Trends in Japan » NTT Docomo

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.

docomo phone heart rate 2

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.

docomo phone heart rate 1

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.

docomo phone heart rate 3

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

Docomodake helps you embarass yourself on vacation

Written by: Michael Keferl on April 20, 2008 at 6:54 pm | In Marketing & Ad Trends | No Comments

NTT DoCoMo, in a bid to get foreign visitors to Japan to use them for roaming service (a great idea with all of the tourists here now) has produced a commercial with the lovable Docomodake character that now represents the brand.

ntt-docomodake

In this “Welcome to Japan” animation, Docomodake explains some helpful Japanese rules and customs so you can get by.

We won’t bother to go into what’s funny about it (besides a female mushroom hanging out naked with the guys), but any new visitor to Japan should combine Docomodake’s advice with that of the Rhamen’s (below) for maximum effect and (ahem!) cultural immersion.

Be sure to take notes, practice on the plane, and then let us know where you’ll be testing it out so we can come by and tape it.