NTT DoCoMo will demo LTE prototype at MWC, launch service this year
Still on track to launch its LTE network this year, Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has today announced that its first prototype handset designed specifically to handle all that bandwidth will be unveiled at MWC 2010. We already knew a cool $10.4 billion or thereabouts were to be spent on Japanese LTE deployment, and now we can break that figure down a little by noting that NTT will be spending between $3.3b and $4.4b on its infrastructure alone. All we know of the new phone so far is that it’ll be the product of the overall partnership with NEC, Fujitsu and Panasonic, but judging from NTT DoCoMo’s last prototype to grace these pages, we’re unlikely to be left wanting.
NTT DoCoMo will demo LTE prototype at MWC, launch service this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NTT DoCoMo launching its own version of Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10
WinMo and Android handsets from HTC, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and others that are designed for global reach typically don’t find their way into Japan for a number of reasons: localization, carriers’ draconian control over handset specs, unique market needs, the list goes on. Every once in a while, though, one’ll break through — take the Xperia X10, for example, which has now been announced for release on NTT DoCoMo simply as the “Smartphone Xperia,” making it the first major carrier anywhere to announce a branded deal on the set. It looks to be a pretty faithful carry-over of the same custom Android skin Sony Ericsson is launching elsewhere and features 7.2Mbps down / 2.0Mbps up, WiFi, an 8.1 megapixel cam, and availability in “Sensuous Black” and “Luster White.” It’ll be hitting in April — right about the same time we suspect it’ll be launching elsewhere.
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NTT DoCoMo launching its own version of Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Nissan’s Scratch Shield paint coming to cellphones, invisibleSHIELD feels threatened
Remember Nissan’s Scratch Shield paint technology? You know, that stuff we first heard about some four years back? According to a release straight out of Yokohama, the automaker has agreed to license that very tech to Japan’s own NTT DoCoMo for “mobile phone application.” In theory, at least, the flexible clearcoat will enable certain light scratches to actually heal themselves over time, and the paint itself is tougher to scratch to begin with. There’s no specific mention of the who’s and when’s involved, but we’re hoping to see this idea spread to other portable devices in the near future. After all — who isn’t sick of shelling out for some clear skin to protect each and every handheld they own?
Nissan’s Scratch Shield paint coming to cellphones, invisibleSHIELD feels threatened originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NTT DoCoMo, Softbank announce grand total of 37 phones: Android, perfume holders, and more
When two of Japan’s largest mobile carriers conspire to release nearly 40 phones in the span of 24 hours, editors covering the story are sure to lose hair and a solid year of lifespan — but for consumers in the local market, it’s nothing but good news. Here are some of the highlights from NTT DoCoMo:
- Fujtsu F-02B: Described as a “jewelry quality” phone with a snap-on perfume holder for “an air of elegance.”
- LG L-03B: Has support for Korean, Japanese, and English for frequent travelers (in other words, English speakers, if you find yourself on this archipelago and you don’t speak a lick of the local tongue, seek out this phone).
- Sharp SH-04B: Designed to look like a melting chocolate bar by food-themed wardrobe accessory maker Q-Pot — for some reason we don’t fully comprehend.
- Fujitsu F-04B: Realizing the concept shown off at CEATEC last year, this one features a removable keyboard that operates via Bluetooth and a 12.1 megapixel camera.
- Panasonic P-01B: This flip looks like pretty much every other in the lineup, but its got a secret — the keypad doubles as a touchpad. Clever.
- Samsung SC-01B: Samsung’s Windows Mobile 6.5-powered entry here appears to be a remix of the B7330 sold globally, which makes it about 1,000 times weaker than every other phone in the lineup.
And from Softbank:
- Sharp AQUOS Mobile FULLTOUCH 941SH: All we need to say about this one is “4-inch 1024 x 480 display,” which, as you might be able to imagine, is a world’s first.
- Sharp AQUOS Mobile 943SH: Dual one-seg tuners let you watch one program and record another, and a mention of transferring Blu-ray content has us thinking that Managed Copy is along for the ride.
- Toshiba dynapocket X02T: Remember how NTT DoCoMo had previously gotten the TG01 as the T01A? Yeah, well, now it’s Softbank’s turn — and this time, it’s called the X02A. Not much more to it than that.
- Samsung X01SC: This looks to be a localized version of AT&T’s Samsung Jack, of all phones, meaning that it’s a Windows Mobile 6.5 Standard phone (no touchscreen) with a QVGA display and portrait QWERTY keyboard.
- Sharp 942SH KT: No lineup would be complete without the obligatory Hello Kitty marketing tie-in, and the 942SH KT does the honors this time around with a black shell featuring stylized pink text and graphics.
- Samsung OMNIA VISION 940SC: Samsung’s now-famous OMNIA brand comes to Softbank on the wings of a 3.5-inch AMOLED display, one-seg tuner, and kickstand for desktop viewing.
- Sharp Jelly Beans 840SH: We don’t think you’d want to try eating it, but the 840SH comes in seven colors — hence the name, we think.
- Android: The simply-named Android runs — you guessed it — Android with a 3.7 inch AMOLED display and 1GHz Snapdragon processor; unfortunately, it won’t be available until next Spring and the manufacturer isn’t being revealed right now.
Both companies are also adding wireless digital photo frames to the lineup, and in Softbank’s case, a pair of data modems with support for 7.2Mbps on the downlink. We’ll admit — we didn’t think we’d live to see the day when Canada had three live networks with data rates trouncing Japan’s.
Read – Softbank Winter ‘09 / Spring ‘10 collection
Read – NTT DoCoMo’s new series
Filed under: Cellphones
NTT DoCoMo, Softbank announce grand total of 37 phones: Android, perfume holders, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.