According to the report, NTT DoCoMo’s president Kiyoyuki Tsujimura and VP Takashi Yamada met with Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier this month to work out the deal. The execs had reportedly reached agreeable terms, although previous reports from the WSJ suggested that Apple’s demand for a large sales volume commitment and its refusal to allow the carrier to add its own apps to the device had stalled the discussions.

Although the largest carrier in Japan, NTT DoCoMo has not had a previous distribution agreement with Apple, which has instead been selling its handsets through rival carrier Softbank. However, Softbank’s exclusivity with Apple ended with the iPhone 4S and Apple has since signed up carrier KDDI.

[via 9to5Mac]

Remember that the last we heard from DoCoMo, the device would be released inside November – in fact what’s actually going on is that pre-orders have already begun while the actual device will be shipped on the 2nd of December (that being this Friday). The specifications on this device are essentially the same as we’ve seen on the international edition of the device with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1280×720), a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4460 processor under the hood, and a 5MP main and 1.3MP front-facing camera. You’ll be connecting with FOMA support (14Mbps down / 5.7Mbps up) for DoCoMo though, so feel free to grab all the downloads and upload all the videos you like.

As for us poor Americans, we’ve still got to walk around in shame using our undeniably amazing Galaxy S II devices with a hacked version of Ice Cream Sandwich. What a horrible way to live! On the other hand, there’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing the LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus before too long, no matter what anyone says, so until then have a look at our review of the operating system Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and our review of the international version of the device: Samsung Galaxy Nexus!

The phone has some nice features with a 4.5-inch LCD that supports 720 x 1280 resolutions. The display engine is Sharp’s AQUOS tech for better image quality. The screen also supports 3D using parallax barrier, meaning no glasses are needed. The smartphone also has Eco-Tech to extend battery life. The rear camera is 12.1MP and it has optical image stabilization. It can record HD video and shoot photos too.

The processor the phone uses is a dual-core OMAP4430 at 1GHz. Other features include world phone capability, GPS, WiFi, an integrated TV tuner, and Bluetooth. The phone has a lot of other things it can do as well. Pricing is unknown and interestingly this phone went through the FCC not long ago. It seems it will come to the US.

DoCoMo combines a glassless 3D display with force sensors and a pen with some magnets placed inside. The pen is tracked by two cameras and depending on the position of the pen, it will send a signal through the screen to the magnet at the tip of the pen. The pen will shake or even jump out of your hand depending on the program. DoCoMo’s presentation had a cartoon chameleon that tried to grab the pen with its tongue. If it succeeds you feel a vibration strong enough to shoot the pen out of your hand.

The technology is still pretty young so no information was given as to when you would see it in actual products. There was a warning from the company about how close you should get if you had magnetic-recorded cards. That’s definitely one of the issues DoCoMo needs to figure out along its path towards rolling out 3D interactivity to consumers.

[Via Pocket-lint]

The two may sound the same, but there is a key difference in that the L-03C appears to have been designed to be more functional as a camera than your average camera phone is capable of. The thing has a 12.1MP sensor and ISO setting up to 3200. The lens is a Pentax 1:2.6-5.5 and has 3x optical zoom. Optical zoom is a big deal for a camera phone/phone camera since most only have digital zoom that tends to ruin your pics.

Other features of the device include HD video recording at up to 720p, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G capability. There is no word on when/if the L-03C will make it to other carriers and other countries. The thing looks retro in the silver with brown grip finish and reminds me a bit of something from Leica.

There’s also WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, along with HSDPA/HSUPA which can apparently be used worldwide.  GPS/A-GPS and a 1-Seg digital TV tuner round out the main hardware specs.  Control is via a trackball just under the display.

Access to both the Android Market and NTT DoCoMo’s own download store seems to be included, as does Documents To Go and a photo editing app.  The whole thing measures in at 148 x 83 x 17.8 mm and there’s 3.4GB of user-accessible storage (with a microSD card slot to add more).  It’ll arrive in Japan on July 23rd in either red or white; no word on pricing nor if Sharp plan to look abroad for their next carrier hook-up.

