Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[KDDI to follow NTT DoCoMo / Softbank in adopting LTE]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/kddi-to-follow-ntt-docomo-softbank-in-adopting-lte/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/kddi-to-follow-ntt-docomo-softbank-in-adopting-lte/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/kddi-to-follow-ntt-docomo-softbank-in-adopting-lte/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gKDDILTETue, 01 Apr 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI touts speedy upgrade to IR transfer technology]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/29/kddi-touts-speedy-upgrade-to-ir-transfer-technology/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/29/kddi-touts-speedy-upgrade-to-ir-transfer-technology/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/29/kddi-touts-speedy-upgrade-to-ir-transfer-technology/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're going to hazard a guess that it's been a while since most of you used good 'ol IrDA to transfer any data to your cellphone, but it looks like the folks at KDDI have got themselves on an old school kick, and they're now looking to bring the technology back to some of its former glory. To that end, the company recently revealed its progress on a new form of the technology that upgrades transfer speeds to a full 1Gbps, or about 250 times faster than the previous limit. That's apparently possible by replacing the standard LED with a new speedy new semiconductor laser, which gets paired with some nonvolatile memory to ensure that burst of data doesn't get lost along the way. Of course, all this is still in the early stages, and KDDI doesn't even seem to be offering so much as a hint as to when we might actually see it put to use.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infraredirDAKDDITue, 29 Jan 2008 11:39:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI au announces Spring 2008 collection]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/kddi-au-announces-spring-2008-collection/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/kddi-au-announces-spring-2008-collection/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/kddi-au-announces-spring-2008-collection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Yes, friends, the time has come once again for Japan's carriers to upheave their still-fresh lineups and replace them with even fresher ones. Here we take a look at KDDI au's just-announced Spring '08 collection, including a model with an e-ink display and another with a 3 inch OLED. Wowza! Note that not all of these handsets are new -- some are carryovers from the carrier's Winter '07 collection, so we won't be covering those here. Read on.

Continue reading KDDI au announces Spring 2008 collection

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucasioclamshellfeaturesfliphitachijapankddikddi auKddiAukyocerapanasonicpantechsanyoslidersonysony ericssonSonyEricssontoshibaw61caw61hw61kw61pw61ptw61sw61saw61tw62sw62saMon, 28 Jan 2008 04:50:00 EST<![CDATA[The Sharp W61SH: KDDI au gets another AQUOS-branded phone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/the-sharp-w61sh-kddi-au-gets-another-aquos-branded-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/the-sharp-w61sh-kddi-au-gets-another-aquos-branded-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/the-sharp-w61sh-kddi-au-gets-another-aquos-branded-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Shield your eyes if it pains you to see the incredible kit customers of Japanese carrier KDDI au are entitled to, because we've got another doozy in the mix here. The rather wildly colored W61SH is yet another phone bearing Sharp's AQUOS branding to call out the emphasis on display goodness, featuring a 2.8 inch display with a 2000:1 contrast ratio -- perfect for all that one-seg mobile TV you'll be enjoying. Grab it in black, white, or our favorite, hot pink.

[Via Mobilewhack]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auclamshellflipjapankddikddi auKddiAusharpw61shThu, 20 Dec 2007 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[DoCoMo and other Asian carriers eyeing FCC auction?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/docomo-and-other-asian-carriers-eyeing-fcc-auction/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/docomo-and-other-asian-carriers-eyeing-fcc-auction/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/docomo-and-other-asian-carriers-eyeing-fcc-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

Everybody is sworn to silence until the auction is over, so we won't be seeing much more information about this until it's all over in the spring of next year, but for now it's still fun to speculate. Business Week is doing quite a bit of that speculating as well, with word that DoCoMo, KDDI, SK Telecom and even China (through the T-Mobile and Global Tower invested Blackstone Group) could be chipping in a few billion here and there to spice things up for Google and friends in the 700MHz C Block auction. DoCoMo, which got burned in the US a while back with pre-Cingular AT&T Wireless, mentioned to Business Week that it'd be interested in partnering with Google for its wireless network, and the other carrier might not be talking but have to be at least considering the possibility of being involved in US wireless data in a big way, and KDDI has a history of being chummy with Google in Japan. The word is that average North American data service bills are less than $10 a month, and are expected to grow to $38+ a month by 2012 -- and who wouldn't want in on that action? As growth slows in Europe and Asia, it seems only natural for the innovators over there to head over here and kick things into gear, but we'll try not too far ahead of ourselves.

[Via The Inquirer]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>700mhzasiablackstone groupBlackstoneGroupdocomofcckddisk telecomSkTelecomTue, 11 Dec 2007 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Android platform and the Open Handset Alliance: a quick round-up]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/05/googles-android-platform-and-the-open-handset-alliance-a-quick/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/05/googles-android-platform-and-the-open-handset-alliance-a-quick/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/05/googles-android-platform-and-the-open-handset-alliance-a-quick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Carefully orchestrated announcements for broad, sweeping initiatives like the one staged by Google today don't always do a great job of diving straight into the meat and telling it like it is, so we thought we'd boil down the Android and Open Handset Alliance sitch as best we could into a tight, easy to digest series of bullets. If this list is still wider than your attention span, though, just know this: you can pick up your Google-powered phone in the latter half of 2008.

