Archive for Fujitsu

Fujitsu Android and Windows Phone handsets coming to Europe

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T Fujitsu Android and Windows Phone handsets coming to EuropeElectronics manufacturer Fujitsu is planning to enter the European mobile device market with Android and Windows Phone handsets, according to a report in the Financial Times. The company isn’t talking specifics yet, but it is already in the midst of discussions with cellular providers in Europe.

Fujitsu has been a player in the Japanese smartphone market for some time now. Fujitsu, in conjunction with its short-lived partner Toshiba, has released such great devices as the IS12T Windows Phone and the ARROWS Z ISW11F Android handset. The IS12T, in particular, is notable due to its bright colors, waterproof design, 13.2MP camera, and 32GB of internal memory. That amount of memory, to this day, is still unheard of on a Windows Phone. Fujitsu’s handsets lack the beauty of devices such as the Nokia Lumia 900, but the hardware more than makes up for it.

The device manufacturer hopes to achieve “double digit” European market share within three to five years, but some analysts are concerned that Fujitsu’s supply chain might not be able to meet demand. If it can overcome these issues, Fujitsu has the potential to become a major player in the smartphone and tablet business. We’d just like to see the company bring its devices stateside as well.

[Financial Times via The Next Web]

Fujitsu lays claim to the ‘Thinnest Smartphone’ title, probably won’t keep it very long

Fujitsu es is12f 300x300 Fujitsu lays claim to the Thinnest Smartphone title, probably wont keep it very longFujitsu has just thrown its name into the ‘World’s Thinnest Smartphone’ battle with the Fujitsu Arrows ES IS12F in Japan. The Fujitsu Arrows is only 6.7mm thick at its thinnest point, tapering out to 8.5mm at its thickest. This beats the Motorola DROID RAZR’ thinnest point of 7.1 by .4mm.

The Arrows will be available on KDDI’s network in Japan. The guts of the phone are not lacking much, even with the ultra-thin restrictions. We’re looking at a 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4-inch AMOLED display that’s coated in Gorilla Glass, a 5MP camera, and the usual wireless lineup: WiFi, Bluetooth, CDMA, and GSM.

The Arrows will be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and you’ll also find some special smartphone features that are fairly common in Japan: 1-Seg digital video, infrared, and support for Google Wallet’s touch-and-pay technology.

Granted that having an ultra-thin phone does gain you some significant status points, do we really need another ‘thinnest electronic’ battle? If you will recall, the original Razr wasn’t so successful just because it was thin. The original Razr was one of the most durable phones ever.

I still know a good number of people who love their Razrs, and they are still rocking on and working just as well as they did brand new. How about instead of working to make our already delicate smartphones even more breakable, we make them more durable? How about a smartphone that easily lasts for 4 or 5 years? Now that would be a phone worth dropping some serious cash on.

[KDDI via droidmatters]

Fujitsu-Toshiba ARROWS Z ISW11F is the joint venture’s last hurrah

Fujitsu Toshiba ARROWS Z ISW11F 560x509 Fujitsu Toshiba ARROWS Z ISW11F is the joint ventures last hurrah

Most people assumed that the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T would be the last device jointly released by Fujitsu and Toshiba, as the two Japanese manufacturers announced in early August that they are breaking off their year-long partnership. Interestingly, this does not appear to be the case. The two companies announced on Monday that they plan to release the ARROWS Z ISW11F in November.

The name is arguably worse than the IS12T, but it packs the same great specs in an Android 2.3.5 package. Japanese customers of the au by KDDI network can look forward to a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 LCD, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 13MP camera with support for 1080p video, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage can also be found inside the device, with support for up to 32GB thanks to the microSDHC card slot.

The WiMAX handset also includes a variety of other features such as HDMI and microUSB ports, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, a digital TV tuner, and an e-wallet. The ARROWS Z IS211F, like the IS12T, comes in three colors–black, white, and pink–and includes waterproof technology.

[TechCrunch via Engadget]

Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T officially launching on August 25

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T 560x298 Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T officially launching on August 25

Well, it’s finally official. As previously rumored, KDDI will start selling the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T, the world’s first Windows Phone Mango handset, in some regions on Thursday, August 25. This release is much earlier than original launch window, which merely specified “September or beyond.”

The powerful waterproof device will be exclusive to the au by KDDI network in Japan. The carrier plans to release it on August 25 in Central, Hokkaido, Kansai, Kanto, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Tohoku. Chugoku will follow on August 26, and Shikoku will bring up the rear on August 27.

Microsoft released the Zune 4.8 software client earlier this morning, which is required for all Mango handsets. The software giant also opened up the Marketplace for Mango app submissions earlier this week, just in time for the launch of the IS12T.

The release schedule for the rest of the second generation Windows Phone handsets is unknown, but Samsung and HTC are expected to announce their respective devices on September 1. A few new Android devices might make an appearance as well.

[KDDI via WPCentral]

Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T pricing revealed by KDDI store, release imminent?

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T Black Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T pricing revealed by KDDI store, release imminent?Fujitsu-Toshiba’s IS12T Windows Phone looks great. It has 32 GB of memory, a 13.2MP camera, and a 3.7-inch screen. It’s even waterproof! Unfortunately, these great features might come with a heavy cost.

The official blog of the au by KDDI shop in Japan’s Isezaki Mall has released pricing information for the upcoming smartphone. The handset will supposedly run new subscribers 19,350 yen ($252.71 USD) on a two-year contract. Current subscribers with a two-year contract will have to pay a bit more: 35,100 yen ($458.41 USD).

It’s even more expensive for those without a contract with which to subsidize part of the cost. Current off-contract customers can look forward to shelling out 73,500 yen ($959.91 USD), with new subscribers receiving a small discount at 57,500 yen ($754.22).

