Docomo i-mode to add Macromedia Flash NTT Docomo is about to launch their new 505 series mobile phone handsets in Japan. Macromedia Flash and Java will be included. Nevermind that they've had HTML and Java in their phones for a few years now. Unfortunately, however, it seems that the lite Flash version won't have network access. This is likely to help protect against requesting too many packets. In Japan, you are billed by packet, not by airtime. Here's a link to the Macromedia Flash for 505 content developer kit (in Japanese).
Imagine the possibilities that we continue to miss out on here in the US. Imagine the possibilities if it were as easy to create content for yourself and others as it is to publish for the desktop browser. And imagine if your content had the reach of the desktop browser and beyond.
One thing you can bet on, Docomo probably won't use the name Flash, just as they never use the word Java, or "Internet" for that matter. These concepts are way too techie for most Japanese. Docomo focuses on the benefits, the fun, the interesting and useful applications, and the ease of use, and gives these things cute names, like iAppli (J2ME apps).
Relate reads: The Birth of i-mode, by Mari Matsunaga. Compelling story of how the editor of a major magazine in Japan created the most successful mobile computing platform ever. i-Mode A Primer, by Nik Frengle. Well done book on creating HTML and Java apps for i-mode. Keitai-L. i-mode and mobile computing developers discussion group. THE place to learn what others are doing and get advice.
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