Kill 2 Birds with 1 ... Phone

It's not uncommon in Japan to see people using two mobile phones, one for business and one for private use. Indeed, owning two phones has its advantages, but it's also extravagant and cumbersome. With 2in1, however, two numbers and two e-mail addresses are bundled into just one phone. What's more, the monthly fee for the second line is only 945 yen (about US$7.50/€5.80).

Flexibility

Users can set 2in1 to operate in three different modes. A and B modes give priority to their respective phone numbers and e-mail addresses, with separate main screens, mail boxes, address books, etc. that cannot be viewed without switching between the modes. Dual Mode combines A and B for direct access to all data and features for both numbers/addresses.

"There are a variety of ways 2in1 can be used, depending on the user's needs," says Hitoshi Itakura, DoCoMo's Product Department Director. During a meeting, the user can leave the phone on to take important business calls, but avoid being disturbed by private calls. If the A Mode is used for work-related communication, for example, then all calls from people in the B Mode address book, such as friends, can be set to silent ring, number display only or automatic routing to voice mail (optional service). Similar settings are available for incoming e-mail.

The same flexibility is possible during off hours, if the user wants to avoid business communication but still use the phone freely for private calls.

Simplicity and Security

"The 2in1 function is also highly convenient," adds Itakura. It's easy to confirm which mode is active because each mode has its own customizable main screen. Moreover, switching between modes is as easy as the touch of a button. "The P904i has a button on the side, while the other four models simply require pushing a designated button on the keypad," he explains.

"Another advantage of two numbers and addresses is that personal information can be handled discreetly," says Hijin Sato, Director of DoCoMo's Product Department. This is especially important now that people are increasingly giving out personal information for mobile shopping, membership registration, Internet auctions and so on.

With 2in1, the user does not have to give their private number or e-mail address to salespeople. Or, the user can reserve one mode for friends and the other for general purposes, such as mobile shopping.

B Mode uses a Web mail address that is easily accessed from the i-mode menu. Incoming Web mail is announced via i-mode. For convenience, important Web mails can be saved directly to any of B Mode's 10 mail folders.

Intuitive Gaming and Motion-Controlled Operation

The 904i Series also opens up new vistas of enjoyment with "Chokkan Game" motion-sensing technology. With the D904i, P904i and SH904i models, the user can roll, shake, touch and swing the handset to play intuitive, motion-based mobile games, such as baseball or dancing. A total of 68 intuitive-game titles are available, and the number is expected to grow fast. Two separate types of motion-sensing technologies are used, depending on the phone make. The D904i contains an inbuilt motion sensor, while the P904i and the SH904i use data-processing software linked to the phones' cameras.

In addition to gaming, motion-sensing capability can be used to operate the phones and applications in a highly convenient manner. By simply turning the phone, for example, it's possible to navigate interactive GPS maps, skip to the next song in a music player, rotate the screen while watching mobile TV, scroll down a menu, and more. A number of other exciting possibilities are anticipated in the future.

"We have come so far with the 904i," says Itakura. "We wanted to offer new concepts of mobile convenience and service, and we feel we have achieved this goal."