New Sony CEO looking to shift to Apple-like integration of hardware, software [u]
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 - Kazuo Hirai, Sony's newly-announced President and CEO, has ambitious plans for the consumer electronics giant that entail strategies that are often strongly associated with Apple: centralized top-down decision-making on products and a focus on software and service combined with hardware. ( 50 comments )
Apple's restrictive pre-installed software policy halts NTT DoCoMo iPhone deal
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 - Apple's policy that prevents partners from pre-installing software on the iPhone has stalled a possible partnership with Japan's largest wireless operator NTT DoCoMo. ( 43 comments )
iPad sales cannibalizing Macs, but record sales offset problem
Tue, Oct 18, 2011 - Apple's chief executive Tim Cook admitted that iPad sales have likely eaten up some sales of Macs, but noted record new levels of Macs sold globally and added that a "materially larger number are buying iPads over [generic] PCs." ( 21 comments )
KDDI to break up Softbank iPhone exclusivity in Japan in 2012
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 - Japanese carrier KDDI will break up rival Softbank's exclusive hold on Apple's iPhone in the country early next year, when it will reportedly begin selling the iPhone 5. ( 8 comments )
Apple's legal effort to bar Samsung tablets, smartphones extends to Japan
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 - Apple's legal challenges against Samsung, which have succeeded in barring sales of its Galaxy Tab and Galaxy smartphones in some countries, have extended to Japan with another lawsuit. ( 80 comments )
Continuing supply struggles from Japan force Apple to diversify
Thu, May 19, 2011 - Apple has been forced to turn to alternative suppliers after at least one component maker in Japan has been unable to meet demand following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. ( 12 comments )
Apple's iPad 2 launch in Asia draws long lines
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 - The rollout of Apple's iPad 2 in Asia drew thousands of interested customers looking to be among the first to officially purchase the touchscreen tablet in their countries. ( 26 comments )
Apple to sell iPad 2 in Japan, Hong Kong, 10 other countries this week [u]
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 - Apple on Wednesday officially announced that the iPad 2 will debut in Japan, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and UAE this week [updated]. ( 25 comments )
Disaster in Japan hasn't greatly affected Apple's supplies, COO says
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 - Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan did not have a material impact on the supply or availability of components for Apple's iPad 2 or other products last quarter, and he also does not expect the situation to affect the company in the near future. ( 18 comments )
Supply issues persist for Apple weeks after disaster in Japan
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 - More than a month after a deadly earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, the longterm effects on Apple's supply chain are becoming clearer, with report characterizing them as "significantly damaged." ( 29 comments )
Apple reportedly absorbing increased costs from supply disruption in Japan
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 - A new report out of the Far East alleges that Apple has agreed to absorb increased costs for upstream Japanese components in order to prevent shipping delays of the iPad 2. ( 57 comments )
Founder of Japan's Softbank to offer free iPhones, pay bills of orphans
Wed, Mar 30, 2011 - Softbank founder and chief executive Masayoshi Son has rushed to help feed and shelter dislocated victims of the Japanese quake, pledging to replace iPhones and cover the mobile bills of the disaster's orphans. ( 12 comments )
Japan disaster causes shortage of lithium ion batteries for Apple
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 - The earthquake and tsunami disaster has caused a Japanese chemical maker to shut down, resulting in constraints in the supply of lithium ion batteries for Apple's portable devices. ( 23 comments )
Japan disaster hasn't 'meaningfully impacted' Apple's iPad 2 supply
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 - Despite initial concerns that the earthquake in Japan might result in a shortage of components for devices like Apple's iPad 2, a new report says the impact so far has only been "modest" at worst. ( 48 comments )
Apple may agree to component price hikes to secure touch panel supply
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 - Apple could agree to pay more for touch panel components from overseas suppliers to secure supply in the face of the Japan earthquake, according to a new report. ( 20 comments )
Apple delays launch of iPad 2 in Japan in wake of earthquake disaster
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 - Though Japan was originally scheduled to be one of a number of countries where the iPad 2 will launch next week, Apple announced on Wednesday that it has delayed the launch while the country works to recover from the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. ( 44 comments )
Japan Apple Stores serve as rallying point after massive quake
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 - Crowds have flocked to the Apple Stores in Japan in order to stay connected after last week's devastating earthquake, according to e-mails reportedly from an Apple retail store manager in Japan. ( 41 comments )
Japanese publishers censure Apple over App Store copyright violations
Tue, Dec 14, 2010 - A consortium of Japanese publishers rebuked Apple on Tuesday for approving App Store apps that violate the copyrights of several famous Japanese authors. ( 43 comments )
Softbank to offer fully subsidized iPad in Japan with 25-month contract
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 - Japanese carrier Softbank will begin offering the 16GB iPad 3G for free when customers sign up for a 25 month, $56 a month contract, a new report claims. ( 27 comments )
iPhone 4 Retina Display matched by upcoming Sharp smartphone
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 - Sharp has challenged Apple's smartphone display reign by announcing an Android smartphone with the same resolution and dimensions as the iPhone 4's Retina Display. ( 77 comments )
Apple must publicize iPod nano fix in Japan, iPhone 4 to access DoCoMo
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 - Apple has been ordered to inform customers in Japan how to receive a replacement battery for iPod nanos that can catch fire, while a wireless provider has taken steps to allow unlocked iPhone 4 devices on the DoCoMo network. ( 20 comments )
Inside Apple's iOS 4: new feature parity with Snow Leopard
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 - Apple's iOS 4 features the biggest foundational leap for developers since the company first opened up iPhone OS 2.0 to development, now catching up to the core features of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. ( 82 comments )
iPad 3G is SIM-locked to Softbank Mobile network in Japan
Mon, May 10, 2010 - Despite Apple's claims that the iPad would ship unlocked, allowing owners of the 3G model to access any compatible wireless data network they might choose, the device is locked to carrier Softbank Mobile in Japan. ( 88 comments )
Japanese Apple resellers halt Web sales, China iPhone price cut planned
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 - Online electronics discount stores in Japan have reportedly been asked by Apple to cease sales of iPods, Macs and other products. Also, China Unicom may cut the price of the iPhone by 1,000 yuan, or nearly $150, in an effort to boost sales. ( 17 comments )
Apple iPhone takes 72% of Japanese smartphone market
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 - Apple's smartphone presence in Japan has more than doubled in the last year, with the iPhone taking an estimated 72 percent of total sales in the country. ( 102 comments )
Apple's iPhone commands 46% of Japanese smartphone market
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 - Nearly half of all domestic smartphone users have turned to the iPhone in Japan, giving Apple a dominant position in the market, according to a new study. ( 69 comments )
Japanese iPhone 3G sales better than reported
Sat, Sep 27, 2008 - Despite a widely publicized report that suggested iPhone sales in Japan were less than half of initial expectations, independent data shows that sales are right in line with expectations in a market that is often difficult for Western companies to enter. ( 77 comments )
