On November 10, SoftBank announced 21 new models scheduled to be sold from winter to spring 2010.Every year, SoftBank has been holding a presentation three times a year, in spring, summer, and autumn and winter, but this time for NTT DOCOMO in November last year, au in October this year, for winter sales and spring sales.The terminal lineup was announced at once.The details of the presentation are already posted with this magazine report, so please refer to that, but here we have the impression of the presentation that I felt, and the simple terminals obtained by touch and try.Here are the impressions and how to capture the entire lineup.
Softbank has influenced the Japanese mobile market in various forms since the acquisition of Vodafone in 2006.Every time new products and new services are held, they have raised various keywords and have actively appealed to the direction of their services.Typical ones are "women" in the summer of 2008, "TOUCH" in winter 2008, and "PREMIUM" and "Character" in the winter of 2007.
This time, SoftBank has raised the keyword "Wi-Fi", that is, a wireless LAN.In recent years, Wi-Fi has gradually shown signs of widespread in mobile categories, including iPhone and smartphones.As a SoftBank, Yahoo! BB has realized the lowest broadband Internet in Japan, and with the catch phrase "mobile phone = Wi-Fi", it provides aggressive terminals and services for Wi-Fi.In the world of mobile phones, it is preparing to expand the broadband.
Regarding Wi-Fi, readers who love this magazine will already know well, but I would like to review it again here.Wi-Fi means wireless LAN, but in short, LAN (LOCAL AREA Network) used on a personal computer is wireless, and Ethernet cables such as 100BASE-TX.It was replaced by radio waves.For example, in an office, a conference room without a LAN port can be connected to an internal network, or if you are at home, wirelessly use the Internet in a room away from the location where the broadband line such as optical fiber and ADSL is drawn.can do.
The mobile phone is also wireless and the Internet can be used, but Wi-Fi basically covers only several tens of meters, while mobile phones cover a few km range in one base station.Instead, the communication speed of the mobile phone is up to 7 in the downward direction by HSDPA..While 2Mbps, Wi-Fi is widely widespread 2.IEEE802 using the 4GHz band.11g, 5.IEEE802 using the 2GHz band.Both 11a can communicate with up to 54Mbps on both up and down.Although it is a simple calculation, communication can be made at a speed of 7 times more than 7 times the 3G high speed of SoftBank.
Wi-Fi is an attractive high-speed communication, but there are some restrictions.For example, as described above, the area that can be used is basically a home or office with a wireless LAN access point (wireless LAN router), etc., and cannot be used if it goes out of that range.If you are in the city, you can use public wireless LAN services installed at fast food stores, cafes, airports, stations, etc., but the available range is limited to the range of radio waves from wireless LAN access points.You can't keep using it while moving around a large area, like a mobile phone service.
In addition, since Wi-Fi has a larger power consumption compared to normal 3G communication, if the battery capacity is not so large like a mobile phone, the battery remaining will be severe in no time.It will be.In other words, the terminal manufacturer is how to reduce power consumption and realize a long life.
SoftBank's "mobile phone = Wi-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fi, with Wi-Fi with these features on a general mobile phone.It's the idea of "Fi".Softbank announced the service under the name "Mobile Wireless LAN" this summer, and was planning to release the NEC terminal "931N" as a compatible model, but it will be developed and provided.Is a service called "mobile phone Wi-Fi" announced this time.
As mentioned in the report of the presentation, the mobile phone Wi-Fi provided by SoftBank is essential to join the "Wi-Fi Value Pack", and the monthly basic usage fee is 490 yen (until December 31, 2010 (December 31, 2010).In the case of joining in, a fee of 4410 yen per month is set.The flat-rate packet fee for this Wi-Fi Value Pack is not a two-step set system such as packet and packet flat rate, but always 4410 every month, regardless of whether it is used or not in the former NTT DOCOMO Pake Hodai.A circle is charged.However, since communication in the Wi-Fi area and 3G communication are covered by a flat-rate system, users who have already reached all-you-can-packet and reach the upper limit are almost the same payment, and SoftBank's public wireless LAN services provided.You will be able to use the "SoftBank Wi-Fi Spot" for free.
