NTT DoCoMo, Inc. has developed and started sales of a new information terminal "mobileGet," which adds browser and applications installation functions to that of conventional mobile terminals.
Outlines of the terminal and services are as follows:

Outline of mobileGet

There are two types of mobileGet, cellular-type and PHS-type. They have a shape similar to ordinary handsets (Photo). Functions specific to mobileGet are:
1. Applications installation / downloading function
A function for installing applications is found on the mobileGet. In addition, mobileGet can download applications from dedicated servers, making installation and version-up of applications easier. While not loaded with applications when shipped from NTT DoCoMo, with vendor applications installation, various applications can be run on the mobileGet.
2. Browsing function
A function for browsing content through use of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Ver1.1 is also found on the mobileGet. Many communications carriers around the world employ WAP-browsing function. WAP is a protocol developed for browsing content using a mobile phone. It optimizes general World Wide Web (WWW) functions for conducting communications efficiently within limited bandwidth. WAP employs following dedicated protocols:
1) Scripting language (WML: Wireless Markup Language)
WAP is described with text files. There is no interoperability with HTML.
2) Application layer (WAE: Wireless Application Environment)
The general term for services of application layer that WAP can be provided. WAE includes the WML above.
3) Session layer (WSP: Wireless Session Protocol)
This is an expanded function of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) of WWW for wireless communications.
4) Transaction layer (WTP: Wireless Transport Protocol)
This provides reliability of connection and data transfer functions like TCP protocol. At below the transport layer, general User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Internet Protocol (IP) are used. The WAP employs a system that a WAP terminal does not receive WML content written in a text file as it is, but does receive such WML content compressed and converted to binary data by WAP gateway. With this system, the data size is made smaller, enabling stable browsing.

Photo mobileGet (PHS type)

Example of mobileGet application

Mobile Information Dynamic (MID), an information provider established by NTT DoCoMo, Matsushita Communications Industrial Co., Ltd. and other firms, has been providing application of JRA PAT system since May 2000. This is the first service to use mobileGet's application installation function. The Personal Access Terminal (PAT) is an online Keiba horseracing service of Japan Racing Association (JRA) through telephone circuits with about 1.2 million members. Subscribers of this service with long-time experience via wired circuits, can vote for horses as well as can refer various data such as race schedules, odds and reimbursement. MID is selling mobileGet by installing a JRA PAT application as the world's first mobile compatible terminal.
Different from existing PAT compatible terminals, mobileGet presupposes the use in a mobile environment. With mobileGet, betting on horses became possible from anywhere, drastically reducing restrictions on PAT members when betting.
In the mobile computing market, more new ideas and technologies are expected to emerge. NTT DoCoMo will pursue the possibility of new services utilizing mobileGet's excellent feature that enables functional changes by downloading applications. (extracted from NTT DoCoMo Technical Journal, Vol.8, No.2)

Fig. Network structure of MID center system