tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242446152024-03-13T02:24:48.876+00:00Wireless World JapanKeeping an eye on the latest developments in the Japanese wireless world.Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-67633673603848991072007-03-07T09:36:00.000+00:002007-03-07T09:40:10.574+00:00Hayfever advergame beamed to mobiles by radio<p> It’s still a little while before we have to worry about hayfever here in London but it seems that in Japan things are already gearing up for pollen season, possibly spurred on by the first cherry blossoms of the year. I’ve already posted about <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/mobile-poetry-for-hayfever-sufferers.html" title="">hayfever haiku of the day</a> and today Fumakilla, manufacturers of a hayfever remedy, <a href="http://www.tfm.co.jp/company/pdf/news000121.pdf" title="">launched</a> a special hayfever-themed advergame for mobiles. </p> <p> The main feature of the game is not its weird plot (a kind of space invaders where you control a giant hand and must stick your finger up giant noses), but the way it’s delivered to the consumer. Fumakilla have teamed up with Tokyo Radio to beam the advergame over the digital radio spectrum. When the radio station plays a commercial for Fumakilla’s product, the minigame will automatically launch on the handset of consumers listening in on digital radio with their mobiles. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/hayfeverblock.jpg" alt="" /> </p> <p>Sending mobile content over digital radio and TV signals is a great way of adding interactivity to traditional broadcast. Also, receiving the data is free to the consumer as nothing is sent over the operator network. </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-57953188740571173062007-03-05T10:05:00.000+00:002007-03-05T10:06:53.888+00:00Medically proven Mozart music for mobiles<p> I posted a little while back about <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/02/soothing-stimulating-and-suppressing.html">Sammy’s soothing and stimulating ringtones</a> for its muPass service. Well, <a href="http://www.sammy-net.jp/cms/file/news/20070302134816.pdf" title="">last week they launched a range of therapeuti...</a> for their standard ringtone service, Platinum Tones. </p> <p> This time they’ve teamed up with Dr Wago, a professor from Saitama Medical University who has released two CDs of Mozart music called “The Mozart Therapy: Dr Wago’s music therapy - Volume 1: Hayfever” and “Volume 2: Stiff shoulders”. </p> <p>Sammy have carefully selected 10 pieces from the CDs which they are releasing as ringtones. Choices include the third movement of violin sonata no. 24 in C major (the high tones of the violin work wonders on the parasympathetic nerve), first movement of the oboe quartet in F major (the high frequency tones have a soothing effect on the cranial nerves) and the second movement of 35th symphony in D major (the calm arpeggios relieve tension from the body). </p> <p>For anyone doubting whether a ringtone can really influence your health, I, for one, can vouch for Crazy Frog’s effect on my cranial nerves. </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-52549823637914408962007-02-27T17:05:00.000+00:002008-12-11T18:30:25.249+00:00et infopack four out now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Y49qWkRnT0/ReRnaQyO3BI/AAAAAAAAABY/bhN6aQ1TW0Q/s1600-h/etinfopack4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Y49qWkRnT0/ReRnaQyO3BI/AAAAAAAAABY/bhN6aQ1TW0Q/s200/etinfopack4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036263984186973202" border="0" /></a><br />Just thought I'd mention that the February edition of the emerging trends infopack is out. This month's edition contains a few interesting stories that didn't make it up onto w2japan including a GPS chimp catching multiplayer mobile game and a keitai strap you customize to reflect your online profile.<br /><br />The et infopack is a free monthly newsletter in PowerPoint format. You can check out past issues at <a href="http://emergingtrends.blogspot.com">http://emergingtrendsblog.blogspot.com/</a> and subscribe to receive the newsletter by email by sending a blank message to etsubscribe [at] worldforumgroup [dot] comJan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-85683504946765268492007-02-26T10:06:00.000+00:002007-02-26T10:07:12.368+00:00Live!Aurora lights up Japanese mobiles<p> Ever wanted to see the northern lights but couldn’t afford the trip to the Arctic Circle? “<a href="http://aulive.net/aumail1/mobileinfo20070215.php" title="">Live!Aurora for mobile</a>” is the site for you! </p> <p> “Live!Aurora” beams the sights of the aurora borealis from Alaska straight to your mobile. Due to the time zone difference, Japanese consumers can enjoy the sites of the aurora between lunchtime and evening. As well as being able to watch streaming video of the aurora, the site also offers video on demand and still images for download. </p> <p> The site is a subscription service costing 315 yen per month ($2.60). </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/mobileaurora.