Innovation That Matters

Cell phones in Japan are moving swiftly up the evolutionary chain toward the apex of true media powerhouse. Hot new ‘killer idea’ FM Keitai – a partnership between KDDI (Japan’s second largest wireless provider), handset maker Sanyo, and FM radio heavyweight Tokyo FM – launched about a year ago and is now bringing real-time interactive radio content to 500,000+ keitai (Japanese for cell phones) users and counting. The number of 3G subscribers in Japan is steadily increasing — 16.7 million+ as of June 2004, and FM Keitai is taking full advantage of 3G’s enhanced capabilities. The FM-enabled handsets let listeners tune in to the station of their choice, and 53 Japanese radio stations participating in FM Keitai send track information and lyrics directly to the user’s phone via the pre-installed BREW applet. (Sales of BREW-enabled handsets are outpacing sales of Java-enabled handsets in Japan by a factor of 2-to-1.) Users can also download a 30-second Chaku Uta music file (MP3-quality ringtone) of any song they hear for USD 1 to USD 2, simply by clicking a link on their handset screen. The memory of FM Keitai compatible phones is designed to hold 50 to 60 Chaku Uta, and the music files themselves are provided courtesy of Label Mobile, a Japanese major record label joint venture formed in 2002 specifically to supply musical mobile content. (more…) What’s the quickest way to get a busy mom’s attention? Reward her hard work, listen to her opinions, and respect her economic power as the Household CEO. That’s exactly what US based ClubMom.com has diligently been doing, and business is now taking off: mothers across America are joining up in droves. ClubMom is a free national membership organization for American moms celebrating and rewarding everything ‘mom’. The focus is on consolidating the voices and buying power of mothers across the country, and supplying access to tools, resources, and services that make the tough job of being a mom a little easier. Mothers join by completing a simple sign-up form, after which they have immediate access to all of the ClubMom membership benefits. (more…)
Hold Everything Premier Garage

Opportunities

INSPIRIENCE
December 2004 AuctionDrop iSoldIt AuctionWagon Quikdrop.com Trading Assistants Program

Opportunities

Another hot import from the land of the Rising Sun has made it to US shores, and tuners couldn’t be happier. Super Autobacs is a veritable theme park for auto enthusiasts, and it’s positioned to become the defining brand for the full car experience. When the first Super Autobacs Creative CarLife store opened in the Metro Tokyo area, Japanese car culture aficionados rejoiced. Fueled by Japanese race queen culture and the country’s love of driving as a hobby activity, Super Autobacs fast became THE auto experience destination and the most successful auto parts chain in the country. From customization, maintenance services, and (of course) auto parts to the latest hot rims, electronics, music, and tuner fashion, the superstores provide a full one-stop-shopping experience in a hip-yet-functional environment designed to appeal to the aesthetics of tuner culture. Super Autobacs quickly expanded to Taiwan, France, Thailand and China, and with the recent opening of its first US superstore in Orange County, stateside tuners can now indulge in Autobacs-bliss. The 35,000 square-foot Orange County store will carry over 20,000 separate products including the newest and hottest brands, but the product selection is just the tip of the Super Autobacs iceberg. Central attractions include the autobay-as-art, where customers can watch hot customizations being installed by Autobacs mechanics (also known as “automotive Iron Chefs”) while reclining in comfort in the custom-designed waiting rooms. (more…)