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[NTT DoCoMo getting its own Prada phone from LG]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/09/ntt-docomo-getting-its-own-prada-phone-from-lg/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/09/ntt-docomo-getting-its-own-prada-phone-from-lg/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/09/ntt-docomo-getting-its-own-prada-phone-from-lg/#commentsFiled under: , ,


What sort of sick, twisted world did we just wake up inside where NTT DoCoMo is getting rehashed has-been phones launched many, many months ago elsewhere? We're kidding -- sort of -- but we do find it a bit strange that Japan's favorite omniscient megacarrier is just now getting around to announcing its own LG Prada after the original KE850 model entered our hearts and minds almost a year and a half ago. Some of that embarrassment is salvaged in the form of NTT DoCoMo-specific changes and upgrades, or so they allege, anyway; all we're really seeing is the presence of 7.2Mbps data, even though the press release insists that the new model has been "redeveloped specifically" for 'em. Otherwise, fashionistas of the Far East will be treated to a 2 megapixel autofocus cam and a 3-inch wide QVGA display when it launches next month.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlgntt docomoNttDocomopradaFri, 09 May 2008 03:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Fujitsu Raku-Raku F884i now available, sports upgraded voice recognition]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/fujitsu-raku-raku-f884i-now-available-sports-upgraded-voice-rec/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/fujitsu-raku-raku-f884i-now-available-sports-upgraded-voice-rec/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/fujitsu-raku-raku-f884i-now-available-sports-upgraded-voice-rec/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Reaction to NTT DoCoMo's new logo has been mixed, but when it comes to the carrier's phones, there's still very little to not love -- and when we say "love," we mean "feel sorry for ourselves that we don't have access to these things." The recently-announced (and copied) Raku-Raku F884i from Fujitsu is now available in three delicious colors, featuring the same one-seg mobile TV tuner and gargantuan display present on the majority of modern handsets for the Japanese domestic market. Other goodies include a configurable orientation sensor that, by default, fires up the TV when tilted in one direction and the camera when tilted in the other (clever!) and upgraded voice recognition that allows for complete email dictation by sending the user's voice to a server and text back to the phone in real time. Oh, and this one does global roaming, too, so we'll take one of each, please.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clamshellf884iflipfujitsujapanntt docomoNttDocomoraku rakuRakuRakuMon, 21 Apr 2008 22:13:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo revamps logo, our entire belief system crumbles]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/ntt-docomo-revamps-logo-our-entire-belief-system-crumbles/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/ntt-docomo-revamps-logo-our-entire-belief-system-crumbles/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/ntt-docomo-revamps-logo-our-entire-belief-system-crumbles/#commentsFiled under:


Our mommies always used to tell us that in life, there are only three sure things: death, taxes, and NTT DoCoMo's stylish logo. Well, how very, very wrong our mommies were! Japan's megacarrier officially unveiled its new look today, which will go into use beginning July 1 alongside its catchy new slogan, "Unlimited Potential, in Your Hand." We're told that the red in the logo signifies the company's "energy and dynamism" -- which we're pretty sure is their way of saying "our phones still make yours look like neanderthalic tools hewn from rock." So, thoughts on the makeover, everyone?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlogontt docomoNttDocomoFri, 18 Apr 2008 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo users find their phones just a little too good at roaming]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/13/ntt-docomo-users-find-their-phones-just-a-little-too-good-at-roa/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/13/ntt-docomo-users-find-their-phones-just-a-little-too-good-at-roa/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/13/ntt-docomo-users-find-their-phones-just-a-little-too-good-at-roa/#commentsFiled under:

Is there really such a thing as too much signal strength? For residents of Tsushima in Japan, the answer is a solid "yes." Folks in the area are a mere 33 miles from the South Korean shore, and NTT DoCoMo customers with international roaming enabled are finding themselves roaming on those powerful airwaves across the Korea Strait -- naturally leading to some rather unpleasant charges. The carrier reports that 38 models are affected by the problem (presumably every handset that's capable of roaming in South Korea), and unfortunately, their only solution is to have affected customers manually configure their phones to use the local network. It'd be awesome if they just juiced the towers to be, like, ten times more powerful, but we suppose that maybe that's not the healthy thing to do.