In this presentation, a total of 21 models were announced, including eight devices compatible with mobile phone Wi-Fi, data communication adapters and photo frames.These 21 models include Android devices scheduled to be released next spring, despite the unpublished development manufacturer.
First of all, by looking at the series, 9XX series is 9 models, 5 models in the 8XX series, 2 models in the 7XX series, 2 models for X series, 2 models of data communication adapters, 1 model, and the series undecided.It has a structure with one Android device.By manufacturer, Sharp is the most common, with five Panasonic Mobile Communications, three NECs, and two Samsung Electronics.
What is noticeable is that Panasonic terminals have increased rapidly.Softbank has been well known that the iPhone has recorded strong sales for nearly a year, but in fact, Panasonic 830p has been sold with the momentum approaching the iPhone.It seems that the momentum has been recognized, and this time it seems that a total of five models, including the successor model of 830p, will be supplied.In addition, Casio Computer, which has supplied terminals for SoftBank since last year, does not seem to launch a terminal this time.
Looking at the shape by shape, the largest folding type is the largest, but two smartphones are included, and the straight type is followed by five models.In addition, there are two slides, two -axis rotation, cycloids, and W opens, and one model each is relatively balanced.
In addition, in this announcement, two models, Panasonic's "Color Life 84OP" and Sharp "Jelly Beans 840SH", were unveiled separately from other models.All two models have basic functions such as calls, emails, and browsers, but they do not have modern mobile phone -like functions such as one -segment, Osaifu -Keitai, and Bluetooth, and the display is full -wide QVGA, about the camera.It is a terminal that has been considerably reduced in terms of specifications with 2 million pixels.
In other words, while inheriting the specifications that are almost the same as 830p, which had been selling in the volume zone so far, it was a terminal that tried to earn more by enhancing colors and designs.The terminal is positioned as a symmetrical position with eight models of mobile phone Wi-Fi compatible terminals, but it seems that the terminal aimed at such volume zones with design and packaging is said to be a good SoftBank.
By the way, here are the impressions that you tried at the touch and trial corner after the presentation and the positioning of each model.However, as previously reported, the presentation overlapped in the form of Softbank on November 10 and NTT DOCOMO in the afternoon, so the SoftBank terminal is much more than usual.I could only try it.At the same time, the terminals exhibited at the presentation are not the final products, so please understand that there may be differences from the actual released terminals.Please refer to the article of this magazine for detailed specifications of each model.
・ AQUOS SHOT 940SH (Sharp)
It is a model equipped with a 12.1 million pixel camera in Japan.Despite the QVGA size, 45 pieces per second, up to 100 continuous shooting, and at the touch and trial corner, media such as television took a picture of golf swing, attracting much attention.The camera function is not only a high pixel, but also has a substantial function for shooting fun and easily.
For example, there are "face detection", which focuses on registered people in advance, and "camera mode" that can be filmed by selecting a purpose of use.The camera mode is different from the scene recognition, etc., and if you select an auction camera, guidance such as "Let's take a picture" and "Let's take the back" will be displayed on the screen, according to the instructions.When you shoot, you can take the necessary photos for the auction exhibition.
It is also compatible with mobile phone Wi-Fi, and registration for wireless LAN access points can be easily set with Buffalo's AOSS and industry standard WPS.For users who do not have a Wi-Fi Value Pack, a "direct browser" that can be connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi in your home or office is also available.
The usability is also considerably devised, and a menu called "Spin Guru Menu" is prepared separately from the normal menu.It is a menu displayed by tracing the direction key part, and a different menu icon from the normal one is displayed in a form.The icon of the menu displayed here is a mechanism that displays the recommended function at the top, depending on the user's use history and progress from the start date of use.
For example, when the earphones are set on the terminal, music players and digital TV (1Seg) are displayed at the top.In addition to this, many other functions are packed, and in this lineup, it will be a model that can be positioned as a flagship along with the AQUOS mobile phone Fulltouch 941SH.
