2:14PM Featured Story


In Japan, carriers tend to release new models in giant, blockbuster batches -- seasonal "collections" that leave the rest of the world green with envy. KDDI au is no exception, having just announced its predictably spectacular Summer 2008 lineup with entrants from Kyocera, Sony Ericsson, Sanyo, Sharp, Toshiba, Casio, and Korea's Pantech. Here's the rundown:
  • Hitachi Wooo W62H. KDDI is emphasizing this one's video and 3D gaming capabilities, both of which are assisted by the presence of a 2-way hinge for flipping out the screen in a landscape orientation. Comes in blue, silver, and black.
  • Sharp W62SH. The FM transmitter's kinda cool, and the three-inch WVGA screen should be perfect for watching Spiderman 2, which comes bundled with the phone. Purple, white, and gold are the color choices.
  • Sanyo W63SA. Global CDMA roaming and an integrated English-Japanese dictionary makes this one a solid choice for world travelers. Get this one in red, silver, or black.
  • Toshiba Sportio. As the name implies, this one's all about burnin' those calories with an integrated calorie counter. The candybar form factor is a refreshing change of pace in the lineup, but too bad about that QVGA display! Five colors to choose from here: orange, black, white, green, and red.
  • Casio G'zOne W62CA. Like its counterparts on Verizon, the W62CA is designed to take a beating without falling apart. It's impact resistant and waterproof, features a compass, thermometer, and GPS, and naturally, one-seg TV. Get it in green, black, or white.
  • Sanyo W64SA. This fashionable flip has some crazy light effects to go along with its crazy selection of colors, but other than that, it seems pretty pedestrian. If you can call a 2.8-inch WVGA display "pedestrian." It's available in pink, white, yellow, and black.
  • Sony Ericsson Full Change re. The WQVGA display is one metric ton of weak sauce, but as the "Full Change" name suggests, five individual pieces can be removed from the front, back, and top of the phone to create a totally customized handset. Shell choices include white, pink, green, orange, and silver.
  • Toshiba W62T. Seriously, what's up with all this WQVGA garbage? The W62T appears destined for the midrange, though the 3.2 megapixel camera ain't bad. Colors for this one are gold, pink, and black.
  • Kyocera W64K. Possibly leading up the bottom end of the collection, the W64K rocks a WQVGA display and a weak 2 megapixel cam. We see "basic capabilities" mentioned a couple times in the translated description for it, so that says pretty much all we need to know. Pink and gold are the only color options here.
  • Kyocera W62K. Whoa, and we thought the W64K was low end! 1.3 megapixel cam, QVGA (yeah, that's right, QVGA, not WQVGA) display. 'Nuff said. Beige, blue, and black are the choices here.
  • Kyocera W63K. The W63K candybar is just 10.8mm thick, but we're still not sure that we can forgive it for a meager 1.3 megapixel camera. Kyocera's seriously dragging here, in case you haven't noticed the trend. Black, burgundy, and beige.
  • Pantech W62PT. The only phone in the lineup sourced from a non-Japanese manufacturer, the Pantech's nothing to get too excited about with a QVGA display, but the presence of quick dial buttons directly below the screen indicates that this one's designed for folks that are looking for a simple, easy-to-use phone that's just enough to make voice calls -- and ironically, it's still better than a good percentage of the phones you'll find elsewhere in the world. It'll come in silver, gold, and pink.
Not a bad showing, especially considering that KDDI au stands out as Japan's major CDMA carrier in a country dominated by FOMA. Get 'em while they're hot, folks -- you know it's just a few months before the next collection debuts!

KDDI to follow NTT DoCoMo / Softbank in adopting LTE

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 1st 2008 at 4:01PM

We're not grinding this one into stone just yet, but according to undisclosed "sources," KDDI will be supporting the same next-gen format as NTT DoCoMo and Softbank Mobile. According to so-called industry observers, KDDI's choice to back LTE will likely enable customers to switch providers without having to purchase an all new handset, thus providing more incentive for the carriers to offer more competitive rate plans. Chalk another up for the little big fella.

[Via IntoMobile]




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