[Via IntoMobile]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japankoreantt docomoNttDocomoroamroamingsouth koreaSouthKoreaSun, 13 Apr 2008 14:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Super 3G hits 250Mbps downlink in NTT DoCoMo field test]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/26/super-3g-hits-250mbps-downlink-in-ntt-docomo-field-test/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/26/super-3g-hits-250mbps-downlink-in-ntt-docomo-field-test/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/26/super-3g-hits-250mbps-downlink-in-ntt-docomo-field-test/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Just think -- this time next year, we'll all look back at this milestone and wonder how on Earth we thought it was impressive. For now, however, we wouldn't blame you for high-fiving everyone around, as NTT DoCoMo has stretched the boundaries again with a recent Super 3G field test. Reportedly, the outfit was able to record "a downlink transmission rate of 250Mbps over a high-speed wireless network in an outdoor test of an experimental Super 3G system," and while it's not quite the 300Mbps we'd heard about before, you won't find us kvetching. If all goes to plan, the firm is hoping to "complete development of the technologies required for the eventual launch of a Super 3G network" by 2009, but who knows how long we Americans will have to wait to indulge after that.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ghsdpahsupajapanmilestonemimoNTT DoCoMoNttDocomospeedSuper 3GSuper3gtesttransmissiontrialWed, 26 Mar 2008 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo's Sound Leaf+ ready to conduct a bone near you]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/ntt-docomos-sound-leaf-ready-to-conduct-a-bone-near-you/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/ntt-docomos-sound-leaf-ready-to-conduct-a-bone-near-you/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/ntt-docomos-sound-leaf-ready-to-conduct-a-bone-near-you/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember the Sound Leaf? Unless you live in Japan, there's a very good chance you don't, so let us refresh your memory: it's a rather interesting Bluetooth device that looks a bit like a miniature handset and functions as a bone-conduction receiver for taking calls in noisy environments. It's a cool idea -- Bluetooth headsets are very, very rarely as loud for the wearer or as noise-free for the person on the other end of the call as they should be -- but for whatever reason, the technology really hasn't taken off in full force. Again, that's unless you're in Japan -- because NTT DoCoMo's just released the Sound Leaf+, a new take on the original that looks almost exactly the same but trades an all-white color scheme for a more in-your-face black getup and apparently features improved reception. It'll go for about 15 hours on a pair of AAA batteries, and the mouthpiece folds conveniently away when not in use. We'll take a dozen, NTT; you can float 'em across the Pacific in a bottle, if you like.

[Via Slashphone]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothbonebone conductionBoneConductionjapanntt docomoNttDocomosound leafSoundLeafTue, 25 Mar 2008 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo looking to help manufacturers offer simpler phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/ntt-docomo-looking-to-help-manufacturers-offer-simpler-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/ntt-docomo-looking-to-help-manufacturers-offer-simpler-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/ntt-docomo-looking-to-help-manufacturers-offer-simpler-phones/#commentsFiled under:

Perhaps stinging a bit from its severed ties with Mitsubishi and a Sony Ericsson relationship that's on the rocks, Japanese megacarrier NTT DoCoMo has said that it'll be making key changes to its standard, cross-manufacturer platform that makes it easier for its partners to simultaneously offer awesome phones domestically and meh phones abroad. Apparently, DoCoMo's thinking that its extraordinarily complex, high-function platform makes it difficult for companies like Sony Ericsson to offer the same (or even remotely similar, for that matter) models both in Japan and elsewhere -- and with a Japanese phone market that's saturated and extremely difficult to profit from at the moment, the carrier would love to help manufacturers make a buck or two by reusing designs in other parts of the world. High on its list of features DoCoMo wants to make removable are i-mode (its branded mobile internet service) and FeliCa, the infrastructure behind its contactless payment system; in other words, the best stuff. Will we still want NTT DoCoMo's goods after they've been watered down? It's thinking that it wants to start offering stripped versions of its phones at home, too, so there just might still be an exotic appeal to it after all.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanntt docomoNttDocomoMon, 24 Mar 2008 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba sued for cloning Fujitsu's RakuRaku handset]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/toshiba-sued-for-cloning-fujitsus-rakuraku-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/toshiba-sued-for-cloning-fujitsus-rakuraku-handset/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/toshiba-sued-for-cloning-fujitsus-rakuraku-handset/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's fairly commonplace for Chinese manufacturers to crank out clones of other popular wares, but apparently, things aren't brushed off as easily when the cloning gets done by a mega-corp like Toshiba. Granted, quite a bit is lost in translation here, but the long and short of it is that NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu are suing Tosh for creating and selling its 821T -- which, as you can see above, looks an awful lot like Fujitsu's RakuRaku handset. Reportedly, the plaintiffs have demanded that Softbank Mobile withdraw the 821T from the market, but it seems there's quite a bit more back-and-forth left to go down before the dust settles on this one.

