August 2008 – Asiajin

Oshaberi TV: Like Nico Nico Douga (almost) for digital TV programs

After 2 years of development, a new communication service called Oshaberi TV went into Public Beta this month (Oshaberi means talkative in Japanese). Oshaberi TV is not a TV station or program but a mix of a new technology reminiscent of Nico Nico Douga‘s super-successful “chat over video feed” function and community/forum. Essentially, Oshaberi enables… Continue reading Oshaberi TV: Like Nico Nico Douga (almost) for digital TV programs

Source Next takes USB Memory Software Package from CD-ROM

Packaged Software supplier Source Next will start selling their “USB Memory package” application from September 5th, 2008. Under the “U memo series” brand, they will sell their anti-virus software, cell phone data sync tool, greeting cards utility, etc. in 1MB USB memory. The memory can be used as a regular USB memory. It is explained… Continue reading Source Next takes USB Memory Software Package from CD-ROM

Twitter-like Mixi Echo keeps going

Despite of Twitter’s founder Evan Williams’ unplesant, Mixi’s microblogging feature “Mixi Echo” one month trial is announced to be extended for “uncertain period”. This feature was originally planned to be closed on September 1st 2008, however, because of “popular demand”, we decide to extend the period of service. The end date is undecided. Mixi’s main… Continue reading Twitter-like Mixi Echo keeps going

Evan Williams meets Japanese Twitter Users in Tokyo

Twitter Founder Evan Williams is visiting Tokyo. During his summer vacation a party was held among Japanese twitter fans and developers named “Eban Uiriamusu shi wo Kakomu Kai(A meeting to surround Mr. Evan Williams)”. He discussed with Japanse fans and developers for 90 minuites. Answering questions by questions. These are couple questions made from Japanase… Continue reading Evan Williams meets Japanese Twitter Users in Tokyo

Samurai Weapon – Blog Destroyer Widget

[NB: Sound is on by default] Samurai Weapon is a bilingual(Japanese/English) blog widget provided by a big Japanese game vendor Koei, as a promotion of their new Nintendo DS game “Kunitori Zunou Battle/Nobunaga no Yabou” (Strategic Battle/Nobunaga’s Ambition). On the widget, Samurai Warrior with his full armors will get irritated by your mouse touch. He… Continue reading Samurai Weapon – Blog Destroyer Widget

Web2.0 is dead in Japan

It sounds like a joke, but the Japanese company “Web2.0, Inc.” turns out to be in deadpool in coming September 2008. Web2.0 Inc. was established by Digital Garage, the nation leading event-ticket seller company Pia and the No.1 online price comparison service Kakaku.com on November 15th 2005 and offers Social Bookmark service PingKing. With the… Continue reading Web2.0 is dead in Japan

In Japan, Yahoo! does “Google Knol”

In English Web, No.1 Google tries to erode Wikipedia‘s territory by Knol. In Japan, interestingly, the champion portal Yahoo! Japan starts wiki based annotation service “Editable Related Info Area”(Kanren Johou Eria [J]) on their news site annex Yahoo! Japan News Topics. Here is the topic of “Beijin Olympic 2008” screenshot. You can see more than… Continue reading In Japan, Yahoo! does “Google Knol”

Mobage Town forays into PC web from mobile

Mobage Town, the Japan’s largest mobile social networking service(SNS) launched their “PC version” website on July 24th 2008. Mobage Town has made a totally new field “Cellularphone Social Network based on free games” and that success called many followers like GREE mobile, Puchige(Petit Game) Friends, Daishugou NEO, etc. PC SNS leader Mixi, has been providing… Continue reading Mobage Town forays into PC web from mobile

Open Web Asia ’08 conference announced

Open Web Asia ’08 conference has been announced to be held on 14th October 2008 in Seoul, Korea. 後ろに日本語の案内があります。 — “The first pan-Asia web technology event bringing together executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from throughout Asia” October 14 2008, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Seoul, Korea in association with the 9th World Knowledge Forum Open Web Asia… Continue reading Open Web Asia ’08 conference announced