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-82017636870422261012007-02-23T09:33:00.000+00:002007-02-23T09:34:01.895+00:00New survey gives insights into the effects of flat rate data on consumer behaviour<p> Last week Infoplant Japan published the results of their <a href="http://www.info-plant.com/research/00374.html" title="">latest consumer survey on mobile usage</a>. Here are some highlights: </p> <p> • The number of respondents who use the mobile internet every day was 82% (up from 77% in the same survey last year) </p> <p> • Flat rate data subscribers use the mobile internet more, with 88% accessing mobile sites every day compared to 54% of non flat rate customers </p> <p>• Flat rate data subscribers are also more likely to have downloaded games (78% vs 57%), ringtones (78% vs 63%), shopped on their mobile (44% vs 26%) and signed up to subscription sites (59% vs 36%) </p> <p>• However, there was not a great difference between flat rate and standard subscribers when it came to entering competitions (94% vs 93%), or receiving coupons (54% vs 50%) </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-11738068028486130762007-02-21T11:56:00.001+00:002007-02-21T16:49:33.842+00:00Soothing, stimulating and suppressing ringtones for muPass from Sammy<p> I’ve posted about <a href="http://hp.mupass.net/" title="">muPass</a> in the past – it’s the technology that allows you to send ringtones from your mobile to compatible everyday devices such as <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/06/ringtones-not-just-for-phones.html" title="">cookers</a>, <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/06/ringtones-not-just-for-phones.html" title="">baby mobiles</a> and <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/09/ringtone-alarm-clock-announced.html" title="">alarm clocks</a> </p> <p> Today, Sammy, the company behind muPass, <a href="http://www.sammy-net.jp/cms/file/news/20070221142215.pdf" title="">announced</a> that they will be releasing new muPass ringtones which they developed in collaboration with <a href="http://www.onkyo-lab.com/" title="">the Japan Accoustic Lab</a> and <a href="http://jrtl.org/" title="">the Japan Ringing Tone Laboratory</a> (yes, it actually does exist – I checked!). </p> <p> From tomorrow, visitors to the muPass mobile site will be able to download “stop the baby crying”, “dolphin therapy” and “wake up feeling great” ringtones, which the company claims are scientifically proven to work. Sammy is planning to release further ringtones in March including “get motivated” and “suppress that anger”. Personally, I look forward to the release of a “calm down it’s only a traffic jam” ringtone I can transfer to my car ;)<br /></p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/mupasssce.png" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-48139379400836380522007-02-21T10:41:00.000+00:002007-02-21T10:42:34.757+00:00100 million full track downloads for au<p> In a <a href="http://www.kddi.com/corporate/news_release/2007/0221/" title="">press release today</a>, Japanese telecoms company KDDI announced that the number of chaku-uta full (full track music) downloads on their au mobile network hit the 100 million mark last week. Proving the adage that you have to give to get back, KDDI revealed that 90% of the tracks were paid for, with the other 10% given away free in promotions etc. </p> <p>au launched full track music downloads in November 2004 and achieved their millionth download in just one and a half months. Recently, the operator has been strengthening their music offering with more music-focused handsets and an iTunes-esque music download service called Lismo. KDDI revealed that it has seen 170,000 downloads from the Lismo PC music storefront which opened in May 2006. </p> <p>In the same press release, the company announced that the number of chaku-uta (realtones) that have been downloaded on the network now exceeds 400 million. </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-67733390187244080392007-02-20T11:31:00.000+00:002007-02-20T11:37:04.417+00:00Smoke detector provides mobile alarm system<p> In Japan, mobile technology is finding its way into all manner of everyday objects such as <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Mobile_modules_in_unusual_places" title="">vending machines</a>, <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Mobile_modules_in_unusual_places" title="">snowploughs</a>, <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/08/mobile-tv-comes-to-wristwatches.html" title="">wristwatches</a> and even <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Pet_feeding_mobile_device_on_display_at_International_Keitai_Forum" title="">your favourite pet’s food dish</a>. As of yesterday you can add smoke alarm to that list. