The exhibited mockups. The extension units are connected to the handset in the center.
An overview of mobile phones extensible with replaceable hardware
NTT DoCoMo Inc exhibited a prototype handset that can be added with functions by connecting extension units to it at JPCA Show 2009, an electronic circuit-related exhibition that took place at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo from June 3 to 5, 2009.
Unlike so-called "all-in-one" handsets, which include a number of functions such as 1seg broadcast, FeliCa, HSDPA and GPS, the handset enables users to add functions that they need by connecting hardware as extension units. The handset is aimed at meeting customer demands for diversifying mobile phone capabilities, the company said.
"Because of diversifying needs for mobile phone capabilities, functions that are used and never used significantly vary by user," NTT DoCoMo said.
If these circumstances continue, it will be difficult for the company to address customer needs with currently prevailing all-in-one handsets. "We feel that one solution is to let users customize their handsets in accordance with their needs," the company said.
NTT DoCoMo exhibited three mockups of extension units, namely "portable blood tester," "electronic paper (e-paper)" and "flute" units. The portable blood tester unit is designed to help remote medical care by transmitting information on sample blood via mobile phone networks.
The e-paper unit is a display shaped like a scroll that is aimed at meeting user demands to browse magazines and newspapers on a large screen. The company expects that the flute unit will be used to realize music sessions with people at distant places using the communication capability of the handset.
NTT DoCoMo has been pursuing this development project based on the theme of "the mobile phone of the future in 2015" for about a year and a half.
"We asked researchers at NTT DoCoMo's four R&D centers in Yokosuka in Japan, Palo Alto in California in the US, Munich in Germany and Beijing in China for ideas," the company said. "And we selected those functions from about 50 ideas submitted by them."
However, NTT DoCoMo is still at the stage where it is looking for cooperating companies after disclosing the concept.
"We are aiming at attracting companies that have technologies to realize extension units and advancing the development with them," the company said.
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