- Separable Phone Sets Itself Apart -

NTT DOCOMO, the company that has already helped to pioneer mobile internet ecosystems, 3G and mobile wallet services, has once again expanded the margins by announcing its impending launch of the F-04B "separable" phone—a revolutionary multitasking model that splits apart into two separate units to enable taking calls with one unit while simultaneously using the other to browse the web, look at a video, check e-mail, or whatever you need to do while at work or play.
Back in January 2008, when DOCOMO and Fujitsu first started discussing the unprecedented concept behind their invention, the goal was a convenient, all-new form factor that would break new ground by, well, breaking apart, says Satoshi Abe of DOCOMO's Product Department. Once just a theoretical concept with no guarantee of success, today the F-04B is attracting attention wherever it goes, he says.
"When we showed the prototype at the CEATEC Japan tradeshow in October 2008, nearly 100 people immediately lined up at our booth to try it out," says Abe. Interest spread rapidly among DOCOMO's customers, too. "The prototype has intrigued just about everyone who holds it in their two hands," he adds.

1 Plus 1 Equals Three … or More!

The F-04B, so much more than just two modules of a mobile phone, is an elegant solution to mobile multitasking, particularly when users have to juggle voice and data, says Abe. "How often has someone given you their number and you've had to scrabble for a pencil and paper?" he asks. "When you explain it that way, people instantly understand the added value," he says.
The real genius of this full-spec phone is that neither technology nor performance has been compromised for the signature separation feature. Connected by Bluetooth®, both units have independent power to function seamlessly whether separated or joined.
The screen unit can be used on its own to make calls using its touchscreen keypad, plus watch movies or mobile TV, listen to music and send mail. The keypad unit, which employs a slider design to provide both 10-key and QWERTY fixed keypads, also works as a voice handset, microphone, speaker, game pad and more.
An optional projector unit even can be connected to the screen unit to create an instant mobile theater anywhere. "You can lie down on your bed and project videos, digital TV or games on the ceiling," says Naoyuki Inoue, head of handset development for Fujitsu's mobile phone unit.

Rock-solid Marriage

The F-04B, hardly an innovation just for innovation's sake, doesn't sacrifice function for style. When the original prototype was exhibited at CEATEC, it used magnets to hold the two units together, but while this attracted a lot of interest, it wasn't truly practical, so a more robust solution was pursued.
The result was the creation of a sturdy snap-on system, anchored by the screen's camera interlocking with a slot on the keypad. Married together, the two make a handsome couple with the familiar look and feel of a sophisticated, cutting-edge mobile phone, says Ken-etsu Furuki, a manager at Fujitsu's mobile phone unit.

Uniting for Separation

The two-year course of developing a separable phone turned out to be quite a journey, but ultimate success was the result of strong collaboration between DOCOMO and Fujitsu.
Early on, for example, one initial idea was for one of the separable units to be a long-life battery that could easily be attached to recharge the other unit on the go.
"Ultimately, we concentrated a number of functions in the screen unit, which works as a standalone, full-touchscreen phone. But to get all of this to work perfectly was the hardest challenge. We almost gave up several times," says Furuki.

More to Come

The high degree of experimentation required to reach the final design produced a number of great ideas that still might find their way into consumers' hands someday. One such example is a super-long-life detachable battery pack, says Furuki. There also is the possibility that third parties will hop on the F-04B bandwagon and develop aftermarket units for the separable phone.
"The first step is to see how customers react when the separable phone goes on sale this spring. Once we have this crucial feedback, we are ready to offer much more, together with Fujitsu," says Abe.

Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, INC., and licensed to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate. However, NTT DOCOMO, INC. does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of NTT DOCOMO, INC.