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.k-giken.com/toriatukai/SmkFwm/smk_fwm.html" title="">The smoke alarm in question</a> has been developed by Japanese company Keisoku Giken and adds a mobile cradle to your traditional smoke alarm to provide a mobile emergency alert system. When the detector senses smoke, it not only makes a sound but also dials a pre-registered number to alert the owner of the fire. </p> <p>According to the company, the system could be used in temples and buildings of historic interest, unmanned warehouses, buildings under construction, restaurants and holiday homes. They also predict demand from families of elderly people living on their own. The alarm is now on sale in Japan for 16,800 yen ($140) but to use it you must purchase a separate handset and subscription. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/mobilesmokealarm.jpg" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2Fmobilesmokealarm.jpg&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-88231360728526838112007-02-19T11:53:00.000+00:002007-02-19T12:13:09.783+00:00Podcast interview with Shinya Yokota of DoCoMoWell I'm back from 3GSM 2007 in Barcelona and one of the clear highlights of the show yet again was DoCoMo's stand. The latest spring handset collection was on display including the <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/mitsubishi-announces-touchscreen.html">Mitsubishi touchscreen clamshell</a> and there were also demos of wallet phones and <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/awareness-campaign-for-earthquake-info.html">the natural disaster emergency message board</a>.<br /><br />I managed to catch 10 minutes with Shinya Yokota, a member of DoCoMo's international PR team, to record a podcast interview on some of the exciting handsets and services that DoCoMo have launched and are planning for the future. You can hear the podcast <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Interview_with_Shinya_Yokota_NTT_DoCoMo">at the end of this link</a>.<br /><br />The World Forum Research team interviewed an interesting mix of people from the mobile sphere while we were at 3GSM. We'll be uploading the podcasts onto our new <a href="http://thefridayfeed.blogspot.com/">Friday Feed Blog</a> and updating all this week. Check the site out to find out who else we talked to!Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-61424096556343340262007-02-12T11:49:00.000+00:002007-02-12T09:33:22.656+00:00Off to 3GSMIn a few hours I'll be off to Barcelona to attend this year's <a href="http://www.3gsmworldcongress.com">3GSM</a>. I'll be doing podcast interviews at the <a href="http://www.w2forum.com">Wireless World Forum</a> booth in hall 2 floor 1 a16 for most of Tuesday and Wednesday. If you're passing make sure you drop by and say hi!<br /><br />Hope to see you there!Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-59437351202600790502007-02-12T09:21:00.000+00:002007-02-09T10:45:34.018+00:00First ever Japan blog matsuri at What Japan ThinksIt turns out my Japanese-themed <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/02/carnival-of-mobilists-61-mobilist.html">Matsuri of the Mobilists</a> was picked up and entered into another blog matsuri of Japanese-themed blogs on the topic of matsuri! In other words my matsuri is part of a matsuri about matsuri.<br /><br />Confused? Just go check out the <a href="http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/02/09/the-first-ever-japan-blog-matsuri-january-2007-edition/">first ever Japan blog matsuri</a> over at the excellent source of trivia, <a href="http://whatjapanthinks.com/">What Japan Thinks</a>. Well done for setting this up, Ken. I'll definitely be contributing to this one in the future.Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-35539255621129749042007-02-09T10:44:00.000+00:002007-02-08T10:17:33.555+00:00Why youth use/don't use mobile communities<p><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Top 3 reasons why youth use mobile SNS…</span> </p> <p> 1. To kill time</p><p>2. Because my friends do</p><p>3. To communicate with people I know </p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;"> …and top 3 reasons they don’t:</span> </p> <p> 1. Not enough time</p><p>2. Data charges too high</p><p>3. Mobile difficult to use </p> <p> (According to a <a href="http://research.rakuten.co.jp/report/20070208/" title="">recent consumer study</a> by <a href="http://research.rakuten.co.jp/" title="">Rakuten Research Japan</a>) </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-17447786292942402292007-02-08T10:17:00.001+00:002007-02-07T11:36:59.766+00:00GPS map chat application launches<p> “<a href="http://www.mapfan.com/mobile/" title="">iMapFan</a>” is a map service for imode which offers a range of services including a map-based search, car navigation and “I’m here!” emails. Today they <a href="http://www.mapfan.com/mobile/mapfan/news.html#20070208" title="">launched a new service</a>, “Map Messenger” - a map-based GPS chat application. </p> <p> Members of the chat are displayed on the map with according to their GPS location and the application has three modes – centre on yourself, centre on the other parties or an automatic mode which zooms in and out of the map to provide the best view of all chat members. It also has an alert function which vibrates when someone on your buddy list is near. </p> <p>The service is free to use if you are invited to a chat, but you have to be a subscriber to iMapFan’s premium service if you want to start your own chat. Subscription is 315 yen (£1.50) per month, which gives you access to all iMapFan’s premium features. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/imapfanmess.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-15442152793397378982007-02-07T09:50:00.000+00:002007-02-07T11:36:59.802+00:00Strange ears cause a stir in Japanese mobile forums<p>Inputting Japanese into your mobile is a bit more complex than your average T9 and there are various competing systems vying for a place on the latest handset models. Every so often gremlins can creep into the input system and these are quickly picked up by Japanese mobile enthusiasts and do the rounds of mobile review sites and bulletin boards. </p> <p> <a href="http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0702/07/news009.html" title="">According to this article</a>, the latest “scandal” concerns the character 穂 or “ear” (of a grain rather than the body part), which I can safely say I have never had the need to type into my mobile in my life. When you enter the character using the input system on the Panasonic P903i, launched in November last year, the phone displays the character with a rogue extra dot in the top right hand corner. </p> <p> <img style="width: 366px; height: 261px;" src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/grainear.png" alt="" /> </p> <p> Let this be a warning to any P903i owners wanting to discuss the condition of the ears of corn from their latest harvest! </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-1217271033890036942007-02-07T08:59:00.000+00:002007-02-07T09:00:17.399+00:00Maintain your molars with your mobile<p> Nobody likes going to the dentist, but there have been a couple of dental-related mobile services recently released in Japan that make the whole ordeal that bit less painful. </p> <p> First is “<a href="http://www.m-coms.co.jp/news/post_2.php" title="">Let’s go to the dentist!</a>”, a mobile dentist search. Not only can you search and find dental clinics all over Japan, you can also search for specialist dentists and view their locations on a map. After your visit, you can write a review of the whole ordeal to receive points which you can swap for goods or redeem as cashback on your next visit. </p> <p> If you happen to have your own dental practice, “<a href="http://www.nakatsu.co.jp/pocketreserver.html" title="">Pocket Reserver</a>” by Nakatsu is the service for you. “Pocket Reserver” is all you need to mobilise your clinic – the system allows patients to search for free appointments and book from their mobile then automatically sends reminder and thank you messages. The basic system costs only 999 yen (£5) a month. Bargain! </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-30983048506875105152007-02-05T10:46:00.000+00:002007-02-22T11:04:10.845+00:00Carnival of the mobilists 61 - mobilist matsuri!<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" /><div class="page-container"><div class="container-content2-sidebar"><div class="content2 content-font"><div class="contentbox2-container"><div class="contentbox2-full"><div class="contentbox-noshading"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/carnival61.png" alt="" /> </p> <p> It’s been over half a year since I hosted <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Carnival_of_the_Mobilists_34_is_at_W2F/">carnival number 34</a> at Wireless World Forum. This time, I decided to host it at w2japan and so I’m giving this carnival a Japanese theme. The Japanese love a carnival just as much as anyone else (祭りmatsuri is the Japanese for carnival). Welcome to Mobilist Matsuri number 61! </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannerkoji.