PressRelease

Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, Samsung and Vodafone have joined hands and declared that they intend to establish a linux-based global standard for mobile devices. The group expects that this will improve development and reduce costs associated with creating cutting edge devices. The newly formed group also announced intentions to form an independent foundation.

The foundation will aim to develop a platform with every participating company making significant contributions through joint development and transparency between partner companies. Members of the group are expected to collaborate with Linux developers, be fair and balanced with contributions, coordinate with existing industry groups and seek participation with interested companies (from development to software vendors and third party developers).

My Perspective

I knew Motorola was going to be smart about this, there was too much talk about open-source. You could feel the tention. What they go and do? Form a group, now companies not operating within the foundation will look like they are not playing with the “team”. Excellent strategy.

- BigBerries

Source: LegitReviews

Microsoft recently signed a deal with NTT DoCoMo for the company to use Windows Media Audio and Windows Media DRM. Partnering with NTT DoCoMo is a good move for Microsoft to gain leverage for its DRM solution. NTT DoCoMo is Japan’s number one mobile phone operator and has leverage in over 15 countries which can lead to the spreading of Microsoft’s DRM solution.

The collaboration is for NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA handsets and will start with the F902iS. The F902iS will support both Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 (for portable devices). Peter Pollack over at Arstechnica lays out some interesting thoughts on the subject. A bit of information (in English unlike the source of the photo above) on the NTT DoCoMo F902iS is below.

Quick Specs

2.4 inch 262k QVGA TFT color display
3.2 Megapixel camera
MiniSDTM memory Card Slot
Fingerprint Identification
Media Player with Illuminated control pad
Size 107 x 50 x 19.7mm
Weight 120g

- BigBerries

Source: AustralianIT

I was meaning to write this before as it was one of the reasons behind (Why not US?). NTT DoCoMo from Japan understands the concept of connecting the global community through mobility and will make a concerted effort to bring all devices created by the company into GSM standards within 2 years. They will be the first mobile company from Japan to do so. Awesome! This will make NTT DoCoMo handsets usable in over 130 countries. In addition to making calls users of DoCoMo phones will be able to use i-mode internet services in over 50 countries as well.

Hopefully all the new customers and money NTT DoCoMo makes will spur every handset manufacturer into a global acceptance frenzy, then maybe the US will start getting some of those ridiculously cool phones too.

- BigBerries

Source:Slashphone

Set to be launched on April 28, DCMX will offer credit limit of 10,000 yen which is about $85.00 (US). Anything over that amount requires a 4 digit password.

With the new service to be offered from NTT DoCoMo, simply wave your phone and the appropriate device will pick up and handle the transaction. transactions are to be paid on your monthly bill.

Payment via RFID has taken of in Asia, Sony currently offers a similar service and Motorola, as BigBerries reported a while back is testing the M-Wallet in the US.

Making payments via the DCMX service will earn users reward points which can be redeemed for products, services or items from participating retailers.

I would expect (in the US) the ability for minors to make purchases would be subject to guardian approval unless of course the phone is the minors responsibility.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. has applied for a license to build outdoor wireless stations for WiMAX. WiMAX is a wide-area wireless broadband network technology, based on IEEE 802.16e.

According to mobiletechnews, DoCoMo, will be working collaboratively with other NTT group companies, testing is expected to take place for about 1 year in the Yoyogi area of Tokyo using the 2.5GHz frequency.

If you’re totally lost in regards to WiMAX visit the Wiki entry for WiMAX, also Intel is looking to connect the next billion people .

The mobile giant in Japan is making moves, subtly developing itself as an international force. Following a recent trend of growth in foreign countries, the top mobile firm in Japan, NTT DoCoMo has acquired not one, but two mobile companies in Guam.

Guam Cellular Inc and Guam Wireless both gave up the goods, for a mere 71.8 million (US).

Late last year, NTT DoCoMo grabbed portions of South Korean’ KTF and just a few months back (January) announced intentions to increase holdings of Philippine Long Distance Telephone.

This recent deal, subject to US regulatory approval, enables NTT DoCoMo to grow in new markets, while simultaneously strengthening its position across Asia.