Internet
ò Google announced that it is opening the Japanese-language version of its email service to anyone who wants to sign up. With the deal, Japan becomes the third market after Australia and New Zealand in which the US internet conglomerate has allowed open access to GMail, which it offers in more than 40 different languages. In other markets, signups are limited to those who receive email invitations from existing users or access it via mobile phones. GMail generates revenue for Google as an automated system displays advertisements linked to the details of emails sent and received. Google, however, does not disclose the number of Gmail accounts, a free service it launched in 2004.
Mobile/Wireless
ò NTT DoCoMo announced that it will launch a new mobile phone that lets customers download music and video clips about 10 times faster than existing models. The company said the countryÆs first HSDPA high-speed downlink packet, and handset made by NEC Corp, will be available, making it the first operator in the country to offer the faster wireless network. DoCoMo will first offer HSDPA connection in major cities and aims for nationwide coverage by March 2008. NTT DoCoMo joins companies such US-based Cingular Wireless and Britain's Vodafone Group, which also are rolling out HSDPA in their markets. These carriers use the globally dominant W-CDMA wireless standard.
ò KDDI Corp. announced its plan to invest some Ñ200 billion ($1.7 billion) over the next three years to upgrade its wireless network. The company said it plans to deploy a CDMA EV-DO Rev.A network in December, which is an upgrade to its existing mobile phone infrastructure that could offer calls over the internet and faster video downloads. Industry observers see the move as an attempt on the part of KDDI to get some of NTT DoCoMo's 56% market share in Japan's 93 million mobile phone subscriber market with faster networks and services such as music downloading and a search engine from Google Inc. EV-DO is based on CDMA.
Hardware
ò Microsoft confirmed the reports that it has chosen Toshiba to produce the forthcoming Zune music player, a product designed by the company to take on Apple Computer's iPod. The confirmation followed reports of a regulatory filing Toshiba made to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that mentions the device and its features. In addition to the name "Zune," the device is also referred to in Toshiba's filing by the code name "Pyxis". According to the Zune user's manual included in the filing, the player will include 30 gigabytes of storage, wireless capabilities, and an FM radio tuner. The wireless capabilities will allow users to search for other Zune devices within range and share music, photos, playlists, and other media content with those devices, according to Microsoft. Toshiba has a long partnership using Microsoft's software in its products, with the alliance going back to its first laptop in 1980s.
Korea
Internet
ò Cyworld, the most popular internet blog service in South Korea, announced that it is widening its service to Southeast Asian countries, hoping that it can carry on the Hallyu (Korean wave) phenomenon started by movies, soap operas, and computer games. Earlier, SK Communications has launched the localised version of Cyworld in Taiwan. The company said it is planning to expand to other countries in the region, starting with Vietnam as soon as this year, and then Thailand. The company regards China and Southeast Asian countries as the main targets and stated how it couldnÆt overlook the Southeast Asian region, due to population in the area. Before Cyworld became a phenomenon, it was movies, TV dramas, and online computer games winning over Southeast Asia.
Mobile/Wireless
ò KTF, in cooperation with EGTEK, said it has launched ''Love Detector,'' a service that analyses the voice of the party on the other end of the mobile conversation every ten seconds. The data is available in the form of a multimedia message sent immediately after the conversation is finished, showing by indexes the levels of embarrassment, concentration, anticipation, as well as affection. To initiate the service, one should punch in 42 first, followed by the mobile number of the other party, before pressing the call button. The other party will be unaware his or her conversation being monitored. KTF officials said the basic technologies used in their new services originated from the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in their counterintelligence operations, and these technologies are applied in a wide range of areas from security and business to medicine.
ò SK Telecom announced the launching of its Mobile Karaoke Book services, through which people can search songs with their mobile phones at karaoke rooms of karaoke machine manufacturers Taejin and Gumyoung. With the offering, customers can search songs both by title and by artist name. Through a feature called 'My Song Box,' people can save the code numbers of their favorite songs. Also, all songs are connected to rings, tones, and mobile karaoke room services, so that songs heard offline could be used online as integrated music content. By the end of this year, users can register their mobile phone number into the karaoke machine, and songs saved in 'My Song Box' are retrieved and automatically reserved. SKT said data usage is free for this service and customers using the flat fee plan for wireless internet can use it.
Hardware
ò Electronics makers are introducing new devices that stop people from peeking at otherÆs laptops and mobile phones, with LG.Philips LCD introducing a prototype of an LCD monitor that can shift its viewing angle between 180 degrees and 80 degrees at the press of a button. When the privacy function is activated, the screen instantly clouds over for people viewing from the side, while it is still visible to persons directly in front of the monitor. When turned off, the blurring effect quickly goes away and the screen provides a wider view. The company said the technology will soon be on laptops to help users keep their personal or sensitive information safe on airplanes, subways or in other public places. The company said cash dispensers are also a possible application for the technology.
Telecommunications
ò KT Corp., South Korea's largest fixed-line and broadband operator, announced that it will send its fourth commercial satellite into orbit from the Pacific Ocean this week, marking the nation's first satellite launch from the open sea. The satellite will replace the Koreasat-2 satellite in providing wireless communications and broadcasting services, the company said. Unlike previous KT satellites that helped telecommunications in local areas, the Koreasat-5 will cover other Asian countries, including Japan, China, the Philippines and Taiwan. The company said the satellite will start its service after four months of testing. Sea Launch, a joint venture established in 1995 by Boeing Co. of the United States, Energia of Russia and several European companies, has led the launch of Koreasat-5. With this move, KT now has three communications satellites in orbit.
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