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>Although matsuri are a lot of fun, there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly – and it’s the same for the mobile industry. This week’s postings that look behind the scenes of mobile include <a href="http://www.cenriqueortiz.com/weblog/JavaME%2C+J2ME/2007/02/02/Two-long-days-of-MIDP3.html">CEO on MIDP3</a>, Ajit at Opengardens on <a href="http://opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2007/02/java_me_as_midd.html">using Java as a middleware to mobile Ajax</a>, Martin Sauter on<a href="http://mobilesociety.typepad.com/mobile_life/2007/01/wifi_congestion.html"> problems with Wifi congestion at conferences</a> and Symbian-Guru on <a href="http://symbianguru.typepad.com/welcome/2007/01/fring_for_s60v3.html">mobile voip or moip</a>. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannertaiko.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>No carnival is complete without music and our matsuri maestro is Xen at Xellular Identity. Xen <a href="http://xendolev.typepad.com/xellular/2007/02/interviewing_jo.html">continues her series of fascinating interviews</a> (well I would say that – I took part in one last year ;) ) on the mobile industry with John White from Portio Research. Read his thoughts on digital music at the end of the link. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannertejina.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>There’s something magical about a matsuri and this one’s no different. Helen Keegan talks about <a href="http://technokitten.blogspot.com/2007/01/to-bluespam-or-not-to-bluespam-that-is.html">sending marketing messages through thin air</a> using Bluetooth. <a href="http://www.mopocket.com/2007/01/turning_web_content_into_mobile_content_.php">Justin at Mopocket</a> and <a href="http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/2007/01/as_web_content_.html">Tomi at Communities Dominate Brands</a> write about turning web content into mobile content. Abracadabra! Meanwhile, Peggy Anne Salz <a href="http://visionmobile.com/blog/2007/01/read-my-mind-adding-recommendation-to-the-mobile-search-mix/">reads consumers’ minds</a> to find them mobile content they’ll love. They say that magicians should never reveal the tricks of their trade, but Gabe Frost bends this rule and <a href="http://blog.gabefrost.com/?p=11">lets us in on a few secrets of 802.11n</a>. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannerong.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>On matsuri day in Japan, it’s common for teams to build floats and race them in the streets. Bill Day at Billday.com <a href="http://billday.com/2007/02/02/nokia-and-motorola-two-horse-race/">looks at the two horse race</a> between Nokia and Motorola and wonders whether Apple can upset the balance. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannerkami.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>Many Japanese matsuri are dedicated to gods. This week’s matsuri god (a.k.a posting of the week) is the Design Translator at Design Sojurn with <a href="http://www.designsojourn.com/index.php/2006/10/28/a-petition-to-bring-back-buttons-on-phones/">a petition to bring back buttons on mobile phones</a>. </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/bannerya.png" alt="" /> </p> <p>No Japanese matsuri would be complete without food stalls. These brightly coloured shops sell a mixture of foods from all over the world and our matsuri has an equally eclectic selection of food for thought. Greg at Twofones <a href="http://twofones.typepad.com/twofones/2007/01/locked_phones.html">chews the fat</a> on whether a US ruling forcing operators to unlock their phones will really free the consumer. Wap review <a href="http://wapreview.com/blog/?p=255%29">serves up a guide to bookmarklets</a> in Opera Mini. Anders at Abiro gives us a <a href="http://www.abiro.com/news/2007/02/mobile-phones-not-so-limited-after-all.html">bite-sized opinion piece </a>on why the mobile is not as limited as some think. Finally, Michael Mace at Mobile Opportunity provides a <a href="http://mobileopportunity.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-mobile-industry-sets-itself-up-for.html">recipe for success</a> for companies in the mobile data industry.</p><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JANJ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/barcatest.png" alt="" /><br /><br />From Japan to Barcelona... don't forget the matsuri that is 3GSM next week! Mobilist events include Rudy's <a href="http://www.m-trends.org/2007/02/all-20-global-peer-awards-finalists-anounced">Mobile Monday Peer Awards</a> and Helen's <a href="http://technokitten.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-barcelona-its-3gsm-and-swedish.">Swedish Beers</a>. See you there!