KDDI Corporation
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company
September 25, 2008
KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are pleased to announce November 1 plan to launch rentals of the 'au BOX,' an amusement box solely for mobile handsets that allows users who do not own PCs to easily enjoy music and video for only 315 yen a month.
With internal speakers, the 'au BOX' makes it possible for users to enjoy their own CDs and EZ 'Chaku-Uta Full®' content downloaded through an au mobile phone by simply connecting the device to a TV. The 'au BOX' includes the latest music technology EUPHONY™, making it possible to reproduce sound. In addition, tracks from CDs can easily be forwarded to both mobile handsets and Walkman® devices, and the au BOX can be used as a DVD player.
Furthermore, without having to install software of make difficult settings, even users without a computer but access to a broadband Internet connection can purchase their favorite songs from the abundant lineup of around 1.3 million songs available through the music distribution service 'mora for LISM0,' provided by Label Gate Co. Ltd., with the official participation of major record companies.
Videos can also be purchased from the 'LISMO Video Store,' which has around 5,000 titles including major Hollywood hits and popular overseas TV series. Purchased music and video content not only can be enjoyed on the TV but can also easily be forwarded to compatible au mobile phones [1], so LISMO content can be fully accessed not only at home but also on the move. Users with KDDI's 'Hikari-one TV service' also have access to various forms of video content such as multi-channel broadcasts.
On November 1, 2008, KDDI is also launching its 'ADSL10M' service, and ADSL service for a low monthly fee, for users renting an 'au BOX.'
KDDI will also introduce you a DVD magazine 'U.,' which provides information on music and video content to users renting the 'au BOX.'
Even if the 'au BOX' is not connected to the Internet, content recorded on DVDs can be viewed on TV, and forwarded to compatible au mobile phones as well.
With the introduction of the 'au BOX,' KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have realized full FMBC service, which makes it possible for users to enjoy various types of content from both their fixed line connection and au mobile phone.
KDDI and Okinawa Cellular will expand the service so that users can conveniently enjoy both music and video content in all parts of their lives.
