Japan to push its whiz-bang handsets overseas

With Japanese handset sales declining pretty much across the board (thanks, lower subsidies!), it follows logic that the government and Japanese-based handset makers would look internationally to pick up the slack. In a rather vague report, we're told that the nation is hoping to push its technologically advanced mobiles in other countries, though it'll have a tough time marketing mobile TV without sufficient infrastructure. One of the token handsets chosen to lead the parade is a Sony-made "wallet phone," which is only described as having cashless technology built in. Color us (very) mildly enthused.

[who? @ Aug 20th 2008 1:43AM]

Don't we have something that will stop all of the ones that are rip-offs (*cough* Meizu *cough*) from beeing sold here in the USA?

I think it was the F see see or something like that...

[Matt @ Aug 20th 2008 2:31AM]

What the hell are you taling about? Japanese phones aren't rip off phones. Google Softbank, or NTT DoCoMo and take a look. They're the best looking phones ever.

Also, the Meizu M8 is a CHINESE phone.

[who? @ Aug 20th 2008 12:14PM]

I said "the ones that are rip-offs" so obviously I was not referring to all of the cell phones. However, there are a few fakes/copycats there that would be against the law to market here, that was all I was trying to point out. I am fully aware of the fact that anyone can have an original idea. Good day.

[go seki @ Aug 20th 2008 1:45AM]

Fan bloody tastic ,, Can't wait to see what they finally let out the door.

[Cellenin @ Aug 20th 2008 1:47AM]

About god damn time. I am in need of some Keitai.

[simon @ Aug 20th 2008 1:56AM]

Are you (very) mildly enthused because it's a mobile that's not made by...

[Colin Potter @ Aug 20th 2008 2:06AM]

HTC?

Their phones are waaaaay nicer than the iPhone.

[Craig @ Aug 20th 2008 1:56AM]

I live in Tokyo and I have to say I am not very impressed by the phones. They do have some features we don't have in the states like full digital TV, electronic wallets etc... but their phones have the same crappy user interfaces that plague most phones around the world. Luckily I was able to pick up an iPhone over the weekend ending that problem.

[nDee @ Aug 20th 2008 6:45AM]

Just look at how everyone uses their phone e-mailing all time:
Students, housewives, elderly
Seems no body suffer from crappy UI.

[90 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:25PM]

Go try buying Nokia in average phone shop. See what response you will have. they say it's "difficult to use" and is "not recommended for most of people". the crappy interface has printed on their brains.

btw did you know NM706i(based on Nokia 6124c) can't run native symbian apps?

[Liquid Spark @ Aug 20th 2008 2:16AM]

Should be good. More competition at least....

[allenvanhellen @ Aug 20th 2008 2:11AM]

Wait, does this mean I could finally have a phone that would work EVERYWHERE, like GSM and UMTS countries INCLUDING South Korea and Japan?

[Kenta @ Aug 20th 2008 3:18AM]

So finally, they decide to expand.

Personally I don't see any bad for the company to share some of their technologies to other paths of the world. I live in Europe and feel boring to the same same features their mobile can give. A new phone is coming and the discussion will no go further than more pixel count for digital camera, 3G or not, touchscreen ? or just how big the LCD is.

Maybe it is just me, but I believe some of you guys would read a news for mobilephone these days by looking at those keywords for features. It is boring that way, ... to me.

If it would change to something else, rather than keep going the same way for another 5 years, I think I would love to see.

[)law( @ Aug 20th 2008 3:20AM]

About damn time, I will take the model as well. Hot phones and hot girls oh yea

[imgroupie @ Aug 20th 2008 3:43AM]

ha ha! hot girls and hot phones. that's awesome :) i can take that anytime.

u know that 90% of Japanese phones are 3G?

more for the better

[acekyoto @ Aug 20th 2008 3:54AM]

Do you also know that about 90% of Japanese girls are hot?

[RichinJapan @ Aug 20th 2008 4:20AM]

"Do you also know that about 90% of Japanese girls are hot?"

You've never actually lived in Japan have you?

[imgroupie @ Aug 20th 2008 4:05AM]

hell yeah! i hope so.

[YpoCaramel @ Aug 20th 2008 9:12AM]

They've been selling the Sharp SX862 in HK, which is pretty much a Japan phone without features that only work in Japan. Very nice, should work on T-Mobile too...

http://www.gsmarena.com/sharp_sx862-2371.php

[question @ Aug 20th 2008 9:02AM]

does anyone know what phone is being shown in that picture?

[Slim @ Aug 20th 2008 3:14PM]

Sharp 905 SH. I have one which I bought in japan... awesome phone, but does not work outside japan as it is WCDMA and locked solid!!

[TheStupidOne @ Aug 20th 2008 10:05AM]

Nice phones, but like others have stated most people would not use all the features available let alone if their is necessary infrastructure even though MobileTV is already being rolled out. Another thing to worry about is security since the most US companies lack the incentive to immediately protect their customers personal information. For example, someone can home in and pick up your cellphone number, then use it to not only sell to others who either use it to help cover their tracks. Then sell it to parties who in tern end up handing them to solicitors who can use the number to gain further information thus end up faxing you erroneous crap. Now there is a way the carrier can put a 20 digit encryption over any call that is being sent, but because businesses are only held accountable to fix fraud once it happens they don't grant it to customers until after the fact and then credit whatever rings up on the bill.

So can you imagine the potential danger of then having an RFID reader with credit card and account information on your phone? Another thing is unlike in Japan where everything down to the street corner vending machine has RFID readers. In the US they are only dominant in wholesale as well as commercial shipping and there are no federal incentives to bring the technology to the consumer. In fact, I would wager that we would see vending machines with Debit/Credit card readers first.

All in all if imported and placed with the right carriers those phones would make a good IT and inventory checking phones as well as others being a boutique gadget or for those that want to even feel more distinguished then an iPhone owner.

[tekdemon @ Aug 21st 2008 7:31PM]

Man I've wanted one of those Japan only units for a looong time but the locking on the Sharp units has made them completely useless in the US =(

[Nathan @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:50PM]

Sell any phone made by AU in the American market and I will buy it RIGHT NOW. As long as they maintain their style, screens, and functions I will pay even full price over them. Some AU phones beat an iPhone hands down, no competition.