DoCoMo debuts wrist-phone

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On Wednesday, Japanese cell phone carrier NTT DoCoMo began taking orders for the Wristomo, a wristwatch that unfolds into a cell phone. Wristomo is a phone that can send and receive emails, browse Web pages at 64kbps and determine its own geographic position, according to the carrier, which often debuts devices later sold by many wireless device makers. The gunmetal grey device is among the first examples of a wrist-worn cell phone making its way to market decades after being envisioned by the creators of 1940s comic book gumshoe Dick Tracy. Samsung, IBM and Microsoft are among a number of companies that have designs for wearable wireless devices. But the watch-phone combination may be a hard sell -- at least for now -- with price tags hovering around $1,000 (£635). Samsung indicated $1,000 could be the asking price for its SPH-S1OO. NTT DoCoMo did not indicate what it would be charging for the Wristomo. Watch phones will "never appeal to the mass market -- not for a long time," said IDC wireless analyst Keith Waryas. "Some people are going to buy these just to show their pals what they just bought. But that'll be it." Microsoft is eyeing the nascent market with its Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) expected to be used in wristwatches and refrigerator magnets. The technology lets people access relevant information, despite the device's diminutive size, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates recently told a gathering of wireless industry executives. Watchmakers Fossil, Citizen and Suunto all plan to have SPOT-enabled models available by the end of the year.
To see the latest news on the next generation of mobile communications, see the GPRS/3G News Section. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

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Talkback

Have been reading about the wrist phone not being popular.
I think there would be a demand for a simple wrist mobile phone which had perhaps two connections only,one to a reletive & other to the emergency services.
I am in contact with a number of senior citizens who find one of these most useful if all they had to do is just press a couple of buttons to connect The excisting mobiles are OK but in general the elderly find them confusing To be able to make contact quikly if not feeling well or in a difficult situation would be without doubt a big seller.
There is already a service where you press button on a pendant which is worn around the kneck and connects to a central control
but this is an expensive service.
The simple wrist watch/mobile on a pay as you go basis would appeal to every one who is security minded
basis Perhaps it already excists would be pleased to know

via Facebook 29 September, 2006 13:15
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