Millions around the world covet the iPhone, including little old me. It has been a success where ever it has bee introduced: the U.S, Britain, Germany and France, and now it looks like the device is about to hit one of the most important markets of all, Japan, in the coming year.
It has been reported that Steve Jobs has personally met with DoCoMo's president, Masao Nakamura, to discuss an offer to allow them to sell the iPhone in Japan, and also, that executives from both DoCoMo and Japan's No. 3 operator, Softbank, have both made multiple trips to Apple's headquarters in recent weeks.
Japan, as most of us know, is not only a very big market, but also a very sophisticated and technologically advanced one, and to make any inroads in Japan a cell phone provider or, in this case, manufacturer, such as Apple, needs to be just as sophisticated and technologically advanced or even more so to succeed.
Apple has yet to sigh a deal with the Chinese as Asian nations tend to think a differently than western nations. Japan, however, despite being an Oriental nation is in actuality far more Occidental in its thinking and should, hopefully, be an easier nation to do business with than China. So far any deal between Apple and the Chinese have failed because of Apple's demand to share revenues. At least, if this is the case with DoCoMo, Apple has Softbank to fall back on.
So, will the iPhone succeed in Japan? That, of course, is for the market to determine, but I think that if anybody or any product can succeed in Japan, Apple and the iPhone are the ones to do it. Already the iMac is a smash hit in Japan. I remember when the first Apple store opened in Tokyo's Ginza district the line ups lasted for blocks and blocks. Here's the Youtube video to prove my point that Apple can succeed in Japan!
The Japanese people and market may be sophisticated and advanced, but, then again, the iPhone is the most sophisticated and advanced phone in the world and I can't see it failing. We have to wait and see if and when the iPhone is released, but the betting is that it will be soon be in early 2008 and that the Japanese version on the iPhone, may be in fact, the very first one to sport the long sought after G3 capability.
We shall see.
And that is my 2 cents 4 this sunny, relatively warm, Tuesday, the 18th. of December, 2007.
Photo: Apple Japan
4 comments:
I am a diehard Windows user, but please don`t hate or think that this comment is bias. I am currently in Japan and the IPhone is out already (so is G3 technology). The IPod might be a big hit, but the Iphone is not and I don`t think it will be. It is expensive and does not offer any features that differ greatly from the phones here now. You have to remember, all cell phones here are currently free when you sign up for a contract. Another big issue is that the phones here are amazing when it comes to features. Blue tooth, GPS, TV, camera(still+video), music and internet are standard cell phone features here. Also, most phones have the option of using a mini SD card which could offer 4GB of memory. Lastly, text messaging is the most popular way of communicating in Japan. I am not sure how good the IPhone is with this but it better be spectacular if it expects to be a hit here. Just my two cents-Dread in Japan
http://sundanse.biz/blog
Thanks for your opinion. Yes, the Japanese have a lot to choose from and may not like the iPhone at all? However, DoCoMo and others are very interested in bringing the iPhone to Japan. The question is why? Obviously, despite what you say, they must feel not only that the Japanese would like to own the phone, but in significant numbers to justify doing business with Apple, a company, by the way, that is not necessarily the easiest to do business with.
Why would they do this? I am not sure to be completely honest. I think it is like the Hummers in Tokyo. There really is no need for them here as the streets are very narrow and difficult to navigate, however they are here as I have seen them. Even with Apple`s funky commercials for the Iphone, I have yet to see one person using it.
Thanks Sundance for your comment. Actually, Apple has yet to sell the iPhone in Japan. When they do, believe me, you will see more of them. First of all, the current iPhone isn't most likely the one the Japanese will get. I predict the Japanese will get a newer an more capable model, but time will tell?
Post a Comment