[Via GearFuse]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>821Tcloneknockofflawsuitlegalntt docomoNttDocomoRAKURAKUripoffsoftbanksuesuedsuitMon, 17 Mar 2008 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo raises i-mode rates, offsets with free family calling]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/27/ntt-docomo-raises-i-mode-rates-offsets-with-free-family-calling/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/27/ntt-docomo-raises-i-mode-rates-offsets-with-free-family-calling/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/27/ntt-docomo-raises-i-mode-rates-offsets-with-free-family-calling/#commentsFiled under:


Think of it like myFaves, but where your faves have to be relatives (a nightmare for some, yes, we know). NTT DoCoMo is now offering free calls to family members when both are subscribed to the Japanese carrier's "Fami-wari MAX50" plan, in addition to a nice 60 percent off video calls. There's also this bizarre clause that allows for free family calling for folks that are subscribed to either "Family Discount" or "Office Discount" in addition to the new "Ichinen Discount" service and have contracts of at least one year in length -- and, oh yeah, have been DoCoMo subscribers for at least 10 flippin' years. The simple flow chart above should help explain it all.

Separately, DoCoMo is raising pricing on its i-mode mobile internet service from 210 ($1.95) to 315 yen ($2.93) per month, which we figure is still dirt cheap compared to pretty much anywhere else in the world. That's on top of packet data charges, though those remain unchanged.

Read - DoCoMo to Offer Free 24/7 Domestic Calling to Family Members
Read - NTT DoCoMo to Revise i-mode Monthly Charge
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familyfamily callingFamilyCallingi-modejapanntt docomoNttDocomoWed, 27 Feb 2008 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo rolls out high res Panasonic P905i Viera phone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/25/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-high-res-panasonic-p905i-viera-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/25/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-high-res-panasonic-p905i-viera-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/25/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-high-res-panasonic-p905i-viera-phone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last we saw Panasonic's P905i handset it was bunched in between a slew of other phones NTT DoCoMo was touting, but now that the phone is finally on sale it's getting the spotlight to itself for a little while. In case you missed it, the real stand-out feature on this one is the phone's Viera image processing and 3.5 inch, 854 x 480 screen, which should get put to good use thanks to the ample supply of PMP features including, of course, a 1seg TV tuner. Otherwise you can expect the usual 3G capabilities, along with a 2 megapixel camera, 1GB of built-in memory, and support for theDCMX iD mobile banking service. No word on a price just yet, but you can probably guess if it's in your budget or not.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ntt docomoNttDocomop905ipanasonicvieraMon, 25 Feb 2008 13:36:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo's Mobile World Congress 2008 booth tour]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/13/ntt-docomos-mobile-world-congress-2008-booth-tour/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/13/ntt-docomos-mobile-world-congress-2008-booth-tour/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/13/ntt-docomos-mobile-world-congress-2008-booth-tour/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Amid all the glittery stuff that is MWC, NTT DoCoMo has set up shop to show some of the stuff we will never have. Mobile gaming -- real gaming, not dodgy stuff -- mobile TV, waterproof sets, super-thin handsets, and a whole lot more was on display. After we wiped the silly grins off our faces, we remembered that pics were the order of the day so we took a good pile for your enjoyment. Follow the link for a whole gallery full of what we like to call: waytoomanythinhotclamshellstodealwith.

Gallery: NTT DoCoMo's Mobile World Congress 2008 booth tour

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booth tourBoothTourDoCoMofeatureshands-onMWCNTTNTT DOCOCMONttDococmoWed, 13 Feb 2008 10:32:00 EST<![CDATA[LiMo Foundation makes a splash; adds members, shows hardware]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-makes-a-splash-adds-members-shows-hardware/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-makes-a-splash-adds-members-shows-hardware/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-makes-a-splash-adds-members-shows-hardware/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Not to be outdone by a powerful Android presence, the boys and girls at the LiMo Foundation have brought it strong with a series of announcements at Mobile World Congress. Yeah, the SDK is en route, but that's just the beginning; first up, and perhaps most notably in its effort to fight the Android juggernaut, LiMo has managed to sign up a slew of new partners. Most notable on the refreshed roster include ACCESS (which just hooked up with MontaVista, itself a LiMo member), Samsung, and carriers Orange and SoftBank.

