Osaka-based catalog mail order giant Senshukai[J] is going to introduce an iPhone/iPod app allowing you to check up showcases filled with fashionable clothes. It is now under Apple’s consideration for upcoming release and will be available at AppStore next week.
Senshukai has an experimental website, which is called Bellmaison Lab[J], developing and demonstrating new services for the new-generation mail order schemes.
The new app is developed by a tech start-up Yappa, and based on a platform which is also used for Sankei Newspaper’s iPhone/iPod app. When you find something you wish to purchase, you will be connected to a sales representative on the phone by clicking an order button seen on the app screen.
I wonder why an ordering process cannot be completed on the app, and I suppose Apple might prohibit any kind of money-making transaction to be made through iPhone app platform, that’s why potential shoppers are forced to make a call for an order. Leafing through the catalog and an ordering process are separated, which might be good for fashion shopping addicts in order to control their desires.
July 7th Update:
We learned that Apple had announced to support in-app purhase feature on iPhone OS 3.0 and its later. As soon as the app supports the feature, you’ll be able to purchase an item without making a call to anyone. But If a merchandiser uses the feature, it has to pay 30% of the purchase price of each item to Apple.
http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/sdk/inapppurchase.html
Masaru IKEDA