Camera Phones Plaza

Fujitsu has just announced that its new cell phone, the F-01A, “the world’s first fingerprint-enabled waterproof cell phone”, will be exclusively sold by NTT DoCoMo, the most important Japanese phone operator.

The phone is equipped with advanced features such as the fingerprint sensor (the first to use such a technology, by the way), which is called TouchStone, designed and developed by AuthenTec. More than that, the F-01A comes with the TrueNav technology which is to be used for a navigational control similar to the touchpad.



As far as the features are concerned, they include: the Symbian operating system, a 3.5 inch widescreen VGA display (which is also touch sensitive), a 5.2 megapixel camera which comes equipped with Autofocus, an integrated GPS that works in combination with the Mobile Google Maps (with the Street View), e-wallet mobile payment capability and a 1seg mobile TV tuner.

There are approximately 9 million cell phones based on the AuthenTec sensor available today on the market. This technology is meant to increase the privacy of the user, which is possible by “securing the device’s personal and corporate data”, such as emails, photos and contact lists.

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“We’re pleased to now offer this unique waterproof mobile phone which combines next generation, all-inclusive entertainment with the convenient security of an AuthenTec fingerprint sensor in the new docomo PRIME series phone”, said Katsumi Takada, general manager for the Mobile Phone Group of Fujitsu Limited. In addition, he said that “users of the new F-01A not only enjoy the peace of mind offered by its waterproof capability but also by the integrated fingerprint security which helps protect its stored files and personal information”.

The F-01A is waterproof, being compatible with IPX5 and IPX7 specifications. Therefore, it’s submersible to up to one meter, for no more than 30 minutes. Pretty good, right?

(Source: unwiredview.com)

Usually, mobile phones and smartphones that are manufactured in Japan for the Japanese market don’t go outside this country’s boundaries, even if there would be lots of potential customers in other countries. I don’t quite the reason understand the reason why something like this happens, but that’s the way things go, so we should leave them this way.

Still, it seems that someone is trying to change the present situation, and we’re talking about NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu Limited, that have just announced the release of a handset on the Taiwanese market. This is based on the FOMA F905i model that is already available in Japan. You can find this clamshell under the name of F905i, being sold by Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (also known as FET).

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This is the first collaboration between DoCoMo and Fujitsu that resulted with a product that was designed for a market different from the Japanese. The F905i gives its users the possibility to view and use the Traditional Chinese character set, which is the writing system Taiwanese use. In addition, the phone is provided with access to i-mode, the mobile Internet service offered by FET.



The features of the F905i are quite impressive and they include: a 3.2 inch WVGA display (which can be positioned in two ways, as you can see in the picture), a 3.2 megapixel camera and the proprietary technologies of Fujitsu designed for clear sound and voice reproduction.

If you wonder why DoCoMo has decided to team up with FET (which is also a member of the Conexus Mobile Alliance, founded by DoCoMo, among other mobile operators from Asia-Pacific), then wait until you find that these two companies are “strategic partners”. So it doesn’t seem such a surprise, anymore, does it?

(Source: unwiredview.com)

Fujitsu FOMA F1100 is not the first cell phone that adopts AuthenTec’s fingerprint readering technology for securing the data stored in the handset; Asus was the first to use the AES1710 module for the M356 Smartphone, but it is though the first model released by NTT DoCoMo to feature Windows Mobile 6 operating system and the fingerprint sensor.



It is important for a Smartphone to have this protection layer enabled because of the mobile commerce transaction types used by business professionals.
In Japan, FOMA F1100 users will have access to Mobile Office documents, HSDPA high-speed transfers, built-in camera for pictures, microSD expansion slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IP telephony, and a large 2.6-inch QVGA touch-sensitive display.

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"Fujitsu has demonstrated its market leadership with the introduction of their first fingerprint-enabled Windows Mobile phone," declared AuthenTec Chairman and CEO Scott Moody. "We have had a long and successful relationship with Fujitsu because of our ability to consistently provide the latest innovations in fingerprint sensors to enhance the user experience, the reliability of our TruePrint technology, and our proven ability to deliver in very high volumes. The feature-packed FOMA F1100 is another outstanding example of an innovative mobile phone that leverages the Power of Touch features of an AuthenTec sensor."

NTT DoCoMo, premier mobile communications company in Japan, presented at CEATEC 2007, the largest international exhibition in Asia for the technology and electronics sectors, the new Fujitsu phone model called FORMA F1100, a slider Windows Mobile 6 Smartphone, with standard keypad, HSDPA support, microSD card slot type, and a 1.3MP camera.



The Smartphone showing a 2.6 inch QVGA touch sensitive display, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi a/b/g but doesn’t support GSM technology.
With all these features plus IP telephony support and the finger print reader, the model is destined to the business sector.

NTT DoCoMo said the phone will be available at the beginning of 2008.

Some time ago we presented the NTT DoCoMo P903i, a phone that recognized its owner through a small card you had to carry with you. Well, you don't have to worry no more about losing the card, ... because the Fujitsu FOMA F902iS has a fingerprint recognition sensor on the back of the flip phone which allows you to unlock your SIM card. An external touch keypad on the front enables users to control music playback and perform other simple tasks.

Also built-in is a WMA (Windows Media Audio) file-compatible music player that can play files downloaded off the web or CD. Additional features include 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, anti-shake correction, push-to-talk and video calling. Overall, a pretty slick phone.

Via ministryoftech.