HTC has just confirmed [.pdf in Japanese] the introduction of their HTC TyTN II – or Titan Two – which will become available for sale in Japan on Friday, March 28, 2008 via eMobile, under the product name “S11HT (EMONSTER)”. The HTC TyTN II will be the first device from eMobile supporting broadband voice services and this handset is the eighth model, including designs scheduled for future release, from the HTC lineup to appear in Japan.
Emblaze Mobile announced an agreement with Sharp and ACCESS to develop what it calls a design to set new standards for the next generation of mobile devices. Acording to this press release the device is a ‘result of over five years of design by Emblaze Mobile in cooperation with some of the best Israeli high-tech companies and it utilizes some of the most advanced technologies in the mobile computing arena’. The mystery unit is slated for debut sometime next year.
IDC released a report earlier this month which identified InnoPath as the strongest MDM (Mobile Device Management) vendor in its ability to gain market share and alignment with market opportunities. Of the top eleven MDM providers, InnoPath was favorably positioned with its ability to leverage market trends, its growth potential, as well as its ability to gain market share.
Tech-On has posted an interview with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., China’s leading telecom equipment manufacturer, who have set up an exhibit – for the first time ever in Japan – at this years Wireless Japan tradeshow. Huawei is one of the most technology-oriented companies in China with sales at an annual growth rate of 40% that are expected to surpass 1 trillion yen in 2007.
Comverse announced that eMobile has selected Comverse InSight Open Services Environment and Comverse SMSC SMS text messaging solution to provide subscribers with messaging and call completion value-added services. Initial InSight services to be deployed include Voicemail, Call Return and a range of personalization features. Comverse SMSC will handle text messaging between handsets as well as notification from various applications.
Mobikyo KK, publisher of Wireless Watch Japan, announced today it will co-host three popular events in co-operation with Expo Comm Wireless Japan 2007, Tokyo Big Sight, 18-20 July, the largest specialized trade show in Japan dedicated to wireless and mobile network technologies. With over 34,000 industry professionals and 180 exhibitors attending, Wireless Japan is the central meeting point for Asia’s wireless industry. See our video reports for the 2006 event Here
As 3G adoption exceeds 70 percent saturation in Japan, mobile ecosystem players are increasingly aiming to establish partnerships, tie-ups and business deals to deliver their products and services – as well as lessons learned – into emerging markets elsewhere. There has never been a better time for overseas companies to make valuable connections into Japan’s wireless industry and there has never been a better venue than Mobikyo KK’s stellar event line-up at Expo Comm Wireless Japan.
DoCoMo has plans to introduce flat-rate billing options for all types of mobile data services by the end of 2008 according to this article from the Asahi Shimbun. DoCoMo has already introduced a flat-rate system for i-mode and subscribers for their flat-rate portal access service has exceeded 10 million. However, details of the planned total flat-rate billing options have yet to be decided.
On 29 May, BusinessWeek ran an article, "Japan: Cheap Cell Phones at What Price" aiming to demystify Japan’s complex carrier subsidy situation. The writer, Kenji Hall, is an astute observer of this country’s mobile scene, but he missed the mark on several key points and it’s worth reviewing these in detail…
Pulse Mobile announced that the Veepers character animation technology will be pre-installed on all 2007 Summer “au” WIN branded phones from KDDI. Eshaberi Mail (talking mail) allows customers to create naturally talking avatar movies with lip synchronized animations by combining images such as photographs and illustrated characters. Users can also record their own voice which is used to drive characters’ animations.
According to this report on Reuters, EAccess plans to sell some of its stake in the newly launched eMobile unit to Goldman Sachs. The share sale would also see the firm change from a consolidated subsidiary of EAccess into an affiliate thus reducing losses the parent company would be required to book in group earnings. Emobile also appointed CFO Eric Gan as president and chief operating officer, having been managing director of Goldman before founding the telecom operator.
