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Japan: NTT DoCoMo to kill their 2G network in March 2011, Softbank to do the same in March 2010

Stefan Constantinescu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:53:13 +0000

While the United States is still struggling to roll out 3G, Japan’s number one mobile operator NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM) has said that they’re accelerating their plans to turn off their 2G network. What was supposed to take place during December 2012 has now been pushed forward to March 2011. For those of you counting, that’s only 16 months away. Japan’s third largest operator, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF), is even more ambitious and plans on terminating their 2G network in 4 months. With Japanese consumers using 3G handsets exclusively, and the entire country of Japan being a little smaller than the state of California, it’s no surprise to see the nation with the most advanced wireless networks on the planet is eager to move forward and abandon legacy networks. What’s funny about all of this is what NTT DoCoMo and Softbank are calling “legacy”, AT&T is calling “the best network” America has to offer.

Makes you stop and think.

[Via: Communities Dominate Brands]

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Brad Pitt and Sumo Champ Musashimaru Appear in SoftBank Commercial

James Falconer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:56:19 +0000

Brad Pitt is at it again, appearing in yet another commercial for Japanese carrier SoftBank. In this commercial, Pitt plays a character doing everything he can to please sumo champ Musashimaru. I love it when his sandal breaks and Pitt comes to the rescue. Oh yeah, and I suppose there’s a cell phone in the ad as well. Hopefully the slim and easy to use phone doesn’t go right over the heads of the audience here. Hit play and enjoy.

Note: If someone could translate the text for me at the end of the ad… That’d be great.

[Via: MobileCrunch]

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Softbank Simulating Disease Spread Using GPS-Enabled Phones

Simon Sage — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:45:48 +0000

The Japanese government has approved local service provider Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) to conduct an experiment with schoolchildren involving GPS-enabled phones. Basically, select kiddies will be designated as “carriers”, and their transmission of the disease will be tracked based on GPS proximity to other students. The goal of the study is to track how diseases move, and see if an SMS notification system could realistically warn people of potential danger zones.

This sounds cool on the one hand, but on the other, it would necessitate a phone keeping close tabs on your health readings, or otherwise manually marking yourself as infected. Call me crazy, but one way or the other, I don’t think anyone will jump on board to effectively wear a sign that says “Oh hai, I’m a plaguebearer!”, even if it may be considered a service to others nearby. Right now biometrics in cellular tech are mainly limited to peripherals, so it will be awhile before our phones start reading our vitals natively, but it’s not outside the realm of imagination.

[via GoMo]

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Japanese university using free iPhones to track students

Will Park — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:02:24 +0000

While the American educational system continues to falter, Japanese educators are pushing for high-tech educational tools. A university in Japan is using the popularity of the iPhone to help keep track of their faculty and student body.

About 550 students and staff at Japan’s Aoyama Gakuin University will be getting free iPhones through SoftBank (OTCPK: SFTBF) as part of the school’s Mobile & Net Society Education and Training program. Aoyama Gakuin University will use the iPhone’s GPS hardware to help administrators determine if a student is on campus and whether or not they’ve actually been going to class. Because, you know, paper and pencil roll-call is so last decade.

Now, before you start spouting off about “Big Brother” and all that jazz, know that the Japanese university is also planning to send low-level tests and homework assignments through the iPhone. Although, it’s not clear if the school will have access to their fleet of iPhones’ location data when not physically on campus.

The program is slated to go into full-swing this Fall.

There really has to be a better way to take attendance…

[Via: MainichiDailyNews]

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Sharp Announces Flip with 10 Megapixel Camera

Simon Sage — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:24:10 +0000

Japanese carrier Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) is showing off a lot of new phones at their summer show, but the most eye-catching so far is the Sharp Aquos Shot 933SH featuring a beeft 10 megapixel camera with LED flash and smile detection. It’s not quite 12 megapixels, but damn is it close. Besides, most folks would be willing to drop 2 megapixels in favour of being able to crank their ISO up to 12800. Prying ourselves away from the camera bit, the 933SH also has a 3.3″ touch LCD screen, 16 GB of internal memory, and if that fills up too quickly with the GARGANTUAN pictures you’ll be taking, microSDHC support is also available. It’s times like this that the language barrier doesn’t seem that big of a hurdle for moving to Japan. Really, honest. Just gimmie the phone.

