Modified “iPhone”for Japan??
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Compiled by Teri Mitchell   | Published Sep 2007

Softbank Corp. (Japan) and Apple Computer Inc. (U.S.) have agreed toally on a cellular business in Japan. They are to co-develop and launch mobile phone handsets with built-in “iPod” digital music players, as early as this year, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in May.

Those phones can download songs directly from Apple’s iTune Music Store.

Softbank, who entered into the mobile phone market by purchasing Voda Phone Japan, expects the high brand-power and KDDI (au).

Softbank President Masayoshi Son and Apple CEO Steve Jobs have already met and reached a basic agreement on the cell phone partnership.

The two companies will fi rst develop a 3G (3rd generation) cell phone model that incorporates functions reminiscent of Apple’s popular iPod, eliminating the need for consumers to carry two separate devices.

The device is expected to carry both the Softbank and Apple brands.

It was great disappointment for people in Japan to know the world sensational iPhone cannot be used over there only because the Japan’s mobile telecommunication standards is not compatible with the iPhone. But now they have great hope. Furthermore, it’s never a crazy idea that they may have a better one than the iPhone here.

Japan’s standards

PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) - Developed in 1991 in Japan. Available only in Japan.

iPhone’s standards
GSM / EDGE (Global System for Mobile / Enhanced Data rates for GSM)

GSM - Used in more than 210 countries in North America, Europe, Asia (excludes Japan and Korea), Africa, Oceania and Latin America