By Reuben Lee
27/10/2005
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/0,39050603,39285511,00.htm

	NEC's N600i is the top-end model with Transflash expansion card slot (click for more info)

It's finally here. After almost six years since its introduction in Japan, the much-talked-about i-mode service is at last making its debut in Singapore. It will be offered exclusively through local mobile service provider StarHub, which recently invited selected users to participate in the pre-launch trials.

As part of the registration process, customers are required to purchase a phone at a special price and sign up for a mobile plan with mobile operator. In return, they will enjoy free subscription to data services as well as other benefits up till the end of 2005. The company has not announced the cost or details of the i-mode subscription plans at this point, but we do expect the information to be made available closer to its widely speculated November launch date.

What is i-mode?

	The NEC N411i is PictBridge-compatible (click for more info)

Introduced in Japan in 1999, i-mode is a mobile service developed by NTT DoCoMo to help users get more out of their cellulars. Based on an open platform that's built on the current Internet standards, i-mode offers a common conduit for both content providers and subscribers through quick access to services and applications online.

The use of i-mode services does not depend on whether you are on a 2G, 2.5G or 3G platform. The service will work as long as you have a handset that supports i-mode, together with an i-mode data plan. According to StarHub's press release, there are currently 93,000 i-mode sites and more than 50 million i-mode users in the world today.

For those who are still confused, think of i-mode as a layer of services and content. On a 2.5G handset, it makes use of GPRS to access the Internet. On 3G handsets, i-mode rides on the the 3G connectivity which technically should provide faster access, though StarHub representatives assured us that the difference in speed is hardly noticeable. Do note that certain services may be available only on the 3G-enabled i-mode phones and not the 2.5G handsets due to hardware limitations. For example, the mobile banking service will work only on 3G i-mode phones due to onboard security enhancements. What can i-mode do?

	This Samsung clamshell comes with external music keys (click for more info)

The key feature in i-mode is its Internet access which, in a way, can be compared to going to a shopping mall where you can find a variety of services and products. In the case of i-mode, users use their phones to shop, carry out bank transactions, book tickets, download games, conduct online chats and even bid for auctions online.

In addition, i-mode supports pushmail which will be useful to those who want instant access to their emails at all times. Depending on the service plan and phone model, i-mode handsets can also be used for video telephony, MMS, Java apps and video downloads, just like its 3G counterparts.

So far, StarHub has announced a list of its key i-mode content and service providers which include Bloomberg, eBay, Golden Village, Mediacorp TV, OCBC Bank, ZUJI and Singapore Press Holdings.

What are the i-mode phones available?
According to StarHub, there will be three i-mode phones made available during its pre-launch program, with more compatible handsets expected to be added to the list in due time.

StarHub's i-mode handsets Note: StarHub has confirmed that it will offer further discounts on the three phones for customers who trade in their current handsets.