The board itself measures 110 x 35 mm, which NTT DoCoMo reckon is around the same size as a standard, single-band amplifier.  That potentially means you could have a multiband-cellphone, capable of crossing networks wherever the user travels, but no larger than a typical, current handset.

Of course, there’ll also need to be the appropriate wireless radio chips, and the phone would need suitable software to recognize and handle the different networks.  You’d also need a forward-looking carrier with sufficient roaming agreements in place; after all, with a CDMA network you can’t just slot in a local SIM and get talking.  Still, the promise is enough to get us interested.

[via Gajeto]

The core F-04B splits into two sections, a touchscreen part and a QWERTY keyboard, with the two linked via Bluetooth and functional either as a combined slider device or separately.  That makes everything pretty bulky – and Fujitsu’s touchscreen doesn’t get the highest marks – but there’s still space for a 12.2-megapixel camera, 1-Seg digital TV.

As for the 854 x 480 pico-projector, that clicks on in place of the keyboard section, which then doubles as a remote-control.  We’re not sure when our Japanese friends will be able to pick one up, but it seems like Fujitsu really do intend to launch the F-04B to the market.

[via PHONE Magazine]

The F-09A is also perhaps the first phone to include an integrated exercise monitor, tracking physical activity and working with the handset’s GPS and compass to track progress and offer mapping.  Integrated TV can be watched in widescreen by rotating the display by 90-degrees. 

There’s also Bluetooth and a full internet browser, media player and the usual NTT DoCoMo treats that Western users can only dream of.  No word on how much it will cost when it arrives in Japan on June 10th.

[via NaviGadget]

In Japan, the handset currently on sale as the Vodafone HTC Magic in Europe will be known as the HT-03A.  We’re no news on whether the device’s specifications – particularly its 3G radio – will be changed before launch; NTT DoCoMo’s largest network uses the 3G/FOMA system, which is based on W-CDMA technology.

No such confusion for Rogers Wireless, who use a GSM 3G network on which the Dream and Magic will merely need to support the 850MHz band for their high-speed mobile connectivity.  Rogers have not confirmed pricing or specific details regarding the Android devices.

[via Android Community]

Other specs include WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR as standard, together with a 160GB hard-drive and integrated graphics.  The display measures 10-inches and runs at WSVGA resolution.

Battery life is rated at up to 4.3hrs, and the Eee PC 1003HAG is available in three colors: white, black or pink.  It’ll arrive in Japan on May 16th, priced at 69,800 yen ($727), but don’t expect to see this particular Eee variant available anywhere else.

[via Akihabara]

Best Concept Phone- docomo Separable Phone

Even though we’ll never see it on U.S. soil, the docomo Seperable Phone was freaking sweet. The device was two pieces, a number pad/remote and a screen, held together by magnets and could be pulled apart. The screen could be placed on the wall to watch television, and the number pad acted as the remote. You could also take the screen and use that as a touchscreen phone separately from the keypad.  Even cooler were the add-ons, like the wrist band for running that displayed all sorts of information relayed to the large display by the keypad that would be in the runner’s pocket.

Best Real Phone-Palm Pre

You saw that one coming, didn’t you? Of course the Pre was going to win that one. Even though we were only allowed to hold it while a Palm rep kept their fingers touching it, and we weren’t really allowed to explore the functionality of the phone past the demos, the Pre was still impressive. The interface was smooth, the features were amazing, the display was stunning, and the applications promising. I can’t wait for this phone to be released, and I know I’m not alone. We had all of our real Palm Pre coverage over at MyPre.com, which you should check out if you haven’t already.

Best New Online Service-RocketVox

We saw RocketVox at ShowStoppers and I was immediately impressed by it. The service creates an aggregate inbox for all of your communication (chat, email, voicemail, IM, fax, etc.) and also provides a phone number for calls to be directed to multiple cell phones if you have them, much like Google Voice. Where RocketVox differs is the ability to control your contacts and create security layers called “orbits” that allow you to assign a specific amount of information that the contact can see or get from you.  It also does voicemail to texting if you miss a call, which is sweet. I’m really looking forward to getting in on the Beta for RocketVox, and this service looks like it’ll be fantastic to use.