  • At its core, Android forms the basis for Google's operating system and supporting software for phones. In Google's own words, it's a software stack.
  • Two separate but related entities form the basis for today's announcement: the Linux-based Android mobile platform (a result of Google's 2005 acquisition of a start-up of the same name) and the Open Handset Alliance, a 33-strong group of device manufacturers, component manufacturers, software companies, and carriers that have committed to working with Android.
  • There is no cut and dried "Gphone" and Google doesn't intend (or at least it hasn't indicated an intent) to enter the hardware business. Instead, it'll leave that to established players like HTC, LG, and Samsung -- and theoretically, anyone else that wants to have a go at it since the Android platform and its code base is wide open.
  • Unlike the platform itself, there's no guarantee that devices based on the Android platform will be open to third party developers. Google says that'll be left to manufacturers and carriers to be decide, although it doubts they'll choose to lock them down (hmm, has Google ever worked with a carrier before?)
  • Nokia, Apple (on whose board Google CEO Eric Schmidt sits), Palm, and Microsoft are notably absent from the alliance. Palm has come out today to announce that it intends to continue to integrate Google services into its future products.
  • Carriers currently in the alliance include China Mobile, KDDI, NTT DoCoMo, Sprint Nextel, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel are the two national US carriers that are signed up; AT&T and Verizon are not.
  • The first Android-powered devices are expected in the second half of 2008. Rumor has it that Google has been using an HTC-sourced device, the "Dream," to demonstrate Android to potential partners. HTC may launch a version of the Dream as one of its first handsets to use the platform.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegphoneohaopen handset allianceOpenHandsetAllianceMon, 05 Nov 2007 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony, KDDI products to allow music interchange]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/28/sony-kddi-products-to-allow-music-interchange/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/28/sony-kddi-products-to-allow-music-interchange/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/28/sony-kddi-products-to-allow-music-interchange/#commentsFiled under: ,

Those new handsets rolling out of KDDI's labs already have plenty of ways to get music bought and stored, but they're about to get one more thanks to an agreement with Sony. The basic idea is that KDDI phones and Sony portable and home systems with digital music capability will be able to exchange music, and while handset-to-PMP interchange doesn't seem particularly useful, we can definitely get behind an initiative to let users immediately move tracks purchased on their phones to their Sony mini systems when they get home. There isn't any detail here on just how the DRM is all going to play out, but with Sony taking a step back from the online music store biz as of late, it's entirely possible that the purchases will come exclusively from KDDI's end. Look for free software upgrades to enable the action starting this December.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadjapankddimusicsonySun, 28 Oct 2007 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI au's Autumn and Winter 2007 collection]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/27/kddi-aus-autumn-and-winter-2007-collection/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/27/kddi-aus-autumn-and-winter-2007-collection/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/27/kddi-aus-autumn-and-winter-2007-collection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


It's that time of year again -- that magical time when Japanese carriers pull out all the stops and deliver a mind-numbing swath of new models at once. KDDI au's rocking seven all-new models for its fall / winter '07 collection, perhaps most notably the Infobar 2 candybar that bubbled out of its ongoing concept design program. All told, we have entries from six manufacturers here spanning the candybar, slider, and clamshell (naturally) form factors, so it pretty much goes without saying that KDDI customers should have no trouble finding the phone of their dreams in this motherlode. Forge on for a closer look at each of the new models.

Continue reading KDDI au's Autumn and Winter 2007 collection

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auericssonfeaturesinfobarinfobar 2Infobar2japankddikddi auKddiAusonysony ericssonSonyEricssontoshibaw54sw56tSat, 27 Oct 2007 19:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Pantech intros bone-conducting A1407PT handset]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/pantech-intros-bone-conducting-a1407pt-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/pantech-intros-bone-conducting-a1407pt-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/pantech-intros-bone-conducting-a1407pt-handset/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While bone conduction has been fairly quick to catch on in headsets, the slightly unnerving technology has so far been conspicuously absent from the cellphones themselves, save for the odd rumor. Pantech looks set to change that, however, with its newly-announced bone-rattling A1407PT handset now headed straight for KDDI. Apart from that one unique feature, however, the phone looks to be a pretty basic clamshell, including a 2.4-inch QVGA display on the inside and a 96 x 64 display on the flip, along with a 1.3 megapixel camera, 20MB of internal memory, and the ever-present microSD slot for expansion. No word on what it'll cost, but those in Japan will be able to get their hands on one sometime in November.

[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A1407PTbone condutionBoneCondutionkddipantechThu, 18 Oct 2007 22:58:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI and Japan Post Service offer SMS to snail mail for holidays]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/kddi-and-japan-post-service-offer-sms-to-snail-mail-for-holidays/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/kddi-and-japan-post-service-offer-sms-to-snail-mail-for-holidays/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/kddi-and-japan-post-service-offer-sms-to-snail-mail-for-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Japan Post Service Co. and KDDI are dumping tech into the snail mail world with an SMS to paper mail service. KDDI customers will have the option to create a New Year's cards on their mobile, then send them to the Holiday partnership for printing and mailing. Japan Post Service is said to be planning on using all of its 24,000 offices in the country to print and get the cards out for the expected 10 million customers. The opportunity for gag cards here boggles, we're wishing we see something like this over here someday.

