Category: Technology
Cell phone and internet usage is more integrated in daily lives in Japan than it is in the U.S. In 2004 there were an estimated 75 million mobile phone internet access subcribers in Japan, and in 2005 that number grew to 80.1 million. 94.2 % of email user in Japan access the internet by PC and 87.7% access by mobile phones.
Many Japanese web sites are made especially to be viewed by cell phone users. Checking train schedules, buying movie and concert tickets, searching for restaurants are everyday cell phone functions. Updating blogs from cell phones, or reading full length novels are common.
Japanese send emails from cell phones as readily as Americans send emails from their PCs. Phone buyers receive a cell phone email address, something like phonenumber@docomo.co.jp or mixed characters@docomo.co.jp to avoid spam. Unlike Short Messaging Service (SMS) or text messaging, where you send short text and numeric messages, the message is written and delivered as a full-functioning email.
Almost all Japaense phones come with cameras; sending pictures or short movies from cell phones is frequent. The Japanese public transportation system is massive and efficient, and so most people leave their automobiles at home, using them only for weekend recreational activities. The commutes are often long and tedious with much time spent waiting for rides or traveling the transportation system. Devices with multiple function, offering phoning, emailing, web browsing, music and so on, come in handy, particularly if the multi-function device is easy to carry.
If you have a Global Positioning System (GPS) phone, i-mode, which is an internet service provided by Docomo, a leading cell phone company in Japan, you can easily obtain maps, weather, traffic, and shopping information, specific to your local area. Browsing an auction site, betting, and purchasing items from cell phone is possible. You don’t want to miss out on deals!
If you have a TV phone function on your cell phone, you can view a person who you are talking to while you are having a conversation. Click play button to view a TV commercial.
Cell phones activitated with GPS services are not common in the U.S. yet, but according to the Boston Globe, “Americans bought 2.62 million GPS units last year, and that the number will jump to 22.2 million in 2011.”
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http://www.law.duke.edu/journals/dltr/articles/2002dltr0021.html
Japanese and European Spam Controls
For many years Japan, Korean and Europe have been far ahead of the U.S. in the realm of third generation network services effecting cell phone usage and internet.
In the US early cell phone networks gained a monopolistic hold of the market and have prevented expansion based on their control over the market. Despite the stronghold, third generation networks do seem to be finally evolving in the US.
Examining cell phone usage patterns in Asia and Europe, the move to third-generation services also exponentially increases problems related to spam control.
In Europe and Asia, every message transmitted from and received by a cell phone user is billed to cell phone user’s account, including unsolicited phone messages, otherwise known as spam. In the early days of cellular spam control, Japanese users were able to decrease spam messages by 1) changing their email address, and 2) blocking email addresses from unknown sources.
In Japan spam regulation evolved using opt-out formulas; the user must opt-out of an advertiser’s list and then set blocks to stop receiving the advertisers unsolicited messages. Advertisers must also supply a subject line that users can see before the message is downloaded. Users may opt to delete the message before it is downloaded, based on the subject line.
In Europe, regulation was developed through the Council of the European Union via the opt-in model; cell phone users must subscribe to an advertiser’s list before the advertiser may send messages to that user.
Because cell phones can track user location data, this capability adds new layers to privacy concerns. The European marketplace found it necessary to control this by requiring user opt-ins permitting the release of personal information regarding location to advertisers.
Comment by brandblogs 05.28.06 @ 6:05 pmM:Metrics, headquartered in Seattle, is a reaserch firm that tracks wireless technology trends.
In a recent study, they report that 57% of youth, ages 13 - 17 have cell phones; 80% of adults, 18 years and older own a phone.
Teens 13 - 17 are more likely than any other age group, to use a braod range of cell phone services, including cell phone TV.
Age group 18 - 24 are more like than the younger group to take cell phone photos and buy ringtones.
Parents want their kids to have cell phones for safety reasons. The parents foot the bills, yet, the biggest consumers of cell phone features are the kids. Messaing games, online shoppping, reataurants and movie info, kids use their phone like the Europeans and Asians.
http://www.adage.com/americandemographics/article?article_id=108555
Comment by brandblogs 06.02.06 @ 3:01 amScarborough Research, a US firm that measures the lifstyle and shopping paterns of American consumers, released a report on June 5th that points to the potential buying power of the commuter market in the US. Commuters are more likely than the average consumer to purchase mobile internet connectivity and electronic devices such as PDAs and MP3 players.
Comment by brandblogs 06.08.06 @ 2:33 pmPost a comment
