<span class="vcard">editors</span>
editors

Encouraging MediaFLO Survey Results

the first results from an extensive consumer survey of attitudes towards mobile TV. The survey, which was conducted by Accenture Japan and included more than 3,000 Japanese consumers, showed that subscribers are far more likely to take up mobile broadcast services when they experience it firsthand. Survey results after the jump.

[We noted in a recent WWJ newsletter that new digital tv spectrum allocation from the ministry is under review and the various lobby groups are in full motion to state their case — Eds]

Red Herring Announces Japan Conference

Red Herring Asia has announced its first technology and business conference for Japan, to be held in Kyoto on July 22-24, 2007, bringing together major technology companies with a vibrant group of entrepreneurs. Speakers will discuss topics along six editorial tracks: Web 2.0, Entertainment, Wireless, Investment, Cleantech and Digital Living / Digital Workplace. Overarching these tracks will be international comparisons and a lively discussion of how Japan became the world’s most innovative country in 2006, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index.
[We are planning to attend so drop us a note if you’d like to connect — Eds]

EMOBILE Selects InnoPath's OTA

InnoPath announced that EMOBILE has selected their Integrated Mobile Device Management Solution (iMDM) to deliver over-the-air firmware updates and configuration management. EMOBILE will be deploying InnoPath’s Firmware Manager allowing for software and firmware updates, in addition to offering its Configuration Manager enabling remote configuration of settings and new services; both applications being offered over-the-air, in real time. With this announcement, the company now has agreements tied with KDDI, Softbank, and eMobile and license agreements with several of the handset manufacturers which are sold under the DoCoMo brand.

Kyocera Wireless and PCTEL Collaborate

Kyocera Wireless and PCTEL Inc. announced their collaboration on a Voice Call Continuity (VCC) solution for dual-mode Wi-Fi/CDMA handsets. The solution, which incorporates PCTEL’s Roaming Client – Voice Enabled (VE), is being demonstrated on a prototype Kyocera handset. VCC technology allows a dual-mode handset to make seamless handoffs of active calls while moving between Wi-Fi and CDMA air interfaces. The new VCC solution integrates Kyocera’s CDMA voice, user interface and SMS features with PCTEL’s VoIP, SMS Over IP, single-number roaming and active-call handover functionality.

Amp'd Mobile Launches in Japan

As announced last November Amp’d Mobile rolled-out in Japan this month via a new portal service designed exclusively for KDDI subscribers. Amp’d Mobile-Japan debuted with its first “Amp’d Original Presentation” called Boston Gyro: The Big League Report provides real-time baseball reports covering Japanese players in the US from sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe. All Amp’d Japan content is delivered in Japanese or in English with Japanese subtitles.

Find a Guinness with your Phone

Diageo Japan launched a one-click mobile pub search service called “Guinness Navi” on March 17, 2007, just in time for St. Paddys Day. Guinness Navi location based service allows users to search for nearby Guinness outlets easily with their mobile phone, although the venues are currently restricted to Irish pub search within Tokyo’s 23 wards, it plans to increase its scope to other areas, and to dining bars, local bars and other outlets. The system is compatible with all locational technologies from antenna triangulation cell ID, to GPS, WiFi and direct address input and was developed by Tokyo-based Naviblog Corp.