Push-to-Talk failure in Japan

Mesmerized by the US Nextel's success with its PTT service running on Nextel's proprietary iDen network in early 2000's, Japanese carriers including DoCoMo and KDDI au also introduced similar services utilizing existing cellular networks in Japan in 2005. However, the concept never really took off in Japan. According to DoCoMo, about one hundred thousand users use the service on a monthly basis. As the result, both carriers announced the pending retirement of PTT services with KDDI au shutting down its in August this year, followed by DoCoMo with the plans to close the service in September next year.

Source: IT Media

NHK joins iPhone app craze

NHK, the Japanese analogue of British BBC, joined the ranks of iPhone application developers by releasing the replica of its iconic clock. The clock application doesn't only keep the authentic looks but it also provides the time tone similar to the original sampling. It's available free for download from the iPhone appstore.

Source: CNet Japan

iPhone sales in Japan estimated to hit 1 million in three months

While Apple doesn't release iPhone sales by region, there are some indicators that iPhone is doing pretty well in Japan as Softbank's agressive sales tactics and viral marketing are starting to bring new customers to Softbank shops. According to Business Media, which refers to some internal sources at Softbank, the iPhone sales should easily achieve one million devices after one year from iPhone's landing in Japan. Given that the iPhone went on sale in Japan nine months ago, the one million milestone should be reached in the mid of summer.

Source: Business Media

Blackberry Bold makes it into the Top 10 of weekly sales at DoCoMo

I was quite surprised when I looked through the DoCoMo's top weekly handset sales published by Keitai Watch via ITC Network. I saw something I don't recall seeing for a long time - a foreign model making it to the top ten. Living up to its name the maverick was Blackberry Bold, which went on sale in February this year. It is already May but as you can see it is still kicking.

Advanced Media launches voice-to-text Email app for iPhone

Tokyo-based Advanced Media has released beta voice-to-text Email application for iPhone. Since the application is in beta, it is distributed free via iPhone store. Advanced Media intend to charge for the app once Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0. The app on iPhone is just a nice interface to establish a connection to the server where all the heavy-lifting is done. Advanced Media has developed an in-house speech recognition engine Amivoice, which learns end-user's speech patterns and allows to record geographic and personal names in advance. It is one of the fewest apps out there to cater to users with a need for voice-to-text emailing in Japanese. Good news is that Advanced Media plans similar app for Android and Windows Mobile platforms.

Source: Advanced Media press release