Year
2009
DoCoMo to Offer Flat-Rate Tethering
DoCoMo has announced that beginning December 1st it will reduce the monthly maximum charge for wireless data charged by tethering a handset with PC or other device under their Pake-hodai double flat-rate data service to 5,985 yen, down from 13,650 yen (from approx. $150 to $65), via selected Internet access points.
DoCoMo i-Channel Launches in Europe
DoCoMo Europe rolls i-channel with latest news of Japan, news related to Europe, sports and entertainment info. [JPN]Go!TOKYO – The Latest GMAP App
The guys at GMAP have been working very hard over the past few months to develop a new iPhone app., called Go!TOKYO, targeted at people either living or visiting here should find rather useful. Designed with English speakers in mind, it was created to help get folks around the maze of subway platforms and guide you through to puzzling locations, using the companies exisiting database of great maps, most often to be found 'somewhere' near a metro stop. For a whole 350jpy (about $4) on iTunes this one is a no-brainer!
4G Chipset for Willcom XGP
Wavesat announced that its "Odyssey" chipset is the first, and currently the only, to be widely deployed in Willcom's new "XGP" broadband wireless network, which entered commercial service this month in Japan. Willcom's data-only XGP service, based on a 4G "OFDMA" standard, is available to the general public and enterprise users. The 4G multi-core architecture incorporates multiple ultra low power DSPs, offering flexibility, high performance and low power consumption. The SOC manufactured using advanced Embedded DRAM technology requires no external memory, thus saving customers power consumption for very small form-factor. The Odyssey chipset is featured in Willcom’s GX001N XGP PC Cards manufactured by NEC.
Mobidec Announces 2009 Event Details
The 9th annual Mobidec conference and trade show event -- Nov. 25th -- in Tokyo [Jpn] Details after the jump>>DoCoMo Reports 1H Earnings for FY2009
DoCoMo released disappointing 1H financial results FY2009, includes revision of full year forecast. PDF in English.Fujitsu Joins Symbian Board
Fujitsu Joins the Symbian Board of Directors bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the open source community.MCPC Mobile Solution Fair 2009
The Mobile Computing Promotion Consortium will hold their annual conference and trade-show in Tokyo on Nov. 27th [JPN]A Super Slick Mobile Ad Campaign
While blitzing through the typhoon from one meeting to another along the JR Yamanote lines yesterday afternoon we stumbled across this groovy installation by Mediacure on the platform. Promoting the latest hot drink sensation - CoCo Presso, basically Hot CoCo flavored espresso - which has also been running what would have to be a rather expensive TV ad campaign.
Mildly interested, and certainly in need of a hot shot of something, upon entering the booth it was clear they were using the FeliCa tap & go call-to-action, note reader embedded beside the LCD screen on the last photo. Sure enough it loaded a crisp Flash mobile website offering a coupon for a quick discount on the product via the co-located vending machine, which of course is also NFC-enabled. The entire sequence of snapping the pix below and grabbing a jolt of sweet caffeine took like 90-seconds before our next train came
Mobikyo K.K. publishes Wireless Watch Japan, organizes MobileMonday Tokyo networking events and operates Mobile Intelligence study tours providing related custom research and advisory services. Mobikyo's founding directors are deeply connected with, respected by, and committed to, Japan's wireless and IT business community. Thousands of managers, planners, engineers and strategists depend on Mobikyo to learn about Japan's unique business models, technologies, contents, services, applications and hardware from the most innovative test-bed market for next-generation mobile industry. "Mobikyo" was chosen for the unique blending of Mobile and Tokyo. However, depending on the kanji character used for kyo, it could also mean association, capital, religion or today. With fantastic support from our clients, partners and affiliates in Japan and overseas, we have become the trusted source of independent market intelligence & business networking connections based in Tokyo.
MobileMonday Tokyo is a leading networking organization supporting Tokyo's mobile industry. We launched in September 2004, with over 70 events to-date, hosting an average 100-200 industry delegates. MobileMonday is an open platform for mobile industry visionaries, developers and industry insiders fostering cooperation and business development through live networking events to share ideas, best practices and trends from global markets. Chapters are active in over 100 cities worldwide and new locations continue to launch monthly. Founded in Helsinki, Finland, in 2000, MobileMonday is organized by a global team of 300+ volunteers and it has become the world's largest mobile community network. Details via MoMo Tokyo website
Mobile Intelligence offers related custom research and consulting designed specifically for industry executives working in sales, marketing, product development, strategy, venture capital and the media. From private workshops and conference presentations to trend spotting innovation and detailed analysis, our services are based on the direct experience and lessons learned in the Japanese mobile market. We also run a unique in-Japan guided tour service providing market introductions, personal connections and actionable lessons for clients overseas. Delegates take part in seminar and attend inside sessions, at individual companies, in technology showrooms, and -- most importantly -- on the fabled streets of Tokyo. Alumni return home with a competitive edge, integrated awareness and personal contacts moving them to the forefront of new business development. Full details via Mobile Intelligence website