Wireless Watch Japan

The original, independent source of business intelligence dedicated to covering the mobile industry in Japan

DoCoMo Joins the Symbian Foundation - June 25, 2008

In a landmark announcement yesterday, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and NTT DoCoMo expressed their intent to unite Symbian OS, S60, UIQ and MOAP(S) to create one open mobile software platform. Together with AT&038;T, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Vodafone they plan to establish the Symbian Foundation to extend the appeal of this unified software platform. Membership of this non-profit Foundation will be open to all organizations. This initiative.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/25/docomo-joins-the-symbian-foundation/

SoftBank Announces iPhone Service Plans - June 22, 2008

As the hype anticipation builds, Softbank Mobile has released the the applicable subscription plan details for Apples 3G iPhone. According to this announcement, purchase of iPhone 3G 8GB model will run approximately 23,000jpy, or 960jpy month over 2-year term and unlimited data packet usage is priced at 5,985jpy per month. The package provided will be their popular 'White Plan' offering free domestic voice calls between SoftBank handsets from 1:00 to 21:00 and a SoftBank original mail service...
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/23/softbank-announces-iphone-service-plans/

MCN Launches New SMS Triggered Search - June 22, 2008

Tokyo-based Mobile Content Networks announced that Thailand's leading mobile operators (AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove) have selected MCN to launch SMS triggered search using a common shortcode. The new MCN-powered SMS Triggered Search services build on the WAP-based search applications that MCN has powered for all three operators since early 2007.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/23/mcn-launches-new-sms-triggered-search/

Taiwan Group to Work with KDDI - June 19, 2008

Taiwan-based Shin Kong Financial Group plans to cooperate with KDDI for joint investment in Asia Pacific Broadband Telecom, a fixed-line3G mobile telecommunication operator in Taiwan, to become the largest shareholder, according to this post on DigiTimes. Both KDDI and APBT adopt CDMA2000 for their 3G operation, a reason for Shin Kong to invite KDDI to jointly invest, the sources noted.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/20/taiwan-group-to-work-with-kddi/

StarHub Signs MOU for Osaifu-Keitai - June 16, 2008

Singaporean telecommunications service provider StarHub plans to release a mobile wallet based on NTT DoCoMos Osaifu-Keitai (mobile wallet) system. Accoring to this announcement StarHub has signed a memorandum of understanding with NTT DoCoMo to explore a mobile wallet concept similar to the Osaifu-Keitai system for a near future implementation in Singapore. Singapore will be the first market outside of Japan to launch an official study and eventual pilot of this service.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/17/starhub-signs-mou-for-osaifu-keitai/

Is Mobile WiMax Ready to Compete - June 11, 2008

The Nikkei Electronics Asia monthly magazine for June has an interesting article focused on the future potential, and challanges, for mobile WiMax. One of the key areas of consideration is the so-called power added efficiency (PAE) of this new platform, which is deemed a serious concern. There are several major players gearing up for launch with the 802.16e standard, in Japan and elsewhere, so the equipment makers would certainly seem to have their hands full in order to increase performance.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/12/is-mobile-wimax-ready-to-compete/

KDDI Rolls Summer 2008 Handset Series - June 6, 2008

KDDI announced 12 new handset models, for the Summer 2008 season, with a keen focus on sports, style and video. The latest series lineup features three designs from Kyocera plus two Sanyo branded devices, two from Toshiba and one from each Hitachi, Sharp, Casio, Sony Ericsson and Pantech. The company has also launched a Mobile Fashion portal and introduced their new Lismo Video service, with 2,000 titles including full length hollywood films, which is available this month on 14 models.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/07/kddi-rolls-summer-2008-handset-series/

Mobile 3D Avatars Join Broadcast TV Show - June 5, 2008

TV Asahi has joined forces with Artificial Life to pilot a so-called interactive mobile participation television program, titled 'Hoshi-ichi Owarairyoku Test', which is scheduled for a one hour debut on 14 June. The concept of this show, loosely translated, is a search for the planets (or at least Japans) funniest entertainer. Legions of mobile users will be represented on-screen, live in real time as custom 3D avatars on a system that can apparently scale to animate 100,000 concurrent...
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/06/mobile-3d-avatars-join-broadcast-tv-show/

SoftBank Mobile Unveils Summer Models - June 4, 2008

Masayoshi Son took center stage here yesterday to unveil the company's 2008 summer line up for SoftBank Mobile. Following the handset blitz by DoCoMo last week the company has also put forth a significant collection of new models and services for the upcoming season. Although there are several notable designs on offer, the major news today is confirmation -- as we had predicted on May 27th -- that SBM will bring the iPhone to Japan later this year!
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/04/softbank-mobile-unveils-summer-models/

Tokyo Game Show 2008 - June 4, 2008

Here we go again! TGS 2008 is gearing up for what will clearly be yet another great event with 180,000 expected delegates attending the show which runs October 9-12 at Makuhari Messe. Organized by the Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association (CESA), this 'must see' tradeshow estimates 170 exhibitors will fill 1,550 booths with nothing but the best in next-generation gaming products. See our video coverage from 2007 Here.
http://wirelesswatch.jp/2008/06/04/tokyo-game-show-2008/