The foundation is backing up its talk with some walk, too, in the form of several production-ready handsets: the U9, Z6w, Z6, E8, RAZR 2 V8, and RAZR 2 V8 Luxury Edition from Motorola (all devices that have previously been launched using MOTOMAGX, Moto's own special flavor of mobile Linux), the Samsung i800 which is destined for Orange's airwaves, and the N905i, N905iu, N705, N705iu, P905i, P905iTV, P705, and P705iu -- a mouthful of models from members NEC and Panasonic for Japan's NTT DoCoMo. Also rocking out at MWC are prototypes from LG and Aplix along with the Purple Magic low-cost flip from Purple Labs. Is it all enough momentum to give some balance to the mobile Linux landscape and serve as the yin to Google's yang? Seems like a strong possibility, but we'll have to hold our horses until developers are playing with the final tools and handsets are in wide circulation.

Read - LiMo Foundation unveils first LiMo handsets
Read - New LiMo Foundation members introduced
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lglimolimo foundationLimoFoundationlinuxmobile world congressMobileWorldCongressmotomotorolamwcnecntt docomoNttDocomoorangepanasonicMon, 11 Feb 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[LiMo Foundation plans SDK for mid 2008]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-plans-sdk-for-mid-2008/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-plans-sdk-for-mid-2008/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/11/limo-foundation-plans-sdk-for-mid-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


With all the hubbub over Android at Mobile World Congress this year (and in the world, in general), it only makes sense that other Linux-based contenders would step into the light. The LiMo Foundation -- a consortium of some pretty major players -- has announced plans for an official SDK in the second half of the year which will cover native, Java, and WebKit development. The software, dubbed the R1 LiMo Platform, will pull together existing APIs and development tools into a more cohesive whole, with ACCESS taking the lead on the native side, Aplix heading up Java development, and Motorola fleshing out the WebKit tools. There are 18 LiMo-powered handsets on display at Mobile World Congress this year, with seven vendors using the platform -- including Samsung and LG -- and the group says it's just added nine new companies to the team. The creation of a cohesive platform should bolster the consortium's position in the market. Says CCS Insight's Ben Wood, "To have a credible platform, a more detailed operating system framework is likely to be required."

Read - LiMo Foundation Announces SDK Strategy
Read - LG, Samsung bet on new mobile Linux platform
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>limo foundationLimoFoundationmobile linuxMobileLinuxsdksoftware development kitSoftwareDevelopmentKitMon, 11 Feb 2008 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo capitulates, tears down tower residents claim is sickening them]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/ntt-docomo-capitulates-tears-down-tower-residents-claim-is-sick/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/ntt-docomo-capitulates-tears-down-tower-residents-claim-is-sick/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/ntt-docomo-capitulates-tears-down-tower-residents-claim-is-sick/#commentsFiled under: ,

On one fateful day in December of 2005, Japan's NTT DoCoMo erected a tower -- the most sinister of towers, in fact -- in a Kawanishi bus station. Ever since, the dastardly cell station has been emitting blast after blast of electromagnetic radiation, allegedly causing a host of health problems for the area's residents: sleeplessness, headaches, high blood pressure, even cataracts and diabetes -- you name it. Happily, a coalition of concerned citizens filed a complaint against the carrier earlier this year, which has finally agreed to remove the evil structure and return the immediate vicinity to its pre-cellphone days (although it made a point of not admitting that the tower caused any health issues in the process). Personally, a lack of signal is likely to cause us high blood pressure just as much as tower radiation is, but perhaps that's just us.

