[delackner]

Just tapping the name actually placed the call? What an idea. Just for fun, I looked at an older Docomo model on my desk by NEC. It is even worse:

Phonebook > Search > List of ways to search, NONE of which is just "show me my phonebook".

Let's try name lookup > Enter a string to search for > Search results > Choose a result > Dial.

Let's try Group > List of Groups > First Group > Choose name > Dial

[kalleboo]

Just tried the docomo NEC (N-02A) I had lying around. Down arrow > Left right to pick the first kana of their name > select name > Press dial button. Not that bad, but a far far cry from the european Sony Ericsson's smart phonebook.

Right now I have a SH-12C as my main phone, and it's basically an Android phone with a kickass screen and all the crazy japanese features jammed in it (1seg, mobile suica, 3D camera+screen, privacy veil, etc). And it's great - Google software really makes those features finally worth it. There's even an Android widget to display your Suica balance.