Sun, NTT to intro Java mobile games phone

Sun and NTT DoCoMo are to begin tests of a Java cellular phone system which can be used to download games, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper. The newest version of the i-mode cellular phone service will be tested in Japan in conjunction with Bandai games, and the service is intended to go live before the end of the year. DoCoMo already offers some Bandai services via I-mode, which currently claims 1.4 million users for banking and email services, along with entertainment from Bandai. The latter currently include downloadable screensavers (on mobile phones? Yes, we know, but this is Japan folks) and quizzes. ®