[via Akihabra]

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Four Japanese carriers to invest $10 billion in their networks during the next five years

Dusan Belic — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:17:46 +0000

Four Japanese mobile operators will spend 1 trillion yen ($10 billion) during the next five years to build a next-gen mobile network with faster Internet speeds.

According to Nikkei – NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM), KDDI, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) and Emobile will apply to the government for licenses for the new standard (LTE?) by May 7. DoCoMo plans to launch the new network during next year, while three other players will do the same between 2011 and 2012.

As for the rest of the world, we can only hope carriers elsewhere will follow the Japanese example and at least start planning their networks during the next year.

[Via: Bloomberg]

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Verizon Wireless to join Joint Innovation Lab established by China Mobile, SOFTBANK and Vodafone to bring mobile widgets to millions

Dusan Belic — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:50:46 +0000

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless announced that it plans to join the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) established by China Mobile (NYSE: CHL), SOFTBANK (OTCPK: SFTBF) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) to “help accelerate the uptake of innovative mobile technologies on a mass-market scale.”

Primararily, we’re talking about mobile widgets here, which seem to be the hot topic these days with Microsoft and Samsung announcing their platforms, recently. That said, the JIL will launch later this year a range of tools for developers — including a common mobile widgets specification; developer kits; and an online repository, distribution and payment mechanism.

Aside from allowing web-based widgets, the JIL will also enable developers to access both handset and network functionality such as the address book, camera, location information and billing in a secure environment…

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Japan to Get Free iPhones on Softbank Mobile

James Falconer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:56:05 +0000

Perhaps iPhone sales aren’t as rosy as we think over in Japan. No solid sales numbers are available at this point, but one has to wonder how good it really is selling now that Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) Mobile intends to offer up the 8GB model for free. That’s right, free.

A report over at CrunchGear noted that Softbank is seeking a jolt in sales, and intend to offer the 8GB iPhone 3G for free on a 2-year contract, and the 16GB version for just over $100 on the same deal. The promo is set to begin this Friday and should run until the end of May. To coincide with the free iPhone, data plans are being discounted from just over $60 per month to somewhere in the $45 range.

Awesome news for everyone over in Japan for sure. If a free iPhone doesn’t start flying out the door, I don’t know what will! Now, if my carrier would only slash its data plan pricing, I’d be a happy camper…

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Japanese study declares Apple iPhone 3G “Best Smartphone of 2008″

Will Park — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:52:13 +0000

Despite speculation that the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G would fail to catch on in any significant manner in Japan – a country so used to advanced cellphone features that it makes the iPhone 3G’s feature-set look dull – it seems that Japanese geeks are just as enamored with Apple’s glossy-finished touchscreen handset as the rest of the world. A new Japanese survey reveals that many Japanese mobile enthusiasts consider the iPhone 3G the “Best Smartphone of 2008.”

Of the 3,000 survey participants, the iPhone 3G was voted 2008’s best smartphone 1,286 times. A solid 61% of those surveyed though the iPhone 3G, available from Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) in Japan, was the leader of the smartphone pack – no small feat in a country that defines high-technology. The Japan-only WILLCOM 03 was voted as the second-best smartphone of 2008, garnering just 321 votes (about 15%).

The iPhone 3G was criticized for its lack of an integrated mobile TV receiver, but it seems that Japanese smartphone fans have looked past the iPhone 3G’s feature-set and embraced its innovative UI and slick design aesthetic. Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that Softbank released an external iPhone 3G mobile TV receiver a few months ago.

The iPhone 3G’s popularity around the world is a given at this point. But, it remains to be seen if the iPhone 3G can carry over its fanatical growth into 2009. Apple is rumored to be working on an iPhone Nano, which could give Apple more form-factor options with which to push their iPhone brand. We’re still holding out for an iPhone 3G HD with a larger, higher-resolution display and a 3- or 5-megapixel camera. Apple, you listening?

[Via: k-tai]

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Softbank’s One-Seg iPhone TV tuner handled

Will Park — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:19:58 +0000

Softbank recently announced their 1-Seg TV tuner/battery pack add-on for Japanese iPhone 3Gs. The Japanese iPhone 3G was criticized for its lack of an integrated TV tuner, and the One-Seg TV tuner accessory was to be Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF)’s answer. The external TV tuner connects to the iPhone 3G over WiFi, streaming the TV stream to the iPhone 3G.

