The Next-Generation of UI’s hit the street here recently on DoCoMo 3G handsets produced by Sharp and NEC. The Vivid UI by Tokyo-based Acrodea “integrates various types of multimedia content including 3D graphics, Flash animation and full-screen movie backgrounds which enable handsets to be easily personalized with graphically enhanced menus and dynamic standby screens.”
This platform middleware shipped embedded with several nifty pre-installed stock menu designs and users can also select other unique schemes available for download, at an average ¥500 each, via the dedicated i-mode portal. While it’s no secret that people love to customize their cellphone with the lastest ringtones, and an ever-growing collection of dangling charms, this in-your-face rich menu design functionality is set to take that trend to a whole new level.
As more developers get their hands on the content creation tool, and as brand owners begin to realize this is a natural vehicle to connect with their markets, we fully expect this style of user interface to become a common standard in the near future.. and not just in Japan.
