NTT DoCoMo to Offer i-Mode Service in U.S.
Speaking at CTIA WIRELESS 2002 on March 20, NTT DoCoMo President and Chief Executive Officer Keiji Tachikawa said that his company'™s popular i-mode service could be offered in the U.S. as early as the second half of 2002. The service would likely be offered by AT&T Wireless, in which DoCoMo has a 15 percent interest. (ZDNet News)
Ireland Restricts Drivers'™ Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones
If stopped three times by police for using a cell phone, walkie talkie, citizens band radio or other hand-held communications device, drivers could face three months in jail. (Reuters) (Ananova)
Survey Shows Consumers Less Interested in Buying via Net-Enabled Cell Phone
A survey by A.T. Kearney of cell phone users worldwide found that only one percent said they intended to make any kind of purchase using Internet-enabled phones. However, 44% said they'™d use a mobile phone-based payment system to buy small items like cans of soda from vending machines. The survey, conducted in January, included 5,600 cell phone users in Asia, Europe and the U.S. (Wall Street Journal)
Motorola Expects Wireless Network Equipment Sales Growth in 2003
A Motorola executive said on March 19, 2002 that the company expects the wireless network equipment market to begin recovering in the latter half of 2002, and show growth in 2003. (Reuters)
Handspring Releases Beta Version of New Wireless E-Mail Service
Handspring Inc. released on March 19, 2002 a beta version of Treo Mail, its new wireless e-mail service that offers mobile, secure access to desktop e-mail. The software is available at www.handspring.com for a limited time. (CNET News.com)
Compaq to Include RealOne Player on Its Pocket PC
Compaq is on target to become the first Pocket PC maker to incorporate RealNetworks'™ media streaming capability on its hand-held computers. (ZDNet U.K.)
Average Adult Web Surfers Don'™t Want to Pay for Online Content, Survey Finds
According to a survey from Jupiter Media Metrix, 70% of online adults said they can'™t imagine anyone paying for content. However, 42% expect that Internet content will have a price in the future. (Newsbytes)
Ricoh Digital Camera Demos Wireless Imaging Platform over Lucent 3G Network
The system is designed to provide off-site project managers with live images including high-resolution stills, full-motion streaming video or live broadcast feeds. (e-inSITE)
Europe'™s GPS Users Concerned over Potential for U.S. to Restrict Access to Satellites
The Global Positioning System used by many organizations across Europe is run on a U.S. global satellite network. Analysts say that the U.S. could switch off or restrict access to the system during a security threat. Some are considering whether Europe should create its own GPS network. (BBC)
T-Mobile to Offer Mobile Video Services from Siemens
The Siemens wireless multimedia streaming service is built on a software platform from PacketVideo. (Telecom.paper)
IEEE to Improve Interoperability between Bluetooth and 802.11b Wireless LAN Systems
A revised connectivity standard, designed to reduce interoperability problems between Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless LAN systems, is due to be finalized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) by the end of March 2002. The new standard must be ratified by the U.S. FCC. (CommWeb.com)
European i-Mode Launch to Include Some Risque Offerings
Though not officially part of i-mode offerings in Japan, subscribers to i-mode service in Germany can choose to receive some risque content. Sexual content is viewed as a potential 'žkiller application' for the service. (Reuters)
IDC Survey Projects Explosive Worldwide Growth in Internet Use
According to the IDC report, the worldwide Internet population will grow to 941 million by 2005, and traffic on the Net will increase 93-fold. (Newsbytes)
Samsung Introduces New Line of Phones
Samsung introduced 8 new phones with features including color screens, stereo sound, built-in cameras, and games. (Reuters)
Ericsson and Texas Instruments Sign Agreement on GPRS and 3G
Ericsson Mobile Platforms and Texas Instruments said on March 14, 2002they have broadened their working relationship to include developing reference designs for GPRS and 3G products. (Reuters)
Sony Ericsson Signs Up Game Makers
Sony Ericsson signed March 14, 2002 on partnerships with iFone and Synergenix. The companies plan to offer downloadable games at Sony Ericsson'™s Web site or at wireless carriers'™ sites. (Reuters)
Ford, Renault, Peugeot Citroen Form Wireless Joint Venture
The new venture will develop wireless services such as emergency assistance, navigation, and weather forecasts to motorists. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. (Dow Jones Newswires)
Vodafone, T-Mobile to Introduce Mobile Phone-Based Payment System
Vodafone and T-Mobile intend for their wireless financial transaction platform to become the European standard. (FT Investor) (Wall Street Journal) (Reuters)
Deutsche Telekom to Use Microsoft .NET Technologies
Deutsche Telekom and Microsoft announced on March 13, 2002 extensive plans to develop devices and services for consumers and businesses. The plans include introducing two new mobile services that will allow customers to roam and access information across Deutsche Telekom and subsidiary networks including Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the United Kingdom and the U.S. The new services will provide secure wireless access to corporate intranets and Microsoft Exchange Server data, including e-mail, contacts and calendars, as well as color HTML browsing on laptops, hand-held computers, smart phones and other devices. (Reuters)
Four More Companies Sign On to Make Microsoft'™s Mira Wireless Tablet
Microsoft said on March 13, 2002 Royal Philips Electronics, LG Electronics, Tatung and Trigem have signed on to manufacture its Mira wireless tablet, a flat-panel, portable device that runs Windows CE.Net and transfers data to and from PCs using an 802.11 wireless network. Electronics firms ViewSonic, NEC, Futjitsu and Panasonic had previously said they would make the device. (CNET News.com)
Toshiba, Mitsubishi Form Joint Venture
The new venture will develop 3G mobile phones. NEC Corp. and Matsushita Communications Industrial Co. have formed a similar venture. (Dow Jones Newswires)
NTT DoCoMo Announces Wireless Video-Conferencing Platform
The company says the video-conferencing system is the first of its kind. (Dow Jones Newswires)
Qualcomm Considers Globalstar Technology for Aircraft Applications
Qualcomm is studying the potential of Globalstar'™s satellite phone technology to transmit technical and operating information from an aircraft, and to transmit images of the engines or cockpit in an emergency. (Reuters)