The Softbank One-Seg TV tuner was recently released to the TV-consumer public. That is, as long as you’re a Softbank subscriber. We’re not going to see this particular iPhone 3G accessory make the jump to

Thankfully, the lucky folks over at DVICE were good enough to post hands-on pictures and first impressions of the 1-Seg TV tuner. The device is sleekly styled (like the iPhone 3G itself), lightweight, and streams crystal clear TV to the iPhone 3G. Unfortunately, there’s the issue of power drain. Even with the integrated battery pack, you’re only going to get about an hour’s worth of TV viewing before your iPhone 3G starts complaining about low battery charge.

If you’re planning on moving to Japan anytime soon, the 1-Seg TV tuner might be a worthy investment. otherwise, you can just keep dreaming about getting terrestrial TV on your iPhone 3G.

Check out the rest of the pictures over at DVICE.

[Via: DVICE]

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What recession? $131k Softbank 823SH Tiffany phone sells out in 3 days

Dusan Belic — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:57:56 +0000

The world’s economy may be in crisis but that doesn’t stop the uber-rich to get new expensive toys. As a matter of fact, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF)’s newly unveiled 823SH Tiffany phone has been sold out within three days and the device costs a whooping 13 million yen, which is about $131k. To be fair, this is a limited edition phone so there were not that many of these available. Still, when you think about it — one would think with all those people losing jobs, even the super rich would restrain from buying the expensive bling gizmos. Nah, it’s just not worth it, I guess.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

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Japanese Samsung Omnia comes with mobile TV receiver and WVGA screen

Dusan Belic — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:47:20 +0000

Regular Samsung i900 Omnia is cool, but the Japanese version is even cooler. Instead of sporting a 240×400 pixels screen, the Omnia which will be sold in the “Land of the rising Sun,” SoftBank (OTCPK: SFTBF) 930SC Omnia, will come with a 0.1-inch larger (3.3 as apposed to the original 3.2 inches) touchscreen which displays WVGA resolution – 480×800 pixels. But the news don’t stop there. The Omnia that will be offered by Japan’s SoftBank also sports a one-seg mobile TV receiver, allowing its users to enjoy TV on-the-go. Finally, the SoftBank 930SC Omnia will be available in three colors – black, white and red. The last mentioned looks super cool, as I’m sure you can tell from the image above.

Ok, we don’t need that mobile TV receiver. We can also live with standard silver color, but we do want is the WVGA screen. C’mon Samsung, HTC already has that with its Touch HD model. Can you make an Omnia version with such a screen for the rest of the world. Will “please” help.

[Via: slashphone, unwired]

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Softbank’s Sharp Aquos Fulltouch 931SH slider does high-resolution touchscreen in style

Will Park — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:17:39 +0000

These days, a touchscreen smartphone in your pocket (or in your hand) shows the world that you know what’s what in the mobile space and you’re not afraid to sit on the always-moving edge of high-technology. And, if you’re lucky enough to be rocking a smartphone with a VGA or WVGA touchscreen display, you’re probably resting easy knowing that you’re near or at the top of the mobile phone food chain.

That is, unless you live in Japan. Enter Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF)’s Sharp AQUOS FullTouch 931SH touchscreen handset with a 3.8-inch 1024 x 480 display!

Those crazy engineers at Sharp have one-upped themselves with their latest AQUOS-branded high-resolution display handset. Known for their sleekly styled and feature-packed mobile phones, Sharp has a habit of making us drool with AQUOS cellphones boasting contrast, color saturation, and pixel densities that we can only dream of in The States.

The Softbank’s Sharp AQUOS FullTouch 931SH handset boasts an amazingly high-resolution, AQUOS-branded display with pixel-counts that darn near rival those on sub-notebooks. That’s right, this feature-phone packs in an impressive 1024 x 480 pixel display that should make pictures taken with the handset’s 5.2 megapixel camera look mighty fine. Of course the Sharp AQUOS FullTouch 931SH packs in Japanese handset staples like a 1-Seg TV tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, media player, microSD card slot, accelerometer, and a web-browser that’ll put the 3G data connection to good use.

As you’ve probably already guessed, the Sharp AQUOS FullTouch 931SH isn’t going to finding a home anywhere outside of Japan, or outside of Softbank’s network, for that matter. Now, short of moving to Japan, we can only hope that handset makers will bring WVGA-trumping touchscreen displays to the rest of the world!

Jump the break and take a look at a gallery’s worth of Sharp AQUOS FullTouch 931SH pics.

