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

Willcom reveals details about its mysterious Mobile Internet Device

At CES 2008, Intel booth was a center stage for the debut of Internet-optimized terminals, which Intel marketing people called Mobile Internet Devices (MID). There was one device or a mockup, to be precise, with Willcom brand name on it and no information about its specs among the showcased MIDs in Intel’s booth.

Finally, Willcom broke the silence and revealed some specs about its MID scheduled for launch in June this year. Contrarily to many MIDs it won’t run on Linux but will stick to Windows Vista instead. Sharp will be the manufacturer. On the CPU side, the terminal will spot Intel Atom processor based on Intel’s Silverthorne platform. The device will be used for voice and data communications. More information about its specs is promised to be released in April.

The introduction of the MID is a part of Willcom’s strategy to move toward the deployment of the next-generation PHS network that should enable downloads at 20Mbps. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications granted a license for the 2.5GHz band to Willcom in December 2007. Because the next-generation PHS will rely on OFDM and MIMO technologies it shares a lot in common with WiMax. However, it is hard to secure vendor’s dedication to manufacture the gear tailored for Willcom because of the proprietary nature of the PHS technology. At least, the gear comes at higher price, which puts Willcom in disadvantage. Other countries using PHS include China and Thailand.

Source: Willcom press release

FC Barcelona handset hits the market in Japan

Barcelona fans rejoice! Japan's PHS carrier Willcom is introducing a Barcelona-branded handset that carries Barcelona-distinctive colors and is packed with Barcelona-themed wallpapers and ringtones. The handset is the redicorated "9 (nine)" model manufactured by KES. This is a limited edition available for purchase only during August. The price with a new contract starts at JPY7,800 ($64).

Phone Specs
Model:	9 (nine)
Carrier:	Willcom
Bands:	PHS, W-SIM compatible
Packet data:	W-OAM 204bps
Form factor:	candy bar
Color variations:	Barcelona colors
Weight:	67g
Dimensions:	40 x 11.5 x 124mm
Main display:	QVGA 240 x 320, 2.0 inch
Talk time:	5.5 hours
Battery type:	Litium Ion
Platform / OS:	Proprietary
Memory:	1.5MB + 2MB (email)
Memory card slot:	No
GPS / Location:	Network-based LBS
Bluetooth:	N/A
Infrared:	N/A
USB:	Yes, synch & charging
Wi-Fi:	No
Camera:	No
Video calling:	No
One-seg TV:	No
Music player:	N/A
Web browser:	NetFront
Processor:	ARM9
Mobile Wallet:	No
QR-code:	No
Authentication:	N/A

Japan's response to iPhone - nani!?

Scheduled to be announced on July 18th at Wireless Japan tradeshow the nani device from Sophia Mobile follows the recent trend established by iPhone featuring touchscreen and forfeiting hardware keys wherever it is possible. Spec-wise it is very impressive, as you can see from the table below, and yes, it can make phone calls. While it doesn’t look as stylish as iPhone does, the nani spots bigger screen at 4.3 inches and is compatible with Japanese standard for mobile broadcast TV - one seg. The information about nani is scarce at the moment, but taking into account its compatibility with PHS (W-SIM) wireless standard it is likely to be offered by Willcom in Japan. More details are to be revealed after July 18th.

Phone Specs
Model:	nani
Carrier:	Willcom
Bands:	PHS (W-SIM)
Packet data:	N/A
Form factor:	candy bar
Color variations:	White
Weight:	180g
Dimensions:	140 x 80.5 x 17mm
Main display:	Touchscreen WVGA, 4.3inch
Battery life:	N/A
Battery type:	Lithium
Platform / OS:	Windows CE
Memory:	N/A
Memory card slot:	miniSD
GPS / Location:	Yes
Bluetooth:	No
Infrared:	N/A
USB:	miniUSB (OTG compatible)
Wi-Fi:	WiFi (802.11b/g)
Camera:	VGA
Video playback:	MPEG-1／2／4、DivX、Xvid
One-seg TV:	Yes
Music player:	WAV、WMA、MP3、Ogg Vorbis
Web browser:	browser
CPU:	RMI Alchemy Au1250 Media Processor 600MHz
Mobile Wallet:	N/A
QR-code:	N/A
Maker:	Sophia Mobile

Source: IT Media (Japanese)