・ AQUOS mobile phone FULLTOUCH 941SH (Sharp)
Last year, as a terminal equipped with the first half XGA liquid crystal, the successor model of the "AQUOS mobile phone Fulltouch 931SH" which became a hot topic.The resolution is also half XGA compatible, but the size is 4.It will be 0 inches and will be the largest normal style mobile phone.In the past, the touch operation was also attractive for the conventional model, but this time it is compatible with mobile phone Wi-Fi, and there are many content that can be used, so it seems that the number of scenes that use touch operation will increase even more.As before, the body adopts full slide, but the amount of slide seems to have increased slightly, and the operation around the key has been slightly improved than before.
The basic specifications are the same as "AQUOS SHOT 940SH", which is different in that the camera is 8 million pixels CCD.However, the function of the camera itself is almost the same, and functions such as camera mode, personal detection function, and albums that can be selected for each purpose are common.The mobile phone Wi-Fi is also common, and a "direct browser" that can be connected to the Internet via the Wi-Fi in your home or office is also available.The spin -round menu is common, but this is not only when the slide is opened and the direction key is turned to turn, but also when the same operation is closed and the same operation is touched on the display.The menu is displayed.
In addition, the flash content called "character time" can be set on the standby screen, but a unique and unique content called "Mobile Captain" is pre -installed (this is also a common specification with AQUOS SHOT 940SH).It is not always the case that the mobile phone is opened, but the content displayed will change depending on events such as time zone and departure and arrival.It seems to be a very interesting initiative to enjoy mobile phones for a long time.
・ AQUOS mobile phone 943SH (Sharp)
It is a model that uses a cycloid that can be said to be a synonym for AQUOS mobile phone.This year, the 932SH realized eliminating the steps of the top panel of the cycloid body, but this AQUOS mobile phone 943SH achieves further slimming and becomes the thinnest in cycloid history..6mm (the thinnest part is 17.5mm) is realized.The basic specifications, including the correspondence of mobile phone Wi-Fi, are the same as "AQUOS mobile phone Fulltouch 941SH", and the camera is equipped with 8 million Pixels.Like 932SH, one -segment adopts a double tuner, but the gap between the hinges when the display is rotated has become quite narrow, and the degree of perfection is even higher.There are also vector pads that trace the direction key part, and spinning menus that display recommended functions.This time it was an exhibition only for mock -up, but the mechanical part of the cycloid mechanism was almost the same as the product.
・ 940N (NEC)
It is a model that is positioned as the successor to the "930N" that appeared as a summer model this year.It is a terminal that adopts a small slim body in the SoftBank terminal lineup..It realizes 9mm thinner.3.2-inch full-wide VGA liquid crystals and 8.1 million pixels are also common specifications, but they support mobile phone Wi-Fi.
As for NEC, we have already developed Wi-Fi-compatible terminals for NTT DOCOMO, but the first Wi on the μ series (N-01B this year's winter model) in NTT DOCOMO.-Fi is installed.Regarding Wi-Fi registration, as well as NTT DOCOMO's N-02B supports both Buffalo AOSS and industry standard WPS.The design remains a bit simple, but if you want a slim mobile phone Wi-Fi compatible device, it is a terminal that you need to check.
・ VIERA mobile phone 941P (Panasonic)
It is the successor model of the summer model "VIERA mobile phone 931P".For SoftBank, since the 2008 model "VIERA mobile phone 920P", we will use a flat W open that has evolved the w opening that has been adopted continuously, eliminating the hinge part of the hinge part.By operating the switching button under the dial button (when vertically open), the entire dial button part can be operated like a notebook computer touchpad.
The specifications of the camera are 8.11 million pixels as the 931p, but the software aspects such as chasing focus are upgraded from the conventional model.Basically, Panasonic has the same specifications as the "P-01B" supplied to NTT DOCOMO, but this is also a different point that it supports mobile phone Wi-Fi, probably as a Panasonic, including terminals for other businesses.Is the first Wi-Fi device.The release is scheduled to be released in February next year, but most of the devices on display are running, indicating that the completion is quite close.
・ X02T (Toshiba)
Windows Mobile 6.It is a terminal equipped with 5 Professional.This is the first Windows Mobile device supplied by Toshiba for SoftBank for the first time in about two years since the X01T released in 2007.Equipped with Snapdragon made by Qualcom in the CPU and 4.Equipped with a 1 -inch wide VGA liquid crystal.It is common for Toshiba as "TG01" for global and "T-01A" for NTT DOCOMO, but the latest Windows Mobile 6.It is equipped with a 5 Professional, and you can also use the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which allows you to purchase compatible applications.IEEE802.Although it is compatible with 11b/g compliant Wi-Fi, the content of the "mobile phone Wi-Fi channel" supplied by SoftBank to the mobile Wi-Fi compatible device cannot be used.
