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NTT DoCoMo Unveils Ultimate 3G i-mode Phones: FOMA 900i Series
TOKYO, JAPAN, December 18, 2003 --- NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries today unveiled the FOMA® 900i series, the most advanced-ever 3G FOMA i-mode® mobile phones, featuring a Macromedia® Flash™-equipped browser, HTML e-mail and avatar-capable videophone. Compared with the original series of FOMA phones, 900i models offer three times longer standby and weigh 20 percent less.
The 900i series will boast the first 3G phones equipped with a Macromedia Flash browser for the enjoyment of rich content enhanced with highly fluid animation. Flash applications of up to 100K are possible, compared with 20K in 2G mova® 505i series. The new series will also handle richer, more sophisticated online games. Java®-based i-appli™ applications offer a 400K scratch pad and have a maximum capacity of 100K for content/archiving, compared with 200K and 30K in existing models.
All 900i series handsets will be equipped with high-resolution mega-pixel cameras, ranging up to two mega pixels, and slots for memory cards.
Three completely new functions will be available exclusively in 900i phones:
• "Deco-mail" : HTML e-mail, which enables email messages to be decorated with photos and animation (downloaded from i-mode menu sites), as well as various backgrounds, fonts and letter colors.
• "Chara-den" : Avatar-capable videophone, for transmitting animated cartoon characters ("avatars") to represent the sender's face (instead of live video), during videophone calls. Character expressions can be changed in real time.
• "Chaku-motion" : Enables the user to combine video and high-quality music (AAC format) to signal incoming calls.
DoCoMo expects the release of the all-new 900i series to further boost FOMA's steadily increasing subscriber base, which surpassed 1.7 million on December 11. At the same time, FOMA service area continues to expand, as well as offer enhanced service in existing areas thanks to the installation of additional small-size base stations in enclosed sites, such as buildings and subway stations. FOMA service will be available to 99% of the nation's population by the end of March 2004.
The five-model FOMA 900i series will be released in the first part of next year (to be announced).
For more details about 900i series models, please see the attachment.
When NTT DoCoMo unveiled the 900i series, the most advanced-ever 3G i-mode mobile terminals, on December 18, 2003, members of the press seemed eager to hear the announcement. The press conference was a resounding success, with the conference hall filled to capacity soon after opening.
The five models in the 900i series will be released in February 2004. All models are equipped with a mega-pixel digital camera (2 models with 2 mega pixels) and a QVGA LCD. The terminals deliver enhanced performance with an amazing 2G-class weight and stand-by time. Technical advancements like memory management, decreased CPU power consumption, and battery control during wireless waiting time have answered the highest demand for a longer stand-by time.
"I confidently present the 900i series to be, both in name and reality, 'the ultimate mobile phone.' It has overcome many hurdles, such as the upper limits of data-processing capability, because of our long-term research and development of Wideband CDMA," said Takeshi Natsuno, Managing Director of i-mode Planning Department.
Concept of the ultimate 900i series
The main characteristics are cutting-edge designs with highest quality functions, 2G-class weight and stand-by time, and five new attractive services beyond 505i capability.
The designs and functions are aimed at satisfying Japanese innovators looking for unique advances while attracting the general public.
The concept entails state-of-the-art designs for all models, strict use of high quality parts, and innovative usage only possible with 900i series. The accomplishments are a result of cohesive cooperation with respective terminal manufacturers.
Attractive new services
The vast content services are what make the 900i series models the "ultimate i-mode terminal." i-appli can now produce and offer content more attractive than existing services, thanks to its large-capacity of 500kb — twice that of existing services. Specifically, game-appli now offers such industry-leading popular games as Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Biohazard. The potential for business applications is also growing rapidly.
Other services available on all models include Deco-mail, Chaku-motion, Flash and chara-den. Deco-mail, an HTML e-mail, enables the user to color letters or add movement to them, attach video and music, and use pictograms to deliver enhanced power of expression. Chaku-motion allows the user to combine video and i-motion (AAC format) to signal incoming calls, while the 100K Flash (double the capacity of currently available Flash) delivers extremely smooth animation. Lastly, chara-den permits users to transmit animated cartoon characters to replace their faces during videophone conversations.
The challenge is to suggest new styles of mobile communication to users in Japan, who are an audience eager to try out new services.
Each model is equipped with standard and specialized functions that include a mega-pixel camera, QVGA LCD, infrared function, 2D barcode reader, Videophone (with avatar function), large-capacity Flash, and external memory.
Some models are equipped with a 2-mega pixel CCD camera, while others are equipped with "custom jacket" panels for a personal look, digital auto focus, video output to a TV monitor via cable connection, or a PC document viewer (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or PDF). Application of external memory expands through such exciting functions. For more information on the convenient usage of external memory, please refer to December 18, 2003 Announcement.
Ever-evolving mobile terminals
In addition to these five models, two models are to be released in April 2004 that will be based on 900i functions with plus-alpha capabilities.
One of the two models, P900iV, will specialize in visual capabilities. An advanced camera function will enable movie-style recording. The other model, F900iT, will be equipped with the first-ever Bluetooth capable touch panel LCD, which will open new windows to visual communication and find further demands for mobile phone usage.
Mobile multimedia is about to enter a new era in 2004. Mobile terminals did not stop after the changeover from a talking tool to a multi-usage tool; now it is becoming an innovative visual communications and commerce tool, expanding its possibilities infinitely. The future of communications promised by NTT DoCoMo has already begun, here and now.