KDDI's au division is to phones what concept cars are to, well, cars. Founded back in 2001, au pops out all kinds of crazy experiments. The difference is, the au concepts often make it to market, and with the strange details intact; the first Infobar came packaged in a candybar-style wrapper. Now, four years after the original, the new Infobar continues the candy metaphor. According to the press release, the designers have been sucking on the handset to get those new rounded edges: Apparently "the candy dissolved in the mouth".
Inside, the updates are more substantial. We now get a 2.6 inch OLED screen, video functionality (including recording and time-shifting TV shows), stereo speakers, MicroSD slot, 350 hours standby time and a natty desk stand. The packaging is less Snickers and more Mall Jewelry Giftbox. The CDMA handset will probably never be seen outside Japan, but our Eastern friends will be able to grab one in November.
Press release [KDDI via Impress and Engadget]
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