・ X01SC (Samsung Electronics)
Windows Mobile 6.It is a straight -type terminal equipped with 5 Standard.Although it is a straight -type terminal equipped with a QWERTY sequence key, the body is very compact and is a smaller impression compared to BlackBerry Bold.On the other hand, the display is 2.It is compatible with 4 -inch QVGA, and the camera is slightly reduced in terms of specifications, such as 3.2 million pixels.As a similar terminal, "SC-01B" will be released from NTT DOCOMO, but it does not support the touch operation of the display, and it is basically operated only with hardware keys.Instead, the price can be considerably reduced.
・ THE PREMIUM5 942SH (Sharp)
This is the fifth terminal of The Premium series, which has gained popularity with slim body and high quality design.This time, it is designed as a terminal that is easy to hold and accustomed to hand by combining the body in a round form, mainly on the back.This time it was only a mock -up exhibition, but the impression I had in my hand was, thanks to the round form, 17 thickness..2mm (the thinnest part 13.It was a feeling of size that did not feel 3mm).The body width is also kept to 50mm, but the display is a narrow frame, 3.Equipped with a 4 -inch full -wide VGA liquid crystal.The back is equipped with a CCD 8 million pixel camera, and has a single function, such as one -segment, Osaifu -Keitai, and Bluetooth.Although it does not support mobile phone Wi-Fi, it is a popular terminal as a standard model of the 9XX series.
・ 942SH KT (Sharp)
This is the fourth Hello Kitty mobile phone designed by Hello Kitty, which celebrated its 35th anniversary, based on The Premium 942SH.The basic specifications are common, but the Hello Kitty graphics are printed on the top panel of the black body, which is a slightly mature impression compared to other Hello Kitty mobile phones.This time, only mock -ups that could not be touched were on display.
・ 940p (Panasonic)
Another VIERA mobile phone with a swing slide and speed selector.Panasonic has supplied slide terminals for NTT DOCOMO as a terminal that inherits the DNA of Mitsubishi Electric, which has withdrawn from the mobile phone business in 2008, but has created its form factor for Softbank.The swing slide that opens while drawing a gentle curve has a small step between the display and the button part, and the key is a three -dimensional shape, making it easier to push in a narrow area.A speed selector that can operate menu and scroll by turning around has a good feeling of operation.Designs and content are also conscious of women, and it seems to be widely supported by female users who like slide devices.
・ Omnia Vision 940SC (Samsung Electronics)
It is a terminal that uses a full -touch user interface following OMNIA 930SC and Omnia Pop 931SC.While the conventional OMNIA series focused on handwriting and unique widgets, this time 3.Equipped with a 5 -inch organic EL display, we can enjoy 1Seg on a beautiful screen while inheriting the touch operation.On the back of the terminal, there is a stand used when standing the main unit, so you can set the one -segment or music player just by standing the stand.The body is a solid design with an edge than before, and it seems to be supported by users who like mechanicalness.
It also supports services provided by SoftBank, such as Osaifu -Keitai, mobile widget (compatible with SoftBank specifications), and S! GPS navigation, making it a very complete terminal.It is unfortunate that it does not support mobile phone Wi-Fi, but the presentation venue has attracted much attention as much as the other 9XX series.
・ Color Life 840p (Panasonic)
It is a popular model that can be selected from 15 color variations. By eliminating functions such as 1Seg, Osaifu -Keitai, Bluetooth, and focusing on functions such as calls, emails, browsers, etc., it is finished as a terminal that emphasizes cost performance, but the package design is changed for each color, wallpaper and menu. The screens are also equipped with those that match the color, so that users who emphasize individuality are also elaborate. The body is the top panel and the back panel, and the button side has three types depending on the combination with the body color. Although the buttons are independent, the buttons are easy to press, and have very good visibility around the buttons. However, the one -push opening, which is a Panasonic terminal identity, is omitted as a fan of Panasonic terminals.