Willcom sells W-ZEZO3 smartphone in package deal with Slingbox and Sky Perfect TV

While U.S. carriers are fearing that Slingbox or Orb will congest their networks with bandwidth-hungry live TV content streaming, Japanese PHS carrier Willcom teams up with Sky Perfect TV and Slingbox to offer its subscribers a package deal, containing Slingbox and Windows Mobile W-ZERO3 smartphone for JPY49,800 ($414). Besides the hardware discounts, Willcom offers an attractive monthly voice/data service plan for JPY3,950 ($33). If users exceed the allocated 12.2MB of data they will be automatically switched to unlimited data plan that costs JPY6,700 ($56). This measure will guarantee the maximum users would pay won't go over $56 dollars. Besides, the W-ZERo3 can connect to public hotspots via WiFi. The promotional campaign will run until February 15. And yes, you also need to be a customer of Sky Perfect TV.

Source: Willcom press release

Willcom aims at kids with Papipo! line-up

Blog search website Technorati Japan just revealed that the most searched keyword in 2006 was the W-ZERO3, a Microsoft Mobile smartphone manufactured by Sharp and offered by PHS carrier Willcom in Japan since December 2005. While the W-ZERO3 was a definite hit for Willcom that helped turn around the nearly dying PHS business, the carrier did not rest on laurels and was diversifying its handset portfolio with innovative devices tailored for different market segments.

One of these segments is kids, for whom Willcom prepared a line-up of seven handsets under the papipo! brand - among the line-up four handsets are targeted at girls and two are at boys. The kids-tailored papipo! handsets have not only looks, but also a content that should please children. Besides the Email and camera, the phones are also packed with cartoons-themed wallpapers, games and ringtones. If that is not enough, Kids Studio, a kids-oriented mobile content distribution service, will provide additional content for download onto the handsets.

While Willcom made sure the handsets are attractive to kids, the carrier didn't forget to please those who would actually pay for the phone and service - children's parents. Parents have several means to make the usage of cellphone by their kids safe. First of all, they can restrict the phone to voice and email communication only with the registered users. Additionally, phones are equipped with a one-touch alarm button that would immediately connect the phone with the designated recipient in the time of emergency. And finally, Willcom offers location-based service to help parents pinpoint the current location of their kids.

Japan's wireless market week wrap-up

Japan's eMobile picks Ericsson for 3G network build-up
eMobile, a new entrant to the Japanese 3G market, has selected Ericsson as the prime supplier of its new WCDMA/HSDPA network.

DoCoMo rival calls for wireless giant's breakup
Sachio Senmoto, CEO of Japan's eMobile, said NTT DoCoMo should be broken up to make the country's wireless market more competitive.

Carlyle prepares for Willcom IPO
The Carlyle Group, which owns 60% of Willcom, Japan's largest operator of PHS (personal handyphone system) services, reportedly is planning an IPO for Willcom. Willcom added 64,900 subscribers in February for a total of 3.8 million -- an increase of 25 percent since March last year when it introduced the flat-rate voice plan.

Equity companies want to outbid Softbank to get Vodafone
Cerberus Partners and Providence Equity Partners Inc. reportedly are putting together a $15 billion offer to buy Vodafone K.K. Japanese Internet provider Softbank already is in talks with Vodafone Group about buying K.K.

Vodafone finally sells Japanese operations to Softbank for $15.4bn
Vodafone Group plc confirmed that it will sell its struggling Japanese operation to Japanese Internet conglomerate Softbank in a deal valued at about $15.4 billion.

Japan's smartphones: W-ZERO3

Credit: IT Media
The W-ZERO3 smartphone is one of the first handsets in Japan to feature Windows Mobile 5.0 OS and provide dual mode PHS/ WLAN connectivity. Developed by Sharp for PHS service provider Willcom the W-ZERO3 smartphone went for sale in December 2005. The release of this smartphone is a practical step toward fixed mobile convergence by Willcom. Willcom intends to allow users to install Skype for VoIP application as an alternative. The selling price is about $373.

The W-Zero3 characteristics:

• Intel PXA processor
• Memory: Flash 128MB/ SDRAM 64MB
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• VGA display
• Sliding out full-text keyboard
• Wireless connectivity: PHS/ Wi-Fi (802.11b)
• MiniSD memory card slot
• USB port (mini B)
• Stand by time: 200 hours
• Talk time: 5 hours
• Weight: 220g