The A to Z of wireless

I is for i-mode

I-mode is a popular mobile platform developed to bring internet based services to mobile phones. Developed by Japanese mobile firm NTT DoCoMo, and first seen in 1999, i-mode allows access to various internet services as well as providing the ability to send and receive emails through its iMail service.

Although i-mode only offers access to a limited number of websites, it provides users with lots of useful online services without the need for more sophisticated smart phones.

The list from A to Z

Click on the links below to find out more on each of the entries in the list.

A is for Antivirus
B is for Bluetooth
C is for The Cloud
D is for dotMobi
E is for Email
F is for FMC
G is for GPS
H is for HSDPA
I is for i-mode
J is for Japan Air
K is for Korea
L is for LBS
M is for M2M
N is for NFC
O is for Operating systems
P is for Pubs
Q is for QoS
R is for Roaming
S is for Satellite
T is for TV
U is for UMTS
V is for Virgin
W is for WiMax
X is for XDA
Y is for Yucca
Z is for Zigbee

In June 2006, around 47 million people were using i-mode in its native Japan, while there were about 5 million other users around the world. Network providers such as O2 - which has been offering i-mode in the UK since 2004 - give users access to the internet and the ability to send and receive emails.

O2's i-mode service offers access to a selected range of online services, with everything from horoscopes to gambling, music downloads to movie listings. Big names that offer services include CNN, FT.com, Reuters, Norwich Union and Universal.

See how eBay is making use of i-mode to help users keep track of their online auctions here.