・ Jelly Beans 840SH (Sharp)
As the name suggests, it is a popular model designed with the motif of sweets, Jelly Beans.It can be selected from seven colors of color variations, but like Color Life 840P, it has been created by omitting functions such as 1Seg, Osaifu -Keitai, Bluetooth, and international roaming, and specializing in basic functions such as emails, calls, and browsers.It's a terminal.The price range is expected to be almost the same as Color Life 840p.This time it was only mock -up and package exhibitions, but the buttons have a familiar Arkridge key with Sharp terminals, and the "Pantone 812SH", which has been released in 2007, has come back to the "Pantone 812SH".It is an impression that can be said.
・ 841p (Panasonic)
It is a terminal that aims for entry users who want to use one -segment by using the same body design as the Color Life 840P.While Color Life 840p is summarized in a casual design, 841p is a slightly more calm design, an adult mobile phone.Target users are also men in their 30s and 40s.In comparison with Color Life 840p, in addition to one -segment, one -segment button is equipped, and a function called "easy deco" that can easily create decoremail is prepared.Raku deco has the same functions as "emoji plus" used in Sharp terminals. If you enter the textbook of e -mail, it will convert it to decoremale with one touch.
・ 840p for Biz (Panasonic)
It is a corporate -only terminal that adds functions required for corporate users based on Color Life 840p.As a corporate -only terminal, there is "830SH for Biz" released as a model in the spring of 2009, but it will be the same model.Specific functions are that corporate administrators can control the functions of each terminal at once, and functions such as "Reliable Remote Lock" and "Location Navi Simultaneous Search" can be used by the administrator.It is said that smartphones are demand for corporate terminals, but unless they are used in commercial applications, it is easier for administrators to manage and control terminals with such regular mobile phones.
・ 741N (NEC)
It is a waterproof terminal specialized only for calls and emails.It is a common specification with the codomobile 740N, and is compacted into a compact body, reminiscent of the former Sony Ericsson Premini.There are also functions such as only those who register for calls and emails can be limited to those registered in the address book.
・ Codomo -mobile 740N (NEC)
The third installment of SoftBank's kids' mobile phone "Kodomobile".As a hardware, it is a common specification with the 741N, and there are no functions such as a camera, but it can also be used to check the location information by GPS and check the current location from the parent's mobile phone or computer.The four directions of the direction key are painted in four colors, red, blue, yellow, and green, so you can press and hold each button to send it to a specific opponent.
Although the use of children's mobile phones has been discussed in various ways, it is desirable to provide a terminal that narrows the functions properly in consideration of the use of a child, rather than using it for adults, rather than using it for adults.It is said that it is an important terminal in that sense.This time it was only a mock -up exhibition, so I didn't know how the function could be used, but it is one of the devices that I want to show a demonstration on another occasion.
In addition, Huawei's digital photo frame "Photovision HW002", Longcheer Technology's USB data communication terminal "C02LC", and Sierra Wireless data communication terminal "C02SW" was announced, but these are presented presentations.Please refer to the report.
As I mentioned at the beginning, SoftBank has raised various keywords at past new products and new services, and has been promoting new products and new services.In this keyword, "Wi-Fi" is listed, and President Son also "Specialized in Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi = Mobile, and the mobile phone,I will be told later that Softbank will be told later. "
The corresponding terminal is not one or two, but there are some differences in the release time, but eight models are available at once.Content uses Yahoo! and GYAO, and makes good use of group synergy, and can watch movies before publication, such as newspapers and magazines, "Nico Nico Douga Mobile", "Yahoo! Video", "Electronic Rental".There are a variety of content, such as "video", "Yoshimoto Online", and "mobile videos".In other words, not only "connecting" but also "fun" elements are available.This area can be said to be a SoftBank -like initiative.