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

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Softbank to offer iPhone 3G users 1-Seg TV tuner / battery-pack add-on

Will Park — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:58:01 +0000

Looking to continue on the success of their iPhone 3G, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) has announced that they will be launching a terrestrial TV tuner / battery-pack add-on for the Japanese iPhone 3G market.

The iPhone 3G has been criticized for its lack of the TV-tuner capabilities that much of the Japanese market demands in their handsets. Still, without a TV-tuner, the iPhone 3G has managed to boost Softbank’s profits and net subscriber additions. And, the Japanese carrier is apparently keen on squeezing more profits from the iPhone 3G.

Softbank's 1-Seg TV tuner for iPhone 3G

Softbank will be launching a 1-Seg (One-Seg) TV-tuner add-on that will pull down terrestrial TV broadcasts and beam them to the iPhone 3G. The as-yet-unnamed 1-Seg TV-tuner is expected to run $100 and will reportedly double as an external battery pack for the iPhone 3G.

The iPhone 3G TV-tuner from Softbank sports an external TV antenna to tune into terrestrial TV signals. The TV signal is then sent to the iPhone 3G via an internal WiFi radio. iPhone 3G users need only download a free iPhone application that tunes into the TV-tuner’s WiFi signal.

The One-Seg tuner doubles as an external battery pack

To be fair, the TV-tuner solution seems to be more of an after-though/response to complaints that the iPhone 3G lacks an integrated 1-Seg tuner. But, with the WiFi workaround allowing the tuner to be left in a purse or pocket while watching TV on the iPhone, it’s an acceptable solution.

[Via: Akihabara News]

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Softbank: iPhone 3G helped boost profits and subscriber growth

Will Park — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:04:52 +0000

Things are looking good for Japan’s iPhone carrier, Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF). Ever since the Japanese wireless carrier signed on as Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s iPhone 3G carrier partner, Softbank has seen their bottom line moving onwards and upwards.

Even in the face of flagging mobile phone sales amidst a global financial downturn, strong iPhone 3G sales helped Softbank increase their fiscal Q4 2008 (that would be calendar Q3 2008) net profits to ¥21.7 billion ($225 million). Softbank saw the biggest net subscriber growth in 17 consecutive months, adding 521,400 subscribers in the July-September quarter.

While Softbank stopped short of quoting hard numbers on their sales of iPhone 3G units, the company stated that, “The iPhone certainly supported our profit and boosted the number of new mobile phone subscribers during the quarter,” adding that “Since the July launch, iPhone sales have been very good.”

And, with the holiday shopping season yet to officially kick off, Softbank will likely see even better fiscal performance from continuing iPhone 3G sales.

[Via: AP]

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Japan’s Softbank Mobile gets first major corporate iPhone customer

Dusan Belic — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:32:03 +0000

Softbank (OTCPK: SFTBF) Mobile has recently scored its first major corporate customer for the iPhone in Japan. It’s a management and technology consultancy firm called BearingPoint.

BearingPoint’s idea is to help its consultants improve the productivity and enable them to get information more easily. For that purpose, the company has ordered “at least 1,000 units” of the iPhone from SoftBank.

It’s an important win for both Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and SoftBank, though we’re still not hearing that impressive iNumbers from the “Land of the rising Sun…”

[Via: Unwired View]

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Japanese Mobile carriers limit Interweb access for minors…

Ben Robinson — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:05:56 +0000

Adult services to be blocked for youngsters in Japan

NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM), and four other Japanese Mobile OpCos, have announced they will start to block access to certain Internet content for subs younger than 18. That content will be assumed to be things like (obviously) adult sites, and dating sites. However, the block will be able to be lifted by the parents of said younger subscribers.

I have to admit I found this all slightly surprising – there is a well established (although largely hidden) adult entertainment “sector” in Japan (like most other countries), and these things are self-perpetuating, through any channel(s) that can carry them – given Japan is SO advanced in the area of mobile interweb, I couldn’t envisage this kind of action having any effect whatsoever.

But, having said that, if moves are made to protect the minors in any country, that’s a good thing.

[Via: redorbit.com / Image via: crave.cnet.co.uk]

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iPhone 3G boosts Japan’s SoftBank customer counts

Will Park — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:39:39 +0000

Who said the iPhone would struggle to find traction in the super-competitive Japanese wireless market? That’s right, just about everyone.