[Via The Raw Feed]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CardJapanNew YearNewYearThu, 18 Oct 2007 07:31:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI's Infobar 2 announced for Japan]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/26/kddis-infobar-2-announced-for-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/26/kddis-infobar-2-announced-for-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/26/kddis-infobar-2-announced-for-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


KDDI is back to show LG, Apple, and Samsung that a keypad totin' candybar can still bring the sex-ay. Meet the Infobar 2 for KDDI's CDMA-based au network, first peeped as a concept back in November as a possible followup to the wildly popular (in Japan anyway) first generation Infobar launched in 2003. Measuring 47 × 138 × 15.5-mm / 104-grams, it packs a 2.6-inch 240 x 400 pixel OLED display, stereo speakers, microSD expansion, EZ FeliCA support, 2-megapixel camera, and built-in 1Seg mobile TV tuner. It'll squeeze in about 290 minutes of talk time or 350 hours of standy when these hit Japan in November. Call us spoiled, but we still can't help but to think that it would look better without those dedicated keys.

Gallery: KDDI's Infobar 2 announced for Japan


[Via Impress]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucandybarinfobarinfobar 2Infobar2kddiWed, 26 Sep 2007 04:14:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI to roll out Gmail-based mobile email]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/kddi-to-roll-out-gmail-based-mobile-email/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/kddi-to-roll-out-gmail-based-mobile-email/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/kddi-to-roll-out-gmail-based-mobile-email/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not sure why people wouldn't just... you know, use Gmail, but Japan's KDDI is working with Google to roll out a customized version of the ubiquitous email service for subscribers of its au brand. Called "au one mail," a prototype getting passed around last week showed a mobile interface virtually indistinguishable from its Gmail doppelganger -- except, of course, for the KDDI au branding. Like Gmail, au one mail will be accessible from both phones and desktops; we reckon that's a good thing, though we're still not really understanding the value proposition. At any rate, look for it to launch at no charge to subscribers some time next month.

[via mocoNews.net]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphoneGmailGOOGGoogleGoogle GmailGoogleGmailhandsetKDDImobile emailMobile GmailMobileEmailMobileGmailThu, 09 Aug 2007 04:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese concept phone sports three screens]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/31/japanese-concept-phone-sports-three-screens/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/31/japanese-concept-phone-sports-three-screens/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/31/japanese-concept-phone-sports-three-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,


And you thought a phone with two alphabets was over the top. Here we have a somewhat mysterious concept device crafted by KDDI which features no fewer than three screens to keep your eyes (and hands) quite occupied. Reportedly, the screens would morph depending on what command your fingertips direct, but we've no idea how you'd keep all three displays from getting scratched up beyond recognition. Check out a few more glimpses after the jump.

[Via GearFuse]

Continue reading Japanese concept phone sports three screens

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auconcepttriple-screenTue, 31 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson W53s gets facelift for Metal Gear Solid party]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/29/sony-ericsson-w53s-gets-facelift-for-metal-gear-solid-party/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/29/sony-ericsson-w53s-gets-facelift-for-metal-gear-solid-party/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/29/sony-ericsson-w53s-gets-facelift-for-metal-gear-solid-party/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Konami held a 20th anniversary party for Metal Gear Solid franchise this week and Sony Ericsson brought the hardware to help usher in the third decade. KDDI's W53s will ship with the new game "Metal Gear Solid mobile," an all new version specifically for mobiles -- and we'll admit, it looks pretty sweet. To add some kitsch to the whole affair, style-up covers will be available to theme-up your handset if you happen to be a big fan of the series. So, if you're reading this from anywhere not served by KDDI, sit back and enjoy the pic, cause you'll never be seeing this handset.

[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal gear solidMetalGearSolidsony ericssonSonyEricssonw53sSun, 29 Jul 2007 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson releases W52S, Engadget Mobile swoons]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/24/sony-ericsson-releases-w52s-engadget-mobile-swoons/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/24/sony-ericsson-releases-w52s-engadget-mobile-swoons/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/24/sony-ericsson-releases-w52s-engadget-mobile-swoons/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We know we get repetitive with cries of "why not us?" so we'll save you the noise and get straight to it with nary a whimper (or at least as close to nary as we can get). Sony Ericsson's new sliding W52S -- released for Japan's KDDI network and part of the recently announced summer lineup -- rings in with so many impressive features we are almost stuck with where to start. The new beast comes in three color choices: Arpeggio Blue, Pizzicato Pink, and Harmonics White, all featuring a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, 2.7 inch 432 X 240 BRAVIA display, and 2GB of internal memory that can be augmented with either M2 or MicroSD memory cards. The handset's huge internal memory can be used to store a pile of music that can then be broadcast via a built-in FM transmitter, played back through the stereo headset or via the stereo speakers mounted on the rear -- and managed with a color-keyed remote control. This handset also incorporates Sony's "Visual Music Sensation" with user selectable on-screen animations that rock to whatever you are listening to. As mentioned above we aren't gonna complain that this isn't coming our way, but we do hope for a suitably equipped clone in the coming months, as this thing is simply, wow.

