Well, its about time to talk about technology! I got reminded about this when the BBC ran an article about cellphones in Japan! This is a country that loves modern technology. As soon as the latest thing hits the shelves, the Japanese goes nuts! My girlfriend bought her large, widescreen digital flatscreen tv about 3 years ago, and considers it old and dated! And, I can see why when Japanese tech stores are flooded with MASSIVE hi def digital tv's that are blu-ray capable.
With regards the cell phones here. Are they more advanced? Heck yes! The rest of the world is playing catch-up! Japan has had 3G phones for the better part of a decade, and Docomo is in the process of rolling out the next, next generation network. The Japanese dont go for the same branding as the rest of the planet. For example, 3G is not 3G, but FOMA. However, Japan has the highest takeup of any country in the world. Japan has a population of 127,000,000 and the number of people with FOMA phones is 104,000,000. NTT Docomo have been testing 4G capabilities, and have got speeds of 2.5gbps out of it, and have begun rolling the network out slowly across Japan. And they have begun promoting a couple of phones capable of using the 4G networks capabilities.
Are Japans phones lightyears ahead? Not any more. They are still many steps ahead, but not that far any more. Other companies and countries are catching up, building the technology into their phones. However, the technology is not as widespread, nor is it as 'complete' as it is in Japanese phones.
Just to show what I mean.
UK phones
With regards the cell phones here. Are they more advanced? Heck yes! The rest of the world is playing catch-up! Japan has had 3G phones for the better part of a decade, and Docomo is in the process of rolling out the next, next generation network. The Japanese dont go for the same branding as the rest of the planet. For example, 3G is not 3G, but FOMA. However, Japan has the highest takeup of any country in the world. Japan has a population of 127,000,000 and the number of people with FOMA phones is 104,000,000. NTT Docomo have been testing 4G capabilities, and have got speeds of 2.5gbps out of it, and have begun rolling the network out slowly across Japan. And they have begun promoting a couple of phones capable of using the 4G networks capabilities.
Are Japans phones lightyears ahead? Not any more. They are still many steps ahead, but not that far any more. Other companies and countries are catching up, building the technology into their phones. However, the technology is not as widespread, nor is it as 'complete' as it is in Japanese phones.
Just to show what I mean.
UK phones
- 5GB camera - 8GB
- video conferencing
- TV (new with Nokia)
- Internet at 3.6mbps
- GPS
- Radio
- voice recognition
- Face auto-focus
- Business card reader
- mp3
- Bluetooth/USB/wifi
Japanese phones
- 5GB is average. 8GB is trickling down. a few phones allready have 10!
- Duh!
- What phone does NOT have it!
- Internet at 5+mbps
- GPS
- Radio
- voice recognition for e-mailing and phonebook.
- Considering face recognition tech was invented in Japan...
- Business card/barcode reader
- mp3
- Bluetooth, wifi, and USB
Well, this is my phone. Fabulous in matt black. And a perfectly adequate gaming console too!
And the P906i also acts as a perfectly useable tv. Most popularly used on trains by commuters.
Also, common tech in Japanese phones.
- FeliCa. A secure cashless, cardless payment system.
- i-mode. An internet based data management system. Can use it to buy tickets ranging from the movies to airplanes!
- broad-band pc internet capabilities. Just twist the screen, and away you go!
- disaster alert. Part of every network is that there is a geographic alert system. If you are in a disaster zone, your company axes many of your phones functions leaving it with the bare essentials, freeing up network space for system wide alerts, emergency calls and e-mails.
Well, dont worry, the rest of you will get to enjoy all these things. In the future! If you are lucky! You may all go gooey over the iPhone, and Japan did too. For all of 2 months. Since then, the sales have slumped, and it is seen as just another fashion accessory. Also, Apple waited until they had the upgraded iPhone 3G before getting in to the Japanese market!
Steve Jobs took great delight in detailing what flash technology was included in the iPhone, and how it was revolutionary. The Japanese asked "Huh?"
1 comment:
Generally speaking, in North America, GSM operators use the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands, whereas in Europe and parts of Asia, they use the 900MHz and 1800Mhz bands. In this way, getting a quad-band GSM "world phone" is the best bet and it is typically a handset of this type that cell phone rental companies offer.
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jack
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