<br /><br />Next week's carnival is hosted by Mike Butcher at <a href="http://www.mbites.co.uk/">MBites</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> The carnival seems to have gone MIA while the dust settles from 3GSM. I believe the next edition will be at <a href="http://technokitten.blogspot.com">Helen Keegan's blog</a> soon. Don't adjust your set!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-17568121316204980332007-02-02T14:54:00.000+00:002008-12-11T18:30:25.647+00:00I found a QR code reader that works with my N73!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Y49qWkRnT0/RcNRfsV2ILI/AAAAAAAAAAc/zrQb4LS9Zko/s1600-h/scanlifeqr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Y49qWkRnT0/RcNRfsV2ILI/AAAAAAAAAAc/zrQb4LS9Zko/s320/scanlifeqr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026951213996187826" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I do quite a few postings on QR codes and really believe that they will be as just as big outside Japan (I’m also <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/i/Thinking_outside_the_box_for_content_access:_mobile_search_and_hyperlinks">writing a report</a> which is nearly complete on how they can be used).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Recently I got my hands on a Nokia N73 and I’ve been trying to install a QR code reader on the handset. Nokia posted their own barcode reader on the N73 section of their website but it wouldn’t install on my handset (and quite a few others’, judging by the support forums) and Nokia took it down pretty quickly. Today I finally found a reader that works!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first clue was <a href="http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0702/02/news092.html">this article</a> on Japanese mobile news site +D mobile. It’s a selection of questions sent in by readers on the recently released 705NK (aka the Japanese N73). One reader asks whether the handset can read QR codes (as many non-Japanese manufacturers seem to miss this quite important function off their lists) and the answer is, predictably, no. However, the article goes on to say that there is a QR code reader available, bizarrely, [on the N73 page of <a href="http://www.nokia.com.tw/nokia/0,6771,99450,00.html">Nokia Taiwan</a> (the English file name gives it away).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The application seems to be built by <a href="http://www.scanlife.com/">ScanLIFE</a>, creators of the eZcode. I tried installing it on my UK N73 and it works fine (albeit with the slight hitch that the camera automatically starts when you open the lens cover – so you have to close that before you run the app). However, it's not as good as my current favourite reader (the <a href="http://www.quickmark.com.tw/English/download.html">QuickMark reader</a> on my Nokia 7610).<br /></p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-46527267680247970792007-02-02T12:22:00.000+00:002007-02-02T12:24:00.831+00:00Subscribers get to choose new DoCoMushroom<p> Mascots are a well-used gimmick in the Japanese operator’s marketing toolbox – and even better is a mascot whose name is a play on words. Thus we have the “au shika” (can be translated as “au deer” or “just au”), the now missing-in-action Vodaphone KK “shimakuris” (“stripy chestnuts” or “do something [i.e. call and text] again and again”) and the “DoCoMo dake” family (“DoCoMo mushrooms” or “only DoCoMo”). </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/aushika.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/shimakuriss.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/musumef.jpg" alt="" /> </p> <p> Originally the DoCoMushrooms were a three-generation family of grandparents, parents and little kid mushrooms. But last February, the operator added a young female character to the lineup to great fanfare. Today <a href="http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/33027.html" title="">DoCoMo announced</a> that Ms. DoCoMushroom is to be given a love interest – and DoCoMo subscribers will get the chance to choose her new beau from a shortlist of potential suitors. </p> <p>The candidates include “reggae boy”, “tearaway”, “wanderer” and “preppy” and subscribers can cast their vote on a dedicated i-mode site. DoCoMo are dismissive of any particular special plan for the promotion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if more was to be revealed on a certain special romantic event in February (and no, I don't mean 3GSM)… </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/dcmdakes.