[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Gallery: Sony Ericsson releases W52S, Engadget Mobile swoons

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankddisony ericssonSonyEricssonw52sThu, 24 May 2007 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI pulls a KDDI, shows entire summer lineup at once]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/23/kddi-pulls-a-kddi-shows-entire-summer-lineup-at-once/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/23/kddi-pulls-a-kddi-shows-entire-summer-lineup-at-once/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/23/kddi-pulls-a-kddi-shows-entire-summer-lineup-at-once/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


We'd be shocked at the rate KDDI churns out new models, but let's be honest -- its domestic competitors manage to stay pretty much in lockstep, and they're all bested by the Keepin' It Real Fake machine that is mainland China. As we might expect from a massive launch on a Japanese carrier, the so-called "Collection 2007 Summer" (that's the "Summer 2007 Collection" for those not accustomed to reading phrases backwards) holds a handful of gems, including some VGA displays and 5 megapixel cams. Let's hop to it, shall we?

Continue reading KDDI pulls a KDDI, shows entire summer lineup at once

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aubreaking newsBreakingNewscasioclamshellericssonfliphitachijapankddikddi auKddiAupanasonicsanyosesharpslidersonysony ericssonSonyEricssontoshibaw52caw52hw52pw52sw52saw52shw53caw53saw53tw54tWed, 23 May 2007 07:55:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI Mobile - KDDI to launch US MVNO, stop the presses!]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/08/kddi-mobile-kddi-to-launch-us-mvno-stop-the-presses/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/08/kddi-mobile-kddi-to-launch-us-mvno-stop-the-presses/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/08/kddi-mobile-kddi-to-launch-us-mvno-stop-the-presses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


KDDI, Japan's number two cellphone carrier, totally blew our minds, everybody: they stated today that they'll be starting up an MVNO on Sprint in the US, name: KDDI Mobile. What's the point of yet another MVNO? (We're obligated to ask.) Well, besides giving Helio a run for their money in the Asian-carrier-gone-US-MVNO biz, maybe, just maybe we'll finally see a slew of totally slick and unbelievably well designed Japanese featurephones stateside (see above). Unfortunately, it sounds like they want to cater to Japanese expats in the US (are there really that many?); either way we definitely just got the warm n' fuzzies.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewskddi mobileKddiMobilemvnosprintSun, 08 Apr 2007 14:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson's W51S is all about being square]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/02/06/sony-ericssons-w51s-is-all-about-being-square/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/02/06/sony-ericssons-w51s-is-all-about-being-square/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/02/06/sony-ericssons-w51s-is-all-about-being-square/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yeah- we've seen quite a few Sony Ericsson handset announcements today -- heck, the SE joint venture has moved past LG and into fourth place among handset sales recently. These handsets, in other words, just keep cranking out the doors of Sony Ericsson's outsourced plants we suppose. The latest is an more-than-bare-bones W51S that looks mighty square, graphite and retro -- but it sports some decent features for an entry-level set. Want a hankering to a recent PowerMac? Then the W51S has you in mind ... except inside -- instead of a G5 chip -- is a 2 Megapixel cam and a very large 2.7 inch LCD. Pony up the cash for this unit and you'll receive 120MB of internal storage -- with expansion provided by Sony's annoying Memory Stick format that proprietary-minded Sony clings to like grim death. Availability? You'll have to go to Japan's KDDI here in a few months. Wanna move across the pond?

[via Slashgear]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KDDISony EricssonSony Ericsson StyleSony Ericsson W51SSonyEricssonSonyEricssonStyleSonyEricssonW51sW51STue, 06 Feb 2007 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi's W51H sports 800 x 400 display for KDDI]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/19/hitachis-w51h-sports-800-x-400-display-for-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/19/hitachis-w51h-sports-800-x-400-display-for-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/19/hitachis-w51h-sports-800-x-400-display-for-kddi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


So that hot little batch of phones KDDI threw down for its CDMA-based au network in Japan this week? Yeah, seems we might have gotten a little too wrapped up in that nifty lookin' Media Skin device, seeing how we glossed right over this little gem: the W51H clamshell from Hitachi offers up a staggering 800 x 480 display in its snow white (or red or black) shell. We'd imagine this is the very same 2.9-inch screen being demoed by Hitach just last month, trading some extreme eye strain for a nearly desktop-class web browsing experience without sacrificing battery juice. Other features of the W51H are fairly typical Japanese fare, including a 2 megapixel cam, fingerprint recognition, GPS, and 30MB of onboard memory. As usual, expect this to hit American store shelves right about the time pigs take to the skies.

