TechRadar has a really interesting convergence story, which is emanating from Japan! KDDI (the number two carrier in Japan) have delivered a set-top box (called the ‘au BOX’) which will cost ¥315 (£1.60) a month, and offer subs who use the KDDI network (and handsets) the ability to load content to the device via the…
iPhone 3G boosts Japan’s SoftBank customer counts
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…
KDDI partners with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ to launch an online bank
KDDI is partnering with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ to launch a 24-hour online bank. The 50-50 venture will be called Jibun Bank or “me bank,” and will reportedly debut in mid-July. Initially, account holders will be able to make online payments using their mobile phones or PCs, with such features as loans, insurance and credit…
KDDI Summer 2008 collection unveiled
Finally, the third of the largest Japanese mobile operators (other two are DoCoMo and SoftBank) has announced its summer collection. As you’re about to see, it’s good to be in Japan these days. With so many great options, the only “problem” left is to choose the right device. Let’s quickly go through KDDI’s offering: Hitachi…
KDDI announces ER Search – visual search powered by Bandai
Why fuss with vague or complex search strings to find information about a product that you’re holding in your hands? Sure, semantic and contextual search engines help narrow down your search to the most likely hits by “reading between the lines,” but they still require you to describe the object you’re searching for. That’s where…
Panasonic sells 100 millionth Mobile phone
Panasonic has announced the sale of it’s 100 millionth Mobile phone in Japan. It has supplied devices to carriers including NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank. Pansonic first began selling mobile comms terminals in 1979 – the first mobile phone being in 1987. Since then Panasonic has gone on to be Number 1 or Number 2…
KDDI going with LTE for their next generation network
Japanese CDMA operator KDDI has decided that they’re going to go with LTE for their next generation network, just like their competitors NTT DoCoMo and Softbank. Expect the new network to be up and atom sometime in 2010. [Via: Cellular News]
Sony Ericsson denies reports that it is ending partnershp with DoCoMo
Wow, the Japanese handset market is really proving to be a tough nut to crack (a profit from, that is). With Sanyo’s recent exit from the mobile phone business, and Mitsubishi’s withdrawal from the handset game, it’s clear that even Japan’s larger handset makers are done with the grind that is the mobile phone industry.…
Infra-Red transfers are back – KDDI claims IR transfer of entire CD in less than one second
Remember those days of yore when we’d “beam” data between our mobile gadgets via that little dark-red-plastic covered port known as an IR port? It was super-convenient to be able to transfer some contact information on the fly, but it was also super-annoying to have to make sure the ports were lined up correctly –…
Sharp W61SH AQUOS phone for KDDI
Sharp, the pioneering LCD manufacturer, has released another handset fitted with their famous Sharp AQUOS brand of LCD display. The Sharp W61SH will only be available to subscribers on Japan’s KDDI network – sad. With a 2.8 inch Sharp AQUOS display that sports an amazing 2000:1 contrast ratio, the Sharp W61SH is almost enough to…