NTT defends lack of iPhone, professes interest
updated 10:05 am EDT, Fri June 20, 2008
NTT DoCoMo on iPhone 3G
NTT DoCoMo is defending its inability to secure an iPhone deal, writes Japan's Impress Watch. Speaking at a shareholder meeting, DoCoMo CEO Masao Nakamura has stated that while the iPhone is attractive and has an appealing fanbase, many of its features are already present on the likes of LG's Prada touchscreen phone, or the Sharp SH906i. The first iPhone was also unusually heavy, says Nakamura, although he appreciates that the 3G model weighs only 4.7 ounces.
The executive adds that although he cannot discuss the details of any negotiations due to confidentiality agreements, DoCoMo continues to be interested in the iPhone, and is still pursuing a future deal with Apple. To date the only announced Japanese carrier for the iPhone 3G is SoftBank, which is actually the third-largest cellphone carrier in the country after DoCoMo and KDDI. A recent study suggests, however, that some 91 percent of the Japanese public are not planning to buy the device.
the old...
06/20, 10:35am reply
..."We don't need it! But we'd like to have it! But if we don't get it, that's OK, because it really isn't anything different. But we're trying to secure it." double-speak.
testudo
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need vs want
06/20, 10:46am reply
Much of what the japanese do is want vs need. The question is how much do they want it.....
Then again maybe Jobs will have to develop a Japanese model that is smaller. ??? LOL
Eldernorm
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...a survey...
06/20, 10:57am (1 reply) reply
...based on results from before the iPhone 3G was even known about... yeah, right!
ZinkDifferent
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problem for Japan is
06/20, 11:00am reply
That the iPhone does not have a wrist strap. Where else will they hang their chibi thingy figure/animal/whatever? And there is no flashing antenna either ;)
chadpengar
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NTT does not get it
06/20, 11:04am reply
Again, ignorant comments from those without the iPhone: "many of its features are already present on the likes of LG's Prada touchscreen phone, or the Sharp SH906i."
It is not about a checklist of features. My Nokia N95 had more features than the iPhone. But it sucked and the features were next to useless due to usability and implementation issues.
The iPhone is the most usable phone on the market by far.
chadpengar
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Japan is not America
06/20, 11:07am reply
They can buy phones that hang off their wrist with more features than the iPhone for a few dollars. The Japanese actually like their phones being difficult as it gives them something to do on very long commutes. I kid you not. It's like a puzzle.
And the Japanese I know in NYC are not impressed at all other than a few women who thinks it soo cute until they see the grease stains.
henjin
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9% do want it
06/20, 11:15am reply
News reporting at it's finest. 91% don't want it... but 9% do. Which is huge. The linked article says nearly all the rest, 8.9% do plan to buy an iPhone. That's going to be somewhere between 5 and ten million iPhones sold.
Only 9% of Japan will buy it? Yeah, let's cancel that whole iPhone thing :-0
gperks
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re: 9% do want it
06/20, 11:19am reply
That rating is incredibly poor though next to the demand in the United States.
Roger@MacNN
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Japanese phones
06/20, 11:43am reply
Japanese people like buying phones with a billion features so that when they are on the subway, they can spend a few minutes discovering a new one and clap happily!
dagamer34
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Japan cellphone : weird
06/20, 11:45am (1 reply) reply
Japanese are buying cellphones on bullet point features, size, cuteness and other obscure factors. Actual usability is not part of the equation.
Guest
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