Kyoto-based tech start-up running Japan’s largest social bookmarking service Hatena[J] (meaning a question mark in Japanese) set up a new entrance specifically designed for the iPhone/iPod touch[J] today. Hatena Bookmark has a Digg-like feature allowing you to record the links of the websites that you have browsed and to share them with the other users. … Continue reading Hatena Bookmark for iPhone: Simply Rotate Yours To Share Your Favorites
Category: New Service
CyberAgent Launches Twitter Clone Called “Ameba Now!”
Shibuya-based social media service company Cyber Agent launched a Twitter-like micro message service called “Ameba Now[J]” today. As a Japanese Internet slang, “now” is frequently used in a Twitter message telling other Twitterers where you are, such as “Shibuya Now!” and “Akihabara Now!”. That company’s new service name comes from it. As Serkan Toto mentioned… Continue reading CyberAgent Launches Twitter Clone Called “Ameba Now!”
Hatena Testing Reconstructed Microblog Service Haiku2
Hatena, Kyoto-based web startup known by their geek users, the most popular social bookmark service Hatena Bookmark, and recent collaboration with Nintendo DS on Ugomemo Hatena (Flipnote Hatena for oversea), announces that they are running closed-beta test of their microblog service Hatena Haiku’s new version Hatena Haiku2 [J] (currently shows error page). Initially 1,000, currently… Continue reading Hatena Testing Reconstructed Microblog Service Haiku2
Google Releases Google Japanese Input (Beta)
Google Japan’s development section announced on Google Japan official blog [J] a project started from their famous 20% rule” produced a new Japanese input method “Google Japanese Input” application, both for Windows and Macintosh (currently for Intel 32 bit only, no 64 bit support). After installation, you may choose Google IME(Input Method Environment) on your… Continue reading Google Releases Google Japanese Input (Beta)
Augmented Reality in Shibuya: Allows Street Walkers To Tag Anything Around The Town
In association with Japan’s National Institute of Informatics, NEC and Tokyu Agency(ad agency), Tokyu Corporation, which operates major railway lines including Shibuya-Yokohama, started today the trial of an augmented reality service “Pin@clip[J]” (pronounced “Pina-Kuri”, and named after pins and clips) using iPhone for commuters and shoppers in the Shibuya area, which allows you to tag… Continue reading Augmented Reality in Shibuya: Allows Street Walkers To Tag Anything Around The Town
Exclusive Interview: How Does myGengo’s String Help Site Translation?
We’ve covered myGengo, web-based human translation service startup in Japan on our previous article on translation tools in June. Since then, while publishing Twitter account translations and an in-depth industry report, they’ve been busy working on a new feature called String. I got to talk with Matt Romaine and Rob Laing from the team about… Continue reading Exclusive Interview: How Does myGengo’s String Help Site Translation?
News In Manga Style – Two Manga-News Sites Show Up
Two manga-style news are launching within a month in Japan. Manga no Shimbun Manga no Shimbun(Manga Newspaper) is a website offers news in Japanese comic style, launched October 15th 2009 by KaBa Net [J]. Manga no Shimbun covers four categories, Politics/Economy, International, Society and Entertainment/Sports. On the launch announcement [J], also in manga by (probably)… Continue reading News In Manga Style – Two Manga-News Sites Show Up
Shueisha And MS To Start Distributing Dragon Ball For WinMo In Japan, U.S. And Europe
Microsoft Japan announced yesterday that it would launch Windows Marketplace for Mobile in Japan next month. The company already started the service in the U.S. last month. Similarly to Apple’s AppStore and Google’s Android Market, mobile software developers will have opportunities to sell their application titles to Windows Mobile(WinMo) users all around the world. As… Continue reading Shueisha And MS To Start Distributing Dragon Ball For WinMo In Japan, U.S. And Europe
All Nippon Airways To Start iPhone/iPod Connection Service On NRT-JFK Flights
Japan’s second largest airliner ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced they would start a new service on selected flights between NRT (Narita International, Tokyo) and JFK (John F. Kennedy International, New York) next February, which makes all passengers (including economy class seats) on the flights possible to connect their iPhone/iPod to the in-flight personal entertainment system.… Continue reading All Nippon Airways To Start iPhone/iPod Connection Service On NRT-JFK Flights
Smart.fm Releases iPhone App To Help You Learn Wherever You Are
Tokyo-based online language learning site Smart.fm (operated by Cerego Japan) just released an iPhone app yesterday, which lets you not to miss an opportunity to learn even in desperately crowded commutes every morning. For the service’s web edition intended for PC users, they changed the web development framework from Flash to JavaScript, and in this… Continue reading Smart.fm Releases iPhone App To Help You Learn Wherever You Are