This app can be used everywhere, but probably it is only needed in Tokyo. Densha de Suwaru (sitting down on train) by Velc is a newly released free iPhone application to make your own database of passengers whom you commute with every morning and night. On the app, for each other passenger you will make… Continue reading iPhone App Helps You Predict Next Vacant Seat On Commuting Train
Zaim: The Socialized Cashbook App Helps You Find Better Ways To Save Daily Expenses
Takako Kansai[J] (@kansai_takako), a full-time engineer at Tokyo’s web service start-up and also the best known tech geek girl in this country, just released her first iPhone app called Zaim on Tuesday. Zaim, meaning “financial affairs” in the Japanese pronunciation, makes you possible to easily note where you have bought something, what you have bought,… Continue reading Zaim: The Socialized Cashbook App Helps You Find Better Ways To Save Daily Expenses
Japan’s Biggest Location-Based Game Colopl Hits 2 Million Users
In 2005, long before Foursquare and other LBS became available in the US and elsewhere, cell phone users in Japan were able to play a GPS game called “Coloni-na Seikatsu Plus” (Colony life☆PLUS” or Colopl) on their cell phones. In the game, players build up a colony, which requires a virtual currency called Pura to… Continue reading Japan’s Biggest Location-Based Game Colopl Hits 2 Million Users
Event Wrap-up: Echelon 2011 And More, A Visit To Singapore In June
Almost a month ago, there was an international technology and start-up showcase event, which is called Echelon, at the National University of Singapore. Because of many things to do remaining after the event, I delayed making a write-up on it. I think this year’s Echelon was its second edition, and that took place on June… Continue reading Event Wrap-up: Echelon 2011 And More, A Visit To Singapore In June
Lady Gaga Kicked Out From YouTube By Uploading SMAP Program
Lady Gaga’s Japan visit was a sensation, left a lot of news with celebrities including Japanese’ Ophra Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, prime minister Naoto Kan and SMAP, long-time ruling boys unit. Lady Gaga’s appearance on Japanese TV was estimated 135 million dollars worth [J] if it was advertising. Gaga is recognized as a celebrity who directly talk… Continue reading Lady Gaga Kicked Out From YouTube By Uploading SMAP Program
Apple Lowering iPhone App Store Prices For Yen: 115 becomes 85
Japanese Yen has been staying high against US dollars, especially last year. Apple finally thinks its 115 yen(US$1.45) is too much for $0.99 apps. @kokubucamera reported [J] that all 115 yen iOS apps are now sold at 85 yen, which is $1.08 on today’s rate, about 26% discount this morning. 230 yen app is now… Continue reading Apple Lowering iPhone App Store Prices For Yen: 115 becomes 85
Twitter Finally Supports Japanese Hashtag
Official Japanese Twitter blog announced [J] today that Twitter is now capable of Japanese character hashtags. Now when you use # or its Japanese version ＃ followed by Japanese keywords on your tweet, that will be automatically linked on Twitter. As Japanese is not a language separated by spaces, it is a bit tricky to… Continue reading Twitter Finally Supports Japanese Hashtag
August’s Startup Weekend Events To Take Place In Tokyo, Kyoto And Fukuoka
In the next month, it will be the hottest summer ever which is filled with a number of start-up events. Jonny Li, a Tokyo-based British start-up curator and also known as a partner for the Startup Weekend organization, announced he would hold its 54-hour weekend events in Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka. The events are to… Continue reading August’s Startup Weekend Events To Take Place In Tokyo, Kyoto And Fukuoka
Mobage And Gree Both To Bring Their Flash Games Into Smartphone
Two huge Japanese social gaming networks who are working on oversea expansion showed a new move to utilize their accumulated assets on Japanese feature phone world – Flash based games. On June 30, Mobage company DeNA announced [J] that they had purchased Broadtail, a Tokyo-based tech start-up, who developed a tool named “ExGame” to run… Continue reading Mobage And Gree Both To Bring Their Flash Games Into Smartphone
Facebook Spot Information Is Jacked By A Giant Japanese Coupon Business Player
Facebook Spot Information is becoming popular in Japan after Facebook had started Check-in Coupon (Check-in Deals) in Japan. Facebook Japan Holds An New Coupon Service Launch Event In Shibuya The problem arouse when Recruit[E], Japan’s largest coupon business player, registered spot information of restaurants on behalf of restaurant owners without enough notification. Hitoshi Nakamura(twitter id:… Continue reading Facebook Spot Information Is Jacked By A Giant Japanese Coupon Business Player