The Android Magic Launch in Japan

DoCoMo rolled-out the very first Android powered device in Japan today, labeled as the HT-03A, with somewhat less fan-fare than other product launches (cough-cough: iPhone) we’ve seen in the past. Besides the obvious absence of long line-ups full of eager gadget geeks, we find nothing on Google News (strange considering who runs that show) and very little so far on the main Japanese tech sites. Basically, Abracadabra - Boo! - it’s surprisingly quiet here on the eastern front.

To be fair, and in the long run it’s pretty clear the platform will have legs, this is still early days. With availability and increased awareness - certainly advantages for app. developers considering the now crowded Apple deck - it will be an interesting story to follow over the next few years.

In the mean time, the unit is shipping here for about $300 usd with a two-year contract and even comes with a second battery considering the widely voiced ‘concerns’ about juice. Apparently, the companies held an exclusive gathering for their target viral developer community at Roppongi Hills last night, with reps from DoCoMo, Google and HTC making presentations and handing out some bling. Meanwhile, Three Cheers for DoCo’Droid!

Update: To be accurate, 71 posts on last 30-days via [Japanese] Google News. Thanks Ikeda-san!

Posted: 10 July 2009 | Filed: Japan Market, Sign of the Times | Feedback | Print |