Telecom carrier KDDI Corp. said Wednesday it has developed Japan's first prototype of a mobile phone that allows users to view terrestrial digital television programs and obtain various data linked to the programs, such as audience ratings.
The new technology also allows users to watch TV dramas on their handsets and purchase items that appear in the shows. The users will first obtain related data, such as prices, and then make a purchase on the Internet via the phone or search the nearest stores where the products are on sale by using a global positioning function.
The development of the prototype handset, in collaboration with Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) and Hitachi Ltd., was made prior to the scheduled launch by the end of March 2006 of terrestrial digital broadcasting services intended for mobile phones by NHK and commercial TV stations, KDDI said.