February 6, 2008 (Tokyo, Japan)—Acrodea, Inc. (CEO and President: Junya Tsutsumi), headquartered in Meguro-ku, Tokyo, announced today the installation of VIVID UI, developed as a user interface platform for mobile terminals, as well as the installation of VIVID Message and VIVID Panorama in new models released by SoftBank Mobile Co., Ltd. (CEO and President: Masayoshi Son; “SoftBank Mobile”), headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, for the spring 2008 selling season.
The recently released 920P (made by Panasonic Mobile Communications), FULLFACE 2 921SH (made by Sharp), and Internet Machine 922SH (made by Sharp) have adopted fundamental VIVID UI technology and compatibility with Softbank Mobile’s new service “Kisekae Arrange,” which allows the modification of the standby screen, menu screens, battery level indicator, signal strength indicator, etc. with preferred icons. Mobile phones compatible with the service contain a pre-installed selection of Kisekae Arrange content. In addition, by purchasing initial basic files, subscribers can modify the screens of specific parts.
In addition, the 920P (made by Panasonic Mobile Communications), FULLFACE 2 921SH (made by Sharp), 822P (made by Panasonic Mobile Communications), 820SC (made by Samsung Electronics), 821SC (made by Samsung Electronics), and THE PREMIUM TEXTURE 823SH (made by Sharp) have adopted fundamental VIVID UI technology and compatibility with Softbank Mobile’s original service “S! Onajimi Sosa.” This S! Onajimi Sosa is a breakthrough feature that allows subscribers to continue using familiar operating environments of previous model handsets by downloading menu operations data for models released to date. Since subscribers can continue to use the operating feel from models of other manufacturers, the perplexity of operation accompanying a change in handset model disappears, and new mobile phone features and services can immediately be put to use.
Next, the FULLFACE 2 921SH (made by Sharp), Internet Machine 922SH (made by Sharp), 921T (made by Toshiba), 822P (made by Panasonic Mobile Communications), 820SC (made by Samsung Electronics), 821SC (made by Samsung Electronics), THE PREMIUM TEXTURE 823SH (made by Sharp), Kodomobile 820T (made by Toshiba), 822T (made by Toshiba), and Kabu Keitai 920SH YK (made by Sharp) have adopted Acrodea’s VIVID Message, and are compatible with Softbank Mobile’s original service “Derumoji.” This service generates animated 3D expressions for email text in response to specific picture fonts, initials, and key words found in the main body of an email message. The animation comprises around 150 graphics, including a heart, question mark, cloverleaf, the sun, fireworks, an automobile, etc., and creates a colorful, enriched email screen as the motion unfolds. The same 3D expressions display in response to the specific picture fonts, initials, and key words contained in email texts received from mobile phones other than Softbank models, or even PCs.
Finally, the FULLFACE 2 921SH (made by Sharp), Internet Machine 922SH (made by Sharp), THE PREMIUM TEXTURE 823SH (made by Sharp), and Kabu Keitai 920SH YK (made by Sharp) incorporate VIVID Panorama as a camera feature. Users of these models can enjoy panorama photography with a very simple operation.
VIVID UI is a user interface platform developed by Acrodea for mobile phones, and represents innovative middleware that can integrate various types of multimedia content, such as still pictures, 3D graphics, animation effects, and video. VIVID UI enables mobile phones that can be readily customized with graphically enhanced menus and standby screens. The VIVID UI authoring tool incorporates features for creating menu transitions through a visual context, as well as for menu content emulation. By using this tool, handset manufacturers and content providers can easily create compatible content with a wealth of expression.
As middleware with a visual communication function, VIVID Message is a solution developed jointly by Acrodea, and Megachips Corporation, headquartered in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, and enriches the expressive capacity of email by taking plain, two-dimensional text and adding 3D graphics and animation effects for a stereographic and dynamic presentation.
Jointly developed by Acrodea and Morpho, Inc. (CEO and President: Masaki Hilaga), headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, VIVID Panorama consists of middleware for camera functionality. VIVID Panorama permits the user to create panorama photos (images extended in one direction for a wider or taller viewing angle than ordinary photos) easily by operating the mobile handset with a built-in digital camera like a camcorder and panning the desired range. Although previous handsets have been equipped with panoramic photography functions, the “panorama-like” photo involved stitching together each, individually taken photo. The panoramic image-generating technology of VIVID Panorama is fully automated on the basis of the video data captured. The process is rapid and completed in real time. Users may immediately preview the panorama photo taken. This convenience is an additional feature of VIVID Panorama.
Acrodea, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a software technology R&D firm involved in middleware technology for mobile terminals. The company is particularly focused on interface technologies connecting between the user and terminal, and currently provides UI (user interface) technologies and email enhancement technologies to the market. We are also applying R&D energy towards the enhancement of graphics performance, which is indispensable in facilitating usage of mobile platform interfaces. Our stance and efforts are a continual commitment to superior products and improving technology, for which we have received recognition worldwide. In addition to Japan and Korea, Acrodea is engaged in business on the global market, including China, Europe, and North America. The company listed publicly on Mothers Exchange of TSE on Oct. 19, 2006, just two years and three months after establishment in July 2004. Acrodea is headquartered in Tokyo, and maintains an overseas presence in Seoul, Korea; Helsinki, Finland; and Newport Beach, California, U.S.A. For more information, please visit http://www.acrodea.co.jp.
Since its foundation, Megachips Corporation (TSE: 6875), has accumulated a wealth of intellectual property in imaging, sound, and telecommunications as an R&D-based firm. Megachips delivers LSI products and system solutions that provide rich media communication optimized for ubiquitous environments. For details, please visit http://www.megachips.co.jp/.
Founded in 2004, Morpho Inc. is a venture company focused on delivering industry leading computer vision, graphics and image processing solutions for mobile device and PC based applications. Established by researchers from the University of Tokyo and experts in digital media, the company continues to introduce innovations in image processing technologies. More information about Morpho Inc. is available at: view http://www.morphoinc.com/eng/.
Marketing Department at Acrodea, Inc.
TEL：+81 3-5768-8603 email: pr@acrodea.co.jp
