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> Japan not impressed with the Apple iphone
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Japan has similar products, but iPhone in many aspects is much more radical concept: witness
Sharp Willcom (descendant of well known Sharp PDA family Zaurus)
W-ZERO3/WS003SH
It has various modifications and prices, ranging from 400-550 US$, requiring additional contracts and dataplans.
Specs: (babelfish translation of
https://store.willcom-inc.com/ec/fa.../cmdprdw000348/)
# size: 70mm×130mm×26mm#
liquid crystal type: ASV (65,536 colors)
# liquid crystal size: 3.7 inch
# liquid crystal resolution: 640×480#
mass: Approximately 220g#
continual telephone call time: Approximately, 5 hour #
standby time: Approximately 200 hour
# telephone directory number of cases: In memory capacity dependence (concerning 1 case the telephone number ×8, the mail address ×3)
# corresponding communication method: 4x packet /2x packet /1x packet/flex change /64kPIAFS#
mail : supported, sometimes requires additional dataplan
browser: Internet Explorer Mobile (Opera Mobile downloadable)
# camera: Approximately 1.33 million pixel CMOS#
earphone microphone terminals: 0 (flat type)
# handsfree telephone calls: no (I think, means no Bluetooth. At least BT cannot found anywhere in specs)
# OS:Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
# CPU: The Intel PXA270 (416MHz)
# memory: Flash 128MB/SDRAM 64MB
# radio LAN: (IEEE802.11b)
# miniSD slot: YES
# JAVA, Flash support YES :
# remote locks: ×
Since it is WM5, supports Word,Excel, Outlook. Viewing of Powerpoint and PDFs. Media player is WMP.
Now you can see that Sharp Willcom retains a number of buttons on its face panel and sliding keyboard, both which make the device much bulkier, larger and thicker than iPhone. It is much heavier as well.
It has also lower resolution camera (1.3 mln pix againts 2 million in iPhone). In some regards, it looks like a usual smartphone. iPhone gets rid of any buttons and keyboard, and fully moves to truly touchscreen input type. It is also very thin and light.
The Macworld speech was attended by Mr. M.Son, president of Softbank and one of largest tele and internet communication corporations of Japan, co owner of Yahoo Japan. Softbank is rumored to launch iPhone in Japan when it will be modified to include 3G. Say about lack of interest!
Mr. Son listening to Jobs presentation in
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyl...10/news023.html (due to copyright reasons, the photo cannot be directly linked; however, scroll down the page and you will see picture of Mr. Son at Macworld Keynote)
Interestingly, the Japanese reporters say that Apple staff mentioned Adobe Photoshop Elements as one of possible software additions to iPhone, though Office support was not decided yet.
3G support in nearest future seems to be already decided and modifications for Japan market are very much possible. Apple has stressed in the interview, that Japan is one of most important markets for iPhone
Apple staff also mentioned that strict control over application support was required to give the users virus-free seamless communication experience
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyl.../news103_2.html
Mr.Son has been linked to Apple few times: this is May 2006 report in Appleinsider released long before launch of iPhone:
Report: Softbank and Apple to co-develop iPod phones
By Kasper Jade
Published: 03:15 PM EST
Softbank Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. plan to jointly develop cellular phone handsets that have built-in iPod digital music players and can download songs directly from Apple's iTunes Music Store, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun is reporting.
According to the report, Softbank President Masayoshi Son and Apple chief executive Steve Jobs have already met and reached a basic agreement on the cell phone partnership.
The two companies will reportedly first develop a 3G cell phone model that incorporate functions reminiscent of Apple's popular iPod, eliminating the need for consumers to carry two separate devices.
"These handsets are to be released in Japan sometime this year at the earliest," the report states.
Softbank, which became a cell phone service provider by acquiring the Japanese unit of British mobile phone company Vodafone Group Plc, was reportedly chosen by Apple because the overseas company plans to offer high-speed Internet access for cell phones in Japan.
Apple plans to later introduce similar media-enabled cell phones in the United States, the report adds. Details such as the fee for downloading songs is said to be up for discussion amongst the two companies at a later date.
The reliability of the report is unknown.
Business Week further explored that possibility:
BW: Softbank-Apple deal makes sense
Although Softbank called the report on its recent partnership with Apple "speculative," the company didn't deny that a music-playing cell phone was in its plans, according to a new report. BusinessWeek explores the background of Softbank, which has a significant stake in Yahoo, and the possibilities co-marketing the industry's first Apple-branded iPhone or iPod-based cell pohne. "Teaming up with Apple lets Softbank piggyback on the iPod's hip image -- something that Vodafone never got right with its bulky, dull handsets and constantly changing brand. And if the companies can get the first of the iPod phones in stores by November, they will have a good chance to convert some iPod users to Softbank's cellular service when new rules let consumers in Japan switch carriers while keeping the same phone number. The key will be for Softbank to 'banish memories of Vodafone's inferior brand image'....
In this case, Softbank will become the main carrier and will subsidize iPhone cost in Japan. Moreover, the report mention downloading of music from iTunes Store by the phone, something not planned in US. However, in Japan this form of music purchasing is more prevalent so it makes sense as well. Softbank has distanced themselves from the links but it seems that the initial information was correct. However, in development of iPhone Apple does not need much support from Softbank, which is primarily telecommunication company, rather than a hardware R&D corporation. However, Softbank has a huge presence in Japan's retail system through its newly launched mobile network, a network of Sofmap computer stores and Yahoo online shopping site, which is largest auction site in Japan and has beaten crap out of eBay Japan, making that withdraw few years ago.
A number of Japanese blogs' reactions are extremely positive regarding iPhone. Japanese see no special problems in the fact that iPhone uses a different network type and say that with a entry of companies the network can be modified to accommodate iPhone. Some say that even if the device cannot make calls, if it supports Japanese characters they will buy it for internet communications and even suggest transition from Sharp Willcom (see above) contracts to iPhone. Many bloggers see an additional value in that the device supports OS X; in this case, this is a Mac (mobile) + smartphone + iPod. Having Safari enough to utilize web-based applications; you do not need to install anything. Some bloggers predict a boom for the device in Japan
http://blog.simpleandsmart.net/arch.../01/10_0843.php
http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/uncletom...y/200701100002/
http://netcal.blog7.fc2.com/blog-entry-548.html
Some say that even the device cannot be strictly defined as a smartphone, it will become a device to DEFINE the very essence of smartphones and their development in future.
Japanese are extremely well-informed about technology, gagdets and computers and the opinion of bloggers may reflect the fact that Apple found its true advantage in seamless integration of devices and best user GUI over the phones which try only to cram as many technologies as possible without thinking of their integration, use or GUI. In this case, history of ipods beating rivals with more functions will repeat again.
[ This Message was edited by: kyross on 2007-01-18 05:59 ]
[ This Message was edited by: kyross on 2007-01-18 06:02 ]
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Posted: 2007-01-18 06:57:31
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How could they sell iphone in japan? Since it doesnt features 3g, it is useless rite? Of course they wont b impressed at all
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Posted: 2007-01-18 08:57:46
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Here's a
interesting article about what the Japanese really think of the iphone.
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Posted: 2007-01-21 18:20:43
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