Nanapho Brings us Some Great Info on the New Fujitsu-Toshiba Phone

Here is far more information than you will find and I may have to take a trip to Harajuku just to hold one of these. Obviously, not quite ready for prime time, but the September official release is just around the corner. It will be fun to see what changes come and which devices will hit the market to compete with the Fujitsu. Read more...

Japanese Carriers are Going to Teach AT&T a thing or 2 about Marketing

Just hours after the unveiling of the newest Windows Phone, and the first Mango device, Japan has already shown a thing or two about sharp, over the top advertising and marketing. While it can't be purchased yet, the electronic stores in Tokyo will soon be flooded with new Smartphones unlike any on the shelves currently. While the iPhone and Android platforms will still be prominently displayed, there is going to be a splash of color, uniformed sales people hawking the phones and plans out front, and shelves of devices to check out. See one example of the marketing here...

Japanese Mango Video Sports Front-Facing Camera?

I will be interested to find out more about this device. Note the tape that covers the manufacturer's logo on the top, and tape down below where perhaps the carrier might be listed. Most intriguing, is what appears to be a front-facing camera in the upper right-hand corner. Read more...

MSN Japan Feature

With the realease of WP7 in Japan imminent, here is a site outlining features for the Japanese market, including text entry with flick, the People Hub and more. Read more...

Japanese Windows Phone Site Updates with Manago

New video on the Japanese Winodws Phone site shows localiztion of the App Marketplace with Navitime and Mixi, among ther Japan-specific services. Read more...

Rumor of late August Launch of Fujitsu Phone

Some ar saying that KKDI (AU) will introduce the first new Mango WP7 phone in Japan. It is clear from recent events and videos that the update is nearly ready, and a flurry of new devices have either been shown or are rumored in development. If this is true, other manufacturers and carriers in Japan can not be far behind. Read more...

New WP7 Devices Shown

Here is a video to warm my heart. The first showing of one Fujitsu device, along with ZTE, Acer and the new Samsung we have been eyeing as possible. Read more...

Windows Phone Still Expected in Japan Before Year's End

It is being reported that WP7 will be coming to Japan before the end of the year. With most roll-outs expected in late October, and the Japanese input and display language and new font available now, it must be just around the corner. Still, we need more information on how the Marketplace will evolve and which services besides apps (music maybe) will be available on launch or shortly after. Read more...

Endgadget Finally Pulls it Together

I had linked to Endgadet earlier, but found their hub no longer responded. So I removed the link. Perhaps they were simply finding it difficult to keep up with the flood of news in their daily link format.

Well, here is probably the most complete review of Mango on any site. They also seem tremendously positive and instead of simply lamenting what is not yet there, they often point out that this is an incomplete build and that many other features and apps will be coming shortly. Good video links. Read more...

More on the International Language Roll Out

While this still leaves many questions, and omissions for Japan like mapping are worrisome, they are at least headed the right direction and the new Marketplace holds promise. Read more...

Metro Forever

Here is Microsoft's unveiling for Windows 8 running on everything from notebook to Arm devices. If anyone doubts the complete integration of the old and new, watch this. Again, Microsoft may very well be proving they are not just following the latest trend and launching willy-nilly into one segment. They genuinely seem interested in seeing it all work together.

Especially important to me, is that what I am currently running on Windows 7 will continue to work on the new OS and that I may not have to immediately upgrade hardware to take advantage of the new UI. Read more...