New Health phones from Fujitsu and NTT DoCoMo

Written by: Michael Keferl on July 31, 2008 at 2:09 am | In Technology & Gadget Trends | 3 Comments

At this year’s Wireless Japan Expo, Fujitsu and NTT DoCoMo debuted some new RakuRaku (easy easy) handsets made for aging users who are concerned about their health and want to keep both good records and good communication with health care professionals.

With the F884iES, users can place their fingers over the camera lens, which can determine their heart rate simply by scanning minute movements. This information, along with that from the built-in pedometer, can be input into a personal “health diary”. Below (right side) you can see my finger over the camera lens and a displayed rate of 80 beats per minute.

For more detailed health information, the SH706iw and F1100 can receive information via infrared and bluetooth from Omron products such as the Karada Scan scales and pedometers. Combined with the onboard heart rate monitor, the data can be kept in a diary or sent directly to doctors, health clubs, diet services, or other specialists to help them keep an eye on their patients.

In effect, we’re getting closer and closer to being able to get accurate health information about our bodies in real time. The big question is whether doctors will readily accept this! The technology is here, and there are plenty of aging mobile phone users to use the services, but without support from the medical side of things such technology will have a hard time making inroads.

Tags: Bluetooth, health, Mobiles, NTT Docomo, Raku Raku
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Virtual hairstyle mobile makeovers

Written by: Rebecca Milner on May 19, 2008 at 11:23 pm | In Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends | 1 Comment

More signs indicate that virtual makeovers—using real photographic images—are on the verge of becoming a major trend. Last week we reported on Awaseba, the new PC-based virtual fitting room for online shops, now this week So-Net entertainment is launching a mobile-based site called “Hair Style,” that allows users to virtually try on new hairstyles.

With this free service users simply choose a hairstyle from the modeled looks, take their own portrait photo with their mobile phone camera, and enter it into the system to receive a version of the photo modified with the new look.

The service also includes news on the latest fashionable hairstyles plus a directory of salons that specialize in each of the looks.

Considering that teenage girls and young women are already glued to their mobile phones (and feel no shame taking pictures of themselves on the train) we expect this site to be a hit.

Of course the CScout Japan office couldn’t resist testing the service.

Can you tell which one is the real girl?

Note from Michael: Besides the obvious five o’clock shadow, I think I pull it off pretty well!

Tags: Fashion, Hair, Mobiles
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends