Japanese Operator AU Launched New Music Service

The Japanese phone operator AU introduced a new service in Japan called "AU Listen Mobile Service". This looks very much like a Music On Demand service - the phones can be connected to the PC to transfer the music into the phone through a iTunes-like software called AU Music Port.

Users can even download music from the phone itself via CDMA-EVDO technology and exchange playlists with other similar phones. Momentarily, AU offers seven EVDO phones that will work with the new service.

Top of the list is the new W41T from Toshiba, with 4GB of memory, a 3.23MP camera, a 2.4" QVGA screen, Bluetooth technology, GPS system, stereo speakers, Hello Messenger (an AIM clone) and FM radio. The device weighs only 157g and measures 50 x 105 x 28mm.

The rest of the EVDO models compatible with the AU's new service are W41H (Hitachi), W41CA (Casio) Sony Ericsson W41S, Sony Ericsson W41K, Sanyo W41SA, and finally the Neon.