(keitai-l) Re: How is it to see it the very first time?

From: Gustaf Rosell <gustaf_at_xpedio.com>
Date: 01/16/01
Message-Id: <5.0.2.1.2.20010116120209.034864c8@dogfood.xpedio.com>
At 07:14 2001-01-16 +0000, you wrote:
>Joran's point is very valid. One of the main differences (as we've touched
>on time and time again in this list) between Japan and the rest of the world
>is the customer focus. Apart from color (arriving in WAP as well) there
>isn't really that much difference technologically between I-Mode and WAP
>(Yes I know that there are some, but in reality not enough to create a
>substantial difference).

I do not agree at all. The important thing about the complete technical 
system is that it is good enough for people to start to use and get 
something that may be called an experience. The same level is just not yet 
reached in the western world. In my point of view, there are important 
technical differences which are necessary:

- the packet network
- ease of development of sites for low end systems (HTML etc.)
- ease of development of high end sites (links to backend structures)
- GIF images (possible in WAP with extensions, OK), esp. w. colour, JPG 
would be nice...
- email with emoji rather than SMS/Short mail
- marvelous handsets
- an OK billing system (could be a lot better)

Except for that there are of course all the market related aspects, where 
the fashion statement probably is the most important.

We may have all the same services (which is not completely true) in the 
western world. But if don't have at least some of the technical level as 
mentioned above, mobile Internet will just not happen. At least, that is 
what I think.

The question is when that may happen? It takes too much time now, and too 
much focus is on 3G and when or if that may happen.

/gustaf

>In Japan the focus has always been on the users,
>and in Europe the assumption was that the technology would create a market
>by itself. The results speak for themselves.
>
>Kristian
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>From:   Jöran Roslund (EMW) [mailto:Joran.Roslund@emw.ericsson.se]
>Sent:   Tuesday, January 16, 2001 10:56
>To:     'keitai-l@appelsiini.net'
>Subject:        (keitai-l) Re: How is it to see it the very first time?
>
>Hi,
>
>The advantages of i-mode you mention in these examples, aren't they merely
>an
>expression for the superb customer focus in Japan, rather than an inherent
>strength
>of i-mode?
>
> > > I think Tsutaya's site is incredible. It's got the latest
> > info on top music and
> > > rental videos/dvds, including the ability to sample top
> > songs, save as
> > > ringtones, get e-coupons for rentals, check official tour
> > info...a very
> > > comprehensive video/music entertainment site.
> > >
> > > r e n
> >
> > Definitely agree with Ren. Another example is the weather
> > site: you can pin-point
> > weather at precise location, check out the ski resort
> > conditions (which worked
> > great last Sunday when we went to Yuzawa), you can look at
> > the satellite
> > weather picture, get a week's forecast, get typhoon maps and
> > projections,
> > find out what the weather in Stockholm and New York is, see
> > where to surf,
> > check how much the ski pass costs and when the ski lifts open
> > and close,
> > etc etc
> >
> > Here is a question to those Europeans who find imode similar to what's
> > on offer
> > on WAP in Europe: please let me know which WAP service on a european
> > cell phone
> > shows me the up-to-date satelite weather image in color and
> > pretty nice resolution
> > AND tells me all the details of snow conditions in all the
> > ski resorts etc...
> >
> > By the way, in a recent conference which REN also attended,
> > one of the European
> > participants mentioned weather services as one of those
> > boring things nobody
> > wants... oh-boy what does he/she know...
> >
>
>He's right. In Gothenburg where I live it always rains, so there's no
>need to check the forecast. :-)
>
>
>Joran
>
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>
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Received on Tue Jan 16 13:06:52 2001