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Monday, September 1, 2008
Google might be the leader in the worldwide search engine market, but in Nippon, it has some catching up to do: In 2007, Yahoo Japan saw a whopping 76% of the nearly 350 billion search engine and portal-related pageviews registered in the country, clearly outperforming Google (second with 5.4%, according to Nielsen Japan). More recently, ComScore shows that in July, Yahoo Japan had ten times as many monthly pageviews (21.9 billion versus 2.2 billion for Google) and nearly twice as many monthly one-of-a-kind Japanese visitors (46 million versus 26 million). The Japanese web market is just too huge to be shrugged off: The country boasts one of the highest World wide web penetrations worldwide (74%, compared to 70% in the USA), a $5.7 billion online advertising market (out if one estimated to be worth $45 billion globally) and is ranked No. 3 in terms of total web population (94 million, about as many as Germany and the UK combined). So how does Google challenge Yahoo’s position as the hub of the Japanese Internet? In the West, the popularity of World wide web portals has waned in the past years, but not in Japan, where seven sites in Alexa Japan’s Top 25 are of this kind. That forced Google to change its simplistic design for the local market: Similar to Google China, for example, the Japanese version now contains tab links to other Google properties. It also features a keyword suggestion function in the searchbox. Nippon-only initiatives include allowing users of Mixi (Japan’s biggest social network) to embed Google Maps on their blogs, partnering up with web company Hatena (which operates Japan’s most popular social bookmarking service) and launching “One Green Project”, a microsite dedicated to prevent global warming. But these measures are just of the cosmetic kind. In fact, Google Japan keeps localization of its fixed World wide web site at a relatively low level (it doesn’t transform into a Yahoo-like portal site, for example). Instead, the company aims at taking over the Japanese market with a double-staged approach: Avoid Yahoo and take over the (bigger) mobile web market first to win the fixed Internet later. Mash-up Strategy of Collaboration, Experimentation and Circumvention Japanese cell phone carriers can regulate which search engine their Internet service subscribers use default. A good spot on the official, pre-installed starting menus is crucial to winning the mass market. That’s why in January this year, Google Japan inked a deal with the country’s leading telecom company NTT Docomo, following a partnership with the country’s No. 2 carrier KDDI au that started in 2006 (both mobile partners also were among the first to join the Open Handset Alliance but have been rather close-mouthed about Android development ever since). Google’s mobile strategy—in Japan and possibly elsewhere—depends on whether the 74 million Docomo and KDDI au World wide web subscribers will embrace the Googlization of their mobile web life. (Compare that number to the 15 million subscribers that the No. 3 carrier, Yahoo partner SoftBank, serves in this country) Both NT Docomo and KDDi au incorporated Google’s search engine directly into their default begin menus, synthesizing content from both mobile and PC web sites (including the display of contextual text ads). Users can also easily access Google Calendar, Youtube and other Google services. Some Docomo handsets now come with pre-installed Google Maps Mobile. In addition, Google gets access to a big amount of behavioral data in the world’s most advanced mobile web market. So it’s no wonder Google Japan states its partnerships have had “a massive impact” on business and traffic (although it refuses to disclose specific details). The company additionally uses insular, cell phone-enamored Japan as an isolated testbed for very special mobile web applications and services to be deployed worldwide at a later stage. It’s not only about search and ads: KDDI au, for example, started to offer a rebranded, Japan-only version of mobile Gmail (“au one mail”). The service is free of charge and can also be accessed through Computers, doubling as a Trojan horse for Google to attack Yahoo Mail’s premier position in Nippon’s email arena. Japan is also the world’s first country where users can integrate animated picture characters into their mobile Gmails (very important in Nippon) and use Google Mobile to get extra-fast info after earthquakes strike. The holistic strategy the company pursues not only avoids a losing, long-term confrontation with Yahoo Japan but also strengthens the brand among Japanese web users and the mobile industry in general. The company also gains insights on how to improve and adjust its search technology for the Japanese and international markets. One examplary finding John Lagerling, head of Google’s Wireless Business in the region, publicly shares: Contrary to popular belief, traffic on mobile Google doesn’t get a big bump in the morning (when millions of Japanese commute to work and school) but peaks from 6pm through bed-time at 1am. Lagerling anticipates usage trends like this to be repeated outside of Japan once flat-rate data plans and browser-enabled handsets prevail on a global level. Google’s multilayered strategy certainly makes sense strategically: Japanese people usually demonstrate unwavering loyalty in established, popular uber-brands like Yahoo. Google still needs to prove a) its now beneficial partnerships will sustain, b) it can really take over Yahoo’s place through the backdoor, c) what role Android will play in the future and d) how much Google’s Japan-specific experiences can shape the mobile web on a global level. Information Google Japan : MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily. Source[TechCrunch]
Monday, September 1, 2008
