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iPhone Claims 46% of Japanese Smartphone Market
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Yeah... I would like to use the Xbox 360 OS on a PS3 so I could play 360 games without having to buy Microsoft's hardware...
The Japanese are used to best technology, exactly why the majority of them use Macs and iPhones. The world should learn from them. 
Magic Phones? Where
MacFly the key phrase in your unintelligible reply is "magic phones there". Well, for me, it is HERE. I live in Japan, and I have lived with their phones and they are trash. If you only care about TV or paying for the train with your phone (which almost NO ONE in Japan ever does), then you are right that the iPhone cant compete. But if you want to get work done, such as enterprise email, viewing attachments, managing your schedule and browsing the internet (including secure web sites such as allowing you to do internet banking), then there is not a single Japanese phone that can do ANY of these features. There are other smartphones here in Japan, but most are WinMobile, and the biggest problem there is that anytime they upgrade the software, you have to buy a new phone to get it. And we havent even begun to discuss the role of application software. So, before you make these crazy statements, come live in Japan a few years and use a flip phone and then tell me what you think.
Finally "Intelliuser" needs a new user name. The term "japs" is considered highly derrogatory and this comment should be stricken from the thread. It is no different than the may other racially divisive terms that are thrown around. And, further macs are not that common here simply because Japanese people only trust Japanese companies. If they buy a SONY computer, it is OK because it is a SONY, even though it runs windows.
MacFly the key phrase in your unintelligible reply is "magic phones there". Well, for me, it is HERE. I live in Japan, and I have lived with their phones and they are trash. If you only care about TV or paying for the train with your phone (which almost NO ONE in Japan ever does), then you are right that the iPhone cant compete. But if you want to get work done, such as enterprise email, viewing attachments, managing your schedule and browsing the internet (including secure web sites such as allowing you to do internet banking), then there is not a single Japanese phone that can do ANY of these features. There are other smartphones here in Japan, but most are WinMobile, and the biggest problem there is that anytime they upgrade the software, you have to buy a new phone to get it. And we havent even begun to discuss the role of application software. So, before you make these crazy statements, come live in Japan a few years and use a flip phone and then tell me what you think.
Finally "Intelliuser" needs a new user name. The term "japs" is considered highly derrogatory and this comment should be stricken from the thread. It is no different than the may other racially divisive terms that are thrown around. And, further macs are not that common here simply because Japanese people only trust Japanese companies. If they buy a SONY computer, it is OK because it is a SONY, even though it runs windows.
I was afraid that the iPhone wasn't going to make a dent in the Japanese and Korean markets, but am glad it is. It just goes to show that if you have a great product, not even the tech-savvy companies in these countries can measure up to the quality and simplicity of the iPhone.
On a personal note, my father-in-law recently got a Samsung Omnia for over $200. He thought he was getting a deal because he got $50 off. I just looked at him with a look like, "are you f$%#ing crazy?" He said he liked the look and feel of the device. I played around with it for a little bit and gotta say that the GUI is really messed up. It feels too friggin complicated. It's as if a Windows Mobile start menu exploded and now there are submenus all over the place on this non-Windows device. I just keep shaking my head thinking that the salesguy at the Verizon counter at Costco did a great job of sticking it to my father-in-law.
On a personal note, my father-in-law recently got a Samsung Omnia for over $200. He thought he was getting a deal because he got $50 off. I just looked at him with a look like, "are you f$%#ing crazy?" He said he liked the look and feel of the device. I played around with it for a little bit and gotta say that the GUI is really messed up. It feels too friggin complicated. It's as if a Windows Mobile start menu exploded and now there are submenus all over the place on this non-Windows device. I just keep shaking my head thinking that the salesguy at the Verizon counter at Costco did a great job of sticking it to my father-in-law.
I do not buy the number at 46% because it seems way way to high. Chance are always good if something seems to good to be true chances are that it is not.
Fanboys are cjeering over this but not taking a step back and looking at it and seeing that the number looks way to high. Apple does not have anything cloose to that nuch market share anywere else in the world so it should not follow there. As other have point out the source of this info is from a know apple fan in japen and the numbers are twisted to what is defined as a smart phone to inflate the iphone numbers
Fanboys are cjeering over this but not taking a step back and looking at it and seeing that the number looks way to high. Apple does not have anything cloose to that nuch market share anywere else in the world so it should not follow there. As other have point out the source of this info is from a know apple fan in japen and the numbers are twisted to what is defined as a smart phone to inflate the iphone numbers
Misinformation
Just because you've lived in Japan for 3-years doesn't mean squat. Certain technology or features could easily slip by a Japanese national who has lived in Japan their whole life!
The browser on my Japanese cell phone allows me to securely access Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Japan, and other sites that require a password.
If you look at the following links, you'll see that internet banking is available for Mizuho (although this particular feature on au and softbank only) and Mitsubishi UFJ, just to name a couple of banks:
http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/direct/about_direct/bkapl/index.html
http://direct.bk.mufg.jp/btm/banking/mobilebanking.html
Also, docomo allows you to have server-based mail: it's called web mail.
Things like Yahoo auction, quite popular in Japan, can also be accessed via cellphones (albeit with limitations):
http://help.yahoo.co.jp/help/jp/auct/tool/tool-10.html
I would say that for most Japanese people, the feature set and style of the phones, keypad style, etc. are just fine. The Japanese companies are constantly innovating their products and feature-set.
It's okay to love the iPhone, but maybe you're imposing your values on something you don't completely understand.
Just because you've lived in Japan for 3-years doesn't mean squat. Certain technology or features could easily slip by a Japanese national who has lived in Japan their whole life!
The browser on my Japanese cell phone allows me to securely access Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Japan, and other sites that require a password.
If you look at the following links, you'll see that internet banking is available for Mizuho (although this particular feature on au and softbank only) and Mitsubishi UFJ, just to name a couple of banks:
http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/direct/about_direct/bkapl/index.html
http://direct.bk.mufg.jp/btm/banking/mobilebanking.html
Also, docomo allows you to have server-based mail: it's called web mail.
Things like Yahoo auction, quite popular in Japan, can also be accessed via cellphones (albeit with limitations):
http://help.yahoo.co.jp/help/jp/auct/tool/tool-10.html
I would say that for most Japanese people, the feature set and style of the phones, keypad style, etc. are just fine. The Japanese companies are constantly innovating their products and feature-set.
It's okay to love the iPhone, but maybe you're imposing your values on something you don't completely understand.
Apple needs to make as much money as they can so they can produce the next Gen IPhone at the best of there abilities
Any smartphone is cost overkill as a PDA. It's far cheaper to carry around a pen and paper notebook for that.
What I have noticed with the japanese phones are they aren't elegant. The UIs are as atrocious as Verizon's POS UI for feature phones. Cheesy animations and cheesy ringtones...reminds me of an aftermarket car stereo.
The iPhone has its place in Japan, for people WITH CLASS
Sure you can still use pen and paper. 3x5 cards are handy for some.
However, the iPhone enhanced with certain apps, takes you to the next level than simple pen and paper.