Best Peripheral-Hantech’s Siso Tablo

Yes, you saw this one already, but we were so impressed by the abilities of the Tablo that we threw it up here again. The Tablo turns any laptop PC into a tablet PC through a small sensor that is placed on top of the display, and a pen that allows you to write on your screen.  The Tablo works with all MS Office applications, as well as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Paint. There’s even an attachment to turn the pen into a normal ballpoint, and whatever you write on a piece of paper shows up on the screen. We’re getting a unit to review, so we’ll let you know how well the Tablo works in the coming days.

Best New Product Line-Kyocera

We got a chance to sit down with some people from Kyocera and be briefed on their upcoming product line, as well as their recent shift in business strategy since their takeover of Sanyo. Kyocera has some excellent phones that are debuting on Sprint very soon. The low-cost, high-volume full qwerty keyboard phone, is a promising device that targets the teenage texting generation. It was a durable phone, easy to use, and very sturdy with some nice features such as dedicated “Text” and Emoticon buttons. Their new slider phones feature full qwerty keyboards as well, and were a pleasure to use. Kyocera has some big plans for it’s future devices, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw jumps in their marketshare in the coming years.

Best Booth-LG

We were told that it was less extravagant than years prior, but we couldn’t tell. The LG booth was one of the largest and was the first booth you saw walking onto the main floor in the central conference hall. It featured light effects, a live DJ for pounding music, and ridiculously plush carpeting and couches for comfort.  We seriously felt like we were in a new dance club that only invited old dudes in business suits.  They even had a piece of the “All-Spark” from the Transformer’s movie (I found out later that Michael Bay was there and embarrassed himself in front of his LG handlers by pulling out a $39 Samsung phone).

Best Food-Sprint VIP Lounge

We camped out in the Sprint lounge to work, mainly because the Palm Pre was there, and because the people were awesome (and Vincent was hoping he’d get to meet Dan Hesse again). We have to say though, the food rocked. caprese sandwiches, sushi, fruit cocktails, desserts, yogurt parfaits, roast beef, and the list goes on.

Best Cell Phone Accessory-BlueAnt Q1

It was a tough decision between Sound ID’s 200 model and the BlueAnt Q1, but the BlueAnt won out by a hair, only because the integrated speech commands took it beyond the expected capabilities of any other bluetooth device out there.  The Sound ID had the comfort and the style, but the BlueAnt Q1 had the functionality that made us “wow” and realize that all other Bluetooth headsets should incorporate hands-free commands.

Best Use of Capacitive Touch Surfaces-LG GD900

The GD 900 features a transparent keypad that acts as a second capacitive touch surface for controlling the phone.  The main display and the keypad are both capable of multi-touch, so resizing and swiping through photos is easy on either surface.  The phone uses the S-Class user interface, and attempts to mimic the iPhone in photo resizing and simplified menus.  This phone basically dominates the fashion-accessory category too. It’s a gorgeous looking handset, but unfortunately, this GSM device isn’t going to be hitting our shores any time soon. North and South American launch dates are yet to be determined, and Europe is in the coming months.

Best Use of OLED Displays

Samsung had a nice booth, but the best feature was a giant exclamation mark made out of the displays from the Samsung Impression. Hundreds of AMOLED displays flashing different images in bright colors showed off the beauty of AMOLED screens. It looked beautiful, and the best part was that the images were visible from most angles, which really showed the capabilities of the AMOLED displays.

Well, that’s the best stuff that we thought of. Every company there had interesting products and services. If you happen to think we missed something, let us know and why you thought it was so great. We enjoyed bringing the CTIA coverage to you, and we hope you enjoyed reading it! Thanks for following our posts from CTIA!

