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Why the iPhone is a Failure in Japan
Almost everyone in the world loves the iPhone. After all, it's made record sales since its launch (over 10 million in 2008 alone), quickly making Apple the third-largest mobile supplier in the world in a very, very short time. But there's one place the so-called "Jesus phone" can't seem to get a grip: Japan.
To many, this might seem ironic since we see the iPhone as extremely technologically advanced, and the Japanese are typically known for their futuristic devices. But in reality, the iPhone is seen as almost too low tech in the country. What? When you compare the iPhone's feature set with those of common Japanese cell phones, which often include video and live television, the discrepancy makes more sense.
Of course, this isn't the only reason. There's also the comparatively high cost of the iPhone's monthly plans, and the fact that, in order to get the most out of an iPhone, the user needs to sync it with a computer. This presents a definite hurdle, considering the fact that many Japanese people don't use a computer at home, instead relying on -- you guessed it -- their phones as their primary computing devices. If you ask us, Apple should come up with an iPhone mascot; that would do wonders for sales. [From: Wired]
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Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsTmoBinMar 2nd 2009 12:55PM
I would like to know exactly how the iPhone could be considered "technologically advanced." There's nothing "advanced" about it except maybe the software. ALL the hardware in that phone is 3-5 years old, so i would definitely rephrase.
wakoMar 2nd 2009 2:18PM
if you dont consider software advancement a technological advancement you are a fool
Pak-KeiMar 2nd 2009 1:52PM
A full touchscreen multi-touch finger-friendly phone is the first of its kind. Didn't Engadget or Gizmodo just write an article about how much the UIs in Japan sucks? I think the problem is not because iPhone is not "technologically advanced", it's just that the Japanese love for live video or television is inexplicable, and they completely lag behind in terms of Web 2.0 applications.
Honestly, who but Average Joes are convinced by those V-Cast live television? The US is already beyond the age of television.
euphoriMar 29th 2009 12:20PM
maybe iphone is the best touchscreen device out there, but it's 5 years older in terms of technology..
is it technologically advance just because of the software?
mobile phones here in japan have high levels of sophistication
not just for watching tv but also for riding a bus, train, e wallet, etc.
its everything.
DarkLightMar 2nd 2009 5:28PM
First off, the iPhone's software is not advanced technology... It doesn't even have copy/paste. Graphic art doesn't count as technology.
Second, the iPhone actually sucks.... It looks prettier than other phones, and it does have one cool feature (the accelerometer), but those are superfluous features that do not actually do anything...
And on the other hand, it lacks A LOT of features that are actually helpful
Only sheeps like the iPhone. (Or the iPod, or Macs, or any product from Apple for that matter)
ecco6t9Mar 2nd 2009 6:22PM
I've got to agree the only reason I want the iPhone is for the games that it has and nothing more.
DachMar 2nd 2009 6:55PM
The other BIG reason the iPhone is a failure in Japan? There's no place to hang a phone strap from it.
It might sound silly to Americans, but the Japanese LOVE to hang things from their phones. Sometimes LOTS of things. Often, I've seen the charms and mascots outweigh the phone itself. Clearly Apple underestimated the appeal of the strap. Bad Apple!
nipponjaykMar 16th 2009 9:33PM
Oh how rude! I'm no sheep!
The iphone doesn't have a few things most Jap phones do: the strap hole and the highly intricate menus combine with the no bluetooth, no infrared and no tv to make a comparatively deficient device. Despite the reputation, Japan isn't the technological civilisation par excellence: there isn't wi-fi in every shop and on every corner.
Most people here are using their mobiles to chat on email, and the keyboard on the iph isnt the easiest to use. Compared to phones in eu and oz, most j-mobiles are years ahead, and they have it by providing a maximum number of functions.
Personally, i dont need or want a million functions, strap hole or intricate menus, but a music player, msg device and bluetooth. The thing that really interests me about the iph are the apps! THAT is the functionality that is a lot more advanced than anything else.
The iphs approach with a simple menu is probably the worst mistake for this market closely followed by the lack of a strap hole. A little market research couldnt have hurt i guess.