Twitter has fast become one of the most used social platforms in the world today. We have to admit that while a huge number of its users are English speakers (or writers, maybe?), the market for non-English speakers is just as huge. This is perhaps the reason that Twitter has expanded and created its first ever foreign language mobile version: in Japanese.
You may not know it, but Japan is one of the few countries which have not been penetrated by social networking web sites! This may be a surprise, but it is true nonetheless. The Press Association has the story:
Twitter teamed up with Tokyo-based internet firm Digital Garage in early 2008. It launched a Japanese-language platform for PCs in the spring of 2008, and hired a Japan country manager earlier this year.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for us to see where we can go in Asia in general because Japan represents a leading edge, with advanced mobile usage,” said Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, who travelled to Tokyo for the launch. “Mobile is in Twitter’s DNA.”
It looks like Japan is going to be only the first of many other foreign language platforms. In the same report, it was said that in the near future, we can expect versions in Spanish, German, French, and Italian. More than the language, though, Twitter is going to use the Japan site to test other features that are not currently available in the English site. I wonder how the Japanese are going to respond to this move?
Posted October 18th, 2009 by Maki+ | Comment (1)
What is the number one past time in the whole world? I honestly do not have solid data about that, but I would go out on a limb here and say that whatever it is, it probably involves the TV. It could be watching TV shows; it could be watching movies on TV; it could be playing video games (which of course needs a TV screen).
This idea brings me to the conclusion that it is the reason behind the recent move of Japanese manufacturers – they are coming out with bigger and better TV screens. In a recent report by the Associated Press, they talked about big name brands in Japan coming out with 3D flat screen TVs. The CEATEC, the biggest consumer electronics show in Japan, showcased these TVs of the future. Jay Alabaster reports:
At the country’s biggest consumer electronics show, which opened Tuesday just outside of Tokyo, all the major makers had large 3-D prototypes on display. Visitors to company booths at the CEATEC show donned special electronic glasses and watched as soccer balls flew toward them in sports clips and virtual heroes dodged deep into the background of video games.
Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. have both said they will bring their first models to market next year. Details about what will be available to watch on the new TVs are still sparse, though the companies said they want to begin with movies and games.
Obviously, content is a big thing. It’s like the 1080p TVs of today – what use are they if what’s broadcasted on cable does not follow the standard? As such, we probably should not get too excited about the whole thing for now. We have to wait for the content providers to follow suit and provide 3D content before we shell out big bucks for this new TV set. Still, it is a portent of things to come – and it is looking good!
Photo courtesy of Gizmag
Posted October 6th, 2009 by Maki+ | Comment (1)