[Via SCI FI Tech]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auclamshellfliphitachikddiw51hFri, 19 Jan 2007 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI follows NTT DoCoMo's lead, unleashes ten phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/16/kddi-follows-ntt-docomos-lead-unleashes-ten-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/16/kddi-follows-ntt-docomos-lead-unleashes-ten-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/16/kddi-follows-ntt-docomos-lead-unleashes-ten-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Yeah, that's right, NTT DoCoMo -- you're not the only carrier in town that can flex its product lineup muscle every now and again. KDDI au becomes the second Japanese carrier this week to add ten phones, a quantity most American carriers barely reach in a year's time. But we digress; leading up the pack is the "Media Skin," a clean-looking candybar with a covered keypad that began life as a KDDI design project. Meanwhile, the Aquos-branded W51SH from (you guessed it) Sharp should square up nicely with similar Sony Bravia-branded offerings for NTT, and, well... the list pretty much goes on ad nauseam. Those with a particularly strong stomach for viewing tech they can't have where they live can surf on over to KDDI's "Collection 2007 Spring" site for the full list -- meanwhile, we'll be crying ourselves to sleep.

[Via Akihabara News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquosaujapankddikddi auKddiAumedia skinMediaSkinsharpTue, 16 Jan 2007 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi shows W43H II for KDDI au]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/15/hitachi-shows-w43h-ii-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/15/hitachi-shows-w43h-ii-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/15/hitachi-shows-w43h-ii-for-kddi-au/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Whew, time flies when you're having fun, eh, Hitachi? Less than four months after showing your W43H clamshell for Japan's patron saint of CDMA, KDDI au, you're rolling out its successor -- the aptly-named W43H II. Like the original, the sequel features a 1seg tuner for digital TV reception with recording, 2.6-inch QVGA display, and a 2 megapixel cam. Other hot specs include LISMO music downloading, FeliCa, and a choice of two colors: "glass black" and "ice pink." Look for the W43H II to hit the streets of Japan this week.

[Via Impress Watch]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auclamshellfliphitachikddikddi auKddiAuw43hw43h iiW43hIiMon, 15 Jan 2007 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo kicks out kid-tracking handset for KDDI]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/11/sanyo-kicks-out-kid-tracking-handset-for-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/11/sanyo-kicks-out-kid-tracking-handset-for-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/11/sanyo-kicks-out-kid-tracking-handset-for-kddi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just a few days back we told you how the Japanese government planned on tracking kids via strategically placed RFID locators in dodgy areas of town, and it looks like KDDI is already pushing the "beneficial" side of being able to follow your offspring's every step by offering up Sanyo's latest kid-tracker. The A5525SA handset was designed with children in mind, from the dainty colors right down to the "crime prevention buzzer," which calls a pre-selected number if a certain pull string is yanked. Additionally, the battery cover is purportedly screwed down with a proprietary bolt so kidnappers can't easily power it down, but unfortunately it doesn't sport any type of smash resistance for taking it offline the easy way. Nevertheless, it also boasts a 1.3-megapixel camera, 320 x 240 resolution screen, microSD card, but most important to the parents is the built-in "route notification" function that can track your youngster's steps via GPS and map it out on your PC back home. Of course, we wouldn't be apt to let our five-year old run rampant on the streets of Japan in the first place, but if you're the uber-lenient type, at least this here lets you follow right alongside, albeit virtually.

[Via Spluch]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A5525SAemergencygpsjapankid phonekiddie phoneKiddiePhoneKidPhonetrackingThu, 11 Jan 2007 12:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Pantech prepping W51PT for KDDI au?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/12/30/pantech-prepping-w51pt-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/12/30/pantech-prepping-w51pt-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/12/30/pantech-prepping-w51pt-for-kddi-au/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

What's the point in putting together a keypad that offers no tactile feedback whatsoever if it ain't a touchscreen? Lucky customers on KDDI's Japanese au network appear poised to find out, thanks to the rumored W51PT from Pantech. The machine-translated details leave us with more questions than answers, but we guess the clamshell offers a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 2.1 megapixel cam, microSD expansion, a one-seg tuner, and support for LISMO (wireless music downloads) in a 132 gram, 11.9 millimeter thick package. Your choice of white or gold, but do us a favor and try the weird keypad before you buy, mkay?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auclamshellflipjapankddikddi auKddiAupantechw51ptSat, 30 Dec 2006 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Softbank to undercut rivals, offer most mobiles free of charge]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/08/softbank-to-undercut-rivals-offer-most-mobiles-free-of-charge/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/08/softbank-to-undercut-rivals-offer-most-mobiles-free-of-charge/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/08/softbank-to-undercut-rivals-offer-most-mobiles-free-of-charge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Softbank -- the folks who could be (but probably aren't) in cahoots with Apple -- is pulling out all the stops to lure customers away from those larger carriers in Japan. Soon after "vowing" to undercut any prices offered by rival firms NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, the little guy has now gone one step further by offering free handsets at the point of sale. Of course, there's always a catch, and customers looking at high-end phones will be faced with "a monthly fee" for the luxury of toting the latest and greatest, and will also be forced to sign a "one or two year" contract. But before you get too down on your luck, Softbank estimated that a "digital TV phone" would only run customers about ¥390 ($3.30) per month, which seems awfully cheap when Verizon somehow charges even more to automatically restore your contact list.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisecontractfreesoftbankundercutWed, 08 Nov 2006 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI's au Design Project yields four phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/02/kddis-au-design-project-yields-four-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/02/kddis-au-design-project-yields-four-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/02/kddis-au-design-project-yields-four-phones/#commentsFiled under: ,

Those crazy cats over at Japan's KDDI are back at it with another four concept handsets as part of their "au Design Project," a collaboration with various designers that's been carrying on for some time now to draw attention to their network. Coined the Infobar 2, Kaos, Cypres, and Vols (pictured), the phones aren't technically destined for production, but let's be honest: this stuff doesn't seem much more far out than garden variety Japanese mobile hardware.

