Asahi Shimbun streams videos to iPad

The Asahi Shimbun Company, one of Japan's major newspaper publishers, said on July 28 that it has begun to deliver HD videos that are optimized for play on the iPad.

Asahi Shimbun's video delivery website “ashahi.com douga (video)” (video.asahi.com) had been providing videos that can be played on the iPad since it launched on May 28.

However, the videos were in the low definition format for the iPhone, so when they were played in a full-scale screen on the iPad, their image quality significantly degraded.

Radiko embarks on Android

The Association of IP Simulcast Radio has begun to provide its IP simulcast radio service for Android-based devices in the Kansai and the Kanto region in Japan.

To listen to the radio stations via the service “radiko.jp” on your Android gadget, you need to download and install the radiko.jp application that is available from the Android Market or the andronavi for free.

Radiko embarks on iPhone (2)
Radiko embarks on iPhone (1)

JCI to provide SIM for SIM-lock-free cellphone

Japan Communications Inc. (JCI), Japan's MVNO giant, announced on July 23 that it will release a SIM card for SIM-lock-free mobiles on its Web site on July 30.

Its SIM card “talkingSIM” will allow the user to do data communications unlimitedly and voice calls for up to 25 minutes at the monthly charge of ¥3,960.

After talking for up to 25 minutes, or reaching the voice call rate of ¥1,050 included in the monthly charge, the user will be billed ¥21 every three minutes.

The data and voice will travel on NTT DoCoMo's network.

The talkingSIM card is subject to MNP (mobile number portability), so you can move to it with the telephone number you have used so far on the handset for other mobile-phone operator's service.

JCI has confirmed normal operation of the SIM card on some SIM-lock-free mobiles labeled with the Technical Conformity Mark, which is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).

The mobiles include Apple's iPhone 3G S, Fujitsu's FOMA F1100, and HTC's HT-03A.

JCI's SIM card for SIM-lock-free handsets

Apple Japan provides free iPhone 4 case

Apple Japan Inc. announced on July 25 that it had begun a service to offer an iPhone 4 case to the users for free.

The cases are to eliminate the issue that degrades radio reception on the iPhone 4.

Those who will have purchased an iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010 can get one of the free cases.

Note that the users who purchased an iPhone 4 before July 23, 2010 need to apply for one by August 22, 2010.

And the users who purchased it on and after July 23, 2010 need to do within 30 days from the purchase date.

To apply for one of the free cases, the user will be required to download the iPhone 4 Case Program application from the App Store.

Skype suitable to Apple iOS 4's multitasking

Luxembourg-based Skype Limited announced on July 21 local time that it had released the latest version 2.0.1 of its Skype for iPhone.

The version offers benefits to the users by making best use of multitasking features of Apple's iOS 4.

It is available from the App Store for free.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (70) -- Analog program to cease on June 30, 2011 [1]

As you know, the complete transition from analog to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting will be done on July 24, 2011 in Japan.

However, regular analog programs are scheduled to cease broadcasting on June 30, 2011.

So, on June 30, 2011, on a sudden, you will possibly see snow noise on an analog TV without any measures taken for the digitization.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (69) -- Just one year remaining

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (69) -- Just one year remaining

Are you really ready for chideji (terrestrial digital TV broadcasting) in Japan?

The countdown counter today indicates “364 days” to the day, July 24, 2011, when the complete transition will be done from analog to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting.

Survival in digitization of TV in Japan (68) -- Analog TV blackout on July 4 [3]