[Via textually.org]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ntt docomoNttDocomosicksickentowerFri, 28 Dec 2007 11:18:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo to marry Google services with i-mode]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/25/ntt-docomo-to-marry-google-services-with-i-mode/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/25/ntt-docomo-to-marry-google-services-with-i-mode/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/25/ntt-docomo-to-marry-google-services-with-i-mode/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nikkei reports that NTT DoCoMo is poised to integrate Google's suite of mobile services with its own i-mode goods, following KDDI's lead and offering a direct competitor to Softbank's Yahoo!-branded apps in one fell swoop. Overall, Google continues to trail Yahoo! in the hearts and minds of Japanese searchers, so the move positions Google to take advantage of DoCoMo's incredibly large user base while bolstering i-mode's existing offerings when it allegedly hits next spring. The market seems to agree that the deal's a really good idea, too, with DoCoMo stock rising 3.3 percent on the news.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlei-modentt docomoNttDocomoTue, 25 Dec 2007 13:08:00 EST<![CDATA[DoCoMo confirms talks with Apple regarding iPhone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/docomo-confirms-talks-with-apple-regarding-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/docomo-confirms-talks-with-apple-regarding-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/20/docomo-confirms-talks-with-apple-regarding-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We already had an inkling that Apple was in talks with both NTT DoCoMo and Softbank to bring the iPhone to Japan, but a spokesperson confirmed today that Steve Jobs has indeed met with DoCoMo president Masao Nakamura, but didn't say when or exactly what they talked about. That's not much to go on, of course, but seeing as any phone on DoCoMo's FOMA network will have to be UMTS / HSDPA -- that's 3G, to all you keeping score at home -- we're keeping a close eye on this one.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneThu, 20 Dec 2007 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone coming to Japan's NTT DoCoMo?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/18/iphone-coming-to-japans-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/18/iphone-coming-to-japans-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/18/iphone-coming-to-japans-ntt-docomo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledocomoiphonejapannttntt docomoNttDocomorumorsoftbankTue, 18 Dec 2007 03:35:00 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[ACCESS gets nod to craft NTT DoCoMo's mobile Linux platform]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/access-gets-nod-to-craft-ntt-docomos-mobile-linux-platform/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/access-gets-nod-to-craft-ntt-docomos-mobile-linux-platform/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/access-gets-nod-to-craft-ntt-docomos-mobile-linux-platform/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Well, would you look at that! ACCESS has finally landed a whale of a customer for its overdue, underloved ACCESS Linux Platform, the mobile software stack (and sort-of successor to Palm OS Garnet) that has failed to garner enough hardware partners to make a splash in the marketplace thus far. The Japanese firm is partnering with NTT DoCoMo and ESTEEMO -- NEC's joint venture with Panasonic -- to build a standard Linux stack that incorporates ALP while still using the carrier's existing Linux-based MOAP(L) platform. That's not all, though: they're tasked with making the new platform compatible with the LiMo Foundation's specifications, too. A tall order? Maybe, but it's likely an order that has to happen -- NTT DoCoMo's involved in all sorts of Linux initiatives, and it makes good sense to bite the bullet and have some company tie it all together. The one piece of the puzzle missing here is DoCoMo's tie-up with the Open Handset Alliance, and as far as we can tell, this announcement steers entirely clear of Android's domain. Confusing, yes -- but for a company used to releasing 23 handsets in one fell swoop, it's business as usual.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessaccess linux platformAccessLinuxPlatformalpesteemojapanlinuxmoapnecntt docomoNttDocomopanasonicTue, 11 Dec 2007 03:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo creates kid-friendly handset and bracelet combo]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/ntt-docomo-creates-kid-friendly-handset-and-bracelet-combo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/ntt-docomo-creates-kid-friendly-handset-and-bracelet-combo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/10/ntt-docomo-creates-kid-friendly-handset-and-bracelet-combo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


NTT DoCoMo is launching a new mobile phone / bracelet combo aimed at helping youngsters stay safe on the mean streets of Japan. The two-part system combines the FOMA F801i phone, which adds safety features like a 100-decibel alarm, high intensity flashing LEDs, and the ability to automatically notify family in the event of an emergency, and a bracelet remote control which communicates with the device. The phone can be set to provide its location to registered parties, and will turn itself on if it has been switched off. Coupled with the phone is the "amulet style" bracelet, which can be used to locate a misplaced phone, lock the handset, or send a message to another phone (if the device and bracelet are out of range for over five minutes). We suspect that for worried and / or nosey parents, this is a dream come true.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amuletbraceletchildrendocomoemergencyfoma 801iFoma801ijapankidsntt docomoNttDocomosafetyMon, 10 Dec 2007 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Neon hits the FCC, next stop NTT DoCoMo?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/07/htc-neon-hits-the-fcc-next-stop-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/07/htc-neon-hits-the-fcc-next-stop-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/07/htc-neon-hits-the-fcc-next-stop-ntt-docomo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


So we're not too sure what's going on with this here "NEON100" from HTC that just found its way through the FCC's bureaucratic labyrinth. Is it yet another Touch variant? Yeah, it clearly is -- just take a good hard look at that label sample. It's also recently passed through Japan's certification process, and we're seeing some talk across the 'nets that it could be destined for NTT DoCoMo, but we don't think it's the HT1100 since we're not seeing any hint of a slide here. Even more confusing, the test reports are referencing WCDMA Band V -- North America's version of WCDMA on the 850MHz band, versus Japan's Band VI. Ah, screw it, the point is that we're pretty sure this isn't destined for the States unless it's tucked neatly away in the briefcase of a Japanese traveler. Shame, too, since we sure could use a Touch with HSDPA 'round here.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>htcjapanneonneon100ntt docomoNttDocomotouchwindows mobileWindowsMobileFri, 07 Dec 2007 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo shutters French subsidiary, doesn't mean much]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/26/ntt-docomo-shutters-french-subsidiary-doesnt-mean-much/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/26/ntt-docomo-shutters-french-subsidiary-doesnt-mean-much/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/26/ntt-docomo-shutters-french-subsidiary-doesnt-mean-much/#commentsFiled under:

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.
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We started with the weaklings in NTT DoCoMo's latest round (and we use that term very loosely), so now it's time for the powerhouses. The 905i range is loosely bound by a general rule thrown down by the carrier: 3 inch wide VGA display, minimum (with one exception, and even that model still puts up WVGA resolution). That's the kind of rule we can definitely live with. Follow the break for the full breakdown.