[Via and for the umpteenth time...]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucypresdesign projectDesignProjectinfobar 2Infobar2kaoskddivolsThu, 02 Nov 2006 23:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Princeton's PMB-BP18 external battery pack for USB devices]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/09/princetons-pmb-bp18-external-battery-pack-for-usb-devices/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/09/princetons-pmb-bp18-external-battery-pack-for-usb-devices/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/09/princetons-pmb-bp18-external-battery-pack-for-usb-devices/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Whether in the form of compressed images spun from disk or received over the air, portable video is a battery killer. Toss in a bit of WiFi and Bluetooth wireless to grind modern handhelds to a halt in just a few hours. This unfortunate truth makes sad chunky slabs of plastic and lithium polymer a must for those of you in need of some extra go-go juice. The Princeton PMB-BP18 is a 75-gram external battery pack capable of re-charging any portable USB device such as cellphone or iPod when away from the mains. What's more, Princeton touts the device's ability to charge the typical Japanese cellphone (via accompanying au and DoCoMo cables) twice before the PMB-BP18 external battery requires a refill. Sorry, that's an adjustable stand, not the backside of an LCD you're looking at, which somehow manages prop up your phone or mp3 player for viewing without the device sliding into your lap. Available now in Japan for ¥4,980 or about 44 US bucks.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery chargerbattery packBatteryChargerBatteryPackexternal battery packExternalBatteryPackpmb-bp18princetonMon, 09 Oct 2006 09:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi and Casio drop two for KDDI au]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/24/hitachi-and-casio-drop-two-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/24/hitachi-and-casio-drop-two-for-kddi-au/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/24/hitachi-and-casio-drop-two-for-kddi-au/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

KDDI's au network is sportin' a couple of new 3G Hitachi and Casio handsets with EV-DO data now that the W43H and W43CA have dropped in Japan. The W43H (pictured above in blue) clam from Hitachi brings a single, 2.6-inch QVGA twist and fold display for viewing Japanese OneSeg mobile digital TV, a 2 megapixel auto-focus camera, MP3 player with MicroSD expansion to host your audio or record TV, and suite of apps to take advantage of that high speed data. Casio's W43CA brings pretty much the same specs but adds an external, secondary display while trimming the OneSeg tuner and 10grams of fat to boot.

[Via Akihabara News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Casio shows toned-down G'zOne for business folk]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/22/casio-shows-toned-down-gzone-for-business-folk/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/22/casio-shows-toned-down-gzone-for-business-folk/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/22/casio-shows-toned-down-gzone-for-business-folk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Say you're on the board of a global corporation based in Japan. Sure, you're just another suit from 9 to 5, but on the weekends it's a different story -- you do some deep-sea diving, downhill skiing... heck, maybe the occasional BASE jump. Where are you supposed to find a phone tough enough to keep ticking (while you're wrestling crocodiles, that is) without getting you fired in the boardroom with some wacky, "extreme" color scheme? Believe it or not, Casio's got your number. The G'zOne E03CA takes a cue from the W42CA's book, offering a QVGA internal and 100 x 100 display, microSD slot, EV-DO radio, and 2-megapixel cam in a beefy, water resistant package. That's where the similarity ends, though: unlike the wild W42CA, the laid-back E03CA looks more fit for the inside of a suit coat pocket than a snowboarding jacket. Businessfolk with a tendency to destroy phones can look for the latest G'zOne to drop this December on KDDI's au network in Japan.

[Via I4U News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucasioclamshelle03caflipg'zonejapankddiw42cawaterwater resistantwaterproofWaterResistantFri, 22 Sep 2006 05:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Translation the visual way: MEDIASEEK's Camera Dictionary]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/05/translation-the-visual-way-mediaseeks-camera-dictionary/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/05/translation-the-visual-way-mediaseeks-camera-dictionary/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/09/05/translation-the-visual-way-mediaseeks-camera-dictionary/#commentsFiled under: ,

Word's just in that cameraphones have real-world applications (besides tracking down the miscreant who stole yours), and Japanese firm MEDIASEEK is looking to capitalize with its Camera Dictionary utility. The software scans English words you snap and provides their Japanese translations on the fly, while links allow the user to hop online for more detailed information -- pronunciations, examples, and the like. Probably not terribly useful for reading a novel in a language you don't understand, but for translating, say, an Engadget post, this could be just the ticket. From the press release it sounds like Camera Dictionary will be available on KDDI's au network, but if they ever get around to adding a Japanese-to-English version, you can bet we'll be pestering American carriers to get on board. [Warning: PDF link]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucamera dictionaryCameraDictionaryenglishjapanesekddimediaseektranslatetranslationTue, 05 Sep 2006 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota developing integrated "carphone" with KDDI]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/31/toyota-developing-integrated-carphone-with-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/31/toyota-developing-integrated-carphone-with-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/31/toyota-developing-integrated-carphone-with-kddi/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In a move designed to foster tighter integration between cars and the cellphones that cause people to crash their cars, Toyota has just announced that it will be co-developing a handset with Japanese carrier KDDI based on an existing Toshiba model. The phone, cutely name TiMO (and obviously NOT pictured above -- if you think that's a Toshiba, you need to hit up this site a little more often), will feature Bluetooth functionality to make it compatible with Toyota's in-car navigation systems (think: on-screen caller ID and audio piped through the vehicle's speakers) as well as a dedicated OnStar-like button that drivers can trigger in an emergency. A special charger will also be part of the package, allowing the phone to dock in an armrest and give owners access to downloadable games and tunes, the latter of which will presumably be playable through the car's audio system. Next to Kyocera, Toyota is the largest shareholder in KDDI (with an 11% stake), and will offer the handsets exclusively at its 7,500 Japanese dealerships starting in October.

