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Considering many MVNOs have failed or been acquired in recent years (Helio, Disney Mobile, Virgin Mobile, just to name a few), we can't help but think they're a bad idea. (MVNOs are Mobile Virtual Network Operators that sell their own service plans and handsets, but piggyback on another carrier's network). Still, that apparently hasn't stopped Japan's NTT DoCoMo from thinking about starting one up in the U.S.

Indeed, it seems that the Japanese company is contemplating leasing capacity from either T-Mobile USA or AT&T. While we can't imagine it'll make too much money in the beginning, we're kind of excited about the idea, especially if it means we finally get to play with the high-end handsets with the i-mode mobile Internet service that heretofore have only been available in Japan.

(Via Engadget Mobile)

(Credit: Crave Asia)

Can't decide if you want a slider or candy bar? Wish your phone had a gamepad or QWERTY keypad? NTT DoCoMo's modular phone takes an inexpensive handset unit and allows it to be slotted into different sleeves depending on your fancy. More than just a fashion tweak, the different holders actually change the functionality of the mobile. This is a prototype model, so no further details were available besides a simple panel showcasing possibilities.

(Via Crave Asia)

Also be sure to check out more cool prototype phones here.

Seven new mobile phones have passed the LiMo Foundation's certification process, and the group has a few new members to welcome aboard.

The new phones, from Motorola, Panasonic, and NEC, are the latest to ship with Release 1 of the LiMo Platform, a Linux-based operating system for mobile phones developed by a consortium of wireless carriers, handset makers, and others. Panasonic and NEC's phones will be available in Japan through NTT DoCoMo.

There are now 21 phones in the world running the LiMo software, mostly in Asia. But a few, such as Motorola's Rokr E8, are sold in the U.S. The whole idea behind LiMo is to give handset makers and carriers the basic underpinnings needed to create a modern mobile phone, but with the freedom to customize the look and feel of those phones to suit their desires.

These are interesting times for the LiMo Foundation, coming off market leader Symbian's decision to embrace an open-source model and the expected debut later this year of Google's Android software. Many of the members of the LiMo Foundation are also members of the other groups, which could make for some interesting discussions as the LiMo Foundation works on future releases of the software.

LiMo also announced Monday that 11 new companies have come onboard, including chipmaker Freescale, PacketVideo, and Telecom Italia, bringing the total number of companies involved in the project to 50.

(Credit: Crave Asia)

Good things come in pairs--and NTT DoCoMo does just that at CommunicAsia in Singapore.

We spotted one of its phones, the P906i, running Ridge Racer 7 and the otakus' favorite, Gundam, in full 3D glory. What surprised us was that each game has a maximum file size of only 1MB, yet the graphics and frame rate were smooth and comparable to handheld gaming consoles.

A representative from the Japanese company told us the phone has two processors inside, much like many newer PCs. However, instead of working together, these two chips function independently. One will handle the device's primary functions, while the other will focus on gaming graphics. This not only allows graphics-intensive games to be run on mobile devices, but it also solves the old problem of software lag.

Sadly, the rest of us in Asia can only envy the Japanese for having all the fun stuff. Me? I'm resigned to the fate that the only game I can play on my phone right now is Mini-Golf: Castles. (Get more CommunicAsia 2008 coverage here.)

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Damien Koh/CNET Networks)

Last year's Sound Leaf headset, which caught our eye during CommunicAsia 2007, is back this year and makes no bones about going Bluetooth.

Like its wired predecessor, NTT DoCoMo's Sound Leaf Plus is almost its twin in design, sans the wires. What's less visible are the tweaks, from a vibrate feature to signal an incoming call to a three-step tone control for comfortable sound levels while talking. It's also a mite lighter at 45 grams compared with its older sibling's 52. Not surprisingly, the tradeoff for wireless convenience is a dip in battery life, dropping to 15 hours from the original's 25-hour talktime.

