Archive for KDDI

Japanese carrier KDDI putting ads on some Android users’ notification bars

KDDI Ads 560x418 Japanese carrier KDDI putting ads on some Android users notification bars

I understand that we live in a world powered by advertising—it is how I make a paycheck after all—but the idea of having ads pop up in my notification bar and cause my phone to ring and vibrate is just abhorrent. Sadly, this is what some KDDI users are reporting.

I don’t speak a lick of Japanese, but from what I can decipher thanks to the wonders of Google Translate, the ads were added in an OTA update about two updates ago. Users were actually given a choice between viewing the ads or not. As is expected the giant ‘Click Here’ button for the new update allowed ads, while clicking a line of text above the button that read ‘click here if you don’t want to see ads’ was required to disallow them.

No word as to what the non-ad options are, if any. The ads seem to be from/for KDDI’s in-house app market, which was recently added for its selection of Android phones. Even though the ads are mostly text and you can—theoretically at least—opt-out, I consider ads in the notification bar to be nothing short of a personal invasion. But then, I think that of free carrier spam texts as well.

[Twitter via Engadget]

KDDI finally gets the Galaxy S II, and it is better than ever

S II WiMax 300x280 KDDI finally gets the Galaxy S II, and it is better than everWho doesn’t love the Galaxy S II? Even with the advent of the Galaxy Nexus the S II is still an excellent option, especially for anybody who doesn’t feel like melting their plastic. Well now the world has yet another variant to love. The Samsung Galaxy S II WiMax or, if you prefer alphabet soup, the ISW11SC, will soon be available in Japan from—you guessed it—KDDI.

Now, it might not be eye-watering LTE, but WiMax is nothing to be overlooked. If that’s just not enough for you, good ol’ Sammy has thrown in some extra fancy bells and whistles. The trimmings start with the ISW11SC’s 1280 x 720 pixel 4.7-inch screen, up from 800 x 480 on the old 4.27-inch screen. The trimmings continue with 1.4GHz of horsepower which is .2GHz better than its aging US siblings.

Of course, all the other equipment is as it should be with a 8MP rear shooter, 2MP front shooter, 32GB of micro SD space, NFC, and so on. I know Sprint has promised itself to LTE, but perhaps it could make an exception and bring this beauty over to its WiMax network. What say you Sprint, want to make a few potential customers very, very happy?

[KDDI via Engadget]

Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T officially launching on August 25

Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T 560x298 Fujitsu Toshiba IS12T officially launching on August 25

Well, it’s finally official. As previously rumored, KDDI will start selling the Fujitsu-Toshiba IS12T, the world’s first Windows Phone Mango handset, in some regions on Thursday, August 25. This release is much earlier than original launch window, which merely specified “September or beyond.”

The powerful waterproof device will be exclusive to the au by KDDI network in Japan. The carrier plans to release it on August 25 in Central, Hokkaido, Kansai, Kanto, Kyushu, Okinawa, and Tohoku. Chugoku will follow on August 26, and Shikoku will bring up the rear on August 27.

Microsoft released the Zune 4.8 software client earlier this morning, which is required for all Mango handsets. The software giant also opened up the Marketplace for Mango app submissions earlier this week, just in time for the launch of the IS12T.

The release schedule for the rest of the second generation Windows Phone handsets is unknown, but Samsung and HTC are expected to announce their respective devices on September 1. A few new Android devices might make an appearance as well.

[KDDI via WPCentral]