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo's Winter 2007 lineup: the 905i series

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With KDDI au and Softbank under our belts, we turn our attention to the granddaddy of 'em all, NTT DoCoMo. As usual, Japan's largest carrier has pulled out all the stops for its latest release, the 705i and 905i series rocking entries from Sharp, Fujitsu, LG, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and NEC. Flips are the name of the game here (surprise, surprise) with an occasional slider thrown in for good measure, all with feature lists designed to please -- and in some cases, stun. We're going to kick things off here with a look at the 705i goodies -- so without further ado, read on.

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo's Winter 2007 lineup: the 705i series

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ericssonfeaturesfujitsujapanlgnecnokiantt docomoNttDocomopanasonicsharpsonysony ericssonSonyEricssonMon, 12 Nov 2007 10:59:00 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[NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 905i handsets on the loose in Japan]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/01/ntt-docomos-foma-905i-handsets-on-the-loose-in-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/01/ntt-docomos-foma-905i-handsets-on-the-loose-in-japan/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/01/ntt-docomos-foma-905i-handsets-on-the-loose-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


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: NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 905i handsets on the loose in Japan


[Via The Unwired and Impress]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>905idocomofomanttp905itvpanasonicso905icssony ericssonSonyEricssonvieraThu, 01 Nov 2007 07:07:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo erects office in Vietnam]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/07/ntt-docomo-erects-office-in-vietnam/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/07/ntt-docomo-erects-office-in-vietnam/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/07/ntt-docomo-erects-office-in-vietnam/#commentsFiled under: ,

Joining overseas facilities in Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore, NTT DoCoMo has established a fourth distanced home in Hanoi, Vietnam. Reportedly, the firm plans on using this building to "enhance its information-gathering capabilities, explore potential business opportunities, and raise its profile among and strengthen relationships with government officials and corporate executives in the burgeoning Vietnamese market." Notably, only four people will be kept on staff at the locale, which will also have oversight for Laos and Cambodia.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hanoiofficevietnamSun, 07 Oct 2007 00:57:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo handset is brutally honest about your weight]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/06/ntt-docomo-handset-is-brutally-honest-about-your-weight/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/06/ntt-docomo-handset-is-brutally-honest-about-your-weight/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/06/ntt-docomo-handset-is-brutally-honest-about-your-weight/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Sure, you can grab your Nike+iPod Sport Kit and try to work off a few calories, but will that contraption become your drill sergeant when you decide to call it quits five minutes in? For those that need constant motivation, NTT DoCoMo has you covered -- if you understand Japanese, that is. Reportedly, the firm was showing off a D903i equipped with software that can not only "check for bad breath," but it can also check your body fat and keep tabs on your heart rate. Granted, we can't confirm that the translations shown above are entirely accurate, but this type of honesty would never fly in the US, anyway.

[Via GearFuse]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caloriesceatecD903ifathealthSat, 06 Oct 2007 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo, Fujitsu show off Super 3G base station]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/05/ntt-docomo-fujitsu-show-off-super-3g-base-station/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/05/ntt-docomo-fujitsu-show-off-super-3g-base-station/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/05/ntt-docomo-fujitsu-show-off-super-3g-base-station/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember that Super 3G network you tried to forget about after realizing it'd likely never leave Japan? Yeah, well NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu were busy showcasing a prototype base station that supports the specification at CEATEC. Reportedly, the device "marked a download rate as high as 900Mbps" when utilizing MIMO. Sadly, there was no mention of this technology (nor the base station) going commercial anytime soon, but we'll take every demonstration we can get in the meanwhile.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2ggp3gbase stationBaseStationceatecfujitsultemimoNTT DoCoMoNttDocomosuper 3gSuper3gFri, 05 Oct 2007 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Is this Fujitsu's F905i for NTT DoCoMo?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/24/is-this-fujitsus-f905i-for-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/24/is-this-fujitsus-f905i-for-ntt-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/24/is-this-fujitsus-f905i-for-ntt-docomo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