Following on new sales estimates that point to 3 million iPhone 3Gs in the wild, a new study from from TechOn, dubbed “iPhone Affects KDDI’s Net Subscription Growth,” points to incredible new subscription growth on SoftBank (OTCPK: SFTBF), Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s exclusive iPhone 3G carrier in Japan. Of the 391,500 new activations in Japan for July, more than half, or 215,400 to be more precise, were due to the iPhone 3G alone. “We believe our large net growth was an iPhone effect,” according to Softbank.

And, it the iPhone 3G’s affect on the Japanese wireless market has been noted by rival carrier KDDI. They found that the iPhone 3G was responsible for more subscriber cancellations due to customers porting their accounts to other carriers. “We are accepting the fact, considering that our handsets weren’t attractive enough,” said KDDI representatives.

While there are many potential explanations for the iPhone 3G’s success in the Japanese market, there seems to be a lack of focus on the heralded iPhone’s user interface (UI) and the user experience that it delivers.

While Japan has more than its fair share of feature phones that boast the most advanced features on the planet, Japanese handsets have traditionally been limited to flip-phone form-factors with little emphasis on a clean user interface. The iPhone 3G represents a major shift in handset-perception for the Japanese people, giving them a multi-touch touchscreen handset that focuses on delivering a user experience bar none.

The iPhone 3G does lack in the feature-department. The 2 megapixel camera is woefully lacking compared to the high-end shooters from competitors. There’s no video recording. No turn-by-turn navigation. And, in comparison with the feature-packed handsets in Japan, the iPhone 3G is a veritable late-bloomer that has yet to actually bloom.

But, the iPhone and iPhone 3G’s UI, the iPhone Mac OS, helps affect a user experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. While advanced Japanese feature-phones focus on packing in features with little regard for an integrated feel, the iPhone 3G makes the most of its limited feature set.

The iPhone’s UI may not be the single, or even the most significant, reason for Japan’s enthusiastic adoption rates of the iPhone 3G, but it likely does play a role.

The question remains, will the iPhone 3G sustain this kind of explosive growth?

[Via: TechOn]

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Paragon Software partners with BB Softservice to enter Japanese market

Dusan Belic — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:49:48 +0000

Mobile applications developer Paragon Software announced partnership with Japan’s BB Softservice, a subsidiary of SoftBank (OTCPK: SFTBF) mobile operator. Under the agreement, Paragon’s apps will get listed in BB Softservice’s local online channel – BBSoft Direct Mobile Application. Additionally, Paragon will provide convenient local availability and support.

With this strategic partnership, Paragon Software Group will be able to reinforce its position in the region with faster, more reliable and more responsive service to its Japanese customers. The product line will include Paragon’s personal productivity utilities, such as Handy Taskman, Handy Weather, Handy Profiles, Handy Keylock, Handy Expense, Handy Converter and Handy Calculator. All Paragon products will be localized and customized for Japanese mobile users, allowing them to get the most out of their mobile experience. Paragon’s coming product releases will include full Japanese interface to enable Japanese customers the most comfort in their native language.

Commenting on the announcement, Paragon’s chief of sales and business development, Dmitry Bekhterev, said: “We understand the complexity of the Japanese market, and begin our entry through an experienced local partner. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing Japanese customers with the maximum in customized mobile solutions through usual shopping, ordering and support processes. In addition, we are committed to customizing existing product titles in many ways, and to developing a series of entirely new products tailored specifically to Japanese mobile phone users.”

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Apple thwarts perverted Japanese iPhone 3G users with loud camera “click”

Will Park — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:51:17 +0000

It seems that the threat of the iPhone’s camera being used to take surreptitious “upskirt” and “downblouse” pictures of unsuspecting Japanese women was significant enough that Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) decided to force the Japanese iPhone 3G’s camera emit a loud shutter “click” whenever a photo is taken, even when the iPhone 3G is set to “silent” mode.

Apparently, there are enough of these perverted Japanese iPhone owners out there that Apple found it necessary to force their Japanese iPhone 3G units to emit the sometimes useful, but mostly annoying, shutter click. The feature is unique to Japanese iPhones, and combined with warning signs, should help skirt-wearing members of the fairer sex avoid exploitation.

And, Apple apparently isn’t alone in their pervert-thwarting practices. Cameraphones are reportedly offered in Japan with similarly loud shutter clicks, with some cameras that even say “cheese” upon shutter actuation.

It isn’t clear, however, if the iPhone 3G jailbreak could open the door to sexual deviants in Japan disabling the upskirt-preventing shutter click.

[Via: CultOfMac]

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