The carrier also said it had agreed with Microsoft to incorporate Windows Media technologies in DoCoMo's F902iS 3G handset, to be released this summer. The first-time collaboration means that the F902iS will support both Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 for Portable Devices (WMDRM-PD). The carrier will also evaluate the incorporation of Windows Media Video, Microsoft's version of SMPTE VC-1 technologies, in future handsets. The press release states that incorporating Windows Media technologies will enable NTT DoCoMo handsets to play music downloaded to a PC from more than 100 online music services around the world, and also support music content ripped from CDs in the highly efficient Windows Media Audio format (subscribers log in for more details). [Wireless Watch Japan]
9:13:21 PM    comment   

So says Japanese news agency Nikkei, picked up by Reuters (the original story is here on Nikkei website, but behind subscription wall): Japanese telecom conglom Softbank and Apple working together to build iPod phone, says the story, and the phone will be able to download songs from iTunes music store.
The device is expected to carry both the Softbank and Apple brands..The companies will also launch a new product as early as next year which will enable users to download music on the go over wireless networks, the story said.
Softbank, which last month bought Vodafone’s Japanese mobile phone business, appears to be looking to use the power of Apple’s brand to compete against mobile market leaders NTT DoCoMo and KDDI.
Ah, the frenzied wait…

8:57:38 PM    comment   

The Japanese web and telecom company, Softbank Corporate, is going to be getting freaky with Apple in development of the Apple licensed phone, finally. It is going to be a true iTunes phone that can play music and download songs from the iTunes Music Store.

The original report, from Nikkei, says that Apple and Softbank agreed to co-develop the phone and it may be available as early as this year. Apple declined to comment about any of this. iPhone, here we come!

Apple, Softbank plan iPod mobile phones [Reuters]

8:50:04 PM    comment