Meet the NTT DoCoMo OnQ, a hard drive-equipped handset merging the basic concept of Microsoft's Portable Media Center platform with interactive features.
Taking a cue from Microsoft's Portable Media Center platform, NTT DoCoMo recently unveiled its new OnQ concept handset, merging synchronization of recorded TV shows from a PC with a range of wireless features. Already registered as a trademark in Japan, handsets offering similar features could hit shelves in Japan as soon as in 2005.
An i-mode handset, the OnQ works in a manner similar to Microsoft's Portable Media Center platform, which lets users synchronize hard drive equipped PMC client devices with audio, video and pictures from PCs running Windows Media Player 10 or higher. Rather relying on proprietary software, the OnQ enables similar functionality, but also adds a degree of interactivity via wireless connectivity to the mix.
 | | NTT DoCoMo OnQ |
As with Portable Media Center devices, the OnQ downloads newly recorded video to the hard drive of the handset when placed in a cradle, enabling viewing on the display which can be tilted 90 degrees to provide landscape orientation. Granted, the OnQ doesn't have a dime on PMC devices here, as its screen appears to be a 2.6" model with QVGA resolution - not exactly an immersive experience, but good enough for talkshows, news broadcasts and, if detail isn't your thing, series and possibly even movies. Battery life is another matter entirely, though.
Users are able to navigate programs by bookmarking at any time, as well as skipping forwards and backwards in time - handy functionality in case one someone is rude enough to get bumped into whilst navigating a busy street.
 | | NTT DoCoMo OnQ |
In addition, the OnQ will also allow viewers to rate programs and share recommendations with friends; details as to the inner workings of this service were somewhat unclear, but one could possibly expect some sort of chart-like show rating service in addition to a more personal variety. Also, the OnQ will offer subtitle viewing, and apparently this will not be an integrated part of the video signal but rather a separate entity which could allow users to resize text.
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