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-13257563586823196112007-02-01T10:42:00.001+00:002007-02-01T10:43:26.466+00:00Create nail art on the go with "Nail Club"<p> Japan is unique in that consumer studies show that females use the mobile internet more than their male counterparts and you can see evidence of this in the large number of content sites aimed mainly at women. “<a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/use-your-mobile-to-lose-weight-with.html" title="">Beauty Walker</a>” and “<a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/09/new-mobile-skin-check-service-for.html" title="">howzy!BEAUTY</a>” are a couple of examples I’ve posted in the past. </p> <p> Add <a href="http://www.e-ra.jp/news_topics/nailclub_release.pdf" title="">recently announced</a> “Nail Club” to that list. “Nail Club” is a nail art simulator for the mobile. You start with a blank canvas (an unpolished nail) and create your own design using 72 colours, 300 types of airbrush, 200 holograms, 100 3D decorations and 300 gems. </p> <p>An interesting point to note about “Nail Club” is the unusual way the creators are marketing the application. Instead of the usual monthly subscription model purchased through a mobile site (hey, it’s difficult to navigate those mobile menus when you’ve got nails like Edward Scissorhands), “Nail Club” will go on sale as a retail package in stores popular with young women in the trendy Tokyo areas of Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi. The retail pack will contain a link to download and a serial number to unlock the application. It’s a good tactic to get the mobile application to exactly the audience who will use it. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/nailclub1.png" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2Fnailclub1.png&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/nailclub2.png" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2Fnailclub2.png&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-43006469302215098472007-01-31T09:24:00.000+00:002007-01-31T09:25:42.124+00:00Use your mobile to lose weight with "Beauty Walker"<p> It’s already the end of January and by now many New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and exercise more will have fallen by the wayside. Don’t fear, mobile help is at hand! Yesterday, <a href="http://www.bandai-net.com/corporation/release/release.php?id=778" title="">Bandai Networks released</a> a new GPS-enabled diet support application “Beauty Walker”. </p> <p> “Beauty Walker” is an application which uses GPS to measure how far you’ve walked and displays how many calories you’ve burned. The application allows you to set goals of food that you want to eat and it will alert you when you’ve burned enough calories to eat it. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/beautywalker.jpg" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2Fbeautywalker.jpg&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-80002959980030879392007-01-25T18:30:00.000+00:002007-01-25T18:31:18.381+00:00Softbank adds a splash of colour with its spring collection<p> It’s the time of year when Japanese operators reveal their all-important spring handset collections and last week, DoCoMo and au announced 10 new models each. Today, Softbank announced their new collection and it’s their most colourful yet - literally. </p> <p>The very bling Swarovski crystal-studded 707SC is aiming to be the jewel in the crown of Softbank’s new collection (if you’ll excuse the pun). </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/707sc.jpg" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2F707sc.jpg&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p> <p>Unlike our phone stores which are lined with silver handsets, colour variations are very important for handsets in Japan. The new Softbank 812SH takes the colour variation game to a whole new spectrum (sorry, couldn’t resist). Sharp has teamed up with <a href="http://www.pantone.com/" title="">Pantone</a> to release the handset in no less than 20 colour variations. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/812sh.jpg" target="_blank" title=" - Click to Enlarge"><img src="http://www.w2forum.com/thumbnail.php?file=images%2Fuploaded%2F812sh.jpg&mode=width&size=300" alt=" - Click to Enlarge" /></a> </p> <p> Slightly less colourful is the X01NK (aka Nokia E61), which is sadly only available in jewel-free silver. </p> <p> <img style="width: 210px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/x01nk.