The Sound Leaf series works in tandem with DoCoMo's FOMA handsets and uses bone conduction technology to deliver sound. Once plugged into the earphone/mic port of the phone, the user can talk by placing the receiver anywhere on his skull or close to the ear. This is great for the hearing impaired as well as in places where ambient noise makes it difficult to hear.

The Sound Leaf Plus runs on two AAA batteries. But like its sibling, this looks set to stay firmly on Japanese soil, where it is available for about $323. (Get more CommunicAsia 2008 coverage here.)

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: I4U News)

Talk about a solution in search of a problem. NTT DoCoMo is debuting a new line of mobile handsets that let you watch TV on them under water. We're not kidding.

The 3G phones, one of which is pictured here submerged in water, will get Japan's 1Seg digital television reception and play it on their LCDs. Other functions include GPS, credit-card technology, and voice translation in Japanese, Chinese, and English, according to I4U News. And if you're not into the life aquatic, there's always a "Wellness" phone to monitor your daily diet and habits to make sure you stay healthy.

NTT DoCoMo F905i

(Credit: Kent German/CNET Networks)

Call me a glutton for punishment, but at every CTIA I have to stop by the NTT DoCoMo booth just to see the cool cell phones that the Japanese company is showing off. Even though none of its models will ever arrive at a U.S. carrier, I still have to spend a few minutes playing with handsets like snazzy F905. Sure, the whole experience makes me rather bitter but I have to admit that the F905 is a sight to behold. The handset has a swiveling display, a crystal clear TV picture, a 3.2-megapixel camera and support for HSDPA networks.

Haier HG-V70 (left) and HG-V53

(Credit: Kent German/CNET Networks)

Meanwhile over at the Haier booth, things weren't quite as exciting but the company's models still deserved some browsing. The HG-V70 has a candy bar design with red finishes. Its features include a 65,000-color display, a memory card slot, a VGA camera polyphonic ringtones, and a mini USB port. Next to it was the HG-E53. The trim candy bar handset has a memory card slot, a VGA camera, a 262,000-color display, a voice recorder, a mini USB port, and support for polyphonic ringtones.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Yesterday, I finally got a chance just to walk around the vast halls of Fira de Barcelona and really take in the sights of 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress. While doing so, I stumbled upon NTT DoCoMo's booth and ended up spending a fair bit of time there, wandering in awe. For those of you who don't know, NTT DoCoMo is Japan's leading cell phone provider, and they have got some amazing devices. There are ones that you can fully submerge in water. There are gaming and mobile TV handsets, and I know we've got those in the United States too, but I would actually use the DoCoMo ones for those purposes; the features aren't half-baked. There are high-fashion phones, wellness phones (don't ask), and fitness phones. Hell, even some of the models for youth are more advanced than the ones we have. We all know that Japan and Asia in general are ahead of the times when it comes to technology, but you get a sense that they've really embraced how technology can enrich their lives. It seems as if the cell phone manufacturers have developed devices for every type of lifestyle.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

To that end, I've been trying to observe some of the cell phone habits here in Barcelona, and it seems that the Spaniards use their mobiles much like we do in the United States. They're mostly ways to keep in touch with family and friends, whether it be through text messages or calls. No one has anything fancy--a good mix of slider, flip, and candy bar style phones. Anyway, if you're curious or feel like torturing yourself, I'll be putting together a slide show next week of some of the cool DoCoMo phones I saw here at GSMA.

FOMA F904i

(Credit: NTT DoCoMo)

If NTT DoCoMo had its way, one day in the future users might be able to make electronic payments via their mobile phone while the handset remains in their pocket.

The Japanese cell phone operator this week showed off a prototype equipped with a sensor developed by Kaiser Technology that can send electric signals through the human body. Practical uses include opening doors to secure areas without flashing security cards or programmed personal preferences such as drivers' seat and steering wheel angles.

All these are still hanging in the air, though, as the company isn't sure if the technology will go beyond prototypes.

(Source: Crave Asia)