DoCoMo to support LiMo, Android, Symbian, etc.

In a search of next growth engine, NTT DoCoMo is experimenting with various mobile operating systems for its handsets. It was just a couple of weeks ago when they announced plans to launch Android-based phones by 2010. Now they are announcing that their Linux MOAP platform will be re-tuned to LiMo specs as an operator pack for FOMA 3G handsets. According to DoCoMo, “the pack will contain a suite of Linux operating system-based software applications that implement i-mode™, i-appli™ and other unique DoCoMo services.” There was also a mentioning of developing a similar pack for Symbian MOAP platform. Besides that, DoCoMo also sells Windows Mobile smartphones, RIM’s Blackberry messaging machines and there are rumors it might offer Apple’s iPhone. What a soup of OSs? Isn’t it too much to handle even for DoCoMo?

Source: NTT DoCoMo

NTT DoCoMo is in a rebranding exercise

Having witnessed its market share dropping below 50% for the first time in a decade, NTT DoCoMo is introducing a new brand logo in an attempt to galvanize its ailing business. According to DoCoMo, the new logo means “energy and dynamism”. The change will require to do a makeover of 1,800 shops and, as Financial Times put it, “a small forest of stationery”. This is not the first attempt for DoCoMo to change its image – last summer it started a marketing campaign under the “DoCoMo 2.0” brand. However, changing the brand is far from being enough to reverse the market dynamics into your favor and hopefully DoCoMo realizes this.

Related articles on DoCoMo’s strategy:

• i-mode loses its appeal?
  

Willcom releases specs of MID with voice capability

Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) are entering the voice domain of smartphones with a value proposition of a full PC functionality and ability to make voice calls – not only VoIP calls. Willcom, the last-standing PHS carrier in Japan, has made device differentiation its main weapon to protect its small turf from grabs by three national cellular carriers - NTT DoCoMo, KDDI au and Softbank. So far this strategy combined with the introduction of flexible voice and data plans and targeted marketing works just fine for Willcom – it was even able to grow its user base a little to 4.5 million in 2007. Having relied on close partnership with device manufacturer Sharp, Willcom has a long history of wooing the rather conservative handset market of Japan with innovative designs and form factors of its devices. For instance, its W-ZERO3 introduced in 2005 was a big hit in Japan, spotting a QWERTY keyboard for the first time. This time, Willcom is the first to introduce Willcom D4 – a pure-cut MID with voice function built-in. Of course, the data-centric form factor will limit the usage scenarios of making phone calls with this device, but enclosed headsets and Bluetooth should enable users to make phone calls when in stationed position. Still, this device will not replace the voice-centric mobile phones but most likely will play a complementary role for some niche segments in both consumer and enterprise markets. Windows Mobile-based smartphones are most likely to be affected by such MIDs if more introduced on a global scale in a long run.

Specs
Model:	WS01SH
Carrier:	Willcom
Maker:	Sharp
OS:	Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1)
CPU:	Intel Atom processor Z520 (1.33GHz)
Chipset:	US15W
System bus (memory):	133MHz (533MHz)
Main memory:	1GB (DDR2-533, PC2-4200 supported)
Display:	5" Wide TFT LCD (WSVGA supported, LED backlight)
Keyboard:	64-key full keyboard
Touchpad:	illumination-enabled touchpad
HDD:	40GB (1.8", Ultra ATA/100)
WLAN:	IEEE 802.11b/g
Bluetooth:	Ver.2.0+EDR
GPS / Location:	GPS
Memory card:	microSD
TV tuner:	one-seg
Camera:	2MP (autofocus)
Battery life:	TBD
Weight:	470g (with standard battery)
Size (W x H x D):	188 X 84 X 25.9mm
PHS:	W-SIM (W-OAM supported)

Related Willcom Mobile Internet Device article:

• Willcom reveals details about its mysterious Mobile Internet Device

Mapii Beta released – Loopt on steroids?

Location-based social networks are popping up all over the world targeting mobile phone users as the most suitable group because of their on-the-go status. Knowing your friends’ location nearby you, gives you more opportunities to hang out with them without advanced planning. Local businesses are the main beneficiaries of such ad hoc beer get-togethers or girlfriends’ shopping sprees. Japan’s mapii, a social mapping service, understands the lucrative potential of location-based advertising and that’s why it is planning to offer itself free of charge. It is crucial for such services to grow their user bases to attract local advertising budgets. Clean UI and ease-of-use come as important factors in differentiating yourself from rivals. Mapii bets on Flash-based maps for clean graphics and combination of GPS and cell tower location data for precise information. By using cell towers’ location data mapii ensures its spread into non-GPS phone base. Users will also receive notifications posted by other users about interesting events in the radius of ten kilometers around user’s location. If you’re in Japan, check them out from your keitai: http://mapii.jp.

Source: K-Tai.Impress.co.jp