There’s also GPS and Bluetooth, together with USB 2.0 connectivity and automatic volume control via an ambient noise sensor; storage is courtesy of microSD cards.  Navigation with the slide closed can be done with the F-03A’s on-screen scroll-wheel.

Despite the global 3G compatibility, don’t expect to see the F-03A on sale outside of Japan.  It will be available to NTT DoCoMo subscribers there on January 24th, price TBA.  Does anybody else think the front panel looks like an unbranded, button-free Nokia N97?

NTT DoCoMo is running a trial run of its Super 3G in Yokosuka Japan since February. The Super 3G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) recorded 250Mbps downlink and in theory could reach up to 300Mbps downlink and 75Mbps uplink.

You might think the technology is still far away from being roll out to the mass consumers in Japan – well, think again, this is Japan where everything move fast; The Super 3G is technically ready for launch by 2009.

NTT DoCoMo’s Super 3G uses MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output), something you might hear a lot when it comes to modern wireless router technology. NTT DoCoMo will now be focusing on the verification and validation process while waiting for Super 3G to undergoes standardization by the 3GPP.

[via phone mag]

[via Phone Mag]

Well they think the solution is to make a phone that can be wirelessly tethered to a bracelet and fill the phone full of security features and market it to kids to make more money. No, lets not make the police do their job, or the parents do theirs, lets just profit more from a phone.

Regardless, the bracelet is wirelessly connected to the phone, if the phone gets too far away, the phone sends a message or calls the parent. Also, if the kid sets it off, the phone can make a defining alarm to help call for help, and if the kid can manage to hold onto the phone, it has tracking built in that can be accessed from the web. Well, I guess it’s a good thing criminals can’t read and won’t remove both the phone and bracelet before taking off, way to go DoCoMo, nice try on saving the kids.

F801i, a new mobile phone for kids! [via akihabranews]

It does have dual mic’s, one directional, one not, which should help with that problem though. And even if it doesn’t, the headset is supposedly still good for those with hearing disabilities as bone conduction works a little differently than sound waves.

No word on price or availability, but it seems to be Japan only, so I wouldn’t expect it to hit stateside any time soon. I can’t wait till they make one of these bone conduction Bluetooth headsets complete with the piece that goes on your neck for conducting your voice direct from your voice box, then you could go to a Lamb of God concert and be able to have a clear conversation, granted you might look a little weird, but I’d rock it.

NTT DoCoMo Sound Leaf+ Bone Conducting Bluetooth Headset [via Unwired View]

The d905i is also expected to have a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with a CCD sourced from Sharp, the latest tweaks to the much-praised NTT DoCoMo software suite and full 1Seg mobile TV compatibility.  There’s even talk of a hard-drive inside it.

It should launch – in Japan only, naturally – this Winter.

[via and for the umpteenth time...]

Oh to be in Japan!  NTT DoCoMo and McDonalds have announced a partnership where cellphone subscribers will be able to swipe their handsets as e-payment for food. 

The service will start in October 2007.

McDonalds and DoCoMo launches mobile payment in Japan [SlashPhone]

It’s all part of a new venture, set up by Rakuten, of which DoCoMo will take a 40% share worth 4.2 billion Yen ($36m) that not only comprises auctions but a social network service too.  Leveraging DoCoMo’s existing “wallet phone” services, which allows subscribers to pay using their cellphone as a debit or credit card, it challenges Japan’s biggest online auction provider Yahoo Japan Corp.

Japan’s DoCoMo, Rakuten plan online auctions [Reuters]

Other functions include a “recipe database” and “camouflage melody” button, the latter of which causes the phone to fake-call you should you be attempting to avoid the advances of a family-hungry man who has seen your fertile-light flashing.

Phone alerts couples to baby-making window [Reuters]

Other tidbits include 1gb of on-board memory for all your music needs, up to 45 hours of playback when in Walkman Stamina mode, and a 3.2 megapixel camera with image stabilisation.  Not bad for a 20mm thick 3G phone weighing a mere 125g, although I suspect the bright orange casing might make it an obvious target for thieves.

Akihabaranews [via OhGizmo!]