DoCoMo wristwatch phone launched

JAPAN'S NTT DoCoMo has pipped Samsung to the post by commercially releasing a wristwatch mobile phone - the Wristomo.

The catch is that the phone will only work on Japan's PHS system. Nevertheless for ¥37,000 you can own a watch that not only makes calls but enables you to surf the mobile Internet (i-mode style) as well as sending and receiving emails.

Just like the old Timex Datalink wristwatch, it is also possible to synchronise data held in Microsoft Outlook on a desktop PC with the calendar and addressbook inside the Wristomo phone.

Instead of using infra-red, however, this facility requires the owner to purchase an additional ¥6,200 data cable. While Samsung GSM wristwatch phone isn't due until the end of 2003, the Wristomo goes on sale on May 7th via the Internet.

Impressively it also lasts for two hours worth of continuous talk time. So now Japanese commuters can shout, "Darling I'm on the train" into their watch. µ