NTT DoCoMo customers will have no shortage of cool phones to choose from in the upcoming holiday season (as if they ever have a shortage of cool phones). Luckily, the same sleuth who found Mitsubishi's D905i has returned for round two, and now it looks like Fujitsu's F905i is appearing on the radar. It features a 3.2-inch display that rocks WVGA resolution (862 x 480) and a 3.2 megapixel CMOS shooter to match. Let's not forget that Fujitsu threw in a rotating display that offers split screen viewing for those times when you just can't tear yourself away from the teevee while you're browsing the 'nets. If we had to guess, we'd say this'll be one of about twelve or fifteen released in a typically NTT DoCoMo-esque launch extravaganza any week now -- everyone gettin' amped for it?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F905iFujitsuJapanNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoMon, 24 Sep 2007 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo cooks up low-power chip for Super 3G]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/ntt-docomo-cooks-up-low-power-chip-for-super-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/ntt-docomo-cooks-up-low-power-chip-for-super-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/ntt-docomo-cooks-up-low-power-chip-for-super-3g/#commentsFiled under: ,

In technology, speed is almost universally the enemy of power, and that rule certainly holds true in the world of cellular data standards. You heard it from His Steveness himself -- one of the main reasons we don't have a 3G iPhone on store shelves is because he isn't happy with battery life on HSDPA chipsets yet (consumers' opinions be damned, apparently), and in general, runtimes on 3G handsets large and small flag their 2G cousins, sometimes by a significant margin. Happily, the wiz kids at NTT DoCoMo are on the case, crafting Super 3G / LTE chipsets on 65nm dies capable of burning through 200Mbps at "sufficiently low power consumption" for mobile use. There's still no word on when NTT DoCoMo (or anyone else, for that matter) will be launching a commercial network at LTE speeds, but the company's hailing this latest batch of chips as a "milestone" on that journey -- and let's be honest, odds are good that Japan's gonna be rocking this stuff years before the rest of us anyhow.

[Via PhoneMag]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipchipsetlsiltentt docomoNttDocomosuper 3gSuper3gFri, 21 Sep 2007 05:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi D905i for NTT DoCoMo caught on camera]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/mitsubishi-d905i-for-ntt-docomo-caught-on-camera/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/mitsubishi-d905i-for-ntt-docomo-caught-on-camera/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/17/mitsubishi-d905i-for-ntt-docomo-caught-on-camera/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi's latest addition to NTT DoCoMo's high-end 905i series has us drooling. It sports an expansive 3.1-inch WVGA display (894 x 480 resolution, to be exact), a 3.2 megapixel CCD shooter with autofocus, expandable memory via microSD, and tweaks to the software to enable mobile TV, MSN messenger, and HTML emails round out the feature set. Pricing and release date are unknown, but we're guessing those key figures will turn up shortly.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d905ijapanmitsubishiNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoMon, 17 Sep 2007 23:39:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC's HT1100 (Nike) with TouchFLO lives... on Japan's DoCoMo]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/htcs-ht1100-nike-with-touchflo-lives-on-japans-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/htcs-ht1100-nike-with-touchflo-lives-on-japans-docomo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/htcs-ht1100-nike-with-touchflo-lives-on-japans-docomo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


There it is, the HTC HT1100, aka Nike, aka the Touch II WinMo 6 Professional slider we've been anticipating. This FOMA handset packs HSDPA (naturally, for DoCoMo) and GSM for international roaming while representing HTC's second handset to feature the TouchFLO interface. The QVGA display has been trimmed back to 2.6-inches while the sliding keypad chunks it up a bit to 112 x 51 x 16.9-mm / 130-grams. 802.11a/b/g WiFi, SIP support, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel camera (with a 1 megapixeler up front), FM tuner (?), and microSD round out the specs. So it's official, now we just need a release a bit say, closer to home.
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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]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cmosfomahome camerahome securityHomeCameraHomeSecurityjapanNTTsecuritystreamstreamingsurveillanceWed, 08 Aug 2007 04:32:00 EST<![CDATA[O2, Telstra pull plug on i-mode]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/19/o2-telstra-pull-plug-on-i-mode/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/19/o2-telstra-pull-plug-on-i-mode/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/19/o2-telstra-pull-plug-on-i-mode/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yeah, NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile data service does alright in Japan -- in fact, we curse the heavens every day that we aren't there to enjoy it -- but it has been met with considerably less success in the twelve other countries where it's offered in licensed form. O2 and Telstra are both phasing out their i-mode offerings -- O2 in 2009, Telstra in December -- with O2 saying that despite extremely high satisfaction among its i-mode users, a general lack of hardware available to support the service (isn't it just a deck of content on a 3G phone?) prevents it from moving forward. Of course, this doesn't spell the end of either carrier's mobile content or 3G efforts -- far from it, in fact -- with Telstra encouraging users to migrate to Next G.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i-modeimodejapanntt docomoNttDocomoo2telstraThu, 19 Jul 2007 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo tests speedy Super 3G]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/13/ntt-docomo-tests-speedy-super-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/13/ntt-docomo-tests-speedy-super-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/13/ntt-docomo-tests-speedy-super-3g/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's a bird, it's a plane, no, its just Japan's NTT DoCoMo blowing the rest of the world away with yet more steroid-loaded 3G action, or Super 3G in this case. Blending advanced HSDPA and HSUPA technologies, Super 3G is touted as having downlink speeds as quick as 300Mbps -- a fair bit quicker than earlier reports -- to your handset. The indoor tests will begin with only one transmitting and receiving antenna, but switch up to the four Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system that would be used if deployed. Test are expected to wrap up in 2009, so in the interim we'll all just sit back and cry a little knowing we'll never see this type of tech on these shores.