[Via Autoblog]

Update: Okay, we've snagged a picture of the real phone. Looks like a perfectly plain flip with the notable addition of a submicronic "Toyota" logo on the backside to us. Strong work, guys.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothcarshandsetskddinavigationtoshibatoyotaThu, 31 Aug 2006 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI throws down endless onslaught of new phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/28/kddi-throws-down-endless-onslaught-of-new-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/28/kddi-throws-down-endless-onslaught-of-new-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/28/kddi-throws-down-endless-onslaught-of-new-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Bring it strong, or don't bring it at all. That's certainly our mantra here at Engadget Mobile, and KDDI seems to share our sentiment, launching not one, not two, but twelve new phones on their Japanese "au" CDMA network this week. Variety doesn't really seem to be KDDI's forte, though -- every last model rocks a clamshell form factor and roughly equivalent specs, give or take a megapixel here, FeLiCa support there. Sony Ericsson's W43S caught our eye for its nifty faux wood exterior (come on, who wouldn't want a faux wood cellphone?), while the curiously-named glossy black Toshiba "DRAPE" seems to be positioned as the high-style model of the bunch. 2- and 3-megapixel cams (some with autofocus), expansion slots, and comprehensive music support all around... yeah, there's not a lot of differentiation here, but the uniformity's good in at least one way: every last one of these 12 are blessed with QVGA primary displays.

[Via Akihabara News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a5522saaucasiodrapeericssonhitachikddikyocerasanyosharpsonysony ericssonSonyEricssontoshibaw41shw42saw43caw43hw43kw43sw43saw44kw45tw47tMon, 28 Aug 2006 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Pantech, KDDI sign deal for elderly-themed handset]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/pantech-kddi-sign-deal-for-elderly-themed-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/pantech-kddi-sign-deal-for-elderly-themed-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/pantech-kddi-sign-deal-for-elderly-themed-handset/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Three words: "crime prevention buzzer." What more do we need to say? Besides being able to scream bloody murder on command, Pantech's CDMA A1406PT for KDDI's Japanese "au" network will feature 2.4-inch QVGA internal and 1.2-inch external displays, a 1.3-megapixel shooter, and three assignable one-touch keys directly below the display. Targeted at the elderly (read: folks who aren't looking for anything too newfangled), the clamshell scores $110 million for Korea's Pantech, which is following up its A1405PT. Given that Korean phones in Japan are still a novelty, neither of these phones are bleeding-edge in any way -- but we find it kinda refreshing to not lust after a Japanese or Korean handset for once.

[Via I4U News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A1406PTauclamshellelderlyflipkddipantechSat, 05 Aug 2006 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Qualcomm, KDDI, manufacturers to collaborate on OS]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/28/qualcomm-kddi-manufacturers-to-collaborate-on-os/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/28/qualcomm-kddi-manufacturers-to-collaborate-on-os/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/28/qualcomm-kddi-manufacturers-to-collaborate-on-os/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Symbian, Windows Mobile, ALP, and NTT DoCoMo's Linux consortium apparently aren't enough, and KDDI's thinking there's room for at least one more mobile platform in the world. The Japanese carrier has rounded up Qualcomm, Sanyo, and Toshiba to get cracking on a brand new OS with initial commercial availability coming toward the end of 2007. The platform, which KDDI would presumably like to eventually drop on most or all of its models, will include the operating system itself plus software for messaging, "wireless applications," and "running cameras." We reckon these folks' efforts would be better spent hooking up with NTT DoCoMo on their platform, but corporate egos being what they are -- well, let's just say we don't see KDDI jumping on that bandwagon any time soon.

