14sandwiches - Latest Comments in Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Japanese words — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:36:44 -0000

When I first came to Japan, several years ago phones here were much more advanced. I wouldn't really say that anymore. Phones here haven't really changed much over the last 3-4 years. I mean all the phones have cameras and many can play music or watch tv, but the iphone and some of the smart phones are more advanced in many ways.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Japanese words — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:18:53 -0000

Yeah phones over here are more advanced, but the gap has been cut considerably in the last few years. In some ways phones outside of Japan have become more advanced with the focus on internet and computer like functions. Though I have to admit that many people are doing tv.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Nick — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:35:21 -0000

"It’s our attitude to mobile technology that needs to improve before we have any hope of reaching any kind of parity with Japan’s mobile lifestyle."

I can't help but politely disagree with this statement. It seems to me that the problem is not our attitude toward the technology, but rather our attitude toward the companies that are producing our phones for us. We are willing to accept what they have, even though we know that they could be producing better phones.
I live in America and the article is speaking from a UK standpoint, but I believe that both our countries are experiencing the same problem. The companies that sell phones have no need to give you everything at once. Consumers have shown they are more than willing to shell out good money for a phone that isn't on the cutting edge of technology, so they have no need to give you everything at once. Features pile on each other at a trickle pace so that the newest phone is obsolete in the shortest amount of time possible, while keeping plenty of advanced features in queue for newer phones when the technology is perfected and cheaper. Every time a new feature is released, a fresh wave of phone purchases generates.
All of that being said, I prefer to wander about without attachment to a gadget or massive social network, and always will. I find myself unwilling to ignore the physical world around me and all of it's sensory input.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Adam — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:36:24 -0000

While advanced mobile technology is great. It's another reason to disconnect to the actual world around us. Nevermind passing the time by talking to friends and then just watching and enjoying the fireworks. While the feature to pay for your train fares with your phone is a real way to enhance your life. The other features just scream "I've lost the ability to communicate with others around me and would rather just shutdown." That's my opinion on it anyway.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

MartinSFP — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:03:40 -0000

That may be true, but I was comparing the Japanese market to the UK market.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

king — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:46:55 -0000

Hate to burst your bubble but verizon wireless has all 4 of the features you mentioned in some of there phones on sale now in America.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Peter Oakleaf — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:14:47 -0000

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Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Justin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:27:07 -0000

Is it really so great that everyone in Japan is constantly attached to their cell phones? Hell, I don't even like texting while walking outside - I feel like I've got blinders on. Convenience and mobile technology are great, but who needs to be watching TV or surfing the web or playing video games all the time? It seems that technology like this only leads to human isolation.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

elle — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:39:44 -0000

Great story about why the US is so behind in mobile television: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gp4J422iEYfy...

Analog TV shutdown kills free cell-phone TV

Most phones sold in Japan can tune in to free TV broadcasts, and there are tens of millions of viewers. Cell phones that can tune in to free broadcasts are also available in South Korea, Germany and China.

But only 3 percent of Americans regularly watched video on their cell phones late last year, according to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. That figure includes people who watched short, downloaded clips rather than broadcast TV.

For starters, you can blame the impending shutdown of all full-power analog TV broadcasts on Feb. 17, a deadline set by the government. That Chinese handset, made by ZTE Corp., can only tune in to analog transmissions. Because most of them are going away, there's no real point in selling phones like that in the United States.

China is keeping its analog broadcasts until 2015, six years longer than the U.S., so the phones are viable there. Ironically, the TV reception chip inside comes from a U.S. company, Telegent Systems Inc., based in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The analog U.S. broadcasts are being replaced by digital broadcasts, but there are no phones anywhere that can tune in to those.

When the U.S. digital TV standard was laid down in the early '90s by the Advanced Television Systems Committee, it was optimized for high-definition signals to stationary antennas, according to Mark Richter, president of the industry group.

At the time, cell phones had screens that could display eight digits and nothing else, so little thought was given making the broadcasts work with mobile gadgets.

The Europeans created their digital television standard later and made it a bit more amenable to mobile reception, Richter said. Thus, there are now phones sold in Germany that can receive local digital broadcasts intended for stationary TVs.

Weijie Yun, Telegent's chief executive, said it's theoretically possible to receive U.S. digital terrestrial broadcasts on a phone, but engineers have yet to overcome key technical challenges. For now, Telegent's chips can receive analog broadcasts in most countries of the world, and digital broadcasts in Europe and a few countries outside it.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Stephen — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:39:32 -0000

God damn it...i wish i lived in Japan!! (I live in the US by the way) The best thing we have is the iPhone 3G and in some places you can find the Nokia N96...but you can hardly find that. (All I can find is the N95). Even you guy's in the UK are ahead...although it doesn't surprise me because we're so behind in everything.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

Shane — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:59:17 -0000

No denying the advanced technology, but a lot of the prevalence of mobile phones in Japan also has to do with the fact that most Japanese spend significant portions of their day on trains, and mobile phones are an indispensible means of passing the down time.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

MartinSFP — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:34:38 -0000

Cheers! Sounds like that'll be an interesting read. The funny thing is they're still very keen on the iPhone 3G despite the fact it does none of the things I mention in the post!

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

whatleydude — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:04:06 -0000

I've got a buddy in Japan who's been relaying me his mobile stories for a while now - hoping to collate and post on MIR eventually..

Will ping you when I do.

Nice post.

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

MartinSFP — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:34:44 -0000

I'm not sure about the Fins, Geoff. I would've thought they'd be only as advanced as the current best Nokia phone. In that case they'd be similar the UK, technology-wise. As for actual usage levels - maybe I can find an excuse to visit Finland to find out! :)

Re: Why we’re so far behind Japan’s mobile technology

geoffsays — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:16:15 -0000

as a mobile phone junkie, I applaud you. interesting post martin. what about the fins? I'm sure they're right up there with the japanese with innovative uses on their mobiles. I smell a fact finding mission in your future :)