[Via Unwired View]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hsdpahsupantt docomoNttDocomoSuper 3gSuper3gFri, 13 Jul 2007 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[ATT, NTT DoCoMo partner up on 3G rollout for Hawaii]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/att-ntt-docomo-partner-up-on-3g-rollout-for-hawaii/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/att-ntt-docomo-partner-up-on-3g-rollout-for-hawaii/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/12/att-ntt-docomo-partner-up-on-3g-rollout-for-hawaii/#commentsFiled under: ,


As more and more companies join in the fight to nix international roaming charges, it's not too shocking to find NTT DoCoMo taking the shortest route to the US and hooking up with AT&T on a 3G rollout. More specifically, DoCoMo has apparently agreed to provide "technical assistance" and shell out "up to $24 million" in financial support for the deployment of AT&T's 3G network in the state of Hawaii. Under the deal, AT&T will launch a 3G network based on W-CDMA technology, and from what we can tell, DoCoMo customers vacationing in Hawaii won't be faced with those pesky roaming rates. Sadly, no hard timeline was laid out, but the island of Oahu should be lit by the year's end, while the rest of the state will get served "in early 2008."
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ghawaiiinternationaljapanroamingrolloutususaW-CDMAwcdmaThu, 12 Jul 2007 20:47:00 EST<![CDATA[LG's Chocolate L704i snapped in the wild]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/06/lgs-chocolate-l704i-snapped-in-the-wild/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/06/lgs-chocolate-l704i-snapped-in-the-wild/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/06/lgs-chocolate-l704i-snapped-in-the-wild/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In case LG's L704i managed to slip under your radar in the midst of all those other NTT DoCoMo handsets, here's a few pictures of it in its prime. 'Course, we wouldn't stare too long if you're stuck in the US of A, as all the wishing in the world isn't likely to get this piece of Chocolate to the States. Nevertheless, it does manage to look awfully sexy when grasped, so be sure to click through for some more hands-on excitement.

[Via JustAMP]

Continue reading LG's Chocolate L704i snapped in the wild

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocolatein the wildInTheWildl704ipicspicturessnapshotsnapshotssneak peekSneakPeekFri, 06 Jul 2007 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo rolls out 704i series]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-704i-series/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-704i-series/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/ntt-docomo-rolls-out-704i-series/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Here it is, a moment that is both dreaded and eagerly anticipated by phone journalists across the land: the release of a new handset series by NTT DoCoMo. This particular flock belongs to the FOMA 704i line, offering three sliders and five flips for a grand total of eight lovely devices. The massive release is nothing out of the ordinary for a Japanese carrier -- they tend to do this with shocking frequency, in fact -- but what is surprising is that this particular lineup offers an LG phone, cementing Korea's ever-increasing presence in the launches. Click on for all the gory details!

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo rolls out 704i series

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NTT DoCoMo has already brought a 3G-enabled Blackberry 8707h to Japan, but it looks like it and RIM have just now gotten around to adding Japanese-language support to the smartphone, with some localized versions of BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Desktop Manager thrown in for good measure. In addition to the complete interface overhaul, the newly-updated BlackBerry will let users read and write Japanese emails (it's not clear exactly how the input's handled), and browse Japanese-language websites. While DoCoMo's not getting much more specific than sometime "this summer" for a release date for the software, it'll begin accepting advance orders for the updat