However, before evaluating the whole image of such a mobile phone Wi-Fi, I would like to think a little about "Wi-Fi Value Pack" for using mobile phone Wi-Fi. As mentioned above, in order to purchase a mobile phone Wi-Fi compatible device and enjoy the content provided, it is essential to join the Wi-Fi Value Pack. In addition to the monthly usage fee of 490 yen, a monthly fee of 4410 yen will be charged as a dedicated packet flat rate. In order to use Yahoo! Mobile, S! Basic packs (315 yen per month) are required, so if you consider it with a white plan, you will be charged even if it is actually more than 6,000 yen. If you join by December 31, 2010, the monthly usage fee for mobile phi-Wi-Fi will be free for many years, so the substantial burden may be slightly reduced, but regardless of use. How did readers receive a plan that charges around 6,000 yen?
Certainly, as President Son answered in the questions and answers of the presentation, it is highly likely that many active users who use mobile phone Wi-Fi have reached the upper limit of unlimited packets.See.However, what I need to think about is that both at home and in the office are using a 3G network of SoftBank, so I have reached the limit, and at home and in the office, my own broadband line and Internet connection line.If you use the Internet via, packet communication charges should be reduced.
As you can see from the example of the iPhone, it should be able to reduce the load on the company's 3G network by using Wi-Fi for SoftBank, but still suddenly for users.Isn't it wrong to impose a flat -rate fee of 4410 yen, which is equivalent to the upper limit of the packet communication fee specification service?
It is important to note, however, that the required billing differs depending on which route to pass using Wi-Fi.Currently, the official menu of the NTT DOCOMO i -mode, including SoftBank's Yahoo! Mobile, and the official menu of au's EZweb cannot be accessed unless they go through the gateway (network) of each company.For example, the top page or menu of Yahoo! Mobile phone on a personal computer cannot be found basically.
However, a broadband and Internet connection line is laid in the user's home and office, and if you can access it in some way, the traffic will be reduced for businesses, and Wi-Fi is a fast-fed Wi-Fi.There are benefits such as being available.Therefore, each mobile phone operator has set up another gateway that can access the official menu of each company from the open Internet.For example, au offers a service called "Wi-Fi Win" for 525 yen per month to access EZweb from the Internet (free until June 30, 2011).NTT DOCOMO has a slightly different mechanism, but by providing a service called "Home U" for 490 yen per month, it is possible to access the official website of i -mode from home broadband lines.
The services of the two companies are charged for packet communication charges when via the 3G network of mobile phones, but none of the accesses via Wi-Fi have charged packet communication charges.It is understandable that the gateway usage fee will be charged around 500 yen per month, but like SoftBank, the upper limit is imposed via Wi-Fi because it has reached the upper limit of the two-stage fixed system anyway."Flat system)" has a strong impression of overdoing.After all, I would like to look forward to the content and fee structure of the Wi-Fi value pack again.
By the way, it's a bit derailed, but there is another thing I want to add at the end.Last time, in the article of the summer model presentation, I wrote that "SoftBank is intentionally hitting other companies' presentations", but this time again, NTT DOCOMO recital held on November 10th.It overlapped.Initially, SoftBank was planning a presentation on November 9th, and was giving guidance for the media in advance, but as mentioned in the article in this magazine, November 9 was the ruling of Defendant Noriko Sakai.Due to the day, it has been changed on November 10.
However, when I opened the lid, as far as I saw, it seemed that the news was not spent on November 9 on November 9 for the ruling of Sakai.And November 10th.As you know, Ichihashi, a British woman's murder case, was secured, and the night news was filled with.
As a media -related person, we don't intend to say how SoftBank will hold a presentation. As SoftBank thinks, exposure to media such as television will be important to get the "SoftBank mobile phone" to know. However, as a SoftBank, I would like you to think again about where you are and where you are providing the service. "Mobile Wi-Fi" is also a fun service that makes the future expectations, but among the people who get the primary information of new mobile phones on TV, how many people know "Wi-Fi" and "Wireless LAN Access Points" Is it possible to register a terminal? Softbank, which once deployed Yahoo! BB nationwide, would know how important it would be to support users until the start of use.
By the way, I wrote more strict comments than usual, but as far as this announcement is seen, the lineup of the terminal is very attractive, and there are models that are completely inferior to other companies.It's my fake impression.The terminal announced this time will be launched in the early month from mid -month to next spring.In the future, I would like you to find a favorite one that suits your sensitivity, referring to the developer interviews and reviews that will be published in this magazine.
