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Softbank Confirms Emoji and Digital TV for iPhone in Japan

Friday October 31, 2008 6:23 am PDT by Arnold Kim
Nikkei Trendy reports that SoftBank's president has confirmed that emoji (Japanese emoticons) are coming to the iPhone in Japan:

"This was made possible by us telling Apple that emoji is essential for Japanese users. And this is Japan specific service."

He also mentions that they will also introduced a 3rd party accessory which provides mobile television service and an extended battery pack for the iPhone. SetteB.IT provides a photo of the device:



The device will act as a TV tuner which will transmit video to the iPhone via Wi-Fi but can also act as an extended battery pack when connected directly to the phone. An App Store application is required to support the device and will be made available for free through the Japanese App Store. Price has not yet been announced.

[Thanks coelacanth]
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mikeinternet
Posted: 47 months ago
i could care less about the emoticons so don't mind that being japan specific. but the tv thing looks cool.
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stagi
Posted: 47 months ago
i want emoji :D
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Jowl
Posted: 47 months ago
The TV Tuner would be great.

I want one!
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Rojo
Posted: 47 months ago
I want both!!

But emoji I guess I can live without. Bummed we don't have a U.S. equivalent for the TV tuner, though... :(
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zombitronic
Posted: 47 months ago
It would be cool if the TV thing could clasp onto the back of the phone. I don't mind the cable. I'd also like to see this on the States-side. It's just a digital TV tuner, I'm assuming, so there would be no cause for AT&T to whine about bandwidth.
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AppleinJapan
Posted: 47 months ago
Here's the thread with some more information...

and I cant even spell wrote properly !!! thats what i get for living in Japan for too long - !!!!!
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pauld
Posted: 47 months ago
Emoji - great. As for the TV tuner, perhaps it detracts a bit from the "all-in-one device"? I'm interested to see how this will be received.
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shigzeo
Posted: 47 months ago
looks lovely...:(
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mainstreetmark
Posted: 47 months ago
I hate TV. I always feel like I waste time whenever there's one nearby, even if I'm doing nothing more than sitting in a bar. I blame Philo Farnsworth.
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shadowfax
Posted: 47 months ago

I hate TV. I always feel like I waste time whenever there's one nearby, even if I'm doing nothing more than sitting in a bar. I blame Philo Farnsworth.


But, posting on an internet forum is somehow less of a waste of time? ;) :p
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