MultiTouch, a company specializing in, you guessed it, multi-touch technology, today launched the world’s first modular multi-touch LCD screen, which will allow owners to create screen tables and walls to their desired size. Dubbed the MultiTouch Cell, each LCD screen unit is available in both 32- and 46-inch sizes and offers Full HD capability. The Cells can be positioned in portrait or landscape modes and can be turned into huge multi-touch screens or a multi-touch coffee table for those who don’t need something so grandiose. The MultiTouch Cell is the company’s response to Microsoft’s Touchwall, which we wrote about earlier this year. Touchwall uses three infrared lasers that scan a surface, and a camera, which feeds information back to Microsoft’s Plex software after something breaks through the laser line. In contrast, the MultiTouch Cell uses an LCD display and according to the company, bests current projector-based systems by improving durability — MultiTouch claims users will get 50,000 hours of use compared to 3,000 hours for projector-based offerings — as well as improved image resolution, contrast, and color quality. Depending on their needs, MultiTouch customers can buy dozens of LCD modules and arrange them in any way they wish without worrying about connectivity. Each LCD module features HDMI, FireWire, and USB ports and can be connected to a Mac, Linux or Windows computer, meaning each screen in the setup can display one large image or something different. Although MultiTouch uses LCDs instead of projector technology, owners won’t save any money buying a MultiTouch system. The company’s 46-inch offering costs almost $16,000 with a fully-configured Linux PC to run the software, while a 46-inch display without the PC will cost about $14,700 per unit. 32-inch displays with Full HD capability cost about $8,300 with the Linux PC and almost $7,200 without it. Ever since Microsoft announced its Surface computer, which currently retails for about $10,000 and can be found in some AT&T stores, more companies have jumped on the multi-touch bandwagon. But so far, development costs are extremely high and companies haven’t been able to bring prices down to an affordable level for consumers. For its part, Microsoft claims the Surface will be available to consumers in 2011, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. CrunchBase Information Microsoft Microsoft Surface Information provided by CrunchBase Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware. Source[TechCrunch]
Monday, September 1, 2008
Google’s foray into the online video market has been criticized by many. In fact, some believe that Google’s decision to acquire YouTube was one of the worst it has ever made, thanks to the confluence of massive copyright violations and Google’s financial backing, which gave copyright holders the impetus they needed to sue the popular site. Others believe that Google’s decision to enter the online video market and become a quasi-content firm wasn’t the best way for it to capitalize on the booming video advertising business. Either way, Google is now wholeheartedly invested in online video and YouTube is the centerpiece of its strategy. YouTube’s Sorry Situation YouTube may be wildly popular, but Google’s ability to realize a profit has been difficult, at best. The company spent $1.65 billion for YouTube and so far, it has yet to find a way to monetize it effectively and realize a positive return on its investment. Estimates for how much revenues YouTube can produce are all over the place.
Monday, September 1, 2008
If FriendFeed displayed only video, it might look like Utagoe Live 100. The service lets you track live video streams from all of your friends on one screen. Tokyo-based Utagoe just launched it as a hub for broadcasting and watching multiple, free live video streams simultaneously (from sites like Qik, Ustream, Justin.tv etc.), video-based chatting and conferencing. Aiming mainly at the U.S. and European markets, the service is available in English. Utagoe Live 100 is browser-based and, as its main selling point, requires just a 400 kbps Internet connection to display around 100 different live streams on one screen (settings can be individually adjusted). The underlying technology, dubbed “traffic controller”, is self-developed. The Flash-based site has an uncluttered structure and features a very straightforward UI. Users can change the size and order of every window and also customize the entire grid of videos. The RSS function allows users to add live streams from friends and other sources to their “My page” with two clicks (Utagoe calls this “importing”). Like FriendFeed and Twitter, friends can follow each other’s status. It’s possible to communicate with friends by typing text messages (via speech balloons overlaying the video stream). I tried out the application, which is in public beta, and it worked flawlessly, even with my mediocre PC and Internet connection. What Utagoe Live 100 needs in future versions to appeal to more users is an automatic pre-categorization of video sources and topics, an opt-in solution for adult-oriented streams and a ranking function for members wanting to cut the noise. But with streaming picking up speed as a mass phenomenon, Utagoe might well find its place in a lucrative niche. As a next step, Utagoe plans an expansion to the iPhone and other mobile devices. The site will be monetized with video ads and an ad system the company developed that automatically displays affiliate links matching the text chat messages that users type. (Who’s watching who?) Vaguely similar services can be found mainly in the TV realm, and include sites like Inner Live or TVChannelsFree. But Utagoe lets you watch your friends. (In that sense, it’s more like multi-person video-chat service PalTalk) Here is a demo video (without sound): Utagoe Live100 demo from utagoe on Vimeo. CrunchBase Information Utagoe Information provided by CrunchBase ` Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily. Source[TechCrunch]
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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