These figures aren’t cheap. If true, they would make the IS12T the most expensive Windows Phone on the market. Most Windows Phones run about $200 on contract, often times much less.

The IS12T is expected to be released sometime in September, but the au by KDDI shop in Nishikasai tweeted that the handset “will be released in stores August 25.” Could it really be arriving earlier than expected?

[au shop Isezaki Mall via WMPoweruser | au shop Nishikasai]

Toshiba breaks off phone partnership with Fujitsu

Fujitsu Toshiba Toshiba breaks off phone partnership with Fujitsu

Toshiba announced on Wednesday that it is breaking off its short-lived partnership with Fujitsu. The two companies merged their mobile phone divisions last summer, creating one of the biggest phone manufacturers in Japan. Apparently, the deal didn’t work out as well as Toshiba had hoped.

Fujitsu already owns 80.1% of the joint Fujitsu-Toshiba venture, so the majority holder plans to purchase its partner’s fifth of the company by the end of the year. Toshiba may be leaving the mobile phone business, but Fujitsu plans to keep the company going strong.

One has to wonder if Microsoft knew about Toshiba’s intentions to leave for months. Fujitsu was listed as a Windows Phone Mango partner at a Microsoft event in late May, but Toshiba’s logo was conspicuously absent.

Fujitsu-Toshiba recently announced the IS12T, the company’s first Windows Phone handset. The waterproof device will be released in September exclusively in Japan and will come in three colors: citrus, magenta, and black.

[Engadget]

More Windows Phone Mango handsets coming in September

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T Black back More Windows Phone Mango handsets coming in SeptemberThe next iPhone will be released in September, and Microsoft plans to have the second generation of Windows Phone handsets ready to compete with it. These devices will be the first to run Windows Phone 7.5, codenamed “Mango,” which was released to manufacturing on Tuesday.

Fujitsu-Toshiba, as previously announced, plans to release the first Mango handset in September. HTC, LG, and Samsung are expected to follow suit later in the month, along with Acer, Huawei, and ZTE. Nokia’s first handset, the Sea Ray, will reportedly bring up the rear in late October with a massive $127.4 million marketing budget.

Microsoft announced the first slate of Windows Phones in mid-October of last year, with handsets hitting Europe and the US over the following month. Many people believed that Microsoft would follow a similar schedule, so a September launch is much earlier than originally anticipated. Thankfully, it should allow Microsoft to go head to head with the competition this fall.

[DigiTimes via Neowin]

See the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T’s waterproof technology in action

What’s more frightening than dropping a smartphone into a body of water? Intentionally dunking it. But believe it or not, a recent video segment from IDG News does just that. The segment starts off innocently enough. But suddenly, around the 21 second mark, a sideways shot of a fully functional handset pulls back to reveal that the device is actually completely immersed in a pool of water.

This colorful smartphone is the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T, the first Windows Phone to feature IPX5/IPX7 water-resistance technology. The handset, which was announced earlier this week, will be released in September exclusively on the au by KDDI carrier in Japan. We’ve known about the waterproof handset since the Worldwide Partner Conference a few weeks ago, but nothing beats seeing it in action.

Waterproof handsets are not uncommon in Japan, but they’re rarer in other parts of the world. With one out of every five people having dropped their phone into a toilet at one point or another, a wider range of waterproof devices might not be a bad idea. Protection against water damage certainly wouldn’t hurt. The real question is whether anyone is actually brave enough to test their phone’s waterproofing for themself.

[WMPoweruser]

Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T comes in three colors, launching in September

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T 560x298 Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T comes in three colors, launching in September

Microsoft Japan and Fujitsu-Toshiba Mobile Communications officially revealed the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T at a Tokyo press event on Wednesday morning. The IS12T, Japan’s first Windows Phone, will also be the first to include the highly-anticipated Mango update.

The 113g waterproof handset will feature a 3.7-inch WVGA screen and a Qualcomm MSM8655 processor, as expected. But it also packs a few surprises, like a 13.2MP camera with autofocus–a significant upgrade from the standard 8MP–and 32GB of memory, a figure only rivaled by high-end models of the Dell Venue Pro.

The Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T will be available exclusively on KIDDI’s au network in Japan. The device will be available in three colors: citrus, magenta, and black. The black handset is notable for the inclusion of gray live tiles, a color not available on other Windows Phones. While an exact launch date was not specified, Microsoft did reveal that the handset will be released sometime in September.

[Engadget | au by KDDI]

Fujitsu-Toshiba Windows Phone Mango handset announcement imminent

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T Announcement 560x228 Fujitsu Toshiba Windows Phone Mango handset announcement imminent

Microsoft Japan and Fujitsu-Toshiba are scheduled to announce their first Windows Phone handset in just under two hours. The device, known as the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T, will be Japan’s first Windows Phone. It is expected to run Windows Phone Mango, Microsoft’s freshly minted update for Windows Phone, and will be made available on the KDDI network.

The press event will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday July 27 in Tokyo, Japan, less than two hours from the time of this writing. Those interested will be able to watch the announcement live on Ustream.

A magenta version of the water-resistant Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T was accidentally showed off at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference a few weeks ago. The handset will supposedly feature a 3.7-inch LCD display, a Qualcomm MSM8655 chipset, multiple color schemes, and support for GSM900/1800/1900 and CDMA2000 networks. Like all Windows Phones, the IS12T will come with exclusive apps from Fujitsu-Toshiba and KDDI, including mixi, Hot Pepper, NAVITIME, and Jorudan.

Hit the jump to watch the live stream, which is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. Pacific / 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

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