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-21451220209712275552007-01-24T10:32:00.000+00:002007-01-24T10:38:49.505+00:00Use your mobile to pay for your purchases on your PS3<p> Today Edy, an e-cash service available on walletphones, <a href="http://www.edy.jp/press/html/070123.html" title="">announced</a> that the latest upgrade to the PlayStation 3’s firmware will allow you to pay for your PS3 online shopping with your mobile phone. </p> <p>To use your mobile to buy things from your PS3, you’ll need a PaSoRi FeliCa reader-writer, which will also work on a PC. When you get to the checkout, all you need to do is touch your mobile on the PaSoRi reader to charge your Edy account and you’re good to go. </p> <p> A <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BD%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC-RC-S320-SONY-%E9%9D%9E%E6%8E%A5%E8%A7%A6IC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80-%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BF%E3%80%8C%E3%83%91%E3%82%BD%E3%83%AA%E3%80%8D/dp/B0009YVAW4/sr=8-2/qid=1169634531/ref=sr_1_2/249-2277652-3133123?ie=UTF8&s=electronics" title="">quick look on Amazon.jp</a> shows that PaSoRi readers are currently selling for around 3000 yen ($25). Of course, if you don’t have one already, you’ll have to use a standard credit card to buy it from your PS3 for now ;) </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/ps3pasori.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-10622345504259094602007-01-24T09:48:00.000+00:002007-01-24T09:49:44.998+00:00Psycho-analyse your mobile messages<p> Have you ever received a message on your phone from someone special but weren’t sure whether the text represented their true feelings? It’s this kind of problem that Animo is trying to solve with its <a href="http://www.animo.co.jp/products/contents/honne/index.jsp" title="">new i-mode service</a> “Email Truth Checker” which is similar to the Feel*Mail handset function <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/handset-that-detects-mood-of-your.html" title="">I posted on yesterday</a>. </p> <p> To use the service, you choose your gender and the relationship between you and the person whose message you want to analyse (you can chose from partner, crush, superior, family etc.). After you’ve uploaded the message in question, the system analyses the language used and rates the authenticity of the feelings expressed. The service also provides a detailed psycho-analysis of the writer and gives you tips on how to respond. </p> <p>“Email Truth Checker” charges a monthly subscription of 105 yen (just under $1), which is cheaper than hiring a psychologist to read your emails… </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/honne.gif" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-29789627708815975862007-01-23T10:13:00.001+00:002007-01-23T10:13:42.943+00:00Handset that detects the mood of your messages<p> While at first glance, the P703i by Panasonic isn’t the most head-turning handset in DoCoMo’s recently announced spring lineup (that prize would probably go to the touchscreen clamshell <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2007/01/mitsubishi-announces-touchscreen.html" title="">D800iDS</a>, the waterproof F703i which you can allegedly use in the shower or the SO703i which has swappable fragranced fascias), on closer inspection, the handset has a rather novel feature – “Feel*Mail”. </p> <p> “Feel*Mail” is a new function along the same lines as “Feel*Talk” which appeared in a Panasonic handset <a href="http://w2japan.blogspot.com/2006/07/docomo-reveal-handset-for-women-razr.html" title="">I wrote about last summer</a>. When the handset receives a message, “Feel*Mail” analyses its text and displays one of 45 different animations depending on the emotion detected in the message. </p> <p> In the unlikely event this function ever comes to the UK, I wonder how well the it would cope with txt spk? </p> <p> <img src="http://www.w2forum.com/images/uploaded/feelmail.jpg" alt="" /> </p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24244615.post-74080590328437011782007-01-18T16:42:00.000+00:002007-01-18T17:20:39.139+00:00Seminar on cameraphone codes in London next Thursday<p class="MsoNormal">I’m running a seminar on cameraphone codes next Thursday afternoon at <st1:placetype st="on">City</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype>, <st1:place st="on">Central London</st1:place>. The seminar will cover the basics of 2D barcodes, the technological and financial considerations and the pros and cons of the competing systems. We’ll also look at alternative mobile hyperlink systems such as image recognition, audio and RFID. There’ll be some videos, demos and case studies and hopefully it should be an interesting afternoon.<br /><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Find out more by downloading <a href="http://www.w2forum.com/download3/?generalid=118&type=events">this brochure</a>. The price for one place is £145, but if you call and mention you’re a reader of this blog I’ve negotiated a very special price (over 50% discount!).</p>Jan Kuczynskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286086471285952393noreply@blogger.com1