Japan to push its whiz-bang handsets overseas
by Darren Murph 
posted Aug 20th 2008 at 1:32AM
With Japanese handset sales declining pretty much across the board (thanks, lower subsidies!), it follows logic that the government and Japanese-based handset makers would look internationally to pick up the slack. In a rather vague report, we're told that the nation is hoping to push its technologically advanced mobiles in other countries, though it'll have a tough time marketing mobile TV without sufficient infrastructure. One of the token handsets chosen to lead the parade is a Sony-made "wallet phone," which is only described as having cashless technology built in. Color us (very) mildly enthused.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
meemo @ Aug 20th 2008 5:22AM
I would not be looking for new features as living in a stuck-in-the-past country like New Zealand usually doesn't support those features anyway.
What I am looking for is the great design of some of those handsets. DoCoMo and KDDI make some pretty slick phones...
mobminami @ Aug 20th 2008 5:35AM
i wonder if they've left it a bit too late, just as the rest of the world begins its big migration to smartphones. in my experience Japanese handsets (i've had 6 now) sport a bunch of gimmicky but ultimately un-useful features that aren't compatible with major computing platforms and rarely get used after the first afternoon of playing around ('facial-recognition' security, bone-conducting speakers, proprietary calendar software and music players that play only tunes purchased from that provider's store, to name a few). And the biggest selling points mentioned here are TV broadcasts and electronic cash, both useless without extensive infrastructures in the country using them.
don't get me wrong, there's some great technology at work here and some of the online services are great -- but recently i've wondered if Japan should be importing more devices available in places like the US or Europe, instead of the other way around.
StarrWulfe @ Aug 20th 2008 9:58AM
I also echo mobiminami's comments.
I travel between the US and Japan very often and could have purchased any phone for use on Softbank/DoCoMo and ATT/T-Mobile. While I am an avid user of Suica/Ikoka card (RFID card used in paying train fares and for goods at most covience and department stores) I also have an overwhleming need for a smartphone. Most Japanese phones are in that gray area between feature phones and smartphones, and include things like mobile suica, one-seg TV, GPS, and of course are all 3G. But once I bring that phone over to the States, Its only good for basic phone calls, web browsing and SMS/MMS. Even some of those don't work without monkeying around with settings depending on network. With my TYTN2, I am able to use the GPS still (google maps works all over the world as long as you have a data connection-- and I have TomTom here and Navitime for Japan) I can view Internet TV (Orb works wherever... ) and I have the added convience of being able to use wi-fi in places-- in Japan data is charged by the packet and its easy to get a high bill. I can then use skype and call back to the US or over to Japan.
What really needs to happen is for Japan to embrace smartphone culture and innovate just as it did with flipphones 6 years ago. Integrate the same tech (mobile Suica, location-based services, mobile video) and come up with compelling designs. This to me would be the way to go...
MinceyFresh @ Aug 20th 2008 3:16PM
I think that all the Japanese manufacturers need to do is come out with a GSM S60 device (think N95 killer) housed in a typical Japanese-styled flip phone housing (with a large range of colors to choose from), throw in tri-band HSDPA for real world wide compatibility, and there you have it. Everyone wins. Okay, and maybe have some really cutesy Japanesey S60 themes pre-installed, as well...