[Via The Register]
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Sketchy batteries doing bad things to you and your phone are nothing new. Sanyo has set an interesting new precedent, however, turning a good battery bad with software. Some half million units of their W32SA clamshell for KDDI's network are being sent home for faulty software that can prevent the battery from fully charging. That, in itself, isn't too scary -- but here's the twilight-zone part of it: there have been documented cases where the batteries "have cracked and become deformed." From some faulty software, people, written by the US' favorite cellphone manufacturer, no less. Happily, afflicted handsets can be flashed at the local KDDI shop, but our paranoia is getting the best of us here; could rogue KDDI employees send bogus OTA firmware updates to grenade the phone in your pocket?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryexplodeexploding batteryExplodingBatterygrenadekddisanyow32saWed, 07 Jun 2006 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting to know the Sony Ericsson W42S]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/27/getting-to-know-the-sony-ericsson-w42s/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/27/getting-to-know-the-sony-ericsson-w42s/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/27/getting-to-know-the-sony-ericsson-w42s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Several days ago we gave you a heads-up on Japan's first Sony Ericsson Walkman phone, the W42S, coming to you courtesy of KDDI. Now we're getting a torrent of shots of this bad boy in the wild. The mechanical control wheel arguably gives the CDMA W42S a more legitimate claim to be music-oriented than any Walkman phone before it, while LISMO integration and 3G data don't hurt, either. More eye candy after the break.

Continue reading Getting to know the Sony Ericsson W42S

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>w42swalkmanSat, 27 May 2006 14:21:00 EST<![CDATA[7 new phones from KDDI]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/23/7-new-phones-from-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/23/7-new-phones-from-kddi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/23/7-new-phones-from-kddi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Japan's second largest telcoms operator and largest 3G operator KDDI is set to launch no less than seven new phones in June, including a Walkman phone from Sony Ericsson (it's the pink one on top). The Walkman W42S has 1GB of memory and promises 30 hours of music playback, with users able to connect to KDDI's "Listen Mobile Service" (LISMO) to download songs.  Also announced was the Casio G'zOne W42CA, another of Casio's waterproof phones, this one featuring a high-speed data communication module. Additional deets include a 2 megapixel camera, 2.5-inch 65k color display, 50MB built-in memory, and a microSD slot for expansion. Other phones announced include the Toshiba W44T with Bluetooth and 1GB of memory which you can also load up with music from LISMO, the Sanyo W33SA II featuring EZ television and EZ fm service, the Kyocera W42K (also with EZ television support), the retro-styled Hitachi W42H, and the slimline Kyocera A5521K.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 23 May 2006 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson's W42S 3G Walkman phone for Japan]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/22/sony-ericssons-w42s-3g-walkman-phone-for-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/22/sony-ericssons-w42s-3g-walkman-phone-for-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/05/22/sony-ericssons-w42s-3g-walkman-phone-for-japan/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We've been feeling the Walkman love from Sony Ericsson for what constitutes forever on a tech timeline. Oddly, Japan is only now getting their first taste of these little musicphones with the newly announced W42S. However, don't feel sorry for our former tech overlords just yet, the W42S packs in a cool 1GB of internal memory which can be supplemented with up to 4GB of Memory Stick Pro DUO expansion and sports a power saving mode allowing up to 30 hours of music playback. This 3G (CDMA2000) slider also features a 1.3 megapixel cam, a 2.2-inch 262k color QVGA LCD, FM radio, an EPG to keep you hip to the TV schedule, and a feast of dedicated player controls including a new mechanical wheel unique to Walkman phone navigation. And by partnering with KDDI, owners can snag music over-the-air via the 5 million downloads per month strong LISMO music service. No price announced but "local media" is reporting that this musicphone will fetch $181 (with contract and telco rights to your vital organs we presume) when these drop in late June. Click on for a few hands-on pics.

[Via Impress Watch]

Continue reading Sony Ericsson's W42S 3G Walkman phone for Japan

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmusic phoneMusicPhonesonysony ericssonSonyEricssonw42swalkmanMon, 22 May 2006 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[AU Toshiba LISMO W43T with 3D GPS]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/27/au-toshiba-lismo-w43t-with-3d-gps/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/27/au-toshiba-lismo-w43t-with-3d-gps/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/27/au-toshiba-lismo-w43t-with-3d-gps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You'll never get lost in Japan if you have the LISMO (for Listen Mobile Terminal, whatevs) W43T from AU. The phone, in addition to offering a choice of 3 colors (what, only three?), a 3 megapixel camera and external music controls, also has a built-in 3D GPS program called 3D Navi. The GPS tool is designed for pedestrians, something sure to be a boon in Japan's densely packed cities. The 3D graphics  include an icon of a person walking down the sidewalk, and includes graphical indicators of crosswalks and other pedestrian-friendly landmarks. It also has voice prompts, which is a relief, since if it didn't we could easily envision swarms of walkers hunched over their screens, careening madly into each other on the sidewalks of Tokyo.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo's new W41SA flip phone scans handwriting]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/16/sanyos-new-w41sa-flip-phone-scans-handwriting/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/16/sanyos-new-w41sa-flip-phone-scans-handwriting/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/16/sanyos-new-w41sa-flip-phone-scans-handwriting/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We can't say this new handwriting scanner that Sanyo is including in their new W41SA will revolutionize the industry, but it is kind of neat. Pretty much you just take a picture of some writing and the phone blocks out everything else and overlays the text on a picture. Yeah, not exactly monumental, but an interesting feature, and a good compliment to the 2.3-inch QVGA LCD and 1.3 megapixel camera. The phone also rocks the EV-DO, FM, and miniSD to keep things interesting. They top it all off with TV remote functionality, but Sanyo still keeps things slim at 0.8-inches. The phone is available now through KDDI in Japan.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 16 Mar 2006 16:03:00 EST