TOKYO-The Japanese wireless industry continues to see massive innovation in the mobile-phone area, with technology giants NTT DoCoMo Inc. and NEC Corp. releasing notable new phone advances.
First, NEC showed off a new prototype phone that can tune in to TV signals, allowing mobile-phone owners to watch television on their handsets. According to news reports, the phone is scheduled for a commercial launch in 2005.
NEC was not immediately available for a comment.
Separately, DoCoMo said it will begin selling a mobile phone that includes fingerprint authentication technology. Such an advancement will allow phone owners to lock or unlock the phone by placing a pre-registered finger on the sensor. Up to 10 fingerprints can be registered by following the handset’s authentication mode procedures, the carrier said.
DoCoMo said its new F505i will be available through all its sales channels.
