Willcom unveils new designer smartphone

Tokyo-based telecommunications company Willcom presented its newest smartphone today.

The WILLCOM 03, which seems to be an iPhone competitor in some ways, was developed by Sharp. It comes with a 3 inch WVGA LCD touch screen (480×800 resolution), measures 50x116x17.9mm and weighs 135g. Other functions include compatibility to One-Seg-TV, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and a micro SD card slot.

The WILLCOM 03 uses the Japanese edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic. Users can surf the web with Opera Mobile 9.5. Web sites can be enlarged by tapping the screen with the finger.

Willcom says their new smartphone is targeted at the general public rather than business people. The selling point seems to be the sleek design and usability of the device.

There is no button on the front side. Instead, users can toggle between the so-called “cursor key mode” and the “dial key mode” pushing a button located on the side of the phone. In the cursor key mode, the WILLCOM 03 is operated by touching a cross symbol shown on the screen. When the user chooses the dial key mode, numbers from 0 to 9 are displayed. Alternatively, the phone offers a full sliding keyboard.

Willcom plans to offer the WILLCOM 03 in Japan starting in late June for $610. The phone will be available in pink, lime green and gold.