DoCoMo rolls 11 new devices for their Summer 2013 Lineup – Touts Xperia and Galaxy as latest flagship models: http://bit.ly/10NkYQD

Tons of material in this presentation to absorb; Watch Full Video in English here – runs 54mins. Awesome display IGZO display on the Zeta and 1Seg tablet via Sharp! Also noted non-device related news including co-op with LINE, launch of the dCreators platform opening API for developers. We also thought this new Disney Phone by Fujitsu is pretty slick! [Eds]

KDDI partners with NaviTime on new Auto Navigation service, $5 month, debuts on 05.14 with a 90-day free trial: http://bit.ly/13DIWSp

Machine Translation
Navitime and KDDI announce [Jpn] collaboration offering full-scale car navigation application. Features included complimentary voice guidance even when offline, optimal route guide considering the latest traffic info and map display in positioning high-precision.

Possible route search the optimal route guidance considering the latest traffic information on-demand VICS, set the time and specify the departure place. The spot of convenience stores along the route also searchable. Provides real-time information parking information and spot information, such as gas price latest info. Voice Control function deployment can be set, including route and surrounding area. This new “au car navigation” system, available for iOS with Android coming soon, is offering 3 Month free trial for those who sign-up before June 17th.

FYE 2012 results via DeNACorp shows $2Bn in revenues, with $775M operating profit, up 38% & 28% respectively. Just.WoW: http://bit.ly/YS8TvN

DeNA today announced its financial results for the quarter and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The company reported quarterly revenue of 52.3 billion yen (approximately $528 million*), 22 percent higher than the same quarter last year, and operating profit of 18.2 billion yen ($184 million), 3 percent higher than the same quarter of the previous year. DeNA concluded a successful fiscal year with record-high 202.5 billion yen in revenue ($2.04 billion) and 76.8 billion yen in operating profit ($775 million), up 38 and 28 percent respectively.

“DeNA’s full-year revenues and operating profits increased for the ninth consecutive year, representing growth every year since the company went public,” said Isao Moriyasu, President and CEO of DeNA. “We will continue to pursue aggressive growth worldwide for our mobile Internet business, especially in the mobile social games sector.” Review the full details in English Here.

SoftBank introduces their Summer 2013 New Product Lineup, see live-stream video in English, via link below: http://bit.ly/12lBF6Z

Noted the cool Magnify Glass function on new Simple Smartphone for Seniors by Sharp; demo from 53-Mins [Eds]

Press Conference webcast – in English – runs 110mins

Cool.. ODOROKI app via KDDI, see video Eng. subtitles: Music, Friends, Camera and Location = Perfect Sync! http://bit.ly/16HkHpM

Classic TVCM campaign running for this here as well – Solid Effort by folks at AU [Eds]

TGIF = Here’s good one for your wknd: image projection app, from smartphone keyboard characters.. Like Magic! http://bit.ly/10NjXb7

Here’s the dedicated website, timeline in English, for the status of Softbank Sprint transaction: http://bit.ly/19Ox5AZ

On October 15, 2012, SoftBank and Sprint announced an agreement under which SoftBank will invest $20.1 billion in Sprint, including $12.1 billion to be distributed to Sprint stockholders and $8.0 billion of new capital to strengthen Sprint’s balance sheet. Following closing, SoftBank will own approximately 70% and Sprint’s equity holders will own approximately 30% of the company on a fully-diluted basis.

The SoftBank transaction is fully financed and on track to obtain the remaining regulatory approvals for an expected close in early July 2013. This website contains information related to the SoftBank/Sprint transaction. Please read the materials carefully and visit frequently to learn about new developments through the closing of the transaction. Full Details Here.

NHK releases iOS app, with mega multi-functions, for their ‘smart’ fluffy stuffed iDomo-kun mascot! [Jpn] http://bit.ly/15Y2IM6

Classic.. Talking & Rockin Teddy Bear Mascot. Hello, BBC, are you watching..!?! [Eds]

Bank of Japan offering app for blind to ID value of bank notes via image recognition & sound, demo video [Jpn] http://bit.ly/10buL2Z

Just a few quick thoughts while we have a moment, as there is always plenty of background activity for us here, to note the musical chair action happening just beneath the surface. Let’s peel a layer on the wonderful example of Game Theory currently taking place related to mobile operating systems and a predictable rise of Tizen over the months and years to come. For a decent current overview on this effort, including what’s new in the 2.0 Magnolia build, see their FAQ section [.pdf]

As with the demonstrated rise and fall for handset makers; Nokia > Blackberry > iPhone > Samsung.. (food for thought on a separate post about who is gearing up to be ‘the’ next contender there), the same evolution is afoot for embedded operating systems and application platforms as well. While there are nearly as many reasons as new players in that dance, but simply put; it’s not a matter of If but When we begin to see a real shift in this space.

The current environment has two well entrenched incumbents, riding herd on their respective global brands and combined historic resource offerings. The challenge with that ‘lock’ of course is that other key players in the value chain have become, essentially, assembly lines and bit-pipes. The handset makers and telcos, generally speaking, have gone along with the current phase – little choice – while examining their options and considering best growth path opportunities.

As we move towards fast, dependable and affordable network infrastructure combined with ever more powerful handsets, the usage, options, and recurring revenue potential at the client service layer becomes increasingly more valuable. As the operators and device makers consider their desired roles in that new world order, an open-source operating system based on Linux presents clear potential benefit. Looking at the larger so-called Internet of Things future, that exact same logic applies to TV and Auto (etc.) industry players as well.

So.. what does any of this have to do with Japan? Perhaps note ‘Who’ is Chair of the Tizen Association – see the presentation by Nagata-sensei back in 2012 [.pdf] along with his leading comments on their release during MWC this year. In fact, DoCoMo, and partners, had announced this course of action was on their road-map three years ago and have since confirmed they will begin shipping the first Tizen units here later this year.

It’s tempting to go longer on this theme, for example; will Sprint continue if when SoftBank takes control, but with powerful core members already lining up – and a post AOL era for the mobile web on the horizon – let’s just say that clock is ticking.

As always, it will be interesting times and we’ll be watching.

– WWJ Editors