Difference between revisions of "I-mode"

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Revision as of 16:43, 11 November 2021

Imode logo.png

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i-mode (iモード) was a mobile internet service created by NTT DoCoMo. It offered a means to allow mobile phones to access the internet.

Sega began supporting the service in Japan in December 1999[1], initially offering downloadable ringtones under Sega Kara branding. This is thought to have been Sega's first foray into mobile phones, and would release its first games starting in March 2000, when it began selling downloadable software through a portal called Sega Mode (セガ･モード)[2].

i-mode-compatible software was strictly monochrome for its first couple of years, and Sega released small handful of software for the service over the course of 2000. On 26th January 2001, NTT DoCoMo released the 503i range of phones (initially the Digital Mova F503i Hyper (by Fujitsu) and Digital Mova P503i Hyper (by Matsushita)), which included support for "i-appli" (iアプリ), J2ME-based programs[3]. In conjunction with this, Sega launched the Sonic Cafe service alongside a few i-appli games based on Sonic Team properties (initially for free as part of a trial period, until becoming paid downloads on the 25th February[4]).

As more advanced i-mode phones were released, the i-appli branding was phased out. Sega continued to support the platform (both new and old handsets) for the following decade. Eventually Sega Mode was rebranded Sega Parade (セガ・パレード) to match the naming scheme seen on the rival J-Sky and EZweb platforms.

While i-mode subscriptions were strong throug the 2000s, with the advent of the iPhone and Android devices, as well as greater support for web standards, the service began to be abandoned by customers, however remained in active service until 2026. Attempts have been made to sell i-mode devices in a number of countries outside of Japan, but none were as successful.

Hardware

New generations of i-mode phones were released almost every year, with major Japanese electronics manufacturers using NTT DoCoMo's specifications as a pseudo-standard. While the operating system and software was usually identical between manufacturers, the physical designs of the phones were not, something later emulated with Android devices.

501i series

The very first i-mode phone to be launched was the Digital Mova F501i Hyper (デジタル・ムーバ F501i HYPER) by Fujitsu in February 1999, starting what would be termed the 501i series.

502i series

The second generation of i-mode phones began offering colour screens as an option.

  • D502i (Mitsubishi; 2000-01-07)

  • N502i (NEC; )

  • SO502i (Sony; 2000-06-01)

  • N502it (NEC; 2000-09-01)

  • SO502iWM (Sony; 2000-12-01)

503i series

504i series

505i series

506i series

  • D506i (Mitsubishi; 2004-05-19)

  • F506i (Fujitsu; 2004-05-19)

  • N506i (NEC; 2004-06-26)

  • SH506iC (Sharp; 2004-07-16)

  • SO506iC (Sony; 2004-07-23)

  • N506iS (NEC; 2005-02-05)

  • SO506iS (Sony; 2005-05-27)

Gallery

  • i-appli logo

  • Sega mode logo

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr000830_1.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-04-17 11:33)
  2. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr001215_1.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-07-08 03:16)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/new/contents/01/whatnew0118a.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-02-02 16:56)
  4. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/corp/news/nr010118_1.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-02-03 21:02)


Japanese mobile phone internet services
i-mode | J-Sky/Vodafone Live!/Yahoo! Keitai | EZweb | Air-Edge | emobile | Y! Mobile
Portals
Game Parade | Medal Desu. | Pet * Sega | Pocket Works | Puyo Puyo! Sega | Sakura Taisen Keitai Club | Sega Ages | Sonic Cafe | Ulala no Channel J | WOW Ja Park | WOW Sports | Club C-Mode
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