DoCoMo's I-Mode service has twelve million subscribers, compared with AOL's 440, 000 subscribers.

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Though e-mail been a success for Japan's NTT DoCoMo's i-Mode service, some observers are skeptical about the breadth of unified messaging's appeal.

CNN: Technology - Phone.com and Software.com plan merger to provide unified messaging

But a year ago, his boss launched TraBox, a website aimed at brokering deals between drivers and cargo firms, designed for use on NTT DoCoMo's i-mode service.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Japan's Mobile-Phone Culture

Its own model for DoCoMo's i-mode Internet service looks unlike anything it sells in Europe.

ECONOMIST: A Finnish fable

They're also looking over their shoulder at Japan's wildly popular i-mode service, whose 10 million users have access to around 5, 000 gaming and entertainment sites.

CNN: The Game's the Thing?

DoCoMo's i-mode mobile internet service has surprised some analysts with the scale of its popularity and encouraged other operators worldwide over the prospects for next-generation mobile telecoms.

BBC: Virgin Mobile eyes Japan

Subscription to DOCOMO's "sp-mode" or "moperaU" connection service is required.

ENGADGET: NTT DoCoMo preps automatic translation from Japanese through Android, leaves no one an island

As for the blog de mode, sina.com's Twitter-like service, Ms. Xu isn't interested.

WSJ: My China: China's Creative Pragmatist

Even Japan's NTT DoCoMo, which is launching its successful i-mode service in Europe this month, gave warning on March 15th that it may have to write down the value of some of its overseas investments.

ECONOMIST: A splash of mobile colour | The

Steam's Big Picture Mode -- a TV- and controller-friendly version of Valve's widely used digital gaming service -- is the first volley in Valve's big living room push.

ENGADGET